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Transglutaminases, neuronal cell death and neural repair: implications for traumatic brain injury and therapeutics. Curr Opin Neurol 2019; 32:796-801. [DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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2
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Nonclinical data supporting orphan medicinal product designations: lessons from rare neurological conditions. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:26-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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3
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Oono M, Okado-Matsumoto A, Shodai A, Ido A, Ohta Y, Abe K, Ayaki T, Ito H, Takahashi R, Taniguchi N, Urushitani M. Transglutaminase 2 accelerates neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through interaction with misfolded superoxide dismutase 1. J Neurochem 2013; 128:403-18. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Revised: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miki Oono
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
- Department of Neurology; Kyoto University Graduate school of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | | | - Akemi Shodai
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
| | - Akemi Ido
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ohta
- Department of Neurology; Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine; Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Okayama Japan
| | - Koji Abe
- Department of Neurology; Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine; Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Okayama Japan
| | - Takashi Ayaki
- Department of Neurology; Kyoto University Graduate school of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | - Hidefumi Ito
- Department of Neurology; Wakayama Medical University; Graduate School of Medicine; Wakayama Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology; Kyoto University Graduate school of Medicine; Kyoto Japan
| | | | - Makoto Urushitani
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center; Shiga University of Medical Science; Otsu Shiga Japan
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Transglutaminase is a therapeutic target for oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and stroke: a new epigenetic kid on the CNS block. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2013; 33:809-18. [PMID: 23571278 PMCID: PMC3677119 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2013.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Transglutaminases (TGs) are multifunctional, calcium-dependent enzymes that have been recently implicated in stroke pathophysiology. Classically, these enzymes are thought to participate in cell injury and death in chronic neurodegenerative conditions via their ability to catalyze covalent, nondegradable crosslinks between proteins or to incorporate polyamines into protein substrates. Accumulating lines of inquiry indicate that specific TG isoforms can shuttle into the nucleus when they sense pathologic changes in calcium or oxidative stress, bind to chromatin and thereby transduce these changes into transcriptional repression of genes involved in metabolic or oxidant adaptation. Here, we review the evidence that supports principally a role for one isoform of this family, TG2, in cell injury and death associated with hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. We also outline an evolving model in which TG2 is a critical mediator between pathologic signaling and epigenetic modifications that lead to gene repression. Accordingly, the salutary effects of TG inhibitors in stroke may derive from their ability to restore homeostasis by removing inappropriate deactivation of adaptive genetic programs by oxidative stress or extrasynaptic glutamate receptor signaling.
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Vaquer G, Rivière F, Mavris M, Bignami F, Llinares-Garcia J, Westermark K, Sepodes B. Animal models for metabolic, neuromuscular and ophthalmological rare diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2013; 12:287-305. [PMID: 23493083 DOI: 10.1038/nrd3831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Animal models are important tools in the discovery and development of treatments for rare diseases, particularly given the small populations of patients in which to evaluate therapeutic candidates. Here, we provide a compilation of mammalian animal models for metabolic, neuromuscular and ophthalmological orphan-designated conditions based on information gathered by the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) since its establishment in 2000, as well as from a review of the literature. We discuss the predictive value of the models and their advantages and limitations with the aim of highlighting those that are appropriate for the preclinical evaluation of novel therapies, thereby facilitating further drug development for rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Vaquer
- Human Medicines Special Areas, Human Medicines Development and Evaluation, European Medicines Agency, London E14 4HB, UK
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6
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Nemes Z. Effects and Analysis of Transglutamination on Protein Aggregation and Clearance in Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN ENZYMOLOGY - AND RELATED AREAS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 78:347-83. [DOI: 10.1002/9781118105771.ch8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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7
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Hwang IK, Yoo KY, Yi SS, Kim IY, Hwang HS, Lee KY, Choi SM, Lee IS, Yoon YS, Kim SY, Won MH, Seong JK. Expression of tissue-type transglutaminase (tTG) and the effect of tTG inhibitor on the hippocampal CA1 region after transient ischemia in gerbils. Brain Res 2009; 1263:134-42. [PMID: 19368835 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2008] [Revised: 01/17/2009] [Accepted: 01/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronological changes of tissue-type transglutaminase (tTG) were observed in the hippocampal CA1 region after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. In the sham-operated group, tTG immunoreactivity was weakly detected in blood vessels which were immunostained with platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), and tTG immunoreactivity in blood vessels was highest 5 days after ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, tTG immunoreaction was expressed in microglia which were immunostained with Iba-1 at 4 days post-ischemia, and tTG immunoreactivity in the microglia was also highest at 5 days post-ischemia. In Western blot analysis, tTG protein levels in the CA1 region after ischemia/reperfusion began to increase 3 days after ischemia/reperfusion and peaked 5 days after ischemia/reperfusion. The expression of tTG in PECAM-1-immunoreactive blood vessels may be associated with integrin regulation or transendothelial migration of leukocytes in the ischemic CA1 region. In this study, we also observed the effect of cystamine, a tTG inhibitor, against ischemic damage. Administration of cystamine protected in certain degree neuronal damage from ischemic damage in the CA1 region. These results suggest that tTG may be associated with neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region induced by ischemia/reperfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Koo Hwang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Program for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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8
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Sugitani K, Matsukawa T, Koriyama Y, Shintani T, Nakamura T, Noda M, Kato S. Upregulation of retinal transglutaminase during the axonal elongation stage of goldfish optic nerve regeneration. Neuroscience 2006; 142:1081-92. [PMID: 16997488 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2006] [Revised: 07/21/2006] [Accepted: 07/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Fish CNS neurons can repair their axons following nerve injury, whereas mammalian CNS neurons cannot regenerate, and become apoptotic within 1-2 weeks after the nerve lesion. One explanation for these differences is that one, or several molecules are upregulated in fish CNS neurons during nerve regeneration, and this same molecule is downregulated in mammalian CNS neurons before the development of apoptosis caused by nerve injury. A molecule satisfying these criteria might successfully rescue and repair the mammalian CNS neurons. In this study, we looked for such a candidate molecule from goldfish retinas. Transglutaminase derived from goldfish retina (TG(R)) was characterized as a regenerating molecule after optic nerve injury. A full-length cDNA for TG(R) was isolated from the goldfish retinal cDNA library prepared from axotomized retinas. Levels of TG(R) mRNA and protein increased only in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) between 10 and 40 days after optic nerve transection. Recombinant TG(R) protein enhanced neurite outgrowth from adult fish RGCs in culture. Specific interference RNA and antibodies for TG(R) inhibited neurite outgrowth both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, the level of TG(R) protein decreased in rat RGCs within 1-3 days after nerve injury. Furthermore, the addition of recombinant TG(R) to retinal cultures induced striking neurite outgrowth from adult rat RGCs. These molecular and cellular data strongly suggest that TG(R) promotes axonal elongation at the surface of injured RGCs after optic nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sugitani
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
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9
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Fujita K, Kato T, Shibayama K, Imada H, Yamauchi M, Yoshimoto N, Miyachi E, Nagata Y. Protective effect against 17beta-estradiol on neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus tissue following transient ischemia/recirculation in mongolian gerbils via down-regulation of tissue transglutaminase activity. Neurochem Res 2006; 31:1059-68. [PMID: 16874559 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-006-9114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We analyzed the protective effect of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-ED) injection against delayed neuronal death in the hippocampus tissue of the brain in Mongolian gerbils after transient ischemia/recirculation treatment, especially in relation with bcl-2 gene expression and enzymatic activity changes of caspase-3 and tissue transglutaminase (tTGase). Daily intraperitoneal injection of 17beta-ED to the animal after the ischemia stimulated the expression of an apoptosis suppressor gene, bcl-2, in the hippocampal tissue for a week. The gradually increasing apoptotic enzyme activity of caspase-3 and increased number of TUNEL positive fragmented neuronal nuclei caused by ischemic attack in the gerbil brain were clearly suppressed by 17beta-ED administration. The reduced activity and enzyme protein of tTGase, a neurodegenerative marker of apoptosis in the hippocampus after ischemia, were also restored to nearly normal levels by 17beta-ED injection. These results suggest that daily 17beta-ED administration to the gerbil after transient ischemic insult with progressing neuronal deteriorative changes in hippocampus tissue can effectively prevent apoptotic changes through a molecular cascade involving gene expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fujita
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.
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10
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Kobayashi M, Ishiguro K, Katoh-Fukui Y, Yokoyama M, Fujita SC. Phosphorylation state of tau in the hippocampus of apolipoprotein E4 and E3 knock-in mice. Neuroreport 2003; 14:699-702. [PMID: 12692466 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-200304150-00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The apolipoprotein E (apoE) epsilon 4 allele is associated with an increased risk of sporadic as well as late-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). To accurately determine the isoform-specific effects of human apoE on AD-like phosphorylation of tau, hippocampi from human apoE knock-in (KI) mice were studied by quantitative immunoblotting. There was no significant difference in phosphorylation levels of tau at nine of the 13 epitopes, for six of eight tau kinases, or in protein levels of three tau phosphatases, between apoE3-KI and apoE4-KI mouse hippocampi. However, in apoE4-KI mice, phosphorylation of tau at Ser235 was increased to approximately 150%, that at Ser413 to approximately 140%, while that at Ser202/Thr205 and Thr205 were decreased to approximately 70%, and the protein level of tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (TPKI/GSK3beta) was increased to approximately 120%, that of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) was increased to approximately 130%, compared with apoE3-KI mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Kobayashi
- Department of Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8585 Japan
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11
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Van Rijk AF, Sweers MAM, Merkx GFM, Lammens M, Bloemendal H. Pathogenesis of axonal dystrophy and demyelination in alphaA-crystallin-expressing transgenic mice. Int J Exp Pathol 2003; 84:91-9. [PMID: 12801283 PMCID: PMC2517547 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2613.2003.00340.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently described a transgenic mouse strain overexpressing hamster alphaA-crystallin, a small heat shock protein, under direction of the hamster vimentin promoter. As a result myelin was degraded and axonal dystrophy in both central nervous system (especially spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system occurred. Homozygous transgenic mice developed hind limb paralysis after 8 weeks of age and displayed progressive loss of myelin and axonal dystrophy in both the central and peripheral nervous system with ongoing age. Pathologically the phenotype resembled, to a certain extent, neuroaxonal dystrophy. The biochemical findings presented in this paper (activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and transglutamase, myelin protein zero expression levels and blood sugar levels) confirm this pathology and exclude other putative pathologies like Amyothrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy. Consequently, an excessive cytoplasmic accumulation of the transgenic protein or a disturbance of the normal metabolism are considered to cause the observed neuropathology. Therefore, extra-ocular alphaA-crystallin-expressing transgenic mice may serve as a useful animal model to study neuroaxonal dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Van Rijk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nijmegen, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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12
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Festoff BW, SantaCruz K, Arnold PM, Sebastian CT, Davies PJA, Citron BA. Injury-induced "switch" from GTP-regulated to novel GTP-independent isoform of tissue transglutaminase in the rat spinal cord. J Neurochem 2002; 81:708-18. [PMID: 12065630 DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2002.00850.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We recently found that alternative transcripts of tissue transglutaminase (tTG or TG2) were present in hippocampal brain regions of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but not in control, non-demented, age-matched brains. Since antecedent non-severe trauma has been implicated in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we were interested in whether alternative transcripts might be detected in a model of neurotrauma, controlled-contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) in the rat. Implicated in diverse roles from growth and differentiation to apoptotic cell death, only bifunctional tTG, of the nine member TG family, has dual catalytic activities: guanine trinucleotide (GTP) hydrolyzing activity (GTPase), as well as protein cross-linking. These functions imply two physiological functions: programmed cell life and death. These may have profound roles in the nervous system since studies in cultured astrocytes found tTG short (S) mRNA transcripts induced by treatment with injury-related cytokines. In the developing rat spinal cord, tTG activity is concentrated in ventral horn alpha motoneurons, but neither studies of spinal cord tTG gene expression, nor evaluation of the GTP-regulated isoforms in tissues, have been reported. We now report increased tTG protein and gene expression occurring rapidly after SCI. In parallel, novel appearance of a second, short form transcript, in addition to the normal long (L) isoform, occurs by 8 h of injury. Up-regulation of tTG message and activity following neural injury. with appearance of a truncated GTP-unregulated S form, may represent new approaches to drug targets in neurotrauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry W Festoff
- Neurobiology Research Laboratory, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Kansas, 4801 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64128, USA.
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Planel E, Yasutake K, Fujita SC, Ishiguro K. Inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A overrides tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 inhibition and results in tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus of starved mouse. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:34298-306. [PMID: 11441005 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m102780200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylated tau is the major component of paired helical filaments in neurofibrillary tangles found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Starvation of adult mice induces tau hyperphosphorylation at many paired helical filaments sites and with a similar regional selectivity as those in AD, suggesting that a common mechanism may be mobilized. Here we investigated the mechanism of starvation-induced tau hyperphosphorylation in terms of tau kinases and Ser/Thr protein phosphatases (PP), and the results were compared with those reported in AD brain. During starvation, tau hyperphosphorylation at specific epitopes was accompanied by decreases in tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (TPKI/GSK3 beta), cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5), and PP2A activities toward tau. These results demonstrate that the activation of TPKI/GSK3 beta and cdk5 is not necessary to obtain hyperphosphorylated tau in vivo, and indicate that inhibition of PP2A is likely the dominant factor in inducing tau hyperphosphorylation in the starved mouse, overriding the inhibition of key tau kinases such as TPKI/GSK3 beta and cdk5. Furthermore, these data give strong support to the hypothesis that PP2A is important for the regulation of tau phosphorylation in the adult brain, and provide in vivo evidence in support of a central role of PP2A in tau hyperphosphorylation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Planel
- Mitsubishi Kasei Institute of Life Sciences, 11 Minamiooya, Machida, Tokyo 194-8511, Japan
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Nemes Z, Fésüs L, Egerházi A, Keszthelyi A, Degrell IM. N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine in cerebrospinal fluid marks Alzheimer type and vascular dementia. Neurobiol Aging 2001; 22:403-6. [PMID: 11378245 DOI: 10.1016/s0197-4580(01)00224-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide is released from the breakdown of proteins cross-linked by transglutaminase enzymes. Transglutaminase activation is a marker of apoptosis and elevated isodipeptide concentrations in body fluids might correlate with the intensity of apoptotic cell turnover. The concentration of N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (n = 14) and vascular type dementia (n = 11) and compared with not demented surgical controls (n = 17). Baseline levels of 26-62 nM/l (mean 37.9 +/- 8.7 SD) free isodipeptide were detected in control patients. CSF isodipeptide levels showed significant elevation in vascular (mean 95.6 +/- 45.1 SD) as well as Alzheimer patients (176.6 +/- 77.1 SD). Isodipeptide concentrations above 120 nM/l were 72% specific and 77% sensitive to Alzheimer's dementia, although the difference between the two dementias was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Determination of CSF N(epsilon)(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide concentration offers a novel method for measurement of neurodegeneration in primary and mixed dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Nemes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Debrecen, Center for Medical and Health Sciences, H-4012, Debrecen, Hungary.
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Chou SM, Han CY, Wang HS, Vlassara H, Bucala R. A receptor for advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) is colocalized with neurofilament-bound AGEs and SOD1 in motoneurons of ALS: immunohistochemical study. J Neurol Sci 1999; 169:87-92. [PMID: 10540014 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-510x(99)00222-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neurofilament (NF)-bound AGEs colocalize immunochemically with SOD1 in the motoneurons of patients with ALS. Among three types of AGE receptors reported in the human brain, AGE-R1 (oligosaccharyltransferase family) and AGE-R2 (substrate of protein kinase C) have been found in neurons, while AGE-R3 is restricted to glia. The present study investigates which of these receptors may be responsible for binding AGEs in the NF conglomerates of motoneurons. Immunostaining of paraffin sections from eight ALS patients (five sporadic and three familial) and three control cases was performed with antibodies directed against R1 and R2, in parallel with those against AGEs and SOD1. The sites of AGE-R1 immunoreactivity (IR) in motoneurons were in conformity to those of NF-associated AGE and SOD1 IRs. By contrast, the IR of R2 was negative in NF conglomerates. Negative R2 IR for NF conglomerates was outlined by surrounding coarse R2 immunopositive granules in the perikaryon. No IR for R1 or R2 was found in hyaline or Bunina inclusions. There was no extraneuronal expression of IR for AGE-R1 or AGEs in microglia or astroglia around the NF accumulation. The colocalization of AGE, AGE-R1, and SOD1 at NF conglomerates in motoneurons supports the notion that AGE-mediated oxidative stress and protein aggregation may be implicated in NF conglomeration and ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Chou
- Norris ALS/MDA Research Center, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94116, USA
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Abstract
We review recent advances regarding the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD). This genetic neurodegenerative disorder is caused by an expanded CAG repeat in a gene coding for a protein, with unknown function, called huntingtin. There is selective death of striatal and cortical neurons. Both in patients and a transgenic mouse model of the disease, neuronal intranuclear inclusions, immunoreactive for huntingtin and ubiquitin, develop. Huntingtin interacts with the proteins GAPDH, HAP-1, HIP1, HIP2, and calmodulin, and a mutant huntingtin is specifically cleaved by the proapoptotic enzyme caspase 3. The pathogenetic mechanism is not known, but it is presumed that there is a toxic gain of function of the mutant huntingtin. Circumstantial evidence suggests that excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, impaired energy metabolism, and apoptosis play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Petersén
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Sölvegatan 17, Lund, 222 52, Sweden
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Fujita K, Honda M, Hayashi R, Ogawa K, Ando M, Yamauchi M, Nagata Y. Transglutaminase activity in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a possible use as an indicator of extent of the motor neuron loss. J Neurol Sci 1998; 158:53-7. [PMID: 9667778 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-510x(98)00088-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The activity of transglutaminase (TGase), a marker enzyme for tissue degeneration, was examined in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS), and compared to those from patients without SALS. When the serum TGase activity values from SALS patients were compared against the 'ALS-scale', which is used for clinical evaluation of the progression of ALS, the TGase activity values were higher at the initial stage of the disease than in non-ALS subjects, whereas they became extremely low at the late stage of ALS. The TGase activity in the CSF taken at later than middle stage from ALS patients with definite clinical motor dysfunctions was significantly lower than in that from non-ALS subjects. We have previously demonstrated marked reduction of tissue TGase activity in all regions of spinal cord tissue transections from ALS patients, not only in ventral but also lateral and dorsal regions, relative to that in non-ALS patients. These results suggest that some TGase may be leaked out of the spinal cord tissue into the CSF and then into the blood-stream during the progression of ALS, and the enzymic activity finally becomes depleted at the terminal stages of the disease when most of the spinal motor neuronal perikarya have been destroyed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fujita
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan.
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Nagata Y, Fujita K, Yamauchi M, Kato T, Ando M, Honda M. Neurochemical changes in the spinal cord in degenerative motor neuron diseases. MOLECULAR AND CHEMICAL NEUROPATHOLOGY 1998; 33:237-47. [PMID: 9642676 DOI: 10.1007/bf02815185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a typical motor neuron disease, is characterized pathologically by selective degenerative loss of motoneurons in the CNS. We have demonstrated significant reductions of neurotransmitter-related factors, such as acetylcholine-(ACh)-synthesizing enzyme activity and glutamate and aspartate contents in the ALS, compared to the non-ALS spinal cord obtained at autopsy. We have also shown considerable reductions in activities of cytochrome-c oxidase (CO), an enzyme contributing to aerobic energy production, and transglutaminase (TG), a Ca(2+)-dependent marker enzyme for tissue degeneration, in the ALS spinal cord. We found marked increases in fragmented glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a filamentous protein specifically associated with reactive astrocytes, in the ALS spinal cord relative to non-ALS tissue. These biochemical results corresponded well to pathomor-phological neuronal degenerative loss and reactive proliferation of astroglial components in the ALS spinal cord tissue. However, these results only indicate the final pathological and biochemical outcomes of ALS, and it is difficult to follow up cause and process in the ALS spinal cord during progression of the disease. Therefore, we used an animal model closely resembling human ALS, motor neuron degeneration (Mnd) mutant mice, a subline of C57BL/6 that shows late-onset progressive degeneration of lower motor neurons with paralytic gait beginning around 6.5 mo of age, to follow the biochemical and pathological alterations during postnatal development. We detected significant decreases in CO activity during early development and in activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, in later stages in Mnd mutant spinal cord tissue. TG activity in the Mnd spinal cord showed gradual increases during early development reaching a maximum at 5 mo, and then tending to decrease thereafter. Amounts of fragmented GFAPs increased continuously during postnatal development in Mnd spinal cord. These biochemical changes were observed prior to the appearance of clinical motor dysfunctions in the Mnd mutant mice. Such biochemical analyses using appropriate animal models will be useful for inferring the origin and progression of human ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Nagata
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
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Fujita K, Shibayama K, Yamauchi M, Kato T, Ando M, Takahashi H, Iritani K, Yoshimoto N, Nagata Y. Alteration of enzymatic activities implicating neuronal degeneration in the spinal cord of the motor neuron degeneration mouse during postnatal development. Neurochem Res 1998; 23:557-62. [PMID: 9566592 DOI: 10.1023/a:1022442904179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is suggested as a significant causative factor for pathogenesis of neuronal degeneration on spinal cord of human ALS. We measured some enzymic activities implicating neuronal degeneration process, such as cytochrome c oxidase (CO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and transglutaminase (TG) in spinal cord of an animal model of ALS, motor neuron degeneration (Mnd) mouse, a mutant that exhibits progressive degeneration of lower spinal neurons during developmental growth, and compared them with age-matched control C57BL/6 mice. CO activity in Mnd spinal cord decreased during early postnatal period, while SOD activity reduced in later stage. In Mnd tissue, TG activity in lumbar cord was increasing during early stage, but tended to decline in later period gradually. These biochemical alterations became evident prior to the appearance of clinical motor dysfunction which were observed in later stages of development in Mnd spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fujita
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
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Fujita K, Kato T, Yamauchi M, Ando M, Honda M, Nagata Y. Increases in fragmented glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in the spinal cords of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurochem Res 1998; 23:169-74. [PMID: 9475511 DOI: 10.1023/a:1022476724381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Using one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we analyzed protein fractions extracted from the spinal cords of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Several protein bands with molecular weights of 35-55 kDa were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue much more intensely in the ALS than in the non-ALS spinal cord. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity showed a significant decrease of 50 and 45 kDa band and increase in fragmented 36 and 37 kDa bands, which represented GFAP fragments devoid of 59 and 40 residues from the N-terminal, respectively, as determined by protein sequence analysis. Immunohistochemical examination of ALS spinal cord transections demonstrated increased GFAP-stained astrocytes in the shrunken ventral horn with massive degeneration of motoneurons. These results will provide new insight into the possible role of astrocytes in the pathophysiology and/or pathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fujita
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
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Holmes FE, Haynes LW. Superactivation of transglutaminase type 2 without change in enzyme level occurs during progressive neurodegeneration in the mnd mouse mutant. Neurosci Lett 1996; 213:185-8. [PMID: 8873145 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(96)12855-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated the activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent apoptosis-related transglutaminase type 2 in the mnd/mnd mouse mutant. Transglutaminase activity in mnd/mnd central nervous system (CNS) tissue homogenates was identical to that of healthy animals at 3 months of age, but at 8 months it was greater in the mnd/mnd CNS by up to four times, depending on the region. Western blot analysis showed no difference in the level of immunoreactive transglutaminase type 2 in spinal cord homogenates between mnd/mnd and healthy mice. However, a greater number of acyl donor protein substrates of transglutaminase were identified in mnd/mnd tissue. N epsilon (gamma-Glutamyl)lysine cross-linked product of transglutaminase activity was localized to the soma of degenerating motor neurons in the mnd/mnd mouse spinal cord. We conclude that neurodegeneration in the mnd/mnd mouse is accompanied by activation of transglutaminase at substrate level. Possible mechanisms of activation and its implications for cellular pathology are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F E Holmes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
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Fujita K, Yamauchi M, Shibayama K, Ando M, Honda M, Nagata Y. Decreased cytochrome c oxidase activity but unchanged superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the spinal cords of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurosci Res 1996; 45:276-81. [PMID: 8841988 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4547(19960801)45:3<276::aid-jnr9>3.0.co;2-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The cause of selective degeneration of motor neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has still not been elucidated. Recently, so-called oxidative stress has been suggested to be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of this disease. We measured the antioxidant actions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and cytochrome c oxidase (CO) of the human spinal cord in patients with ALS in comparison with those in control patients. Total SOD activity in spinal cord transections from patients with sporadic ALS was not significantly different from the controls in ventral, lateral, or dorsal regions, although enzymic activity was relatively higher in the ventral compared with the dorsal region. GSH-Px activity in the spinal cord of ALS patients was not very different from that in the control tissue. In contrast, CO activity was significantly reduced in all three regions of the spinal cord in patients with ALS, although the reduction was more marked in the ventral region. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species may attack the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading eventually to the degeneration of vulnerable motor neurons in the spinal cord, even though no obvious changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes are detectable.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Fujita
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
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