Protective effect of zinc on amyloid-beta 25-35 and 1-40 mediated toxicity

Zinc utilization by microglia in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia defined by two key pathological characteristics in the brain, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau. Microglia, the primary innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), provide neuroprotection through Aβ and tau clearance but may also be neurotoxic by promoting neuroinflammation to exacerbate Aβ and tau pathogenesis in AD. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of microglial utilization of nutrients and trace metals in controlling their activation and effector functions. Trace metals, such as zinc, have essential roles in brain health and immunity, and zinc dyshomeostasis has been implicated in AD pathogenesis. As a result of these advances, the mechanisms by which zinc homeostasis influences microglial-mediated neuroinflammation in AD is a topic of continuing interest since new strategies to treat AD are needed. Here, we review the roles of zinc in AD, including zinc activation of microglia, the associated neuroinflammatory response, and the application of these findings in new therapeutic strategies.

Zinc-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Network-Coated Nanocomposites against the Pathogenesis of Amyloid-Beta

The aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a major cause of dementia and an unmet challenge in modern medicine. In this study, we constructed a biocompatible metal-phenolic network (MPN) comprising a polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) scaffold coordinated by physiological Zn(II). Upon adsorption onto gold nanoparticles, the MPN@AuNP nanoconstruct elicited a remarkable potency against the amyloid aggregation and toxicity of Aβ in vitro. The superior performance of MPN@AuNP over EGCG@AuNP was attributed to the porosity and hence larger surface area of the MPN in comparison with that of EGCG alone. The atomic detail of Zn(II)-EGCG coordination was unraveled by density functional theory calculations and the structure and dynamics of Aβ aggregation modulated by the MPN were further examined by discrete molecular dynamics simulations. As MPN@AuNP also displayed a robust capacity to cross a blood-brain barrier model through the paracellular pathway, and given the EGCG's function as an anti-amyloidosis and antioxidation agent, this MPN-based strategy may find application in regulating the broad AD pathology beyond protein aggregation inhibition.

Homocysteine thiolactone and H2 O2 induce amino acid modifications and alter the fibrillation propensity of the Aβ25-35 peptide

Of the proteinaceous β-sheet-rich amyloid fibrillar structures, the Aβ_25-35 peptide, a component of the full-length Aβ involved in Alzheimer's disease, has similar toxicity to the parent peptide. In this study, the effects of homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) on the conformation and fibrillation propensity of the Aβ_25-35 peptide were investigated. Both HCTL and H₂ O₂ induced amino acid modifications along with alteration in aggregation propensity. Methionine (Met)-35 was oxidized by H₂ O₂ and aggregation was attenuated following the increased hydrophilicity of the peptide due to sulfoxide/sulfone formation. The HCTL-modified lysine (Lys-28) residue destabilizes the structure of the peptide, which leads to fibrillation. Our studies provide important information regarding the relationship between amino acid modifications and the amyloid fibrillation process.

Exploring the zinc-related transcriptional landscape in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder, and increasing evidence suggests AD pathology is driven by metabolic dysfunction in the brain. Zinc is the second most abundant trace element found in the human body and is required by all living organisms. Zinc is used extensively in many biological processes, and alterations in zinc levels are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including AD. Since small fluctuations in brain zinc levels appear to effect AD progression, we investigated the zinc-related transcriptional responses in an AD versus non-AD state using microarray and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets from cultured cells, mice, and humans. We identified 582 zinc-related differentially expressed genes (DEG) in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex samples of late-onset AD (LOAD) versus non-AD controls, 146 zinc-related DEG in 5XFAD versus wild-type mice, and 95 zinc-related DEG in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated N9 microglia versus unstimulated control cells, with 19 zinc-related DEG common to all three datasets. Of the 19 common DEG, functional enrichment and network analyses identified several biological processes and molecular functions, such as mRNA destabilization and nucleic acid binding, which may be important in neuroinflammation and AD development. Furthermore, therapeutic drugs targeting zinc-related DEG in the human dataset were identified. Taken together, these data provide insights into zinc utilization for gene transcription during AD progression which may further our understanding of AD pathogenesis and could identify new targets for therapeutic strategies targeted towards AD.

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Transcriptome analyses of AD versus non-AD from cultured cells, mice, and humans.

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Nineteen differentially expressed zinc-related genes common to all three datasets.

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Zinc-related DEGs could represent new therapeutic targets for AD.

Ameliorative effects of apple cider vinegar on neurological complications via regulation of oxidative stress markers

Dementia linked with cognitive impairments is the most prominent indication of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the current investigation, we have examined the streptozotocin- (STZ) induced cellular toxicity in mouse neuroblastoma (N2A) cells, and Zn with the high-fat diet- (HFD) induced neurotoxicity in mouse brain. These cells and animals were pretreated with apple cider vinegar (ACV), Chrysin, and Rivastigmine to examine their protection against cellular toxicity and neurotoxicity. Experiments have affirmed that pretreatment of ACV, Chrysin, and Rivastigmine has displayed protective outcomes in MTT reduction, tau phosphorylation, amyloid aggregation, attenuated memory impairment as well as oxidative stress, and protected cholinergic hippocampal neurons from degeneration. ACV showed better antioxidant and neuroprotection potential as compared with Chrysin and Rivastigmine. So the existence of excitatory/inhibitory enzymatic activity and higher antioxidant potential indicate that ACV, as a food beverage in a regular diet, could be promising and effective against neurological complications such as AD. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In the Urban lifestyle, HFD and stress are the critical factors of various chronic and prevalent diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders like AD. We are already familiar with the multiple benefits of ACV, such as weight loss, antimicrobial activity, diabetes, skin disorders. So in the current research work, we have gauged the effectiveness of ACV against neurological complications in comparison with a synthetic flavonoid (Chrysin) and an anti-Alzheimer's drug (Rivastigmine). To enhance the pragmatic orientation of our results, we have used the ACV in our study, which is readily available in the market for domestic consumption. All the cellular, biochemical, behavioral, and histopathological data revealed that ACV had high antioxidant potential. Our findings suggest that the addition of ACV as a food additive in the daily diet may reduce the threat of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, our study could be the precursor of a new pharmacological therapeutic approach via ACV toward cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The Efficacy and Pharmacological Mechanism of Zn7MT3 to Protect against Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of death for people over 65 years. Worse still, no completely effective therapeutic agent is available so far. One important pathological hallmark of AD is accumulated amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques with dysregulated metal homeostasis. Human metallothionin 3 (MT3), a regulator of metal homeostasis, is downregulated at least 30% in AD brain. So far, some in vitro studies demonstrated its multiple functions related to AD. However, it is a great pity that systematic in vivo studies of MT3 on AD model animals are still a blank so far. In this study, we treated APP/PS1 mice with sustained drug release of Zn₇MT3 directly to the central nervous system, and investigated the role and molecular mechanism of Zn₇MT3 to protect against AD mice systematically. The results demonstrated that Zn₇MT3 can significantly ameliorate cognitive deficits, regulate metal homeostasis, abolish Aβ plaque load, and reduce oxidative stress. Additionally, it has been confirmed that MT3 is penetrable to the blood brain barrier of AD mice. All these results support that Zn₇MT3 is an effective AD suppressing agent and has potential for applications in Alzheimer’s disease therapy.

Supplementation with zinc in rats enhances memory and reverses an age-dependent increase in plasma copper

Zinc and copper are essential trace elements. Dyshomeostasis in these two metals has been observed in Alzheimer's disease, which causes profound cognitive impairment. Insulin therapy has been shown to enhance cognitive performance; however, recent data suggest that this effect may be at least in part due to the inclusion of zinc in the insulin formulation used. Zinc plays a key role in regulation of neuronal glutamate signaling, suggesting a possible link between zinc and memory processes. Consistent with this, zinc deficiency causes cognitive impairments in children. The effect of zinc supplementation on short- and long-term recognition memory, and on spatial working memory, was explored in young and adult male Sprague Dawley rats. After behavioral testing, hippocampal and plasma zinc and copper were measured. Age increased hippocampal zinc and copper, as well as plasma copper, and decreased plasma zinc. An interaction between age and treatment affecting plasma copper was also found, with zinc supplementation reversing elevated plasma copper concentration in adult rats. Zinc supplementation enhanced cognitive performance across tasks. These data support zinc as a plausible therapeutic intervention to ameliorate cognitive impairment in disorders characterized by alterations in zinc and copper, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Zinc as chaperone-mimicking agent for retardation of amyloid β peptide fibril formation

Metal ions have emerged to play a key role in the aggregation process of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide that is closely related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. A detailed understanding of the underlying mechanistic process of peptide-metal interactions, however, has been challenging to obtain. By applying a combination of NMR relaxation dispersion and fluorescence kinetics methods we have investigated quantitatively the thermodynamic Aβ-Zn(2+) binding features as well as how Zn(2+) modulates the nucleation mechanism of the aggregation process. Our results show that, under near-physiological conditions, substoichiometric amounts of Zn(2+) effectively retard the generation of amyloid fibrils. A global kinetic profile analysis reveals that in the absence of zinc Aβ40 aggregation is driven by a monomer-dependent secondary nucleation process in addition to fibril-end elongation. In the presence of Zn(2+), the elongation rate is reduced, resulting in reduction of the aggregation rate, but not a complete inhibition of amyloid formation. We show that Zn(2+) transiently binds to residues in the N terminus of the monomeric peptide. A thermodynamic analysis supports a model where the N terminus is folded around the Zn(2+) ion, forming a marginally stable, short-lived folded Aβ40 species. This conformation is highly dynamic and only a few percent of the peptide molecules adopt this structure at any given time point. Our findings suggest that the folded Aβ40-Zn(2+) complex modulates the fibril ends, where elongation takes place, which efficiently retards fibril formation. In this conceptual framework we propose that zinc adopts the role of a minimal antiaggregation chaperone for Aβ40.

Illite improves memory impairment and reduces Aβ level in the Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer׳s disease through Akt/CREB and GSK-3β phosphorylation in the brain

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The use of illite in Korean medicine has a long history as a therapeutic agent for various cerebrovascular diseases. According to Dongui Bogam, illite can be used for Qi-tonifying, phlegm dispersing and activation of blood circulation which is an important principle for the treatment of brain-associated diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was undertaken to evaluate beneficial effects of illite on the neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer׳s disease (AD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The transgenic mice of AD, Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9, were fed with 1% or 3% of illite for 3 months. Behavioral, immunological and ELISA analyses were used to assess memory impairment with additional measurement of Aβ accumulation and plaque deposition in the brain. Other in vitro studies were performed to examine whether illite inhibits the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y cells.

RESULTS

Illite treatment rescued Aβ-induced neurotoxicity on SH-SY5Y cells, which was dependent on the PI3K/Akt activation. Intake of illite improved the Aβ-induced memory impairment and suppressed Aβ levels and plaque deposition in the brain of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Illite increased CREB, Akt, and GSK-3β phosphorylation and suppressed tau phosphorylation in the AD-like brains. Moreover, 1% of illite reduced weight gain and suppressed glucose level in the blood.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that illite has the potential to be a useful adjunct as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of AD.

The hairpin conformation of the amyloid β peptide is an important structural motif along the aggregation pathway

The amyloid β (Aβ) peptides are 39-42 residue-long peptides found in the senile plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. These peptides self-aggregate in aqueous solution, going from soluble and mainly unstructured monomers to insoluble ordered fibrils. The aggregation process(es) are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Several lines of evidence indicate that the neurotoxic species are the intermediate oligomeric states appearing along the aggregation pathways. This minireview summarizes recent findings, mainly based on solution and solid-state NMR experiments and electron microscopy, which investigate the molecular structures and characteristics of the Aβ peptides at different stages along the aggregation pathways. We conclude that a hairpin-like conformation constitutes a common motif for the Aβ peptides in most of the described structures. There are certain variations in different hairpin conformations, for example regarding H-bonding partners, which could be one reason for the molecular heterogeneity observed in the aggregated systems. Interacting hairpins are the building blocks of the insoluble fibrils, again with variations in how hairpins are organized in the cross-section of the fibril, perpendicular to the fibril axis. The secondary structure propensities can be seen already in peptide monomers in solution. Unfortunately, detailed structural information about the intermediate oligomeric states is presently not available. In the review, special attention is given to metal ion interactions, particularly the binding constants and ligand structures of Aβ complexes with Cu(II) and Zn(II), since these ions affect the aggregation process(es) and are considered to be involved in the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology.

Curcumin and its derivatives: their application in neuropharmacology and neuroscience in the 21st century

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a polyphenol extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, is widely used in Southeast Asia, China and India in food preparation and for medicinal purposes. Since the second half of the last century, this traditional medicine has attracted the attention of scientists from multiple disciplines to elucidate its pharmacological properties. Of significant interest is curcumin's role to treat neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) and malignancy. These diseases all share an inflammatory basis, involving increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and oxidative damage to lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. The therapeutic benefits of curcumin for these neurodegenerative diseases appear multifactorial via regulation of transcription factors, cytokines and enzymes associated with (Nuclear factor kappa beta) NFκB activity. This review describes the historical use of curcumin in medicine, its chemistry, stability and biological activities, including curcumin's anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The review further discusses the pharmacology of curcumin and provides new perspectives on its therapeutic potential and limitations. Especially, the review focuses in detail on the effectiveness of curcumin and its mechanism of actions in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and brain malignancies.

Structures and free energy landscapes of aqueous zinc(II)-bound amyloid-β(1-40) and zinc(II)-bound amyloid-β(1-42) with dynamics

Binding of divalent metal ions with intrinsically disordered fibrillogenic proteins, such as amyloid-β (Aβ), influences the aggregation process and the severity of neurodegenerative diseases. The Aβ monomers and oligomers are the building blocks of the aggregates. In this work, we report the structures and free energy landscapes of the monomeric zinc(II)-bound Aβ40 (Zn:Aβ40) and zinc(II)-bound Aβ42 (Zn:Aβ42) intrinsically disordered fibrillogenic metallopeptides in an aqueous solution by utilizing an approach that employs first principles calculations and parallel tempering molecular dynamics simulations. The structural and thermodynamic properties, including the secondary and tertiary structures and conformational Gibbs free energies of these intrinsically disordered metallopeptide alloforms, are presented. The results show distinct differing characteristics for these metallopeptides. For example, prominent β-sheet formation in the N-terminal region (Asp1, Arg5, and Tyr10) of Zn:Aβ40 is significantly decreased or lacking in Zn:Aβ42. Our findings indicate that blocking multiple reactive residues forming abundant β-sheet structure located in the central hydrophobic core and C-terminal regions of Zn:Aβ42 via antibodies or small organic molecules might help to reduce the aggregation of Zn(II)-bound Aβ42. Furthermore, we find that helix formation increases but β-sheet formation decreases in the C-terminal region upon Zn(II) binding to Aβ. This depressed β-sheet formation in the C-terminal region (Gly33-Gly38) in monomeric Zn:Aβ42 might be linked to the formation of amorphous instead of fibrillar aggregates of Zn:Aβ42.

A potential role for zinc alterations in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the major causes of disability and mortality in Western societies, is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Increasing evidence suggests that the etiology of AD may involve disruptions of zinc (Zn) homeostasis. This review discusses current evidence supporting a potential role of Zn and zinc transporters (ZnTs) in processing of the amyloid beta protein precursor (APP) and amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide generation and aggregation.

Effect of zinc binding on β-amyloid structure and dynamics: implications for Aβ aggregation

Assembly of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide into toxic oligomers is widely believed to initiate Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Under in vitro physiological conditions, zinc (Zn(II)) can bind to Aβ and redirect its assembly from amyloid fibrillar toward less toxic amorphous aggregation. Propensity of Aβ to go toward a specific form of aggregate state is determined by structural and dynamical properties of the initial monomeric as well as the aggregate state. Here we probe the structural and dynamical impact of binding of Zn(II) to monomeric Aβ40 using NMR spectroscopy. To obtain further support for the importance of intrinsic dynamics in the aggregation precursor, (15)N relaxation measurements were also performed for Aβ42, the more fibrillar aggregation-prone variant of Aβ. The combined data suggest that, upon Zn(II)-binding to the N-terminus of Aβ40, a relatively rigid turnlike structure is induced at residues Val(24)-Lys(28) whereas the residues flanking this region become more mobile on the picosecond-to-nanosecond timescale. This is in contrast to the increased rigidity of Aβ42 at the C-terminus, and proposed to be linked to the higher propensity of Zn(II)-bound peptide to form amorphous aggregates with less entropic penalties than their fibrillar counterparts.

Zinc overload enhances APP cleavage and Aβ deposition in the Alzheimer mouse brain

Background

Abnormal zinc homeostasis is involved in β-amyloid (Aβ) plaque formation and, therefore, the zinc load is a contributing factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the involvement of zinc in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and Aβ deposition has not been well established in AD animal models in vivo.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present study, APP and presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were treated with a high dose of zinc (20 mg/ml ZnSO4 in drinking water). This zinc treatment increased APP expression, enhanced amyloidogenic APP cleavage and Aβ deposition, and impaired spatial learning and memory in the transgenic mice. We further examined the effects of zinc overload on APP processing in SHSY-5Y cells overexpressing human APPsw. The zinc enhancement of APP expression and cleavage was further confirmed in vitro.

Conclusions/Significance

The present data indicate that excess zinc exposure could be a risk factor for AD pathological processes, and alteration of zinc homeostasis is a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of AD.

The native copper- and zinc-binding protein metallothionein blocks copper-mediated Abeta aggregation and toxicity in rat cortical neurons

Background

A major pathological hallmark of AD is the deposition of insoluble extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques. There are compelling data suggesting that Aβ aggregation is catalysed by reaction with the metals zinc and copper.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We now report that the major human-expressed metallothionein (MT) subtype, MT-2A, is capable of preventing the in vitro copper-mediated aggregation of Aβ_1–40 and Aβ_1–42. This action of MT-2A appears to involve a metal-swap between Zn₇MT-2A and Cu(II)-Aβ, since neither Cu₁₀MT-2A or carboxymethylated MT-2A blocked Cu(II)-Aβ aggregation. Furthermore, Zn₇MT-2A blocked Cu(II)-Aβ induced changes in ionic homeostasis and subsequent neurotoxicity of cultured cortical neurons.

Conclusions/Significance

These results indicate that MTs of the type represented by MT-2A are capable of protecting against Aβ aggregation and toxicity. Given the recent interest in metal-chelation therapies for AD that remove metal from Aβ leaving a metal-free Aβ that can readily bind metals again, we believe that MT-2A might represent a different therapeutic approach as the metal exchange between MT and Aβ leaves the Aβ in a Zn-bound, relatively inert form.

Metal loading capacity of Abeta N-terminus: a combined potentiometric and spectroscopic study of zinc(II) complexes with Abeta(1-16), its short or mutated peptide fragments and its polyethylene glycol-ylated analogue

Aggregation of the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) into insoluble fibrils is a key pathological event in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). There is now compelling evidence that metal binding to Abeta is involved in AD pathogenesis. The amino acid region 1-16 is widely considered as the metal binding domain of Abeta. In this work, we used a combined potentiometric, NMR, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) approach to study the zinc(II) binding to a new polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated peptide fragment encompassing the 1-16 amino acid sequence of Abeta (Abeta(1-16)PEG). Our results demonstrate for the first time that the Abeta(1-16) is able to coordinate up to three zinc ions, all the histidyl residues acting as independent anchor sites. The study was complemented by systematically investigating the zinc(II) complexes of a series of shorter peptide fragments related to the Abeta(1-16) sequence, namely, Abeta(1-4), Abeta(1-6), AcAbeta(1-6), AcAbeta(8-16)Y10A. The comparison of the whole results allowed the identification of the zinc(II) preferred binding sites within the longer Abeta(1-16) amino acid sequence. Unlike copper(II) that prefers the N-terminal amino group as the main binding site, the zinc(II) is preferentially placed in the 8-16 amino acidic region of Abeta(1-16).

Short-term effects of zinc on acetylcholine metabolism and viability of SN56 cholinergic neuroblastoma cells

Excessive accumulation of zinc in the brain is one of putative factors involved in pathomechanism of cholinergic encephalopathies. The aim of this work was to investigate whether short-term increase of zinc concentration in the extracellular space may affect energy and acetylcholine metabolism in SN56 cholinergic cells of septal origin. Short 30 min exposition of SN56 cells to increasing zinc levels caused greater loss of viability of differentiated (DC, [EC(0.4)] 0.09 mM) than nondifferentiated cells (NC, [EC(0.4)] 0.14 mM). Concentration-dependent accumulation of zinc displayed exponential non-saturable kinetics. Zinc accumulation caused the decrease of calcium accumulation in mitochondria and its increase in cytoplasmic compartment of SN56 cells. Significant inverse and direct correlations were found between zinc accumulation and calcium levels in mitochondrial (r=-0.96, p=0.028) and cytoplasmic (r=0.97, p=0.028) compartments of DC, respectively. Zinc exerted similar inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase, aconitase and isocitrate dehydrogenase both in NC and DC homogenates, at Ki values equal to about 0.07, 0.08 and 0.005 mM, respectively. On the other hand, ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity in DC was inhibited by zinc (Ki 0.0005 mM) 8 times stronger that in NC (Ki 0.004 mM). Also zinc-evoked decreases in acetylcholine content and its release were significantly greater in DC than in NC. Same conditions caused suppression of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial content of acetyl-CoA, that positively correlated with inhibition of transmitter functions (r=0.995, p=005) and loss of cell viability (r=0.990, p=0.0006), respectively. Significant correlations were also found in zinc-challenged cells between pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and both mitochondrial acetyl-CoA content and cell viability. These data indicate that pyruvate dehydrogenase-dependent acetyl-CoA synthesis in neuronal mitochondria may be a primary target for short-term neurotoxic effects of zinc. In consequence, shortages of acetyl-CoA in the mitochondrial compartment would cause fast loss of functional and structural integrity of cholinergic neurons.

Metal swap between Zn7-metallothionein-3 and amyloid-beta-Cu protects against amyloid-beta toxicity

Aberrant interactions of copper and zinc ions with the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) potentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) by participating in the aggregation process of Abeta and in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS production and the neurotoxicity of Abeta are associated with copper binding. Metallothionein-3 (Zn(7)MT-3), an intra- and extracellularly occurring metalloprotein, is highly expressed in the brain and downregulated in AD. This protein protects, by an unknown mechanism, cultured neurons from the toxicity of Abeta. Here, we show that a metal swap between Zn(7)MT-3 and soluble and aggregated Abeta(1-40)-Cu(II) abolishes the ROS production and the related cellular toxicity. In this process, copper is reduced by the protein thiolates forming Cu(I)(4)Zn(4)MT-3, in which an air-stable Cu(I)(4)-thiolate cluster and two disulfide bonds are present. The discovered protective effect of Zn(7)MT-3 from the copper-mediated Abeta(1-40) toxicity may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating AD.

NMR studies of the Zn2+ interactions with rat and human beta-amyloid (1-28) peptides in water-micelle environment

Alzheimer's disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder involving the abnormal accumulation and deposition of peptides (amyloid-beta, Abeta) derived from the amyloid precursor protein. Here, we present the structure and the Zn2+ binding sites of human and rat Abeta(1-28) fragments in water/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles by using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The chemical shift variations measured after Zn2+ addition at T>310 K allowed us to assign the binding donor atoms in both rat and human zinc complexes. The Asp-1 amine, His-6 Ndelta, Glu-11 COO-, and His-13 Nepsilon of rat Abeta28 all enter the metal coordination sphere, while His-6 Ndelta, His-13, His-14 Nepsilon, Asp-1 amine, and/or Glu-11 COO- are all bound to Zn2+ in the case of human Abeta28. Finally, a comparison between the rat and human binding abilities was discussed.

Chronic exposure to sub-lethal beta-amyloid (Abeta) inhibits the import of nuclear-encoded proteins to mitochondria in differentiated PC12 cells

Studies on amyloid beta (Abeta|), the peptide thought to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, have implicated mitochondria in Abeta-mediated neurotoxicity. We used differentiated PC12 cells stably transfected with an inducible green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein containing an N'-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence (mtGFP), to examine the effects of sub-lethal Abeta on the import of nuclear-encoded proteins to mitochondria. Exposure to sub-lethal Abeta(25-35) (10 mumol/L) for 48 h inhibited mtGFP import to mitochondria; average rates decreased by 20 +/- 4%. Concomitant with the decline in mtGFP, cytoplasmic mtGFP increased significantly while mtGFP expression and intramitochondrial mtGFP turnover were unchanged. Sub-lethal Abeta(1-42) inhibited mtGFP import and increased cytoplasmic mtGFP but only after 96 h. The import of two endogenous nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins, mortalin/mtHsp70 and Tom20 also declined. Prior to the decline in import, mitochondrial membrane potential (mmp), and reactive oxygen species levels were unchanged in Abeta-treated cells versus reverse phase controls. Sustained periods of decreased import were associated with decreased mmp, increased reactive oxygen species, increased vulnerability to oxygen-glucose deprivation and altered mitochondrial morphology. These findings suggest that an Abeta-mediated inhibition of mitochondrial protein import, and the consequent mitochondrial impairment, may contribute to Alzheimer's disease.

The redox chemistry of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid beta peptide

There is a growing body of evidence to support a role for oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with increased levels of lipid peroxidation, DNA and protein oxidation products (HNE, 8-HO-guanidine and protein carbonyls respectively) in AD brains. The brain is a highly oxidative organ consuming 20% of the body's oxygen despite accounting for only 2% of the total body weight. With normal ageing the brain accumulates metals ions such iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). Consequently the brain is abundant in antioxidants to control and prevent the detrimental formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated via Fenton chemistry involving redox active metal ion reduction and activation of molecular oxygen. In AD there is an over accumulation of the Amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), this is the result of either an elevated generation from amyloid precursor protein (APP) or inefficient clearance of Abeta from the brain. Abeta can efficiently generate reactive oxygen species in the presence of the transition metals copper and iron in vitro. Under oxidative conditions Abeta will form stable dityrosine cross-linked dimers which are generated from free radical attack on the tyrosine residue at position 10. There are elevated levels of urea and SDS resistant stable linked Abeta oligomers as well as dityrosine cross-linked peptides and proteins in AD brain. Since soluble Abeta levels correlate best with the degree of degeneration [C.A. McLean, R.A. Cherny, F.W. Fraser, S.J. Fuller, M.J. Smith, K. Beyreuther, A.I. Bush, C.L. Masters, Soluble pool of Abeta amyloid as a determinant of severity of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, Ann. Neurol. 46 (1999) 860-866] we suggest that the toxic Abeta species corresponds to a soluble dityrosine cross-linked oligomer. Current therapeutic strategies using metal chelators such as clioquinol and desferrioxamine have had some success in altering the progression of AD symptoms. Similarly, natural antioxidants curcumin and ginkgo extract have modest but positive effects in slowing AD development. Therefore, drugs that target the oxidative pathways in AD could have genuine therapeutic efficacy.

High-resolution NMR studies of the zinc-binding site of the Alzheimer's amyloid β-peptide

Metal binding to the amyloid beta-peptide is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We used high-resolution NMR to study zinc binding to amyloid beta-peptide 1-40 at physiologic pH. Metal binding induces a structural change in the peptide, which is in chemical exchange on an intermediate rate, between the apo-form and the holo-form, with respect to the NMR timescale. This causes loss of NMR signals in the resonances affected by the binding. Heteronuclear correlation experiments, (15)N-relaxation and amide proton exchange experiments on amyloid beta-peptide 1-40 revealed that zinc binding involves the three histidines (residues 6, 13 and 14) and the N-terminus, similar to a previously proposed copper-binding site [Syme CD, Nadal RC, Rigby SE, Viles JH (2004) J Biol Chem 279, 18169-18177]. Fluorescence experiments show that zinc shares a common binding site with copper and that the metals have similar affinities for amyloid beta-peptide. The dissociation constant K(d) of zinc for the fragment amyloid beta-peptide 1-28 was measured by fluorescence, using competitive binding studies, and that for amyloid beta-peptide 1-40 was measured by NMR. Both methods gave K(d) values in the micromolar range at pH 7.2 and 286 K. Zinc also has a second, weaker binding site involving residues between 23 and 28. At high metal ion concentrations, the metal-induced aggregation should mainly have an electrostatic origin from decreased repulsion between peptides. At low metal ion concentrations, on the other hand, the metal-induced structure of the peptide counteracts aggregation.

Neurotoxins and neurotoxicity mechanisms. an overview

Neurotoxins represent unique chemical tools, providing a means to 1) gain insight into cellular mechanisms of apopotosis and necrosis, 2) achieve a morphological template for studies otherwise unattainable, 3) specifically produce a singular phenotype of denervation, and 4) provide the starting point to delve into processes and mechanisms of nerve regeneration and sprouting. There are many other notable uses of neurotoxins in neuroscience research, and ever more being discovered each year. The objective of this review paper is to highlight the broad areas of neuroscience in which neurotoxins and neurotoxicity mechanism come into play. This shifts the focus away from neurotoxins per se, and onto the major problems under study today. Neurotoxins broadly defined are used to explore neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders. Neurotoxic mechanisms relating to protein aggregates are indigenous to Alzheimer disease, Parkinson's disease. NeuroAIDS is a disorder in which microglia and macrophages have enormous import. The gap between the immune system and nervous system has been bridged, as neuroinflammation is now considered to be part of the neurodegenerative process. Related mechanisms now arise in the process of neurogenesis. Accordingly, the entire spectrum of neuroscience is within the purview of neurotoxins and neurotoxicity mechanisms. Highlights on discoveries in the areas noted, and on selective neurotoxins, are included, mainly from the past 2 to 3 years.