1
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Orlandini M, Bonacini A, Favero A, Secchi A, Lazzarini L, Verucchi R, Dalcanale E, Pedrini A, Sidoli S, Pinalli R. Enrichment of histone tail methylated lysine residues via cavitand-decorated magnetic nanoparticles for ultra-sensitive proteomics. Chem Sci 2024; 15:13102-13110. [PMID: 39148787 PMCID: PMC11322979 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc02076f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly every protein in the human body is modified with post-translational modifications (PTMs). PTMs affect proteins on many levels, including their function, interaction, half-life, and localization. Specifically, for histone proteins, PTMs such as lysine methylation and acetylation play essential roles in chromatin dynamic regulations. For this reason, methods to accurately detect and quantify PTMs are of paramount importance in cell biology, biochemistry, and disease biology. Most protein modifications are sub-stoichiometric, so, to be analyzed, they need methods of enrichment, which are mostly based on antibodies. Antibodies are produced using animals, resulting in high costs, ecological concerns, significant batch variations, and ethical implications. We propose using ferromagnetic nanoparticles functionalized with synthetic receptors, namely tetraphosphonate cavitands, as a tool for selective enrichment of methylated lysines present on histone tails. Before the enrichment step, histone proteins from calf thymus were digested to facilitate the recognition process and to obtain small peptides suitable for mass analyses. Cavitands were anchored on ferromagnetic nanoparticles to easily separate the PTM-peptides of interest from the rest of the proteolytic peptides. Our approach detects more modified peptides with higher signal intensity, rivaling commercial antibodies. This chemical strategy offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative for PTM detection, potentially advancing proteomic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Orlandini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, INSTM, UdR Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Alex Bonacini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, INSTM, UdR Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Alessia Favero
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, INSTM, UdR Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Andrea Secchi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, INSTM, UdR Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Laura Lazzarini
- IMEM-CNR, Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetism, National Research Council Parco Area delle Scienze 37/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Roberto Verucchi
- IMEM-CNR, Institute of Materials for Electronics and Magnetism, National Research Council, Trento Unit via alla Cascata 56/C 38123 Trento Italy
| | - Enrico Dalcanale
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, INSTM, UdR Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Alessandro Pedrini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, INSTM, UdR Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A 43124 Parma Italy
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx NY 10461 USA
| | - Roberta Pinalli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, INSTM, UdR Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A 43124 Parma Italy
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2
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Ramazi S, Dadzadi M, Darvazi M, Seddigh N, Allahverdi A. Protein modification in neurodegenerative diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e674. [PMID: 39105197 PMCID: PMC11298556 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications play a crucial role in governing cellular functions and protein behavior. Researchers have implicated dysregulated posttranslational modifications in protein misfolding, which results in cytotoxicity, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and Huntington disease. These aberrant posttranslational modifications cause proteins to gather in certain parts of the brain that are linked to the development of the diseases. This leads to neuronal dysfunction and the start of neurodegenerative disease symptoms. Cognitive decline and neurological impairments commonly manifest in neurodegenerative disease patients, underscoring the urgency of comprehending the posttranslational modifications' impact on protein function for targeted therapeutic interventions. This review elucidates the critical link between neurodegenerative diseases and specific posttranslational modifications, focusing on Tau, APP, α-synuclein, Huntingtin protein, Parkin, DJ-1, and Drp1. By delineating the prominent aberrant posttranslational modifications within Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and Huntington disease, the review underscores the significance of understanding the interplay among these modifications. Emphasizing 10 key abnormal posttranslational modifications, this study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for investigating neurodegenerative diseases holistically. The insights presented herein shed light on potential therapeutic avenues aimed at modulating posttranslational modifications to mitigate protein aggregation and retard neurodegenerative disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Ramazi
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Maedeh Dadzadi
- Department of BiotechnologyFaculty of Advanced Science and TechnologyTehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Mona Darvazi
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Nasrin Seddigh
- Department of BiochemistryFaculty of Advanced Science and TechnologyTehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Abdollah Allahverdi
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
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3
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Wang Z, Liu H. Roles of Lysine Methylation in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: Functions, Regulatory Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Implications. Biomolecules 2024; 14:862. [PMID: 39062577 PMCID: PMC11274642 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glucose and lipid metabolism are essential energy sources for the body. Dysregulation in these metabolic pathways is a significant risk factor for numerous acute and chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), Alzheimer's disease (AD), obesity, and cancer. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), which regulate protein structure, localization, function, and activity, play a crucial role in managing cellular glucose and lipid metabolism. Among these PTMs, lysine methylation stands out as a key dynamic modification vital for the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription. Emerging evidence indicates that lysine methylation significantly impacts glucose and lipid metabolism by modifying key enzymes and proteins. This review summarizes the current understanding of lysine methylation's role and regulatory mechanisms in glucose and lipid metabolism. We highlight the involvement of methyltransferases (KMTs) and demethylases (KDMs) in generating abnormal methylation signals affecting these metabolic pathways. Additionally, we discuss the chemical biology and pharmacology of KMT and KDM inhibitors and targeted protein degraders, emphasizing their clinical implications for diseases such as diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers. This review suggests that targeting lysine methylation in glucose and lipid metabolism could be an ideal therapeutic strategy for treating these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huadong Liu
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China;
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4
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Kochen NN, Seaney D, Vasandani V, Murray M, Braun AR, Sachs JN. Post-translational modification sites are present in hydrophilic cavities of alpha-synuclein, tau, FUS, and TDP-43 fibrils: A molecular dynamics study. Proteins 2024; 92:854-864. [PMID: 38458997 PMCID: PMC11147710 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Hydration plays a crucial role in the refolding of intrinsically disordered proteins into amyloid fibrils; however, the specific interactions between water and protein that may contribute to this process are still unknown. In our previous studies of alpha-synuclein (aSyn), we have shown that waters confined in fibril cavities are stabilizing features of this pathological fold; and that amino acids that hydrogen bond with these confined waters modulate primary and seeded aggregation. Here, we extend our aSyn molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with three new polymorphs and correlate MD trajectory information with known post-translational modifications (PTMs) and experimental data. We show that cavity residues are more evolutionarily conserved than non-cavity residues and are enriched with PTM sites. As expected, the confinement within hydrophilic cavities results in more stably hydrated amino acids. Interestingly, cavity PTM sites display the longest protein-water hydrogen bond lifetimes, three-fold greater than non-PTM cavity sites. Utilizing the deep mutational screen dataset by Newberry et al. and the Thioflavin T aggregation review by Pancoe et al. parsed using a fibril cavity/non-cavity definition, we show that hydrophobic changes to amino acids in cavities have a larger effect on fitness and aggregation rate than residues outside cavities, supporting our hypothesis that these sites are involved in the inhibition of aSyn toxic fibrillization. Finally, we expand our study to include analysis of fibril structures of tau, FUS, TDP-43, prion, and hnRNPA1; all of which contained hydrated cavities, with tau, FUS, and TDP-43 recapitulating our PTM results in aSyn fibril cavities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Nathan Kochen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Darren Seaney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vivek Vasandani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marguerite Murray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anthony R Braun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jonathan N Sachs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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5
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Yang J, Shen N, Shen J, Yang Y, Li HL. Complicated Role of Post-translational Modification and Protease-Cleaved Fragments of Tau in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Tauopathies. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4712-4731. [PMID: 38114762 PMCID: PMC11236937 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Tau, a microtubule-associated protein predominantly localized in neuronal axons, plays a crucial role in promoting microtubule assembly, stabilizing their structure, and participating in axonal transport. Perturbations in tau's structure and function are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as tauopathies, the most common disorder of which is Alzheimer's disease (AD). In tauopathies, it has been found that tau has a variety of post-translational modification (PTM) abnormalities and/or tau is cleaved into a variety of fragments by some specific proteolytic enzymes; however, the precise contributions of these abnormal modifications and fragments to disease onset and progression remain incompletely understood. Herein, we provide an overview about the involvement of distinctive abnormal tau PTMs and different tau fragments in the pathogenesis of AD and other tauopathies and discuss the involvement of proteolytic enzymes such as caspases, calpains, and asparagine endopeptidase in mediating tau cleavage while also addressing the intercellular transmission role played by tau. We anticipate that further exploration into PTMs and fragmented forms of tau will yield valuable insights for diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions targeting AD and other related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Naiting Shen
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jianying Shen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry, Hubei Province of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry, Hubei Province of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hong-Lian Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry, Hubei Province of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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6
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Yu Y, Martins LM. Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6302. [PMID: 38928008 PMCID: PMC11203557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism provides carbon units to several pathways, including nucleic acid synthesis, mitochondrial metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and methylation reactions. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease, characterised by impaired energy metabolism, and is potentially linked to mitochondrial bioenergetics. Here, we discuss the intersection between the molecular pathways linked to both mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism and Alzheimer's disease. We propose that enhancing one-carbon metabolism could promote the metabolic processes that help brain cells cope with Alzheimer's disease-related injuries. We also highlight potential therapeutic avenues to leverage one-carbon metabolism to delay Alzheimer's disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Yu
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Gleeson Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - L. Miguel Martins
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Gleeson Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
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7
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Smith ED, McKenna R, Mietzsch M, Borchelt DR, Prokop S, Chakrabarty P. Hyperacetylation mimetics within the tau filament core inhibits prion-like propagation of misfolded tau. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.12.589253. [PMID: 38659970 PMCID: PMC11042196 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.12.589253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Acetylation of key Lysine residues characterizes aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein tau constituting the neuropathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). This has led to the idea that acetylation influences tau aggregation. Using a HEK293 cell-based aggregation assay, we tested whether acetylation-mimicking substitutions (K→Q) on five AD-associated acetyl-modified sites (AcK-311, 353, 369, 370, 375) influenced its propensity to aggregate when exposed to tau seeds derived from two clinically distinctive diseases - AD and PSP. In combination, the presence of 5K→Q sites ablated tau aggregation induced by seeds from both AD and PSP patients, indicating that acetylation within the filament core domain of tau could have an inhibitory effect on seed-mediated aggregation. We had previously identified that a phosphorylation-mimetic on Ser305 (S→E) abrogated tau aggregation by seeds from AD patients, without affecting seeding by PSP patients. Combining the S305→E to the 5K→Q acetyl-modified sites, we found that this tau could now be seeded only by PSP patients, but not by AD patients, confirming Ser305 as a critical determinant of strain-specific tau seeding. On the other hand, acetylation-nullifying substitutions (K→R or K→A) on these same Lys sites did not alter tau seeding abilities compared to the parental tau construct. Notably, the combined acetylation-nullifying Alanine substitutions on these 5 Lys sites resulted in spontaneous self-aggregation, with the filaments resembling amorphous deposits. All together, we demonstrate that cooperative acetyl-occupancy in the tau filament core influences seeded propagation of misfolded tau as well as drives self-aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan D Smith
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Robert McKenna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center For Structural Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mario Mietzsch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center For Structural Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - David R Borchelt
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Stefan Prokop
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Pathology, Immunology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Paramita Chakrabarty
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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8
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Zhang JF, Fang ZT, Zhao JN, Liu GP, Shen X, Jiang GF, Liu Q. Acetylated tau exacerbates apoptosis by disturbing mitochondrial dynamics in HEK293 cells. J Neurochem 2024; 168:288-302. [PMID: 38275215 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
An increase in tau acetylation at K274 and K281 and abnormal mitochondrial dynamics have been observed in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Here, we constructed three types of tau plasmids, TauKQ (acetylated tau mutant, by mutating its K274/K281 into glutamine to mimic disease-associated lysine acetylation), TauKR (non-acetylated tau mutant, by mutating its K274/K281 into arginine), and TauWT (wild-type human full-length tau). By transfecting these tau plasmids in HEK293 cells, we found that TauWT and TauKR induced mitochondrial fusion by increasing the level of mitochondrial fusion proteins. Conversely, TauKQ induced mitochondrial fission by reducing mitochondrial fusion proteins, exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. BGP-15 ameliorated TauKQ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis by improving mitochondrial dynamics. Our findings suggest that acetylation of K274/281 represents an important post-translational modification site regulating mitochondrial dynamics, and that BGP-15 holds potential as a therapeutic agent for mitochondria-associated diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Fei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhi-Ting Fang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun-Ning Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Shen
- School of Stomatology and Ophthalmology, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Gao-Feng Jiang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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9
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Ayoub CA, Moore KI, Kuret J. Quantification of Methylation and Phosphorylation Stoichiometry. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:221-235. [PMID: 38512670 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neurodegenerative disorders accompanied by the conversion of functional forms of the microtubule associated protein Tau into non-functional aggregates. A variety of post-translational modifications (PTMs) on Tau precede or accompany the conversion, placing them in position to modulate Tau function as well as its propensity to aggregate. Although Tau PTMs can be characterized by their sites of modification, their total stoichiometry when summed over all sites also is an important metric of their potential impact on function. Here we provide a protocol for rapidly producing recombinant Tau with enzyme-specific PTMs at high stoichiometry in vitro and demonstrate its utility in the context of hyperphosphorylation. Additionally, protocols for estimating phosphorylation and methylation stoichiometry on Tau proteins isolated from any source are presented. Together these methods support experimentation on Tau PTM function over a wide range of experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Ayoub
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Khadijah I Moore
- Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jeff Kuret
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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10
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Zhong H, Liu H, Liu H. Molecular Mechanism of Tau Misfolding and Aggregation: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulation. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:2855-2871. [PMID: 37031392 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230409145247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
Tau dysfunction has a close association with many neurodegenerative diseases, which are collectively referred to as tauopathies. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) formed by misfolding and aggregation of tau are the main pathological process of tauopathy. Therefore, uncovering the misfolding and aggregation mechanism of tau protein will help to reveal the pathogenic mechanism of tauopathies. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is well suited for studying the dynamic process of protein structure changes. It provides detailed information on protein structure changes over time at the atomic resolution. At the same time, MD simulation can also simulate various conditions conveniently. Based on these advantages, MD simulations are widely used to study conformational transition problems such as protein misfolding and aggregation. Here, we summarized the structural features of tau, the factors affecting its misfolding and aggregation, and the applications of MD simulations in the study of tau misfolding and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Zhong
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hongli Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- Faculty of Applied Science, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, SAR, 999078, China
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11
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Kalyaanamoorthy S, Opare SK, Xu X, Ganesan A, Rao PPN. Post-Translational Modifications in Tau and Their Roles in Alzheimer's Pathology. Curr Alzheimer Res 2024; 21:24-49. [PMID: 38623984 DOI: 10.2174/0115672050301407240408033046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau (also known as tau) has been shown to accumulate into paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles, which are known hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Decades of research have shown that tau protein undergoes extensive post-translational modifications (PTMs), which can alter the protein's structure, function, and dynamics and impact the various properties such as solubility, aggregation, localization, and homeostasis. There is a vast amount of information describing the impact and role of different PTMs in AD pathology and neuroprotection. However, the complex interplay between these PTMs remains elusive. Therefore, in this review, we aim to comprehend the key post-translational modifications occurring in tau and summarize potential connections to clarify their impact on the physiology and pathophysiology of tau. Further, we describe how different computational modeling methods have helped in understanding the impact of PTMs on the structure and functions of the tau protein. Finally, we highlight the tau PTM-related therapeutics strategies that are explored for the development of AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stanley Kojo Opare
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaoxiao Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aravindhan Ganesan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Praveen P N Rao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Hu J, Sha W, Yuan S, Wu J, Huang Y. Aggregation, Transmission, and Toxicity of the Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau: A Complex Comprehension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15023. [PMID: 37834471 PMCID: PMC10573976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241915023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau is an intrinsically disordered protein containing a few short and transient secondary structures. Tau physiologically associates with microtubules (MTs) for its stabilization and detaches from MTs to regulate its dynamics. Under pathological conditions, tau is abnormally modified, detaches from MTs, and forms protein aggregates in neuronal and glial cells. Tau protein aggregates can be found in a number of devastating neurodegenerative diseases known as "tauopathies", such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), etc. However, it is still unclear how the tau protein is compacted into ordered protein aggregates, and the toxicity of the aggregates is still debated. Fortunately, there has been considerable progress in the study of tau in recent years, particularly in the understanding of the intercellular transmission of pathological tau species, the structure of tau aggregates, and the conformational change events in the tau polymerization process. In this review, we summarize the concepts of tau protein aggregation and discuss the views on tau protein transmission and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Wenchi Sha
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Shuangshuang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yunpeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
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13
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Singh R, Hussain J, Kaur A, Jamdare BG, Pathak D, Garg K, Kaur R, Shankar S, Sunkaria A. The hidden players: Shedding light on the significance of post-translational modifications and miRNAs in Alzheimer's disease development. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 90:102002. [PMID: 37423542 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent, expensive, lethal, and burdening neurodegenerative disease of this century. The initial stages of this disease are characterized by a reduced ability to encode and store new memories. Subsequent cognitive and behavioral deterioration occurs during the later stages. Abnormal cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) resulting in amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation along with hyperphosphorylation of tau protein are the two characteristic hallmarks of AD. Recently, several post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been identified on both Aβ as well as tau proteins. However, a complete understanding of how different PTMs influence the structure and function of proteins in both healthy and diseased conditions is still lacking. It has been speculated that these PTMs might play vital roles in the progression of AD. In addition, several short non-coding microRNA (miRNA) sequences have been found to be deregulated in the peripheral blood of Alzheimer patients. The miRNAs are single-stranded RNAs that control gene expression by causing mRNA degradation, deadenylation, or translational repression and have been implicated in the regulation of several neuronal and glial activities. The lack of comprehensive understanding regarding disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets greatly hampers the development of effective strategies for early diagnosis and the identification of viable therapeutic targets. Moreover, existing treatment options for managing the disease have proven to be ineffective and provide only temporary relief. Therefore, understanding the role of miRNAs and PTMs in AD can provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms, aid in the identification of biomarkers, facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, and inspire innovative treatments for this challenging condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Julfequar Hussain
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Amandeep Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Balaji Gokul Jamdare
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Deepti Pathak
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Kanchan Garg
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Ramanpreet Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Shivani Shankar
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India
| | - Aditya Sunkaria
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, Punjab, India.
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14
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Romero-Fernandez W, Carvajal-Tapia C, Prusky A, Katdare KA, Wang E, Shostak A, Ventura-Antunes L, Harmsen HJ, Lippmann ES, Fuxe K, MacGurn JA, Borroto-Escuela DO, Schrag MS. Detection, visualization and quantification of protein complexes in human Alzheimer's disease brains using proximity ligation assay. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11948. [PMID: 37488165 PMCID: PMC10366145 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38000-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Examination of healthy and diseased human brain is essential to translational neuroscience. Protein-protein interactions play a pivotal role in physiological and pathological processes, but their detection is difficult, especially in aged and fixed human brain tissue. We used the in-situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) to broaden the range of molecular interactions assessable in-situ in the human neuropathology. We adapted fluorescent in-situ PLA to detect ubiquitin-modified proteins in human brains with Alzheimer's disease (AD), including approaches for the management of autofluorescence and quantification using a high-content image analysis system. We confirmed that phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau (Serine202, Threonine205) aggregates were modified by ubiquitin and that phospho-tau-ubiquitin complexes were increased in hippocampal and frontal cortex regions in AD compared to non-AD brains. Overall, we refined PLA for use in human neuropathology, which has revealed a profound change in the distribution of ubiquitin in AD brain and its association with characteristic tau pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilber Romero-Fernandez
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA.
| | - Cristian Carvajal-Tapia
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Alex Prusky
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Ketaki A Katdare
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Emmeline Wang
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Alena Shostak
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Lissa Ventura-Antunes
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Hannah J Harmsen
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Ethan S Lippmann
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Solna, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jason A MacGurn
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA
| | - Dasiel O Borroto-Escuela
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Solna, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology, Sport and Exercise, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Edificio Lopez-Penalver, Jimenez Fraud 10, 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Matthew S Schrag
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MRBIII 465 21St Avenue S, Suite 6158, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA.
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
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15
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Sadeghzadeh J, Shahabi P, Farhoudi M, Ebrahimi-Kalan A, Mobed A, Shahpasand K. Tau Protein Biosensors in the Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Adv Pharm Bull 2023; 13:502-511. [PMID: 37646056 PMCID: PMC10460811 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2023.061] [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: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein plays a crucial role in diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases. However, performing an assay to detect tau protein on a nanoscale is a great challenge for early diagnosis of diseases. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western-blotting, and molecular-based methods, e.g., PCR and real-time PCR, are the most widely used methods for detecting tau protein. These methods are subject to certain limitations: the need for advanced equipment, low sensitivity, and specificity, to name a few. With the above said, it is necessary to discover advanced and novel methods for monitoring tau protein. Counted among remarkable approaches adopted by researchers, biosensors can largely eliminate the difficulties and limitations associated with conventional methods. The main objective of the present study is to review the latest biosensors developed to detect the tau protein. Furthermore, the problems and limitations of conventional diagnosis methods were discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jafar Sadeghzadeh
- Department of Neurosciences and Cognition, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Farhoudi
- Department of Neurosciences and Cognition, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abbas Ebrahimi-Kalan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Mobed
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Kourosh Shahpasand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology (RI-SCBT), Tehran, Iran
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16
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Xia Y, Bell BM, Giasson BI. Tau Lysine Pseudomethylation Regulates Microtubule Binding and Enhances Prion-like Tau Aggregation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098286. [PMID: 37175990 PMCID: PMC10179186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can be classified as tauopathies, which are a group of neurodegenerative diseases that develop toxic tau aggregates in specific brain regions. These pathological tau inclusions are altered by various post-translational modifications (PTMs) that include phosphorylation, acetylation, and methylation. Tau methylation has emerged as a target of interest for its potential involvement in tau pathomechanisms. Filamentous tau aggregates isolated from patients with AD are methylated at multiple lysine residues, although the exact methyltransferases have not been identified. One strategy to study the site-specific effects of methylation is to create methylation mimetics using a KFC model, which replaces lysine (K) with a hydrophobic group such as phenylalanine (F) to approximate the effects of lysine methylation (C or methyl group). In this study, tau methylmimetics were used to model several functional aspects of tau methylation such as effects on microtubule binding and tau aggregation in cell models. Overall, several tau methylmimetics displayed impaired microtubule binding, and tau methylmimetics enhanced prion-like seeded aggregation in the context of the FTD tau mutation P301L. Like other PTMs, tau methylation is a contributing factor to tau pathogenesis and could be a potential therapeutic drug target for the treatment of different tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxing Xia
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Brach M Bell
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Benoit I Giasson
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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17
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The Involvement of Post-Translational Modifications in Regulating the Development and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3617-3632. [PMID: 36877359 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03277-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been recently reported to be involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In detail, PTMs include phosphorylation, glycation, acetylation, sumoylation, ubiquitination, methylation, nitration, and truncation, which are associated with pathological functions of AD-related proteins, such as β-amyloid (Aβ), β-site APP-cleavage enzyme 1 (BACE1), and tau protein. In particular, the roles of aberrant PTMs in the trafficking, cleavage, and degradation of AD-associated proteins, leading to the cognitive decline of the disease, are summarized under AD conditions. By summarizing these research progress, the gaps will be filled between PMTs and AD, which will facilitate the discovery of potential biomarkers, leading to the establishment of novel clinical intervention methods against AD.
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18
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Romero-Fernandez W, Carvajal-Tapia C, Prusky A, Katdare K, Wang E, Shostak A, Ventura-Antunes L, Harmsen H, Lippmann E, Borroto-Escuela D, MacGurn J, Fuxe K, Schrag M. Detection, Visualization and Quantification of Protein Complexes in Human Alzheimer's Disease Brains using Proximity Ligation Assay. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2570335. [PMID: 36824944 PMCID: PMC9949263 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2570335/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Examination of healthy and diseased human brain is essential to translational neuroscience. Protein-protein interactions play a pivotal role in physiological and pathological processes, but their detection is difficult, especially in aged and fixed human brain tissue. We used the proximity ligation assay (PLA) to broaden the range of molecular interactions assessable in-situ in human neuropathology. We adapted fluorescent in-situ PLA to detect ubiquitin-modified proteins in human brains with Alzheimer's disease (AD), including approaches for the management of autofluorescence and quantification using a high-content image analysis system. We confirmed that hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau (Serine202, Threonine205) aggregates were modified by ubiquitin and that phospho-tau-ubiquitin complexes were increased in hippocampal and frontal cortex regions in AD compared to non-AD brains. Overall, we refined PLA for use in human neuropathology, which has revealed a profound change in the distribution of ubiquitin in AD brain and its association with characteristic tau pathologies.
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19
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Vijayaragavan K, Cannon BJ, Tebaykin D, Bossé M, Baranski A, Oliveria JP, Bukhari SA, Mrdjen D, Corces MR, McCaffrey EF, Greenwald NF, Sigal Y, Marquez D, Khair Z, Bruce T, Goldston M, Bharadwaj A, Montine KS, Angelo RM, Montine TJ, Bendall SC. Single-cell spatial proteomic imaging for human neuropathology. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:158. [PMID: 36333818 PMCID: PMC9636771 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01465-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by phenotypic changes and hallmark proteopathies. Quantifying these in archival human brain tissues remains indispensable for validating animal models and understanding disease mechanisms. We present a framework for nanometer-scale, spatial proteomics with multiplex ion beam imaging (MIBI) for capturing neuropathological features. MIBI facilitated simultaneous, quantitative imaging of 36 proteins on archival human hippocampus from individuals spanning cognitively normal to dementia. Customized analysis strategies identified cell types and proteopathies in the hippocampus across stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathologic change. We show microglia-pathologic tau interactions in hippocampal CA1 subfield in AD dementia. Data driven, sample independent creation of spatial proteomic regions identified persistent neurons in pathologic tau neighborhoods expressing mitochondrial protein MFN2, regardless of cognitive status, suggesting a survival advantage. Our study revealed unique insights from multiplexed imaging and data-driven approaches for neuropathologic analysis and serves broadly as a methodology for spatial proteomic analysis of archival human neuropathology. TEASER: Multiplex Ion beam Imaging enables deep spatial phenotyping of human neuropathology-associated cellular and disease features.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bryan J Cannon
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dmitry Tebaykin
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marc Bossé
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alex Baranski
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - J P Oliveria
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Syed A Bukhari
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dunja Mrdjen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Erin F McCaffrey
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Noah F Greenwald
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Diana Marquez
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zumana Khair
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Trevor Bruce
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mako Goldston
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anusha Bharadwaj
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen S Montine
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - R Michael Angelo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Thomas J Montine
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sean C Bendall
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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20
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Yan Y, Wang X, Chaput D, Shin MK, Koh Y, Gan L, Pieper AA, Woo JAA, Kang DE. X-linked ubiquitin-specific peptidase 11 increases tauopathy vulnerability in women. Cell 2022; 185:3913-3930.e19. [PMID: 36198316 PMCID: PMC9588697 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Although women experience significantly higher tau burden and increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) than men, the underlying mechanism for this vulnerability has not been explained. Here, we demonstrate through in vitro and in vivo models, as well as human AD brain tissue, that X-linked ubiquitin specific peptidase 11 (USP11) augments pathological tau aggregation via tau deubiquitination initiated at lysine-281. Removal of ubiquitin provides access for enzymatic tau acetylation at lysines 281 and 274. USP11 escapes complete X-inactivation, and female mice and people both exhibit higher USP11 levels than males. Genetic elimination of usp11 in a tauopathy mouse model preferentially protects females from acetylated tau accumulation, tau pathology, and cognitive impairment. USP11 levels also strongly associate positively with tau pathology in females but not males. Thus, inhibiting USP11-mediated tau deubiquitination may provide an effective therapeutic opportunity to protect women from increased vulnerability to AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Xinming Wang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Dale Chaput
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Min-Kyoo Shin
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yeojung Koh
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Geriatric Psychiatry, GRECC, Cleveland, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, OH, USA; Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jung-A A Woo
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - David E Kang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Louis Strokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
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21
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Tabassum Z, Tseng JH, Isemann C, Tian X, Chen Y, Herring LE, Cohen TJ. Identification of a reciprocal negative feedback loop between tau-modifying proteins MARK2 kinase and CBP acetyltransferase. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101977. [PMID: 35469920 PMCID: PMC9136110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The posttranslational regulation of the neuronal proteome is critical for brain homeostasis but becomes dysregulated in the aged or diseased brain, in which abnormal posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are frequently observed. While the full extent of modified substrates that comprise the "PTM-ome" are slowly emerging, how the upstream enzymes catalyzing these processes are regulated themselves is not well understood, particularly in the context of neurodegeneration. Here, we describe the reciprocal regulation of a kinase, the microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 2 (MARK2), and an acetyltransferase, CREB-binding protein (CBP), two enzymes known to extensively modify tau proteins in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. We found that MARK2 negatively regulates CBP and, conversely, CBP directly acetylates and inhibits MARK2 kinase activity. These findings highlight a reciprocal negative feedback loop between a kinase and an acetyltransferase, which has implications for how PTM interplay is coordinated on substrates including tau. Our study suggests that PTM profiles occur through the posttranslational control of the master PTM remodeling enzymes themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarin Tabassum
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jui-Heng Tseng
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Camryn Isemann
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xu Tian
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Youjun Chen
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- UNC Proteomics Core Facility, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Todd J Cohen
- Department of Neurology, UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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22
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González A, Calfío C, Churruca M, Maccioni RB. Glucose metabolism and AD: evidence for a potential diabetes type 3. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:56. [PMID: 35443732 PMCID: PMC9022265 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-00996-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent cause of dementia in the elderly. Neuronal death and synaptic dysfunctions are considered the main hallmarks of this disease. The latter could be directly associated to an impaired metabolism. In particular, glucose metabolism impairment has demonstrated to be a key regulatory element in the onset and progression of AD, which is why nowadays AD is considered the type 3 diabetes. METHODS We provide a thread regarding the influence of glucose metabolism in AD from three different perspectives: (i) as a regulator of the energy source, (ii) through several metabolic alterations, such as insulin resistance, that modify peripheral signaling pathways that influence activation of the immune system (e.g., insulin resistance, diabetes, etc.), and (iii) as modulators of various key post-translational modifications for protein aggregation, for example, influence on tau hyperphosphorylation and other important modifications, which determine its self-aggregating behavior and hence Alzheimer's pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS In this revision, we observed a 3 edge-action in which glucose metabolism impairment is acting in the progression of AD: as blockade of energy source (e.g., mitochondrial dysfunction), through metabolic dysregulation and post-translational modifications in key proteins, such as tau. Therefore, the latter would sustain the current hypothesis that AD is, in fact, the novel diabetes type 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea González
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Functional Medicine, International Center for Biomedicine (ICC), Avda. Vitacura 3568, D 511-512, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Las Encinas 3370, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Calfío
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Functional Medicine, International Center for Biomedicine (ICC), Avda. Vitacura 3568, D 511-512, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile.,Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Las Encinas 3370, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
| | - Macarena Churruca
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Functional Medicine, International Center for Biomedicine (ICC), Avda. Vitacura 3568, D 511-512, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo B Maccioni
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Functional Medicine, International Center for Biomedicine (ICC), Avda. Vitacura 3568, D 511-512, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile. .,Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Las Encinas 3370, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile. .,Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine East Campus Hospital Salvador, University of Chile, Salvador 486, Providencia, Santiago, Chile.
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23
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Ye H, Han Y, Li P, Su Z, Huang Y. The Role of Post-Translational Modifications on the Structure and Function of Tau Protein. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1557-1571. [PMID: 35325356 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Involving addition of chemical groups or protein units to specific residues of the target protein, post-translational modifications (PTMs) alter the charge, hydrophobicity, and conformation of a protein, which in tune influences protein function, protein - protein interaction, and protein aggregation. While the occurrence of PTMs is dynamic and subject to regulations, conformational disorder of the target protein facilitates PTMs. The microtubule-associated protein tau is a typical intrinsically disordered protein that undergoes a variety of PTMs including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, methylation, and oxidation. Accumulated evidence shows that these PTMs play a critical role in regulating tau-microtubule interaction, tau localization, tau degradation and aggregation, and reinforces the correlation between tau PTMs and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease. Here, we review tau PTMs with an emphasis on their influence on tau structure. With available biophysical characterization results, we describe how PTMs induce conformational changes in tau monomer and regulate tau aggregation. Compared to functional analysis of tau PTMs, biophysical characterization of tau PTMs is lagging. While it is challenging, characterizing the specific effects of PTMs on tau conformation and interaction is indispensable to unravel the tau PTM code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqiong Ye
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Yue Han
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Yongqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China. .,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.
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24
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Shams H, Matsunaga A, Ma Q, Mofrad MR, Didonna A. Methylation at a conserved lysine residue modulates tau assembly and cellular functions. Mol Cell Neurosci 2022; 120:103707. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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25
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Tau mRNA Metabolism in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Tangle Journey. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020241. [PMID: 35203451 PMCID: PMC8869323 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau proteins are known to be mainly involved in regulation of microtubule dynamics. Besides this function, which is critical for axonal transport and signal transduction, tau proteins also have other roles in neurons. Moreover, tau proteins are turned into aggregates and consequently trigger many neurodegenerative diseases termed tauopathies, of which Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the figurehead. Such pathological aggregation processes are critical for the onset of these diseases. Among the various causes of tau protein pathogenicity, abnormal tau mRNA metabolism, expression and dysregulation of tau post-translational modifications are critical steps. Moreover, the relevance of tau function to general mRNA metabolism has been highlighted recently in tauopathies. In this review, we mainly focus on how mRNA metabolism impacts the onset and development of tauopathies. Thus, we intend to portray how mRNA metabolism of, or mediated by, tau is associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
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26
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Yang S, Yu C, Yang Z, Cui H, Wu Y, Liang Z, Liu Y, Shi X, Shao F, Zhao S, Tang Z. DL-3-n-butylphthalide-induced neuroprotection in rat models of asphyxia-induced cardiac arrest followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7464-7472. [PMID: 34061993 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Most patients that resuscitate successfully from cardiac arrest (CA) suffer from poor neurological prognosis. DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is known to have neuroprotective effects via multiple mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate whether NBP can decrease neurological impairment after CA. We studied the protective role of NBP in the hippocampus of a rat model of cardiac arrest induced by asphyxia. Thirty-nine rats were divided randomly into sham, control, and NBP groups. Rats in control and NBP groups underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 6 min after asphyxia. NBP or vehicle (saline) was administered intravenously 10 min after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was observed under transmission electron microscope. NBP treatment improved neurological function up to 72 h after CA. The ultrastructural lesion in mitochondria recovered in the NBP-treated CA model. In conclusion, our study demonstrated multiple therapeutic benefits of NBP after CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Huairou Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changxiao Yu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengfei Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Cui
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Liang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Shi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Huairou Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Shao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shen Zhao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Institute of Emergency Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ziren Tang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing, China
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27
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Gupta R, Srivastava D, Sahu M, Tiwari S, Ambasta RK, Kumar P. Artificial intelligence to deep learning: machine intelligence approach for drug discovery. Mol Divers 2021; 25:1315-1360. [PMID: 33844136 PMCID: PMC8040371 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 89.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug designing and development is an important area of research for pharmaceutical companies and chemical scientists. However, low efficacy, off-target delivery, time consumption, and high cost impose a hurdle and challenges that impact drug design and discovery. Further, complex and big data from genomics, proteomics, microarray data, and clinical trials also impose an obstacle in the drug discovery pipeline. Artificial intelligence and machine learning technology play a crucial role in drug discovery and development. In other words, artificial neural networks and deep learning algorithms have modernized the area. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms have been implemented in several drug discovery processes such as peptide synthesis, structure-based virtual screening, ligand-based virtual screening, toxicity prediction, drug monitoring and release, pharmacophore modeling, quantitative structure-activity relationship, drug repositioning, polypharmacology, and physiochemical activity. Evidence from the past strengthens the implementation of artificial intelligence and deep learning in this field. Moreover, novel data mining, curation, and management techniques provided critical support to recently developed modeling algorithms. In summary, artificial intelligence and deep learning advancements provide an excellent opportunity for rational drug design and discovery process, which will eventually impact mankind. The primary concern associated with drug design and development is time consumption and production cost. Further, inefficiency, inaccurate target delivery, and inappropriate dosage are other hurdles that inhibit the process of drug delivery and development. With advancements in technology, computer-aided drug design integrating artificial intelligence algorithms can eliminate the challenges and hurdles of traditional drug design and development. Artificial intelligence is referred to as superset comprising machine learning, whereas machine learning comprises supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Further, deep learning, a subset of machine learning, has been extensively implemented in drug design and development. The artificial neural network, deep neural network, support vector machines, classification and regression, generative adversarial networks, symbolic learning, and meta-learning are examples of the algorithms applied to the drug design and discovery process. Artificial intelligence has been applied to different areas of drug design and development process, such as from peptide synthesis to molecule design, virtual screening to molecular docking, quantitative structure-activity relationship to drug repositioning, protein misfolding to protein-protein interactions, and molecular pathway identification to polypharmacology. Artificial intelligence principles have been applied to the classification of active and inactive, monitoring drug release, pre-clinical and clinical development, primary and secondary drug screening, biomarker development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioactivity identification and physiochemical properties, prediction of toxicity, and identification of mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Gupta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Devesh Srivastava
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Mehar Sahu
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Swati Tiwari
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Rashmi K Ambasta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Pravir Kumar
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
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McCann H, Durand B, Shepherd CE. Aging-Related Tau Astrogliopathy in Aging and Neurodegeneration. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11070927. [PMID: 34356161 PMCID: PMC8306417 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are of vital importance to neuronal function and the health of the central nervous system (CNS), and astrocytic dysfunction as a primary or secondary event may predispose to neurodegeneration. Until recently, the main astrocytic tauopathies were the frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau (FTLD-tau) group of disorders; however, aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG) has now been defined. This condition is a self-describing neuropathology mainly found in individuals over 60 years of age. Astrocytic tau accumulates with a thorny or granular/fuzzy morphology and is commonly found in normal aging as well as coexisting with diverse neurodegenerative disorders. However, there are still many unknown factors associated with ARTAG, including the cause/s, the progression, and the nature of any clinical associations. In addition to FTLD-tau, ARTAG has recently been associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), where it has been proposed as a potential precursor to these conditions, with the different ARTAG morphological subtypes perhaps having separate etiologies. This is an emerging area of exciting research that encompasses complex neurobiological and clinicopathological investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather McCann
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker Street, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (H.M.); (B.D.)
| | - Briony Durand
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker Street, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (H.M.); (B.D.)
| | - Claire E. Shepherd
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker Street, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (H.M.); (B.D.)
- Department of Pathology, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Correspondence:
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29
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Gupta R, Sahu M, Srivastava D, Tiwari S, Ambasta RK, Kumar P. Post-translational modifications: Regulators of neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101336. [PMID: 33775891 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmark features in the neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) is the accumulation of aggregated and/or non-functional protein in the cellular milieu. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are an essential regulator of non-functional protein aggregation in the pathogenesis of NDDs. Any alteration in the post-translational mechanism and the protein quality control system, for instance, molecular chaperone, ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy-lysosomal degradation pathway, enhances the accumulation of misfolded protein, which causes neuronal dysfunction. Post-translational modification plays many roles in protein turnover rate, accumulation of aggregate and can also help in the degradation of disease-causing toxic metabolites. PTMs such as acetylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, palmitoylation, SUMOylation, nitration, oxidation, and many others regulate protein homeostasis, which includes protein structure, functions and aggregation propensity. Different studies demonstrated the involvement of PTMs in the regulation of signaling cascades such as PI3K/Akt/GSK3β, MAPK cascade, AMPK pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of NDDs. Further, mounting evidence suggests that targeting different PTMs with small chemical molecules, which acts as an inhibitor or activator, reverse misfolded protein accumulation and thus enhances the neuroprotection. Herein, we briefly discuss the protein aggregation and various domain structures of different proteins involved in the NDDs, indicating critical amino acid residues where PTMs occur. We also describe the implementation and involvement of various PTMs on signaling cascade and cellular processes in NDDs. Lastly, we implement our current understanding of the therapeutic importance of PTMs in neurodegeneration, along with emerging techniques targeting various PTMs.
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30
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Chen X, Drew J, Berney W, Lei W. Neuroprotective Natural Products for Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:1309. [PMID: 34070275 PMCID: PMC8225186 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the number one neurovegetative disease, but its treatment options are relatively few and ineffective. In efforts to discover new strategies for AD therapy, natural products have aroused interest in the research community and in the pharmaceutical industry for their neuroprotective activity, targeting different pathological mechanisms associated with AD. A wide variety of natural products from different origins have been evaluated preclinically and clinically for their neuroprotective mechanisms in preventing and attenuating the multifactorial pathologies of AD. This review mainly focuses on the possible neuroprotective mechanisms from natural products that may be beneficial in AD treatment and the natural product mixtures or extracts from different sources that have demonstrated neuroprotective activity in preclinical and/or clinical studies. It is believed that natural product mixtures or extracts containing multiple bioactive compounds that can work additively or synergistically to exhibit multiple neuroprotective mechanisms might be an effective approach in AD drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
| | - Joshua Drew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
| | - Wren Berney
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
| | - Wei Lei
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC 29325, USA
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31
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Balmik AA, Chinnathambi S. Methylation as a key regulator of Tau aggregation and neuronal health in Alzheimer's disease. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:51. [PMID: 33962636 PMCID: PMC8103764 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00732-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease involves abnormal aggregation and accumulation of toxic proteins aggregates. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the causative proteins play an important role in the etiology of disease as they could either slow down or accelerate the disease progression. Alzheimer disease is associated with the aggregation and accumulation of two major protein aggregates-intracellular neurofibrillary tangles made up of microtubule-associated protein Tau and extracellular Amyloid-β plaques. Post-translational modifications are important for the regulation of Tau`s function but an imbalance in PTMs may lead to abnormal Tau function and aggregation. Tau methylation is one of the important PTM of Tau in its physiological state. However, the methylation signature on Tau lysine changes once it acquires pathological aggregated form. Tau methylation can compete with other PTMs such as acetylation and ubiquitination. The state of PTM at these sites determines the fate of Tau protein in terms of its function and stability. The global methylation in neurons, microglia and astrocytes are involved in multiple cellular functions involving their role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression via DNA methylation. Here, we have discussed the effect of methylation on Tau function in a site-specific manner and their cross-talk with other lysine modifications. We have also elaborated the role of methylation in epigenetic aspects and neurodegenerative conditions associated with the imbalance in methylation metabolism affecting global methylation state of cells. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Ankur Balmik
- Neurobiology Group, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, 411008,, Pune, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002,, India
| | - Subashchandrabose Chinnathambi
- Neurobiology Group, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, 411008,, Pune, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002,, India.
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32
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Wei Y, Liu M, Wang D. The propagation mechanisms of extracellular tau in Alzheimer's disease. J Neurol 2021; 269:1164-1181. [PMID: 33913022 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tubulin-associated unit (tau) is an important microtubule-associated protein. The abnormal intracellular aggregation of tau has been strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Accumulating evidence has conclusively demonstrated that tau is present in the cytoplasm of neurons and is also actively released into the extracellular space. However, the types of tau species that are released are unclear, as is the mechanism of their release by donor neurons and subsequent uptake by recipient neurons in AD. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of abnormal tau cell-to-cell transmission can provide novel insights into the etiology and pathogenesis of AD and can help identify new targets for the development of AD therapies focused on counteracting neurodegeneration or even preventing it. From this perspective, the present review focuses on recent advances in understanding the mechanisms regulating the levels of extracellular tau and discusses the role of such mechanisms in the propagation of tau-associated pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wei
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing city, 100091, China.
| | - Meixia Liu
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing city, 100091, China
| | - Dongxin Wang
- Jining Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shandong province, 272000, China
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33
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Tau Is Truncated in Five Regions of the Normal Adult Human Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073521. [PMID: 33805376 PMCID: PMC8036332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The truncation of Tau is thought to be important in promoting aggregation, with this feature characterising the pathology of dementias such as Alzheimer disease. Antibodies to the C-terminal and N-terminal regions of Tau were employed to examine Tau cleavage in five human brain regions: the entorhinal cortex, prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These were obtained from normal subjects ranging in age from 18 to 104 years. Tau fragments of approximately 40 kDa and 45 kDa with an intact N-terminus retained were found in soluble and insoluble brain fractions. In addition, smaller C-terminal Tau fragments ranging in mass from 17 kDa to 25 kDa were also detected. These findings are consistent with significant Tau cleavage taking place in brain regions from 18 years onwards. It appears that site-specific cleavage of Tau is widespread in the normal human brain, and that large Tau fragments that contain the N-terminus, as well as shorter C-terminal Tau fragments, are present in brain cells across the age range.
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34
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Di Blasi R, Blyuss O, Timms JF, Conole D, Ceroni F, Whitwell HJ. Non-Histone Protein Methylation: Biological Significance and Bioengineering Potential. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:238-250. [PMID: 33411495 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein methylation is a key post-translational modification whose effects on gene expression have been intensively studied over the last two decades. Recently, renewed interest in non-histone protein methylation has gained momentum for its role in regulating important cellular processes and the activity of many proteins, including transcription factors, enzymes, and structural complexes. The extensive and dynamic role that protein methylation plays within the cell also highlights its potential for bioengineering applications. Indeed, while synthetic histone protein methylation has been extensively used to engineer gene expression, engineering of non-histone protein methylation has not been fully explored yet. Here, we report the latest findings, highlighting how non-histone protein methylation is fundamental for certain cellular functions and is implicated in disease, and review recent efforts in the engineering of protein methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Di Blasi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, U.K
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, U.K
| | - Oleg Blyuss
- School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, U.K
- Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - John F Timms
- Department of Women's Cancer, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, U.K
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, U.K
| | - Francesca Ceroni
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, U.K
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, U.K
| | - Harry J Whitwell
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- National Phenome Centre and Imperial Clinical Phenotyping Centre, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, IRDB Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN, U.K
- Division of Systems Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, U.K
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35
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Alquezar C, Arya S, Kao AW. Tau Post-translational Modifications: Dynamic Transformers of Tau Function, Degradation, and Aggregation. Front Neurol 2021; 11:595532. [PMID: 33488497 PMCID: PMC7817643 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.595532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) on tau have long been recognized as affecting protein function and contributing to neurodegeneration. The explosion of information on potential and observed PTMs on tau provides an opportunity to better understand these modifications in the context of tau homeostasis, which becomes perturbed with aging and disease. Prevailing views regard tau as a protein that undergoes abnormal phosphorylation prior to its accumulation into the toxic aggregates implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. However, the phosphorylation of tau may, in fact, represent part of the normal but interrupted function and catabolism of the protein. In addition to phosphorylation, tau undergoes another forms of post-translational modification including (but not limited to), acetylation, ubiquitination, glycation, glycosylation, SUMOylation, methylation, oxidation, and nitration. A holistic appreciation of how these PTMs regulate tau during health and are potentially hijacked in disease remains elusive. Recent studies have reinforced the idea that PTMs play a critical role in tau localization, protein-protein interactions, maintenance of levels, and modifying aggregate structure. These studies also provide tantalizing clues into the possibility that neurons actively choose how tau is post-translationally modified, in potentially competitive and combinatorial ways, to achieve broad, cellular programs commensurate with the distinctive environmental conditions found during development, aging, stress, and disease. Here, we review tau PTMs and describe what is currently known about their functional impacts. In addition, we classify these PTMs from the perspectives of protein localization, electrostatics, and stability, which all contribute to normal tau function and homeostasis. Finally, we assess the potential impact of tau PTMs on tau solubility and aggregation. Tau occupies an undoubtedly important position in the biology of neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to provide an integrated perspective of how post-translational modifications actively, purposefully, and dynamically remodel tau function, clearance, and aggregation. In doing so, we hope to enable a more comprehensive understanding of tau PTMs that will positively impact future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aimee W. Kao
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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36
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Meng F, Liang Z, Zhao K, Luo C. Drug design targeting active posttranslational modification protein isoforms. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:1701-1750. [PMID: 33355944 DOI: 10.1002/med.21774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Modern drug design aims to discover novel lead compounds with attractable chemical profiles to enable further exploration of the intersection of chemical space and biological space. Identification of small molecules with good ligand efficiency, high activity, and selectivity is crucial toward developing effective and safe drugs. However, the intersection is one of the most challenging tasks in the pharmaceutical industry, as chemical space is almost infinity and continuous, whereas the biological space is very limited and discrete. This bottleneck potentially limits the discovery of molecules with desirable properties for lead optimization. Herein, we present a new direction leveraging posttranslational modification (PTM) protein isoforms target space to inspire drug design termed as "Post-translational Modification Inspired Drug Design (PTMI-DD)." PTMI-DD aims to extend the intersections of chemical space and biological space. We further rationalized and highlighted the importance of PTM protein isoforms and their roles in various diseases and biological functions. We then laid out a few directions to elaborate the PTMI-DD in drug design including discovering covalent binding inhibitors mimicking PTMs, targeting PTM protein isoforms with distinctive binding sites from that of wild-type counterpart, targeting protein-protein interactions involving PTMs, and hijacking protein degeneration by ubiquitination for PTM protein isoforms. These directions will lead to a significant expansion of the biological space and/or increase the tractability of compounds, primarily due to precisely targeting PTM protein isoforms or complexes which are highly relevant to biological functions. Importantly, this new avenue will further enrich the personalized treatment opportunity through precision medicine targeting PTM isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanwang Meng
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, the Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhongjie Liang
- Center for Systems Biology, Department of Bioinformatics, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kehao Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, the Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Huseby CJ, Hoffman CN, Cooper GL, Cocuron JC, Alonso AP, Thomas SN, Yang AJ, Kuret J. Quantification of Tau Protein Lysine Methylation in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 71:979-991. [PMID: 31450505 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that normally interacts in monomeric form with the neuronal cytoskeleton. In Alzheimer's disease, however, it aggregates to form the structural component of neurofibrillary lesions. The transformation is controlled in part by age- and disease-associated post-translational modifications. Recently we reported that tau isolated from cognitively normal human brain was methylated on lysine residues, and that high-stoichiometry methylation depressed tau aggregation propensity in vitro. However, whether methylation stoichiometry reached levels needed to influence aggregation propensity in human brain was unknown. Here we address this problem using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approaches and human-derived tau samples. Results revealed that lysine methylation was present in soluble tau isolated from cognitively normal elderly cases at multiple sites that only partially overlapped with the distributions reported for cognitively normal middle aged and AD cohorts, and that the quality of methylation shifted from predominantly dimethyl-lysine to monomethyl-lysine with aging and disease. However, bulk mol methylation/mol tau stoichiometries never exceeded 1 mol methyl group/mol tau protein. We conclude that lysine methylation is a physiological post-translational modification of tau protein that changes qualitatively with aging and disease, and that pharmacological elevation of tau methylation may provide a means for protecting against pathological tau aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol J Huseby
- Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Claire N Hoffman
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Grace L Cooper
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Ana P Alonso
- BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Stefani N Thomas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology; Molecular & Structural Biology Program, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Austin J Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology; Molecular & Structural Biology Program, Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeff Kuret
- Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Wang L, Bharti, Kumar R, Pavlov PF, Winblad B. Small molecule therapeutics for tauopathy in Alzheimer's disease: Walking on the path of most resistance. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 209:112915. [PMID: 33139110 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by presence of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. Currently there are close to 50 million people living with dementia and this figure is expected to increase to 75 million by 2030 putting a huge burden on the economy due to the health care cost. Considering the effects on quality of life of patients and the increasing burden on the economy, there is an enormous need of new disease modifying therapies to tackle this disease. The current therapies are dominated by only symptomatic treatments including cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockers but no disease modifying treatments exist so far. After several failed attempts to develop drugs against amyloidopathy, tau targeting approaches have been in the main focus of drug development against AD. After an overview of the tauopathy in AD, this review summarizes recent findings on the development of small molecules as therapeutics targeting tau modification, aggregation, and degradation, and tau-oriented multi-target directed ligands. Overall, this work aims to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of small molecules which are being explored as a lead candidate for discovering drugs against tauopathy in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Wang
- Dept. of Neuroscience Care and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 17164, Solna, Sweden
| | - Bharti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Rajnish Kumar
- Dept. of Neuroscience Care and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 17164, Solna, Sweden; Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Pavel F Pavlov
- Dept. of Neuroscience Care and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 17164, Solna, Sweden; Memory Clinic, Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Dept. of Neuroscience Care and Society, Div. of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 17164, Solna, Sweden; Memory Clinic, Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186, Huddinge, Sweden.
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Tau at the interface between neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Genes Immun 2020; 21:288-300. [PMID: 33011744 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-020-00113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tau is an evolutionary conserved protein that promotes the assembly and stabilization of microtubules in neuronal axons. Complex patterns of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) dynamically regulate tau biochemical properties and consequently its functions. An imbalance in tau PTMs has been connected with a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative conditions which are collectively known as tauopathies and include Alzheimer's disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) among others. The hallmark of these neurological disorders is the presence in the brain of fibrillary tangles constituted of misfolded species of hyper-phosphorylated tau. The pathological events leading to tau aggregation are still largely unknown but increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in tangle formation. Moreover, tau aggregation itself could enhance inflammation through feed-forward mechanisms, amplifying the initial neurotoxic insults. Protective effects of tau against neuroinflammation have been also documented, adding another layer of complexity to this phenomenon. Here, we will review the current knowledge on tau regulation and function in health and disease. In particular, we will address its emerging role in connecting neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory processes.
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40
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Ojaghi S, Mohammadi S, Amani M, Ghobadi S, Bijari N, Esmaeili S, Khodarahmi R. Sunset yellow degradation product, as an efficient water-soluble inducer, accelerates 1N4R Tau amyloid oligomerization: In vitro preliminary evidence against the food colorant safety in terms of "Triggered Amyloid Aggregation". Bioorg Chem 2020; 103:104123. [PMID: 32781343 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Today, Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the most prevalent type of dementia turns into one of the most severe health problems. Neurofibrillary tangle (NFT), mostly comprised of fibrils formed by Tau, is a hallmark of a class of neurodegenerative diseases. Tau protein promotes assembly and makes stable microtubules that play a role in the appropriate function of neurons. Polyanionic cofactors such as heparin, and azo dyes, can induce aggregation of tau protein in vitro. Sunset Yellow is a food colorant used widely in food industries. In the current work, we introduced degradation product (DP) of Sunset Yellow as an effective inducer of Tau aggregation. Two Tau aggregation inducers were produced, and then the aggregation kinetics and the structure of 1N4R Tau amyloid fibrils were characterized using ThT fluorescence spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), circular dichroism (CD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Also, the toxic effects of the induced aggregates on RBCs and SH-SY5Y cells were demonstrated by hemolysis and LDH assays, respectively. Both inducers efficiently accelerated the formation of the amyloid fibril. Along with the confirmation of the β-sheets structure in Tau aggregates by Far-UV CD spectra, X-ray diffractions revealed the typical cross-β diffraction pattern. The oligomer formation in the presence of DPs was also confirmed by AFM. The possible in vivo effect of artificial azo dyes on Tau aggregation should be considered seriously as a newly opened dimension in food safety and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ojaghi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Soheila Mohammadi
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Amani
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Sirous Ghobadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Nooshin Bijari
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sajjad Esmaeili
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Reza Khodarahmi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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41
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Guo T, Zhang D, Zeng Y, Huang TY, Xu H, Zhao Y. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:40. [PMID: 32677986 PMCID: PMC7364557 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00391-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 424] [Impact Index Per Article: 106.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder seen in age-dependent dementia. There is currently no effective treatment for AD, which may be attributed in part to lack of a clear underlying mechanism. Studies within the last few decades provide growing evidence for a central role of amyloid β (Aβ) and tau, as well as glial contributions to various molecular and cellular pathways in AD pathogenesis. Herein, we review recent progress with respect to Aβ- and tau-associated mechanisms, and discuss glial dysfunction in AD with emphasis on neuronal and glial receptors that mediate Aβ-induced toxicity. We also discuss other critical factors that may affect AD pathogenesis, including genetics, aging, variables related to environment, lifestyle habits, and describe the potential role of apolipoprotein E (APOE), viral and bacterial infection, sleep, and microbiota. Although we have gained much towards understanding various aspects underlying this devastating neurodegenerative disorder, greater commitment towards research in molecular mechanism, diagnostics and treatment will be needed in future AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Guo
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Denghong Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuzhe Zeng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Center of People's Liberation Army, The Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, China
| | - Timothy Y Huang
- Neuroscience Initiative, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Neuroscience Initiative, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA.
| | - Yingjun Zhao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
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42
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LI LY, WANG XY. Progress in Analysis of Tau Protein. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(20)60024-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Cliffe R, Sang JC, Kundel F, Finley D, Klenerman D, Ye Y. Filamentous Aggregates Are Fragmented by the Proteasome Holoenzyme. Cell Rep 2020; 26:2140-2149.e3. [PMID: 30784595 PMCID: PMC6381791 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.01.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Filamentous aggregates (fibrils) are regarded as the final stage in the assembly of amyloidogenic proteins and are formed in many neurodegenerative diseases. Accumulation of aggregates occurs as a result of an imbalance between their formation and removal. Here we use single-aggregate imaging to show that large fibrils assembled from full-length tau are substrates of the 26S proteasome holoenzyme, which fragments them into small aggregates. Interestingly, although degradation of monomeric tau is not inhibited by adenosine 5’-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATPγS), fibril fragmentation is predominantly dependent on the ATPase activity of the proteasome. The proteasome holoenzyme also targets fibrils assembled from α-synuclein, suggesting that its fibril-fragmenting function may be a general mechanism. The fragmented species produced by the proteasome shows significant toxicity to human cell lines compared with intact fibrils. Together, our results indicate that the proteasome holoenzyme possesses a fragmentation function that disassembles large fibrils into smaller and more cytotoxic species. The proteasome fragments tau and α-synuclein fibrils into small aggregates Single-aggregate imaging was used to quantify changes in fibril and aggregate size Fibril fragmentation depends on proteasomal ATPase but not proteolytic activity Fragmented aggregate species induce cell death more potently than fibrils
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Cliffe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Jason C Sang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Franziska Kundel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Daniel Finley
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK.
| | - Yu Ye
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Urulangodi M, Mohanty A. DNA damage response and repair pathway modulation by non-histone protein methylation: implications in neurodegeneration. J Cell Commun Signal 2020; 14:31-45. [PMID: 31749026 PMCID: PMC7176765 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-019-00538-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) have emerged to be combinatorial, essential mechanisms used by eukaryotic cells to regulate local chromatin structure, diversify and extend their protein functions and dynamically coordinate complex intracellular signalling processes. Most common types of PTMs include enzymatic addition of small chemical groups resulting in phosphorylation, glycosylation, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, nitrosylation, methylation, acetylation or covalent attachment of complete proteins such as ubiquitin and SUMO. Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) and protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) enzymes catalyse the methylation of arginine and lysine residues in target proteins, respectively. Rapid progress in quantitative proteomic analysis and functional assays have not only documented the methylation of histone proteins post-translationally but also identified their occurrence in non-histone proteins which dynamically regulate a plethora of cellular functions including DNA damage response and repair. Emerging advances have now revealed the role of both histone and non-histone methylations in the regulating the DNA damage response (DDR) proteins, thereby modulating the DNA repair pathways both in proliferating and post-mitotic neuronal cells. Defects in many cellular DNA repair processes have been found primarily manifested in neuronal tissues. Moreover, fine tuning of the dynamicity of methylation of non-histone proteins as well as the perturbations in this dynamic methylation processes have recently been implicated in neuronal genomic stability maintenance. Considering the impact of methylation on chromatin associated pathways, in this review we attempt to link the evidences in non-histone protein methylation and DDR with neurodegenerative research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhusoodanan Urulangodi
- Department of Biochemistry, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, PIN-695011, India.
| | - Abhishek Mohanty
- Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, PIN-110085, India.
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Ramesh M, Gopinath P, Govindaraju T. Role of Post-translational Modifications in Alzheimer's Disease. Chembiochem 2020; 21:1052-1079. [PMID: 31863723 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The global burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is growing. Valiant efforts to develop clinical candidates for treatment have continuously met with failure. Currently available palliative treatments are temporary and there is a constant need to search for reliable disease pathways, biomarkers and drug targets for developing diagnostic and therapeutic tools to address the unmet medical needs of AD. Challenges in drug-discovery efforts raise further questions about the strategies of current conventional diagnosis; drug design; and understanding of disease pathways, biomarkers and targets. In this context, post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate protein trafficking, function and degradation, and their in-depth study plays a significant role in the identification of novel biomarkers and drug targets. Aberrant PTMs of disease-relevant proteins could trigger pathological pathways, leading to disease progression. Advancements in proteomics enable the generation of patterns or signatures of such modifications, and thus, provide a versatile platform to develop biomarkers based on PTMs. In addition, understanding and targeting the aberrant PTMs of various proteins provide viable avenues for addressing AD drug-discovery challenges. This review highlights numerous PTMs of proteins relevant to AD and provides an overview of their adverse effects on the protein structure, function and aggregation propensity that contribute to the disease pathology. A critical discussion offers suggestions of methods to develop PTM signatures and interfere with aberrant PTMs to develop viable diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Ramesh
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Pushparathinam Gopinath
- Department of Chemistry, SRM-Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Thimmaiah Govindaraju
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India
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Derry PJ, Hegde ML, Jackson GR, Kayed R, Tour JM, Tsai AL, Kent TA. Revisiting the intersection of amyloid, pathologically modified tau and iron in Alzheimer's disease from a ferroptosis perspective. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 184:101716. [PMID: 31604111 PMCID: PMC7850812 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The complexity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) complicates the search for effective treatments. While the key roles of pathologically modified proteins has occupied a central role in hypotheses of the pathophysiology, less attention has been paid to the potential role for transition metals overload, subsequent oxidative stress, and tissue injury. The association of transition metals, the major focus heretofore iron and amyloid, the same can now be said for the likely pathogenic microtubular associated tau (MAPT). This review discusses the interplay between iron, pathologically modified tau and oxidative stress, and connects many related discoveries. Basic principles of the transition to pathological MAPT are discussed. Iron, its homeostatic mechanisms, the recently described phenomenon of ferroptosis and purported, although still controversial roles in AD are reviewed as well as considerations to overcome existing hurdles of iron-targeted therapeutic avenues that have been attempted in AD. We summarize the involvement of multiple pathological pathways at different disease stages of disease progression that supports the potential for a combinatorial treatment strategy targeting multiple factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Derry
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Muralidhar L Hegde
- Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, United States
| | - George R Jackson
- Department of Neurology Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - James M Tour
- Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ah-Lim Tsai
- Department of Biochemistry and Hematology, McGovern School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Thomas A Kent
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States; Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.
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47
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Kelley AR, Bach SB, Perry G. Analysis of post-translational modifications in Alzheimer's disease by mass spectrometry. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1865:2040-2047. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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48
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Ittner A, Ittner LM. Dendritic Tau in Alzheimer's Disease. Neuron 2019; 99:13-27. [PMID: 30001506 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau and amyloid-β (Aβ) are key players in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ and tau are linked in a molecular pathway at the post-synapse with tau-dependent synaptic dysfunction being a major pathomechanism in AD. Recent work on site-specific modification of dendritic and more specifically post-synaptic tau has revealed new endogenous functions of tau that limits synaptic Aβ toxicity. Thus, molecular studies opened a new perspective on tau, placing it at the center of neurotoxic and neuroprotective signaling at the post-synapse. Here, we review recent advances on tau in the dendritic compartments, with implications for understanding and treatment of AD and related neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Unit, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales 2031, Australia; Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia.
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Didonna A, Cantó E, Shams H, Isobe N, Zhao C, Caillier SJ, Condello C, Yamate-Morgan H, Tiwari-Woodruff SK, Mofrad MRK, Hauser SL, Oksenberg JR. Sex-specific Tau methylation patterns and synaptic transcriptional alterations are associated with neural vulnerability during chronic neuroinflammation. J Autoimmun 2019; 101:56-69. [PMID: 31010726 PMCID: PMC6561733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The molecular events underlying the transition from initial inflammatory flares to the progressive phase of multiple sclerosis (MS) remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the microtubule-associated protein (MAP) Tau exerts a gender-specific protective function on disease progression in the MS model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). A detailed investigation of the autoimmune response in Tau-deficient mice excluded a strong immunoregulatory role for Tau, suggesting that its beneficial effects are presumably exerted within the central nervous system (CNS). Spinal cord transcriptomic data show increased synaptic dysfunctions and alterations in the NF-kB activation pathway upon EAE in Tau-deficient mice as compared to wildtype animals. We also performed the first comprehensive characterization of Tau post-translational modifications (PTMs) in the nervous system upon EAE. We report that the methylation levels of the conserved lysine residue K306 are significantly decreased in the chronic phase of the disease. By combining biochemical assays and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we demonstrate that methylation at K306 decreases the affinity of Tau for the microtubule network. Thus, the down-regulation of this PTM might represent a homeostatic response to enhance axonal stability against an autoimmune CNS insult. The results, altogether, position Tau as key mediator between the inflammatory processes and neurodegeneration that seems to unify many CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Didonna
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Ester Cantó
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Hengameh Shams
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Noriko Isobe
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Chao Zhao
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Stacy J Caillier
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Carlo Condello
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA; Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Hana Yamate-Morgan
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Seema K Tiwari-Woodruff
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA; Center for Glial-Neuronal Interactions, UCR School of Medicine, CA, 92506, USA
| | - Mohammad R K Mofrad
- Molecular Cell Biomechanics Laboratory, Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Stephen L Hauser
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Jorge R Oksenberg
- Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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Barthélemy NR, Mallipeddi N, Moiseyev P, Sato C, Bateman RJ. Tau Phosphorylation Rates Measured by Mass Spectrometry Differ in the Intracellular Brain vs. Extracellular Cerebrospinal Fluid Compartments and Are Differentially Affected by Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:121. [PMID: 31178717 PMCID: PMC6537657 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau protein aggregation into neurofibrillary tangles in the central nervous system contributes to the etiology of certain neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Though the mechanism of tau destabilization is not fully understood yet, tau protein has been found to be hyperphosphorylated in tau aggregates. To investigate this further, we developed a highly sensitive and specific mass spectrometry (MS) method using parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) to identify tau phosphorylation sites. This method enables us to compare the abundance of phosphorylation sites in tau proteins in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in humans with and without AD. We detected 29 distinct phosphorylated tau (p-tau) sites in full-length tau from soluble human brain lysate and 12 sites on truncated tau in CSF, mainly in the mid-domain. Brain soluble tau phosphorylation sites are localized on three domains including a proline-rich mid-domain, the C-terminus, and a cluster on the N-terminal projection domain not previously characterized. Some phosphorylation sites increased in CSF, while others decreased compared to brain. Notably, phosphorylation on T205 and S208, recognized by AT8 antibody defining Braak stages of brain tau aggregation, were not detected in normal brain soluble tau but were found in the CSF. Comparison of the p-tau rates from the brain and the CSF indicated that the abundance of phosphorylated sites varied in a site-specific manner. CSF tau proteins from non-AD participants were significantly hyperphosphorylated on T111, T205, S208, T217 and T231. In AD CSF, hyperphosphorylation on these sites was exacerbated, and phosphorylation on T153 and T175 specifically were detected. This supports the hypothesis that tau hyperphosphorylation could be a physiological process amplified by AD pathology. Conversely, we found that S202 was hypophosphorylated in CSF and was not hyperphosphorylated in AD, demonstrating that p-tau isoforms could have different metabolisms depending on which sites are phosphorylated. These site-specific p-tau rates are independent of tau concentration and distinct of current CSF tau and p-tau assays measuring tau isoforms levels. Targeted MS multiplexing ability and high-throughput capacity lets us envision the use of these new p-tau measurements as promising biomarkers for AD diagnosis and tracking therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas R Barthélemy
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Nipun Mallipeddi
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Paul Moiseyev
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Chihiro Sato
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Randall J Bateman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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