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Quantification of Idua Enzymatic Activity Combined with Observation of Phenotypic Change in Zebrafish Embryos Provide a Preliminary Assessment of Mutated idua Correlated with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081199. [PMID: 35893292 PMCID: PMC9332586 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an inherited autosomal recessive disease resulting from mutation of the α-l-Iduronidase (IDUA) gene. New unknown mutated nucleotides of idua have increasingly been discovered in newborn screening, and remain to be elucidated. In this study, we found that the z-Idua enzymatic activity of zebrafish idua-knockdown embryos was reduced, resulting in the accumulation of undegradable metabolite of heparin sulfate, as well as increased mortality and defective phenotypes similar to some symptoms of human MPS I. After microinjecting mutated z-idua-L346R, -T364M, -E398-deleted, and -E540-frameshifted mRNAs, corresponding to mutated human IDUA associated with MPS I, into zebrafish embryos, no increase in z-Idua enzymatic activity, except of z-idua-E540-frameshift-injected embryos, was noted compared with endogenous z-Idua of untreated embryos. Defective phenotypes were observed in the z-idua-L346R-injected embryos, suggesting that failed enzymatic activity of mutated z-Idua-L346R might have a dominant negative effect on endogenous z-Idua function. However, defective phenotypes were not observed in the z-idua-E540-frameshifted-mRNA-injected embryos, which provided partial enzymatic activity. Based on these results, we suggest that the z-Idua enzyme activity assay combined with phenotypic observation of mutated-idua-injected zebrafish embryos could serve as an alternative platform for a preliminary assessment of mutated idua not yet characterized for their role in MPS I.
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Pradhan LK, Das SK. The Regulatory Role of Reticulons in Neurodegeneration: Insights Underpinning Therapeutic Potential for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:1157-1174. [PMID: 32504327 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00893-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the last few decades, cytoplasmic organellar dysfunction, such as that of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), has created a new area of research interest towards the development of serious health maladies including neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, the extensively dispersed family of ER-localized proteins, i.e. reticulons (RTNs), is gaining interest because of its regulative control over neural regeneration. As most neurodegenerative diseases are pathologically manifested with the accretion of misfolded proteins with subsequent induction of ER stress, the regulatory role of RTNs in neural dysfunction cannot be ignored. With the limited information available in the literature, delineation of the functional connection between rising consequences of neurodegenerative diseases and RTNs need to be elucidated. In this review, we provide a broad overview on the recently revealed regulatory roles of reticulons in the pathophysiology of several health maladies, with special emphasis on neurodegeneration. Additionally, we have also recapitulated the decisive role of RTN4 in neurite regeneration and highlighted how neurodegeneration and proteinopathies are mechanistically linked with each other through specific RTN paralogues. With the recent findings advocating zebrafish Rtn4b (a mammalian Nogo-A homologue) downregulation following central nervous system (CNS) lesion, RTNs provides new insight into the CNS regeneration. However, there are controversies with respect to the role of Rtn4b in zebrafish CNS regeneration. Given these controversies, the connection between the unique regenerative capabilities of zebrafish CNS by distinct compensatory mechanisms and Rtn4b signalling pathway could shed light on the development of new therapeutic strategies against serious neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilesh Kumar Pradhan
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Centre for Biotechnology, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed To Be University), Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India
| | - Saroj Kumar Das
- Neurobiology Laboratory, Centre for Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed To Be University), Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India.
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Zebrafish, an In Vivo Platform to Screen Drugs and Proteins for Biomedical Use. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060500. [PMID: 34073947 PMCID: PMC8225009 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The nearly simultaneous convergence of human genetics and advanced molecular technologies has led to an improved understanding of human diseases. At the same time, the demand for drug screening and gene function identification has also increased, albeit time- and labor-intensive. However, bridging the gap between in vitro evidence from cell lines and in vivo evidence, the lower vertebrate zebrafish possesses many advantages over higher vertebrates, such as low maintenance, high fecundity, light-induced spawning, transparent embryos, short generation interval, rapid embryonic development, fully sequenced genome, and some phenotypes similar to human diseases. Such merits have popularized the zebrafish as a model system for biomedical and pharmaceutical studies, including drug screening. Here, we reviewed the various ways in which zebrafish serve as an in vivo platform to perform drug and protein screening in the fields of rare human diseases, social behavior and cancer studies. Since zebrafish mutations faithfully phenocopy many human disorders, many compounds identified from zebrafish screening systems have advanced to early clinical trials, such as those for Adenoid cystic carcinoma, Dravet syndrome and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. We also reviewed and described how zebrafish are used to carry out environmental pollutant detection and assessment of nanoparticle biosafety and QT prolongation.
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Aldewachi H, Al-Zidan RN, Conner MT, Salman MM. High-Throughput Screening Platforms in the Discovery of Novel Drugs for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:30. [PMID: 33672148 PMCID: PMC7926814 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration and/or death of nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Identification of viable therapeutic targets and new treatments for CNS disorders and in particular, for NDDs is a major challenge in the field of drug discovery. These difficulties can be attributed to the diversity of cells involved, extreme complexity of the neural circuits, the limited capacity for tissue regeneration, and our incomplete understanding of the underlying pathological processes. Drug discovery is a complex and multidisciplinary process. The screening attrition rate in current drug discovery protocols mean that only one viable drug may arise from millions of screened compounds resulting in the need to improve discovery technologies and protocols to address the multiple causes of attrition. This has identified the need to screen larger libraries where the use of efficient high-throughput screening (HTS) becomes key in the discovery process. HTS can investigate hundreds of thousands of compounds per day. However, if fewer compounds could be screened without compromising the probability of success, the cost and time would be largely reduced. To that end, recent advances in computer-aided design, in silico libraries, and molecular docking software combined with the upscaling of cell-based platforms have evolved to improve screening efficiency with higher predictability and clinical applicability. We review, here, the increasing role of HTS in contemporary drug discovery processes, in particular for NDDs, and evaluate the criteria underlying its successful application. We also discuss the requirement of HTS for novel NDD therapies and examine the major current challenges in validating new drug targets and developing new treatments for NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Aldewachi
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK;
- College of Pharmacy, Nineveh University, Mosul 41002, Iraq
| | - Radhwan N. Al-Zidan
- College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq;
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Matthew T. Conner
- School of Sciences, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK;
| | - Mootaz M. Salman
- College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq;
- Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
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Wang L, Zhang L. MicroRNAs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from pathogenetic involvement to diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic agent development. Neurol Sci 2020; 41:3569-3577. [PMID: 33006054 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous non-coding small single-stranded RNAs that are 21-25 nucleotides (NTs) in length and participate in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Studies have shown that miRNA dysfunction plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of a variety of nervous system diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with an unclear etiology and is characterized by the selective invasion of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can range from mild spasms in the limbs or medulla oblongata muscles to paralysis in almost all skeletal muscles. The role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of ALS has become of greater importance to those studying ALS. In this review, we reviewed experimentally confirmed miRNAs shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS and that are used as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic ALS agents. At present, there are at least 20-30 genes clearly related to the pathogenesis of ALS. Multiple miRNAs have been reported in different pathogenic gene models. MiRNAs could be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of ALS; the differential expression of some miRNAs could be related to ALS prognosis. As therapeutic agents, miRNAs are still in the exploratory stage. Although encouraging results have been achieved using animal models, much research is still needed before clinical trials can ensue. However, with additional miRNA studies in ALS patients and animal models, the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and therapy of ALS should be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, People's Republic of China.
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Lin CY, Wu CL, Lee KZ, Chen YJ, Zhang PH, Chang CY, Harn HJ, Lin SZ, Tsai HJ. Extracellular Pgk1 enhances neurite outgrowth of motoneurons through Nogo66/NgR-independent targeting of NogoA. eLife 2019; 8:49175. [PMID: 31361595 PMCID: PMC6667276 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
NogoA inhibits neurite outgrowth of motoneurons (NOM) through interaction with its receptors, Nogo66/NgR. Inhibition of Nogo receptors rescues NOM, but not to the extent exhibited by NogoA-knockout mice, suggesting the presence of other pathways. We found that NogoA-overexpressing muscle cells reduced phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (Pgk1) secretion, resulting in inhibiting NOM. Apart from its glycolytic role and independent of the Nogo66 pathway, extracellular Pgk1 stimulated NOM by triggering a reduction of p-Cofilin-S3, a growth cone collapse marker, through decreasing a novel Rac1-GTP/p-Pak1-T423/p-P38-T180/p-MK2-T334/p-Limk1-S323/p-Cofilin-S3 molecular pathway. Not only did supplementary Pgk1 enhance NOM in defective cells, but injection of Pgk1 rescued denervation in muscle-specific NogoA-overexpression of zebrafish and an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis mouse model, SOD1 G93A. Thus, Pgk1 secreted from muscle is detrimental to motoneuron neurite outgrowth and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yung Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chia Lun Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kok Zhi Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - You Jei Chen
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po Hsiang Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chia Yu Chang
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research and Neuroscience Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien City, Taiwan
| | - Horng Jyh Harn
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien City, Taiwan
| | - Shinn Zong Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien City, Taiwan
| | - Huai Jen Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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