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Tacrine Derivatives in Neurological Disorders: Focus on Molecular Mechanisms and Neurotherapeutic Potential. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:7252882. [PMID: 36035218 PMCID: PMC9410840 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7252882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tacrine is a drug used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease as a cognitive enhancer and inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). However, its clinical application has been restricted due to its poor therapeutic efficacy and high prevalence of detrimental effects. An attempt was made to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie tacrine and its analogues influence over neurotherapeutic activity by focusing on modulation of neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and regulatory role in gene and protein expression, energy metabolism, Ca2+ homeostasis modulation, and osmotic regulation. Regardless of this, analogues of tacrine are considered as a model inhibitor of cholinesterase in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease. The variety both in structural make-up and biological functions of these substances is the main appeal for researchers' interest in them. A new paradigm for treating neurological diseases is presented in this review, which includes treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease, as well as other neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and the synthesis and biological properties of newly identified versatile tacrine analogues and hybrids. We have also shown that these analogues may have therapeutic promise in the treatment of neurological diseases in a variety of experimental systems.
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Papaefthymiou A, Doulberis M, Katsinelos P, Liatsos C, Polyzos SA, Kotronis G, Papanikolaou K, Kountouras J. Impact of nitric oxide's bidirectional role on glaucoma: focus onHelicobacter pylori–related nitrosative stress. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1465:10-28. [DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Doulberis
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Ippokration HospitalAristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
| | - Panagiotis Katsinelos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Ippokration HospitalAristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
| | - Christos Liatsos
- Department of Gastroenterology401 General Military Hospital of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Stergios A. Polyzos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Ippokration HospitalAristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
- First Department of Pharmacology, School of MedicineAristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
| | - Georgios Kotronis
- Department of Internal MedicineAgios Pavlos General Hospital Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
| | - Katerina Papanikolaou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Ippokration HospitalAristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
| | - Jannis Kountouras
- Department of Internal Medicine, Second Medical Clinic, Ippokration HospitalAristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Macedonia Greece
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Exploring Structure-Activity Relationship in Tacrine-Squaramide Derivatives as Potent Cholinesterase Inhibitors. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9080379. [PMID: 31430943 PMCID: PMC6723352 DOI: 10.3390/biom9080379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tacrine was the first drug to be approved for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment, acting as a cholinesterase inhibitor. The neuropathological hallmarks of AD are amyloid-rich senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal degeneration. The portfolio of currently approved drugs for AD includes acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Squaric acid is a versatile structural scaffold capable to be easily transformed into amide-bearing compounds that feature both hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups with the possibility to create multiple interactions with complementary sites. Considering the relatively simple synthesis approach and other interesting properties (rigidity, aromatic character, H-bond formation) of squaramide motif, we combined this scaffold with different tacrine-based derivatives. In this study, we developed 21 novel dimers amalgamating squaric acid with either tacrine, 6-chlorotacrine or 7-methoxytacrine representing various AChEIs. All new derivatives were evaluated for their anti-cholinesterase activities, cytotoxicity using HepG2 cell line and screened to predict their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this contribution, we also report in silico studies of the most potent AChE and BChE inhibitors in the active site of these enzymes.
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Sánchez-Vidaña DI, Chow JKW, Hu SQ, Lau BWM, Han YF. Molecular Targets of Bis (7)-Cognitin and Its Relevance in Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:445. [PMID: 31143096 PMCID: PMC6521802 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The exact mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative conditions are not fully known. The design of drugs that act on multiple targets represents a promising approach that should be explored for more effective clinical options for neurodegenerative disorders. B7C is s synthetic drug that has been studied for over 20 years and represents a promising multi-target drug for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD. Aims: The present systematic review, thus, aims at examining existing studies on the effect of B7C on different molecular targets and at discussing the relevance of B7C in neurological disorders. Methods: A list of predefined search terms was used to retrieve relevant articles from the databases of Embase, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The selection of articles was done by two independent authors, who were considering articles concerned primarily with the evaluation of the effect of B7C on neurological disorders. Only full-text articles written in English were included; whereas, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, book chapters, conference subtracts, and computational studies were excluded. Results: A total of 2,266 articles were retrieved out of which 41 articles were included in the present systematic review. The effect of B7C on molecular targets, including AChE, BChE, BACE-1, NMDA receptor, GABA receptor, NOS, and Kv4.2 potassium channels was evaluated. Moreover, the studies that were included assessed the effect of B7C on biological processes, such as apoptosis, neuritogenesis, and amyloid beta aggregation. The animal studies examined in the review focused on the effect of B7C on cognition and memory. Conclusions: The beneficial effects observed on different molecular targets and biological processes relevant to neurological conditions confirm that B7C is a promising multi-target drug with the potential to treat neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Ka Wing Chow
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sheng Quan Hu
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Benson Wui Man Lau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi-Fan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Novel tacrine-tryptophan hybrids: Multi-target directed ligands as potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 168:491-514. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Chen H, Song Z, Ying S, Yang X, Wu W, Tan Q, Ju X, Wu W, Zhang X, Qu J, Wang Y. Myeloid differentiation protein 2 induced retinal ischemia reperfusion injury via upregulation of ROS through a TLR4-NOX4 pathway. Toxicol Lett 2017; 282:109-120. [PMID: 29111459 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is common in many ophthalmic diseases. Recent studies have shown that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is involved in ischemic retinal injury. Activation of TLRs requires specific accessory proteins such as myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2), which facilitate in ligand responsiveness. Therefore, inhibiting MD2 may be a novel approach to modulate TLR4 signaling and deleterious downstream effects in ischemic retinal injury. We used human Müller MIO-M1 cells treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) to establish an in vitro I/R model of oxidative injury and tested the therapeutic effect of inhibiting MD2. Furthermore, we inhibited MD2 in a mouse model of retinal I/R injury and confirmed the results using MD2 knockout mice. Our studies show that pharmacological inhibition of MD2 prevented TBHP-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, inflammation and subsequent apoptosis in Müller cells. We also show that retinal I/R injury in mice induced functional deficits, increased ROS levels, inflammation and apoptosis. These pathological changes were not observed in MD2 knockout mice and attenuated when MD2 was inhibited in wildtype mice. In addition, we discovered that the mechanism of these therapeutic effects involved regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-MD2-TLR4 complex formation. This study provides evidence that MD2 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of retinal I/R damage by participating in TLR4-NOX4 complex formation and elaboration of oxidative and inflammatory damage. Hence, inhibition of MD2 may reduce TLR-dependent damage during retinal I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaicheng Chen
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zongming Song
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital and People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shilong Ying
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Wu
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiufan Tan
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Ju
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wencan Wu
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia Qu
- The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Hashem HE, Abd El-Haleem MR, Amer MG, Bor’i A. Pomegranate protective effect on experimental ischemia/reperfusion retinal injury in rats (histological and biochemical study). Ultrastruct Pathol 2017; 41:346-357. [DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2017.1346737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hala E. Hashem
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Manal R. Abd El-Haleem
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mona G. Amer
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Bor’i
- Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Hu SQ, Cui W, Mak SH, Choi CL, Hu YJ, Li G, Tsim KWK, Pang YP, Han YF. Robust Neuritogenesis-Promoting Activity by Bis(heptyl)-Cognitin Through the Activation of alpha7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor/ERK Pathway. CNS Neurosci Ther 2015; 21:520-9. [PMID: 25917415 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Neurodegenerative disorders are caused by progressive neuronal loss in the brain, and hence, compounds that could promote neuritogenesis may have therapeutic values. In this study, the effects of bis(heptyl)-cognitin (B7C), a multifunctional dimer, on neurite outgrowth were investigated in both PC12 cells and primary cortical neurons. METHODS Immunocytochemical staining was used to evaluate the proneuritogenesis effects, and Western blot and short hairpin RNA assays were applied to explore the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS B7C (0.1-0.5 μM) induced robust neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, as evidenced by the neurite-bearing morphology and upregulation of growth-associated protein-43 expression. In addition, B7C markedly promoted neurite outgrowth in primary cortical neurons as shown by the increase in the length of β-III-tubulin-positive neurites. Furthermore, B7C rapidly increased ERK phosphorylation. Specific inhibitors of alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) and MEK, but not those of p38 or JNK, blocked the neurite outgrowth as well as ERK phosphorylation induced by B7C. Most importantly, genetic depletion of α7-nAChR significantly abolished B7C-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. CONCLUSION B7C promoted neurite outgrowth through the activation of α7-nAChR/ERK pathway, which offers novel insight into the potential application of B7C in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Quan Hu
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.,Institute of New Drug Research, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic, Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine & New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangdong, China.,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shing-Hung Mak
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chung-Lit Choi
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuan-Jia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Gang Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
- Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuan-Ping Pang
- Mayo Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Yi-Fan Han
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
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Chen Q, Wang H, Liao S, Gao Y, Liao R, Little PJ, Xu J, Feng ZP, Zheng Y, Zheng W. Nerve growth factor protects retinal ganglion cells against injury induced by retinal ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Growth Factors 2015; 33:149-59. [PMID: 25707536 DOI: 10.3109/08977194.2015.1010642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the protective effect of mouse nerve growth factor (NGF) on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) injury induced by retinal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR) in rats and explored its possible mechanisms of action. RIR caused a significant injury to RGCs and an obvious impairment of the inner retina functions, which could be seen from flash electroretinogram and flash visual evoked potential recordings. RIR also increased the expression of the apoptotic protein Bax while decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 and the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) in RGCs. Preinjection (i.m.) of NGF for 22 d reversed the injury induced by RIR and ameliorated the inner retina functions. NGF also reduced the expression of Bax and reversed the reduction of Bcl-2 and the phosphorylated Akt induced by RIR. These results indicate that NGF produces a neuroprotective effect on RGCs against RIR injury and the protective effect of NGF is mainly mediated by the PI-3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China
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Pan H, He M, Liu R, Brecha NC, Yu ACH, Pu M. Sulforaphane protects rodent retinas against ischemia-reperfusion injury through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114186. [PMID: 25470382 PMCID: PMC4254947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury induces oxidative stress, leukocyte infiltration, and neuronal cell death. Sulforaphane (SF), which can be obtained in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, exerts protective effects in response to oxidative stress in various tissues. These effects can be initiated through nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). This investigation was designed to elucidate the neural protective mechanisms of SF in the retinal I/R rat model. Animals were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with SF (12.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (corn oil) once a day for 7 consecutive days. Then, retinal I/R was made by elevating the intraocular pressure (IOP) to 130 mmHg for 1 h. To determine if HO-1 was involved in the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, rats were subjected to protoporphyrin IX zinc (II) (ZnPP, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) treatments at 24 h before retinal ischemia. The neuroprotective effects of SF were assessed by determining the morphology of the retina, counting the infiltrating inflammatory cells and the surviving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells, and measuring apoptosis in the retinal layers. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was studied by immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting. I/R induced a marked increase of ROS generation, caused pronounced inflammation, increased the apoptosis of RGCs and amacrine cells and caused the thinning of the inner retinal layer (IRL), and these effects were diminished or abolished by SF pretreatment. Meanwhile, SF pretreatment significantly elevated the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and the level of HO-1 expression in the I/R retinas; however, ZnPP reversed the protective effects of SF on I/R retinas. Together, we offer direct evidence that SF had protective effects on I/R retinas, which could be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Pan
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Anatomy/Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Physiology, Binzhou Medical College, Yantai, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory on Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Visual Impairment and Restoration (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Meihua He
- Department of Anatomy/Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory on Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Visual Impairment and Restoration (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixing Liu
- Department of Anatomy/Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory on Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Visual Impairment and Restoration (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Nicholas C. Brecha
- Department of Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Jules Stein Eye Institute, CURE Digestive Diseases Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at Los Angeles, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Health System, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Albert Cheung Hoi Yu
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingliang Pu
- Department of Anatomy/Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory on Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Visual Impairment and Restoration (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Black SAG, Stys PK, Zamponi GW, Tsutsui S. Cellular prion protein and NMDA receptor modulation: protecting against excitotoxicity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2014; 2:45. [PMID: 25364752 PMCID: PMC4207032 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2014.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is well established that misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the β-sheet-rich, aggregated scrapie conformation (PrPSc) causes a variety of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), the physiological roles of PrPC are still incompletely understood. There is accumulating evidence describing the roles of PrPC in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Recently, we identified a functional regulation of NMDA receptors by PrPC that involves formation of a physical protein complex between these proteins. Excessive NMDA receptor activity during conditions such as ischemia mediates enhanced Ca2+ entry into cells and contributes to excitotoxic neuronal death. In addition, NMDA receptors and/or PrPC play critical roles in neuroinflammation and glial cell toxicity. Inhibition of NMDA receptor activity protects against PrPSc-induced neuronal death. Moreover, in mice lacking PrPC, infarct size is increased after focal cerebral ischemia, and absence of PrPC increases susceptibility of neurons to NMDA receptor-dependent death. Recently, PrPC was found to be a receptor for oligomeric beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, suggesting a role for PrPC in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our recent findings suggest that Aβ peptides enhance NMDA receptor current by perturbing the normal copper- and PrPC-dependent regulation of these receptors. Here, we review evidence highlighting a role for PrPC in preventing NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity and inflammation. There is a need for more detailed molecular characterization of PrPC-mediated regulation of NMDA receptors, such as determining which NMDA receptor subunits mediate pathogenic effects upon loss of PrPC-mediated regulation and identifying PrPC binding site(s) on the receptor. This knowledge will allow development of novel therapeutic interventions for not only TSEs, but also for AD and other neurodegenerative disorders involving dysfunction of PrPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie A G Black
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada ; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Peter K Stys
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada ; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada ; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shigeki Tsutsui
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada ; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary Calgary, AB, Canada
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Namekata K, Kimura A, Kawamura K, Harada C, Harada T. Dock GEFs and their therapeutic potential: neuroprotection and axon regeneration. Prog Retin Eye Res 2014; 43:1-16. [PMID: 25016980 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2014.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The dedicator of cytokinesis (Dock) family is composed of atypical guanine exchange factors (GEFs) that activate the Rho GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. Rho GTPases are best documented for their roles in actin polymerization and they regulate important cellular functions, including morphogenesis, migration, neuronal development, and cell division and adhesion. To date, 11 Dock family members have been identified and their roles have been reported in diverse contexts. There has been increasing interest in elucidating the roles of Dock proteins in recent years and studies have revealed that they are potential therapeutic targets for various diseases, including glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and combined immunodeficiency. Among the Dock proteins, Dock3 is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system and recent studies have revealed that Dock3 plays a role in protecting retinal ganglion cells from neurotoxicity and oxidative stress as well as in promoting optic nerve regeneration. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the 11 Dock GEFs and their therapeutic potential, with a particular focus on Dock3 as a novel target for the treatment of glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Namekata
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Atsuko Kimura
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kawamura
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Chikako Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Takayuki Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan.
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