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Vadukul D, Papp M, Thrush RJ, Wang J, Jin Y, Arosio P, Aprile FA. α-Synuclein Aggregation Is Triggered by Oligomeric Amyloid-β 42 via Heterogeneous Primary Nucleation. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:18276-18285. [PMID: 37556728 PMCID: PMC10450681 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of cases where amyloids of different proteins are found in the same patient are being reported. This observation complicates diagnosis and clinical intervention. Amyloids of the amyloid-β peptide or the protein α-synuclein are traditionally considered hallmarks of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively. However, the co-occurrence of amyloids of these proteins has also been reported in patients diagnosed with either disease. Here, we show that soluble species containing amyloid-β can induce the aggregation of α-synuclein. Fibrils formed under these conditions are solely composed of α-synuclein to which amyloid-β can be found associated but not as part of the core of the fibrils. Importantly, by global kinetic analysis, we found that the aggregation of α-synuclein under these conditions occurs via heterogeneous primary nucleation, triggered by soluble aggregates containing amyloid-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devkee
M. Vadukul
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Marcell Papp
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca J. Thrush
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Jielei Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Yiyun Jin
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department
of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco A. Aprile
- Department
of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Institute
of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
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2
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Hu Q, Hong M, Huang M, Gong Q, Zhang X, Uversky VN, Pan-Montojo F, Huang T, Zhou H, Zhu S. Age-dependent aggregation of α-synuclein in the nervous system of gut-brain axis is associated with caspase-1 activation. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:1669-1681. [PMID: 35089485 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-00917-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) plays a key role in the development of Parkinson' desease (PD). As aging is acknowledged to be the greatest risk factor for PD, here we investigated α-Syn expression in the ileum, thoracic spinal cord, and midbrain of young (1-month-old), middle-aged (6-, 12-month-old) to old (18-month-old) mice. We demonstrated that both the levels of α-Syn monomers, oligomers and ratios of oligomers to monomers were increased with aging in the ileum, thoracic spinal cord, and midbrain. Whereas, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine synthesis, was decreased with aging in the midbrain. We failed to find corresponding α-Syn mRNA increase with aging. However, we found an increased expression of caspase-1 in the ileum, thoracic spinal cord, and midbrain. A specific caspase-1 inhibitor VX765 significantly reduced levels of both the α-Syn monomers and oligomers triggered by the rotenone in vitro. Taken together, the increase in α-Syn aggregation with aging might not occur first in the gut, but simultaneously in the nervous system of gut-brain axis. The mechanism of the age-dependent aggregation of α-Syn in nervous system is likely triggered by the aging-related caspase-1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Hu
- Department of General Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, 434023, People's Republic of China
- Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, 434023, People's Republic of China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Changhang General Hospital, Wuhan, 430015, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyang Huang
- Department of Cardiac Function, Wuhan Central Hospital, Wuhan, 430345, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Gong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, 434023, People's Republic of China.
- Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, 434023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaofan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, Moscow region, 142290, Russia
| | - Francisco Pan-Montojo
- Department of Psychiatry, Klinikum Der Ludwig-Maximilian Universität, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Teng Huang
- Department of General Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Honglian Zhou
- Department of General Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Suiqiang Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
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Menon S, Armstrong S, Hamzeh A, Visanji NP, Sardi SP, Tandon A. Alpha-Synuclein Targeting Therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease and Related Synucleinopathies. Front Neurol 2022; 13:852003. [PMID: 35614915 PMCID: PMC9124903 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.852003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (asyn) is a key pathogenetic factor in a group of neurodegenerative diseases generically known as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Although the initial triggers of pathology and progression are unclear, multiple lines of evidence support therapeutic targeting of asyn in order to limit its prion-like misfolding. Here, we review recent pre-clinical and clinical work that offers promising treatment strategies to sequester, degrade, or silence asyn expression as a means to reduce the levels of seed or substrate. These diverse approaches include removal of aggregated asyn with passive or active immunization or by expression of vectorized antibodies, modulating kinetics of misfolding with small molecule anti-aggregants, lowering asyn gene expression by antisense oligonucleotides or inhibitory RNA, and pharmacological activation of asyn degradation pathways. We also discuss recent technological advances in combining low intensity focused ultrasound with intravenous microbubbles to transiently increase blood-brain barrier permeability for improved brain delivery and target engagement of these large molecule anti-asyn biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Menon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sabrina Armstrong
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amir Hamzeh
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Naomi P. Visanji
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anurag Tandon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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α-Synuclein phosphorylation at serine 129 occurs after initial protein deposition and inhibits seeded fibril formation and toxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2109617119. [PMID: 35353605 PMCID: PMC9169642 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109617119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceConverging evidence points to the build-up of phosphorylated α-synuclein (α-syn) at residue serine 129 (pS129) in Lewy body disease, suggesting its central role in the regulation of α-syn aggregation and neuronal degeneration. However, a comprehensive understanding of the role of α-syn phosphorylation at pS129 in α-synuclenopathies pathogenesis is still lacking. Herein, we study the phosphorylation incidence and its effect on α-syn aggregation propensity and cellular toxicity. Collectively, our data suggest that pS129 occurred subsequent to initial α-syn aggregation, lessened aggregation propensity, and attenuated cytotoxicity through diverse assays. Our findings highlight major implications for a better understanding of the role of a molecular modification on protein aggregation.
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Proteasome Activation to Combat Proteotoxicity. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24152841. [PMID: 31387243 PMCID: PMC6696185 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24152841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of proteome fidelity leads to the accumulation of non-native protein aggregates and oxidatively damaged species: hallmarks of an aged cell. These misfolded and aggregated species are often found, and suggested to be the culpable party, in numerous neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Alzheimer's Diseases (AD). Many strategies for therapeutic intervention in proteotoxic pathologies have been put forth; one of the most promising is bolstering the efficacy of the proteasome to restore normal proteostasis. This strategy is ideal as monomeric precursors and oxidatively damaged proteins, so called "intrinsically disordered proteins" (IDPs), are targeted by the proteasome. This review will provide an overview of disorders in proteins, both intrinsic and acquired, with a focus on susceptibility to proteasomal degradation. We will then examine the proteasome with emphasis on newly published structural data and summarize current known small molecule proteasome activators.
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Monomeric and fibrillar α-synuclein exert opposite effects on the catalytic cycle that promotes the proliferation of Aβ42 aggregates. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:8005-8010. [PMID: 28698377 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1700239114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The coaggregation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and α-synuclein is commonly observed in a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The complex interplay between Aβ and α-synuclein has led to seemingly contradictory results on whether α-synuclein promotes or inhibits Aβ aggregation. Here, we show how these conflicts can be rationalized and resolved by demonstrating that different structural forms of α-synuclein exert different effects on Aβ aggregation. Our results demonstrate that whereas monomeric α-synuclein blocks the autocatalytic proliferation of Aβ42 (the 42-residue form of Aβ) fibrils, fibrillar α-synuclein catalyses the heterogeneous nucleation of Aβ42 aggregates. It is thus the specific balance between the concentrations of monomeric and fibrillar α-synuclein that determines the outcome of the Aβ42 aggregation reaction.
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Oláh J, Bertrand P, Ovádi J. Role of the microtubule-associated TPPP/p25 in Parkinson's and related diseases and its therapeutic potential. Expert Rev Proteomics 2017; 14:301-309. [PMID: 28271739 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2017.1304216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The discovery and development of therapeutic strategies for the treatments of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies are limited by a lack of understanding of the pathomechanisms and their connection with different diseases such as cancers. Areas covered: The hallmarks of these diseases are frequently multifunctional disordered proteins displaying moonlighting and/or chameleon features, which are challenging drug targets. A representative of these proteins is the disordered Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein (TPPP/p25) expressed specifically in oligodendrocytes (OLGs) in normal brain. Its non-physiological level is tightly related to the etiology of PD and Multiple System Atrophy (TPPP/p25 enrichment in inclusions of neurons and OLGs, respectively), multiple sclerosis (TPPP/p25-positive OLG destruction), as well as glioma (loss of TPPP/p25 expression). The established anti-proliferative potency of TPPP/p25 may raise its influence in cancer development. The recognition that whereas too much TPPP/p25 could kill neurons in PD, but its loss keeps cells alive in cancer could contribute to our understanding of the interrelationship of 'TPPP/p25 diseases'. Expert commentary: The knowledge accumulated so far underlines the key roles of the multifunctional TPPP/p25 in both physiological and diverse pathological processes, consequently its validation as drug target sorely needs a new innovative strategy that is briefly reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Oláh
- a Institute of Enzymology , Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Budapest , Hungary
| | - Philippe Bertrand
- b Institute of Chemistry for Materials and Medias, UMR CNRS 7285, University of Poitiers, 4 Rue Michel Brunet , TSA 51106 Poitiers cedex 9, France.,c REpiCGO network, Cancéropôle Grand Ouest, Maison de la Recherche en Santé, 63, quai Magellan 44000 Nantes , France
| | - Judit Ovádi
- a Institute of Enzymology , Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences , Budapest , Hungary
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Del Tredici K, Braak H. Review: Sporadic Parkinson's disease: development and distribution of α-synuclein pathology. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2016; 42:33-50. [PMID: 26662475 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of α-synuclein immunoreactive aggregates in selectively vulnerable neuronal types of the human central, peripheral, and enteric nervous systems is crucial for the pathogenesis of sporadic Parkinson's disease. The presence of these lesions persists into the end phase of the disease, a process that is not subject to remission. The initial induction of α-synuclein misfolding and subsequent aggregation probably occurs in the olfactory bulb and/or the enteric nervous system. Each of these sites is exposed to potentially hostile environmental factors. Once formed, the aggregates appear to be capable of propagating trans-synaptically from nerve cell to nerve cell in a virtually self-promoting pathological process. A regional distribution pattern of aggregated α-synuclein emerges that entails the involvement of only a few types of susceptible and axonally interconnected projection neurons within the human nervous system. One major route of disease progression may originate in the enteric nervous system and retrogradely reach the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagal nerve in the lower brainstem. From there, the disease process proceeds chiefly in a caudo-rostral direction through visceromotor and somatomotor brainstem centres to the midbrain, forebrain, and cerebral cortex. Spinal cord centres may become involved by means of descending projections from involved lower brainstem nuclei as well as by sympathetic projections connecting the enteric nervous system with postganglionic peripheral ganglia and preganglionic nuclei of the spinal cord. The development of experimental cellular and animal models is helping to explain the mechanisms of how abnormal α-synuclein can undergo aggregation and how transmission along axonal connectivities can occur, thereby encouraging the initiation of potential disease-modifying therapeutic strategies for sporadic Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Del Tredici
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - H Braak
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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9
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Szénási T, Oláh J, Szabó A, Szunyogh S, Láng A, Perczel A, Lehotzky A, Uversky VN, Ovádi J. Challenging drug target for Parkinson's disease: Pathological complex of the chameleon TPPP/p25 and alpha-synuclein proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2016; 1863:310-323. [PMID: 27671864 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The hallmarks of Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies, Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein (TPPP/p25) and α-synuclein (SYN) have two key features: they are disordered and co-enriched/co-localized in brain inclusions. These Neomorphic Moonlighting Proteins display both physiological and pathological functions due to their interactions with distinct partners. To achieve the selective targeting of the pathological TPPP/p25-SYN but not the physiological TPPP/p25-tubulin complex, their interfaces were identified as a specific innovative strategy for the development of anti-Parkinson drugs. Therefore, the interactions of TPPP/p25 with tubulin and SYN were characterized which suggested the involvements of the 178-187 aa and 147-156 aa segments in the complexation of TPPP/p25 with tubulin and SYN, respectively. However, various truncated and deletion mutants reduced but did not abolish the interactions except one mutant; in addition synthetized fragments corresponding to the potential binding segments of TPPP/p25 failed to interact with SYN. In fact, the studies of the multiple interactions at molecular and cellular levels revealed the high conformational plasticity, chameleon feature, of TPPP/p25 that ensures exceptional functional resilience; the lack of previously identified binding segments could be replaced by other segments. The experimental results are underlined by distinct bioinformatics tools. All these data revealed that although targeting chameleon proteins is a challenging task, nevertheless, the validation of a drug target can be achieved by identifying the interface of complexes of the partner proteins existing at the given pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Szénási
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
| | - Judit Oláh
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
| | - Adél Szabó
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
| | - Sándor Szunyogh
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
| | - András Láng
- MTA-ELTE, Protein Modelling Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
| | - András Perczel
- MTA-ELTE, Protein Modelling Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1117, Hungary; Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Biology, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
| | - Attila Lehotzky
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 33612 Tampa, FL, USA; Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Judit Ovádi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Center for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest 1117, Hungary.
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Oliveira LMA, Falomir-Lockhart LJ, Botelho MG, Lin KH, Wales P, Koch JC, Gerhardt E, Taschenberger H, Outeiro TF, Lingor P, Schüle B, Arndt-Jovin DJ, Jovin TM. Elevated α-synuclein caused by SNCA gene triplication impairs neuronal differentiation and maturation in Parkinson's patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1994. [PMID: 26610207 PMCID: PMC4670926 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We have assessed the impact of α-synuclein overexpression on the differentiation potential and phenotypic signatures of two neural-committed induced pluripotent stem cell lines derived from a Parkinson's disease patient with a triplication of the human SNCA genomic locus. In parallel, comparative studies were performed on two control lines derived from healthy individuals and lines generated from the patient iPS-derived neuroprogenitor lines infected with a lentivirus incorporating a small hairpin RNA to knock down the SNCA mRNA. The SNCA triplication lines exhibited a reduced capacity to differentiate into dopaminergic or GABAergic neurons and decreased neurite outgrowth and lower neuronal activity compared with control cultures. This delayed maturation phenotype was confirmed by gene expression profiling, which revealed a significant reduction in mRNA for genes implicated in neuronal differentiation such as delta-like homolog 1 (DLK1), gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor subunit 2 (GABABR2), nuclear receptor related 1 protein (NURR1), G-protein-regulated inward-rectifier potassium channel 2 (GIRK-2) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The differentiated patient cells also demonstrated increased autophagic flux when stressed with chloroquine. We conclude that a two-fold overexpression of α-synuclein caused by a triplication of the SNCA gene is sufficient to impair the differentiation of neuronal progenitor cells, a finding with implications for adult neurogenesis and Parkinson's disease progression, particularly in the context of bioenergetic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M A Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
| | - L J Falomir-Lockhart
- Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
| | - M G Botelho
- Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
| | - K-H Lin
- Group of Membrane Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
| | - P Wales
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Restorative Research, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, Göttingen, Germany
| | - J C Koch
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, Göttingen, Germany
| | - E Gerhardt
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Restorative Research, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, Göttingen, Germany
| | - H Taschenberger
- Group of Membrane Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
- DFG-Research Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - T F Outeiro
- Department of Neurodegeneration and Restorative Research, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, Göttingen, Germany
- DFG-Research Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - P Lingor
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, Göttingen, Germany
- DFG-Research Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - B Schüle
- The Parkinson's Institute, 675 Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA, USA
| | - D J Arndt-Jovin
- Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
| | - T M Jovin
- Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am FaÃberg 11, Göttingen 37077, Germany. Tel: +49 551 201 1381; Fax: +49 551 201 1467; E-mail:
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11
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Dalgicdir C, Sayar M. Conformation and Aggregation of LKα14 Peptide in Bulk Water and at the Air/Water Interface. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:15164-75. [PMID: 26551581 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b08871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Historically, the protein folding problem has mainly been associated with understanding the relationship between amino acid sequence and structure. However, it is known that both the conformation of individual molecules and their aggregation strongly depend on the environmental conditions. Here, we study the aggregation behavior of the model peptide LKα14 (with amino acid sequence LKKLLKLLKKLLKL) in bulk water and at the air/water interface. We start by a quantitative analysis of the conformational space of a single LKα14 in bulk water. Next, in order to analyze the aggregation tendency of LKα14, by using the umbrella sampling technique we calculate the potential of mean force for pulling a single peptide from an n-molecule aggregate. In agreement with the experimental results, our calculations yield the optimal aggregate size as four. This equilibrium state is achieved by two opposing forces: Coulomb repulsion between the lysine side chains and the reduction of solvent accessible hydrophobic surface area upon aggregation. At the vacuum/water interface, however, even dimers of LKα14 become marginally stable, and any larger aggregate falls apart instantaneously. Our results indicate that even though the interface is highly influential in stabilizing the α-helix conformation for a single molecule, it significantly reduces the attraction between two LKα14 peptides, along with their aggregation tendency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cahit Dalgicdir
- College of Engineering and ¶Chemical & Biological Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Departments, Koç University , Istanbul, Turkey 34450
| | - Mehmet Sayar
- College of Engineering and ¶Chemical & Biological Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Departments, Koç University , Istanbul, Turkey 34450
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12
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α-Synuclein interactions with phospholipid model membranes: Key roles for electrostatic interactions and lipid-bilayer structure. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2015; 1848:2002-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2015.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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13
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Tipping the Scale from Disorder to Alpha-helix: Folding of Amphiphilic Peptides in the Presence of Macroscopic and Molecular Interfaces. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1004328. [PMID: 26295346 PMCID: PMC4546688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary amphiphilicity is inherent to the secondary structural elements of proteins. By forming energetically favorable contacts with each other these amphiphilic building blocks give rise to the formation of a tertiary structure. Small proteins and peptides, on the other hand, are usually too short to form multiple structural elements and cannot stabilize them internally. Therefore, these molecules are often found to be structurally ambiguous up to the point of a large degree of intrinsic disorder in solution. Consequently, their conformational preference is particularly susceptible to environmental conditions such as pH, salts, or presence of interfaces. In this study we use molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the conformational behavior of two synthetic peptides, LKKLLKLLKKLLKL (LK) and EAALAEALAEALAE (EALA), with built-in secondary amphiphilicity upon forming an alpha-helix. We use these model peptides to systematically study their aggregation and the influence of macroscopic and molecular interfaces on their conformational preferences. We show that the peptides are neither random coils in bulk water nor fully formed alpha helices, but adopt multiple conformations and secondary structure elements with short lifetimes. These provide a basis for conformation-selection and population-shift upon environmental changes. Differences in these peptides' response to macroscopic and molecular interfaces (presented by an aggregation partner) can be linked to their inherent alpha-helical tendencies in bulk water. We find that the peptides' aggregation behavior is also strongly affected by presence or absence of an interface, and rather subtly depends on their surface charge and hydrophobicity.
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14
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Pain C, Dumont J, Dumoulin M. Camelid single-domain antibody fragments: Uses and prospects to investigate protein misfolding and aggregation, and to treat diseases associated with these phenomena. Biochimie 2015; 111:82-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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15
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Phillips AS, Gomes AF, Kalapothakis JMD, Gillam JE, Gasparavicius J, Gozzo FC, Kunath T, MacPhee C, Barran PE. Conformational dynamics of α-synuclein: insights from mass spectrometry. Analyst 2015; 140:3070-81. [DOI: 10.1039/c4an02306d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Different mass spectrometry approaches are combined to investigate the conformational flexibility of α-synuclein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S. Phillips
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
- University of Manchester
- Manchester
- UK
| | - Alexandre F. Gomes
- Dalton Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- University of Campinas – UNICAMP
- Brazil
| | | | - Jay E. Gillam
- School of Physics and Astronomy
- University of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh
- UK
| | | | - Fabio C. Gozzo
- Dalton Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- University of Campinas – UNICAMP
- Brazil
| | - Tilo Kunath
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine
- University of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh
- UK
| | - Cait MacPhee
- School of Physics and Astronomy
- University of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh
- UK
| | - Perdita E. Barran
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
- University of Manchester
- Manchester
- UK
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16
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Amyloid-Forming Properties of Human Apolipoproteins: Sequence Analyses and Structural Insights. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 855:175-211. [PMID: 26149931 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17344-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Apolipoproteins are protein constituents of lipoproteins that transport cholesterol and fat in circulation and are central to cardiovascular health and disease. Soluble apolipoproteins can transiently dissociate from the lipoprotein surface in a labile free form that can misfold, potentially leading to amyloid disease. Misfolding of apoA-I, apoA-II, and serum amyloid A (SAA) causes systemic amyloidoses, apoE4 is a critical risk factor in Alzheimer's disease, and apolipoprotein misfolding is also implicated in cardiovascular disease. To explain why apolipoproteins are over-represented in amyloidoses, it was proposed that the amphipathic α-helices, which form the lipid surface-binding motif in this protein family, have high amyloid-forming propensity. Here, we use 12 sequence-based bioinformatics approaches to assess amyloid-forming potential of human apolipoproteins and to identify segments that are likely to initiate β-aggregation. Mapping such segments on the available atomic structures of apolipoproteins helps explain why some of them readily form amyloid while others do not. Our analysis shows that nearly all amyloidogenic segments: (i) are largely hydrophobic, (ii) are located in the lipid-binding amphipathic α-helices in the native structures of soluble apolipoproteins, (iii) are predicted in both native α-helices and β-sheets in the insoluble apoB, and (iv) are predicted to form parallel in-register β-sheet in amyloid. Most of these predictions have been verified experimentally for apoC-II, apoA-I, apoA-II and SAA. Surprisingly, the rank order of the amino acid sequence propensity to form amyloid (apoB>apoA-II>apoC-II≥apoA-I, apoC-III, SAA, apoC-I>apoA-IV, apoA-V, apoE) does not correlate with the proteins' involvement in amyloidosis. Rather, it correlates directly with the strength of the protein-lipid association, which increases with increasing protein hydrophobicity. Therefore, the lipid surface-binding function and the amyloid-forming propensity are both rooted in apolipoproteins' hydrophobicity, suggesting that functional constraints make it difficult to completely eliminate pathogenic apolipoprotein misfolding. We propose that apolipoproteins have evolved protective mechanisms against misfolding, such as the sequestration of the amyloidogenic segments via the native protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions involving amphipathic α-helices and, in case of apoB, β-sheets.
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Alderson TR, Markley JL. Biophysical characterization of α-synuclein and its controversial structure. INTRINSICALLY DISORDERED PROTEINS 2013; 1:18-39. [PMID: 24634806 PMCID: PMC3908606 DOI: 10.4161/idp.26255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
α-synuclein, a presynaptic protein of poorly defined function, constitutes the main component of Parkinson disease-associated Lewy bodies. Extensive biophysical investigations have provided evidence that isolated α-synuclein is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) in vitro. Subsequently serving as a model IDP in numerous studies, α-synuclein has aided in the development of many technologies used to characterize IDPs and arguably represents the most thoroughly analyzed IDP to date. Recent reports, however, have challenged the disordered nature of α-synuclein inside cells and have instead proposed a physiologically relevant helical tetramer. Despite α-synuclein's rich biophysical history, a single coherent picture has not yet emerged concerning its in vivo structure, dynamics, and physiological role(s). We present herein a review of the biophysical discoveries, developments, and models pertinent to the characterization of α-synuclein's structure and analysis of the native tetramer controversy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Reid Alderson
- Biochemistry Department; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI USA
| | - John L Markley
- Biochemistry Department; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI USA ; National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI USA
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