1
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Lizama BN, North HA, Pandey K, Williams C, Duong D, Cho E, Di Caro V, Ping L, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Lah J, Levey AI, Grundman M, Caggiano AO, Seyfried NT, Hamby ME. An interim exploratory proteomics biomarker analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial to assess the impact of CT1812 in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106575. [PMID: 38914170 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106575] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
CT1812 is a novel, brain penetrant small molecule modulator of the sigma-2 receptor (S2R) that is currently in clinical development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Preclinical and early clinical data show that, through S2R, CT1812 selectively prevents and displaces binding of amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers from neuronal synapses and improves cognitive function in animal models of AD. SHINE is an ongoing phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (COG0201) in participants with mild to moderate AD, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of 6 months of CT1812 treatment. To elucidate the mechanism of action in AD patients and pharmacodynamic biomarkers of CT1812, the present study reports exploratory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker data from 18 participants in an interim analysis of the first set of patients in SHINE (part A). Untargeted mass spectrometry-based discovery proteomics detects >2000 proteins in patient CSF and has documented utility in accelerating the identification of novel AD biomarkers reflective of diverse pathophysiologies beyond amyloid and tau, and enabling identification of pharmacodynamic biomarkers in longitudinal interventional trials. We leveraged this technique to analyze CSF samples taken at baseline and after 6 months of CT1812 treatment. Proteome-wide protein levels were detected using tandem mass tag-mass spectrometry (TMT-MS), change from baseline was calculated for each participant, and differential abundance analysis by treatment group was performed. This analysis revealed a set of proteins significantly impacted by CT1812, including pathway engagement biomarkers (i.e., biomarkers tied to S2R biology) and disease modification biomarkers (i.e., biomarkers with altered levels in AD vs. healthy control CSF but normalized by CT1812, and biomarkers correlated with favorable trends in ADAS-Cog11 scores). Brain network mapping, Gene Ontology, and pathway analyses revealed an impact of CT1812 on synapses, lipoprotein and amyloid beta biology, and neuroinflammation. Collectively, the findings highlight the utility of this method in pharmacodynamic biomarker identification and providing mechanistic insights for CT1812, which may facilitate the clinical development of CT1812 and enable appropriate pre-specification of biomarkers in upcoming clinical trials of CT1812.
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Affiliation(s)
- B N Lizama
- Cognition Therapeutics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - H A North
- Cognition Therapeutics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - K Pandey
- Emtherapro Inc, Systems Biology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - C Williams
- Cognition Therapeutics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - D Duong
- Emory University School of Medicine, Biochemistry, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - E Cho
- Cognition Therapeutics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - V Di Caro
- Cognition Therapeutics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - L Ping
- Emory University School of Medicine, Neurology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - K Blennow
- Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, and Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, University of Science and Technology of China and First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei, PR China; Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - H Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK; Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - J Lah
- Emory University School of Medicine, Neurology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - A I Levey
- Emory University School of Medicine, Neurology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M Grundman
- Global R&D Partners, LLC, San Diego, California, USA; Dept. of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | | | - N T Seyfried
- Emory University School of Medicine, Biochemistry, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M E Hamby
- Cognition Therapeutics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Zhang GF, Zhu KL, Li Q, Zhang Y, Waddington JL, Du XD, Zhen XC. The classical D1 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390 is a functional sigma-1 receptor allosteric modulator. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1582-1590. [PMID: 38605179 PMCID: PMC11272936 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01256-1] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
SCH23390 is a widely used D1 dopamine receptor (D1R) antagonist that also elicits some D1R-independent effects. We previously found that the benzazepine, SKF83959, an analog of SCH23390, produces positive allosteric modulation of the Sigma-1 receptor (Sig1R). SCH23390 does not bind to the orthodoxic site of Sig1R but enhances the binding of 3H (+)-pentazocine to Sig1R. In this study, we investigated whether SCH23390 functions as an allosteric modulator of Sig1R. We detected increased Sig1R dissociation from binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) and translocation of Sig1R to the plasma membrane in response to SCH23390 in transfected HEK293T and SH-SY5Y cells, respectively. Activation of Sig1R by SCH23390 was further confirmed by inhibition of GSK3β activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner; this effect was blocked by pretreatment with the Sig1R antagonist, BD1047, and by knockdown of Sig1R. SCH23390 also inhibited GSK3β in wild-type mice but not in Sig1R knockout mice. Finally, we showed that SCH23390 allosterically modulated the effect of the Sig1R agonist SKF10047 on inhibition of GSK3β. This positive allosteric effect of SCH23390 was further confirmed via promotion of neuronal protection afforded by SKF10047 in primary cortical neurons challenged with MPP+. These results provide the first evidence that SCH23390 elicits functional allosteric modulation of Sig1R. Our findings not only reveal novel pharmacological effects of SCH23390 but also indicate a potential mechanism for SCH23390-mediated D1R-independent effects. Therefore, attention should be paid to these Sig1R-mediated effects when explaining pharmacological responses to SCH23390.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gu-Fang Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Kai-Lian Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qi Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - John L Waddington
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Xiang-Dong Du
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215003, China.
| | - Xue-Chu Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
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3
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Hong VM, Rade AD, Yan SM, Bhaskara A, Yousuf MS, Chen M, Martin SF, Liebl DJ, Price TJ, Kolber BJ. Loss of Sigma-2 Receptor/TMEM97 Is Associated with Neuropathic Injury-Induced Depression-Like Behaviors in Female Mice. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0488-23.2024. [PMID: 38866499 PMCID: PMC11228697 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0488-23.2024] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that ligands that bind to sigma-2 receptor/TMEM97 (s2R/TMEM97), a transmembrane protein, have anxiolytic/antidepressant-like properties and relieve neuropathic pain-like effects in rodents. Despite medical interest in s2R/TMEM97, little affective and pain behavioral characterization has been done using transgenic mice, which limits the development of s2R/TMEM97 as a viable therapeutic target. Using wild-type (WT) and global Tmem97 knock-out (KO) mice, we sought to identify the contribution of Tmem97 in modulating affective and pain-like behaviors using a battery of affective and pain assays, including open field, light/dark preference, elevated plus maze, forced swim test, tail suspension test, and the mechanical sensitivity tests. Our results demonstrate that female Tmem97 KO mice show less anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in light/dark preference and tail suspension tests but not in an open field, elevated plus maze, and forced swim tests at baseline. We next performed spared nerve injury in WT and Tmem97 KO mice to assess the role of Tmem97 in neuropathic pain-induced anxiety and depression. WT mice, but not Tmem97 KO mice, developed a prolonged neuropathic pain-induced depressive-like phenotype when tested 10 weeks after nerve injury in females. Our results show that Tmem97 plays a role in modulating anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in naive animals with a significant change in the presence of nerve injury in female mice. Overall, these data demonstrate that Tmem97 could be a target to alleviate affective comorbidities of pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica M Hong
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Avaneesh D Rade
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Shen M Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Amulya Bhaskara
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Muhammad Saad Yousuf
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Stephen F Martin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Daniel J Liebl
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33146
| | - Theodore J Price
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
| | - Benedict J Kolber
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080
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4
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Rajendran K, Krishnan UM. Mechanistic insights and emerging therapeutic stratagems for Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 97:102309. [PMID: 38615895 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102309] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder has affected over 30 million individuals globally and these numbers are expected to increase in the coming decades. Current therapeutic interventions are largely ineffective as they focus on a single target. Development of an effective drug therapy requires a deep understanding of the various factors influencing the onset and progression of the disease. Aging and genetic factors exert a major influence on the development of AD. Other factors like post-viral infections, iron overload, gut dysbiosis, and vascular dysfunction also exacerbate the onset and progression of AD. Further, post-translational modifications in tau, DRP1, CREB, and p65 proteins increase the disease severity through triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic loss, and differential interaction of amyloid beta with different receptors leading to impaired intracellular signalling. With advancements in neuroscience tools, new inter-relations that aggravate AD are being discovered including pre-existing diseases and exposure to other pathogens. Simultaneously, new therapeutic strategies involving modulation of gene expression through targeted delivery or modulation with light, harnessing the immune response to promote clearance of amyloid deposits, introduction of stem cells and extracellular vesicles to replace the destroyed neurons, exploring new therapeutic molecules from plant, marine and biological sources delivered in the free state or through nanoparticles and use of non-pharmacological interventions like music, transcranial stimulation and yoga. Polypharmacology approaches involving combination of therapeutic agents are also under active investigation for superior therapeutic outcomes. This review elaborates on various disease-causing factors, their underlying mechanisms, the inter-play between different disease-causing players, and emerging therapeutic options including those under clinical trials, for treatment of AD. The challenges involved in AD therapy and the way forward have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayalvizhi Rajendran
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; School of Arts, Sciences, Humanities & Education, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India.
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5
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Li J, Shen H, Guo LW. Transmembrane protein TMEM97 and epigenetic reader BAHCC1 constitute an axis that supports pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Cell Signal 2024; 116:111069. [PMID: 38290642 PMCID: PMC10997414 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111069] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory cytokine production by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a key etiology in retinal degenerative diseases, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. TMEM97 is a scarcely studied transmembrane protein recently implicated in retinal degeneration. BAH domain coiled coil 1 (BAHCC1) is a newly discovered histone code reader involved in oncogenesis. A role for TMEM97 and BAHCC1 in RPE inflammation was not known. Here we found that they constitute a novel axis regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in RPE cells. Transcriptomic analysis using a TMEM97-/- ARPE19 human cell line and the validation via TMEM97 loss- and gain-of-function revealed a profound role of TMEM97 in promoting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, notably IL1β and CCL2, and unexpectedly BAHCC1 as well. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation indicated an association between the TMEM97 and BAHCC1 proteins. While TMEM97 ablation decreased and its overexpression increased NFκB (p50, p52, p65), the master transcription factor for pro-inflammatory cytokines, silencing BAHCC1 down-regulated NFκB and downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, in an RPE-damage retinal degeneration mouse model, immunofluorescence illustrated down-regulation of IL1β and CCL2 total proteins and suppression of glial activation in the retina of Tmem97-/- mice compared to Tmem97+/+ mice. Thus, TMEM97 is a novel determinant of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression acting via a previously unknown TMEM97- > BAHCC1- > NFκB cascade. SYNOPSIS: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) inflammation can lead to blindness. We identify here a previously uncharacterized cascade that underlies RPE cell production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Specifically, transmembrane protein TMEM97 positively regulates the recently discovered histone code reader BAHCC1, which in turn enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via the transcription factor NFκB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Hongtao Shen
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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6
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Walby GD, Gu Q, Yang H, Martin SF. Structure-Affinity relationships of novel σ 2R/TMEM97 ligands. Bioorg Chem 2024; 145:107191. [PMID: 38432153 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107191] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The sigma 2 receptor (σ2R), which was recently identified as the transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97), is increasingly attracting interest as a possible therapeutic target for indications in neuroscience. Toward identifying novel modulators of σ2R/TMEM97, we prepared a collection of benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine ligands related to the known bioactive norbenzomorphans DKR-1677, FEM-1689, and EES-1686 and determined their Ki values for σ2R/TMEM97 and the sigma 1 receptor (σ1R). The σ2R/TMEM97 binding affinities and selectivities relative to σ1R of these new benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine analogs are lower, often significantly lower, than their respective norbenzomorphan counterparts, suggesting the spatial orientation of pharmacophoric substituents is critical for binding to the two proteins. The benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine congeners of DKR-1677 and FEM-1689 tend to be weakly selective for σ2R/TMEM97 versus σ1R, whereas EES-1686 derivatives exhibit the greatest selectivity, suggesting the size and/or nature of the substituent on the nitrogen atom of the scaffold may be important for selectivity. Computational docking studies were performed for the 1S,5R-and 1R,5S-enantiomers of DKR-1677, FEM-1689, and EES-1686 and their benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine counterparts. These computations predict that the protonated amino group of each ligand forms a highly conserved salt bridge and a H-bonding interaction with Asp29 as well as a cation-π interaction with Tyr150 of σ2R/TMEM97. These electrostatic interactions are major driving forces for binding to σ2R/TMEM97 and are similar, though not identical, for each ligand. Other interactions within the well-defined binding pocket also tend to be comparable, but there are some major differences in how the hydrophobic aryl groups of various ligands interact with the protein surface external to the binding pocket. Overall, these studies show that the orientations of aryl and N-substituents on the norbenzomorphan and related scaffolds are important determinants of binding affinity of σ2R/TMEM97 ligands, and small changes can have significant effects upon binding profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant D Walby
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Qi Gu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Hongfen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Stephen F Martin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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7
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Colom-Cadena M, Toombs J, Simzer E, Holt K, McGeachan R, Tulloch J, Jackson RJ, Catterson JH, Spires-Jones MP, Rose J, Waybright L, Caggiano AO, King D, Gobbo F, Davies C, Hooley M, Dunnett S, Tempelaar R, Meftah S, Tzioras M, Hamby ME, Izzo NJ, Catalano SM, Durrant CS, Smith C, Dando O, Spires-Jones TL. Transmembrane protein 97 is a potential synaptic amyloid beta receptor in human Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:32. [PMID: 38319380 PMCID: PMC10847197 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02679-6] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Synapse loss correlates with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, and soluble oligomeric amyloid beta (Aβ) is implicated in synaptic dysfunction and loss. An important knowledge gap is the lack of understanding of how Aβ leads to synapse degeneration. In particular, there has been difficulty in determining whether there is a synaptic receptor that binds Aβ and mediates toxicity. While many candidates have been observed in model systems, their relevance to human AD brain remains unknown. This is in part due to methodological limitations preventing visualization of Aβ binding at individual synapses. To overcome this limitation, we combined two high resolution microscopy techniques: array tomography and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to image over 1 million individual synaptic terminals in temporal cortex from AD (n = 11) and control cases (n = 9). Within presynapses and post-synaptic densities, oligomeric Aβ generates a FRET signal with transmembrane protein 97. Further, Aβ generates a FRET signal with cellular prion protein, and post-synaptic density 95 within post synapses. Transmembrane protein 97 is also present in a higher proportion of post synapses in Alzheimer's brain compared to controls. We inhibited Aβ/transmembrane protein 97 interaction in a mouse model of amyloidopathy by treating with the allosteric modulator CT1812. CT1812 drug concentration correlated negatively with synaptic FRET signal between transmembrane protein 97 and Aβ. In human-induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons, transmembrane protein 97 is present in synapses and colocalizes with Aβ when neurons are challenged with human Alzheimer's brain homogenate. Transcriptional changes are induced by Aβ including changes in genes involved in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. CT1812 treatment of these neurons caused changes in gene sets involved in synaptic function. These data support a role for transmembrane protein 97 in the synaptic binding of Aβ in human Alzheimer's disease brain where it may mediate synaptotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martí Colom-Cadena
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jamie Toombs
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Elizabeth Simzer
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Kristjan Holt
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Robert McGeachan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jane Tulloch
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Rosemary J Jackson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - James H Catterson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Maxwell P Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jamie Rose
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | | | | | - Declan King
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Francesco Gobbo
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Caitlin Davies
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Monique Hooley
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Sophie Dunnett
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Robert Tempelaar
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Soraya Meftah
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Makis Tzioras
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
- Scottish Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, EH12 9DQ, UK
| | - Mary E Hamby
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, 15203, USA
| | | | | | - Claire S Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences and Sudden Death Brain Bank, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4HB, UK
| | - Owen Dando
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK.
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8
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Alluri SR, Zheng M, Holden D, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Felchner Z, Li S, Ropchan J, Carson R, Jia H, Huang Y. Evaluation of a First PET Tracer Suitable for Imaging the Sigma-2 Receptor in the Brain of Nonhuman Primates. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:194-200. [PMID: 38013422 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00750] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The sigma-2 receptor (σ2R), recently identified as transmembrane protein 97, is expressed in many cell types and mediates important functions in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Over the years, σ2R has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for cancer and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The currently available σ2R radiotracers have been developed primarily for cancer imaging with limited brain uptake. Here, we report the evaluation of the first brain penetrant 18F-labeled radiotracer suitable for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of σ2R in nonhuman primate brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - MingQiang Zheng
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Daniel Holden
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Ying Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Li Zhang
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Zachary Felchner
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Songye Li
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Jim Ropchan
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Richard Carson
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Hongmei Jia
- College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yiyun Huang
- PET Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
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9
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Dashtestani P, Karami L. The molecular mechanism of the effects of the anti-neuropathic ligands on the modulation of the Sigma-2 receptor: An in-silico study. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127925. [PMID: 37944735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127925] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a prevalent medical condition that lacks an effective treatment. Recently, the Sigma-2 receptor (S2R) has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for NP. Some highly-selective S2R ligands (UKH1114, CM398, and YTD) have shown promising results in vivo, but the molecular interaction between the S2R and these ligands has been scarcely investigated. This work explores changes in the S2R upon interaction with the three mentioned ligands using in silico approaches. The results indicated that the ICL1, H1, ICL2, and ECL are the most dynamic regions of S2R in all systems. Binding interaction analysis identified amino acids with significant contribution to the binding free energy. Notably, the UKH1114-S2R simulation trajectory revealed that small alterations in the ICL1, H1, ICL2, and ECL form a new stable opening in the S2R, linking the occluded S2R binding pocket to the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, providing more evidence for the assumptions about the EBP and S2R mechanism of function. Further, the agreement between the membrane parameters in our study and experimental values confirms the validity of the MD simulations. Overall, this study provides new insights into the interaction between anti-NP ligands and the S2R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Dashtestani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Karami
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Yousuf MS, Sahn JJ, Yang H, David ET, Shiers S, Mancilla Moreno M, Iketem J, Royer DM, Garcia CD, Zhang J, Hong VM, Mian SM, Ahmad A, Kolber BJ, Liebl DJ, Martin SF, Price TJ. Highly specific σ 2R/TMEM97 ligand FEM-1689 alleviates neuropathic pain and inhibits the integrated stress response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306090120. [PMID: 38117854 PMCID: PMC10756276 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306090120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The sigma 2 receptor (σ2R) was described pharmacologically more than three decades ago, but its molecular identity remained obscure until recently when it was identified as transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97). We and others have shown that σ2R/TMEM97 ligands alleviate mechanical hypersensitivity in mouse neuropathic pain models with a time course wherein maximal antinociceptive effect is approximately 24 h following dosing. We sought to understand this unique antineuropathic pain effect by addressing two key questions: do these σ2R/TMEM97 compounds act selectively via the receptor, and what is their downstream mechanism on nociceptive neurons? Using male and female conventional knockout mice for Tmem97, we find that a σ2R/TMEM97 binding compound, FEM-1689, requires the presence of the gene to produce antinociception in the spared nerve injury model in mice. Using primary mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons, we demonstrate that FEM-1689 inhibits the integrated stress response (ISR) and promotes neurite outgrowth via a σ2R/TMEM97-specific action. We extend the clinical translational value of these findings by showing that FEM-1689 reduces ISR and p-eIF2α levels in human sensory neurons and that it alleviates the pathogenic engagement of ISR by methylglyoxal. We also demonstrate that σ2R/TMEM97 is expressed in human nociceptors and satellite glial cells. These results validate σ2R/TMEM97 as a promising target for further development for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Saad Yousuf
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
- NuvoNuro Inc., Austin, TX78712
| | - James J. Sahn
- NuvoNuro Inc., Austin, TX78712
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Hongfen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Eric T. David
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Stephanie Shiers
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Marisol Mancilla Moreno
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Jonathan Iketem
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Danielle M. Royer
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Chelsea D. Garcia
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Jennifer Zhang
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Veronica M. Hong
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Subhaan M. Mian
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Ayesha Ahmad
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Benedict J. Kolber
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
| | - Daniel J. Liebl
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL33136
| | - Stephen F. Martin
- NuvoNuro Inc., Austin, TX78712
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Theodore J. Price
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX75080
- NuvoNuro Inc., Austin, TX78712
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11
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Gunaratne GS, Kumar S, Lin-Moshier Y, Slama JT, Brailoiu E, Patel S, Walseth TF, Marchant JS. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 facilitates Ca 2+ signal amplification between endosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105378. [PMID: 37866635 PMCID: PMC10685313 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105378] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane contact sites (MCSs) between endosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are thought to act as specialized trigger zones for Ca2+ signaling, where local Ca2+ released via endolysosomal ion channels is amplified by ER Ca2+-sensitive Ca2+ channels into global Ca2+ signals. Such amplification is integral to the action of the second messenger, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). However, functional regulators of inter-organellar Ca2+ crosstalk between endosomes and the ER remain poorly defined. Here, we identify progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), an ER transmembrane protein that undergoes a unique heme-dependent dimerization, as an interactor of the endosomal two pore channel, TPC1. NAADP-dependent Ca2+ signals were potentiated by PGRMC1 overexpression through enhanced functional coupling between endosomal and ER Ca2+ stores and inhibited upon PGRMC1 knockdown. Point mutants in PGMRC1 or pharmacological manipulations that reduced its interaction with TPC1 were without effect. PGRMC1 therefore serves as a TPC1 interactor that regulates ER-endosomal coupling with functional implications for cellular Ca2+ dynamics and potentially the distribution of heme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gihan S Gunaratne
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Yaping Lin-Moshier
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - James T Slama
- Department of Medicinal & Biological Chemistry, University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Eugen Brailoiu
- Center for Substance Abuse Research and Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sandip Patel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy F Walseth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
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12
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Tobeh NS, Bruce KD. Emerging Alzheimer's disease therapeutics: promising insights from lipid metabolism and microglia-focused interventions. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1259012. [PMID: 38020773 PMCID: PMC10630922 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1259012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 55 million people suffer from dementia, with this number projected to double every 20 years. In the United States, 1 in 3 aged individuals dies from Alzheimer's disease (AD) or another type of dementia and AD kills more individuals than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. AD is a complex and multifactorial disease involving amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle formation, glial cell dysfunction, and lipid droplet accumulation (among other pathologies), ultimately leading to neurodegeneration and neuronal death. Unfortunately, the current FDA-approved therapeutics do not reverse nor halt AD. While recently approved amyloid-targeting antibodies can slow AD progression to improve outcomes for some patients, they are associated with adverse side effects, may have a narrow therapeutic window, and are expensive. In this review, we evaluate current and emerging AD therapeutics in preclinical and clinical development and provide insight into emerging strategies that target brain lipid metabolism and microglial function - an approach that may synergistically target multiple mechanisms that drive AD neuropathogenesis. Overall, we evaluate whether these disease-modifying emerging therapeutics hold promise as interventions that may be able to reverse or halt AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour S Tobeh
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kimberley D Bruce
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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13
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Yousuf MS, Sahn JJ, Yang H, David ET, Shiers S, Moreno MM, Iketem J, Royer DM, Garcia CD, Zhang J, Hong VM, Mian SM, Ahmad A, Kolber BJ, Liebl DJ, Martin SF, Price TJ. Highly specific σ 2R/TMEM97 ligand alleviates neuropathic pain and inhibits the integrated stress response. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.11.536439. [PMID: 37090527 PMCID: PMC10120691 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.11.536439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The Sigma 2 receptor (σ2R) was described pharmacologically more than three decades ago, but its molecular identity remained obscure until recently when it was identified as transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97). We and others have shown that σ2R/TMEM97 ligands alleviate mechanical hypersensitivity in mouse neuropathic pain models with a time course wherein maximal anti-nociceptive effect is approximately 24 hours following dosing. We sought to understand this unique anti-neuropathic pain effect by addressing two key questions: do these σ2R/TMEM97 compounds act selectively via the receptor, and what is their downstream mechanism on nociceptive neurons? Using male and female conventional knockout (KO) mice for Tmem97, we find that a new σ2R/TMEM97 binding compound, FEM-1689, requires the presence of the gene to produce anti-nociception in the spared nerve injury model in mice. Using primary mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, we demonstrate that FEM-1689 inhibits the integrated stress response (ISR) and promotes neurite outgrowth via a σ2R/TMEM97-specific action. We extend the clinical translational value of these findings by showing that FEM-1689 reduces ISR and p-eIF2α levels in human sensory neurons and that it alleviates the pathogenic engagement of ISR by methylglyoxal. We also demonstrate that σ2R/TMEM97 is expressed in human nociceptors and satellite glial cells. These results validate σ2R/TMEM97 as a promising target for further development for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Saad Yousuf
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
- NuvoNuro, Austin, TX 78712
| | - James J. Sahn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
- NuvoNuro, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Hongfen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Eric T. David
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Stephanie Shiers
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Marisol Mancilla Moreno
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Jonathan Iketem
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Danielle M. Royer
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Chelsea D. Garcia
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Jennifer Zhang
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Veronica M. Hong
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Subhaan M. Mian
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Ayesha Ahmad
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Benedict J. Kolber
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | | | - Stephen F. Martin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
- NuvoNuro, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Theodore J. Price
- Center for Advanced Pain Studies and Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
- NuvoNuro, Austin, TX 78712
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14
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Nguyen NT, Jaramillo-Martinez V, Mathew M, Suresh VV, Sivaprakasam S, Bhutia YD, Ganapathy V. Sigma Receptors: Novel Regulators of Iron/Heme Homeostasis and Ferroptosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14672. [PMID: 37834119 PMCID: PMC10572259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sigma receptors are non-opiate/non-phencyclidine receptors that bind progesterone and/or heme and also several unrelated xenobiotics/chemicals. They reside in the plasma membrane and in the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and nucleus. Until recently, the biology/pharmacology of these proteins focused primarily on their role in neuronal functions in the brain/retina. However, there have been recent developments in the field with the discovery of unexpected roles for these proteins in iron/heme homeostasis. Sigma receptor 1 (S1R) regulates the oxidative stress-related transcription factor NRF2 and protects against ferroptosis, an iron-induced cell death process. Sigma receptor 2 (S2R), which is structurally unrelated to S1R, complexes with progesterone receptor membrane components PGRMC1 and PGRMC2. S2R, PGRMC1, and PGRMC2, either independently or as protein-protein complexes, elicit a multitude of effects with a profound influence on iron/heme homeostasis. This includes the regulation of the secretion of the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin, the modulation of the activity of mitochondrial ferrochelatase, which catalyzes iron incorporation into protoporphyrin IX to form heme, chaperoning heme to specific hemoproteins thereby influencing their biological activity and stability, and protection against ferroptosis. Consequently, S1R, S2R, PGRMC1, and PGRMC2 potentiate disease progression in hemochromatosis and cancer. These new discoveries usher this intriguing group of non-traditional progesterone receptors into an unchartered territory in biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vadivel Ganapathy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (N.T.N.); (V.J.-M.); (M.M.); (V.V.S.); (S.S.); (Y.D.B.)
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15
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Cao T, Wang L, Jiao S, Chen H, Lin C, Zhang B, Cai H. The Involvement of PGRMC1 Signaling in Cognitive Impairment Induced by Long-Term Clozapine Treatment in Rats. Neuropsychobiology 2023; 82:346-358. [PMID: 37673050 DOI: 10.1159/000533148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Progesterone receptor component 1 (PGRMC1) has been identified as a potential target in atypical antipsychotic drug-induced metabolic disturbances as well as neuroprotection in the central nervous system. In our study, we aimed to figure out the essential role of PGRMC1 signaling pathway underlying clozapine-induced cognitive impairment. METHODS In male SD rats, we utilized recombinant adeno-associated viruses (BBB 2.0) and the specific inhibitor of PGRMC1 (AG205) to regulate the expression of PGRMC1 in the brain, with a special focus on the hippocampus. Treatments of clozapine and AG205 were conducted for 28 days, and subsequent behavioral tests including modified elevated plus maze and Morris water maze were conducted to evaluate the cognitive performance. Hippocampal protein expressions were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS Our study showed that long-term clozapine administration led to cognitive impairment as confirmed by behavioral tests as well as histopathological examination in the hippocampus. Clozapine inhibited neural survival through the PGRMC1/EGFR/GLP1R-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, leading to a decrease in the downstream survival factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and simultaneously promoted neural apoptosis in the rat hippocampus. Intriguingly, by targeting at the hippocampal PGRMC1, we found that inhibiting PGRMC1 mimics, while its upregulation notably mitigates clozapine-induced cognitive impairment through PGRMC1 and its downstream signaling pathways. CONCLUSION PGRMC1-overexpression could protect hippocampus-dependent cognitive impairment induced by clozapine. This effect appears to arise, in part, from the upregulated expression of PGRMC1/EGFR/GLP1R and the activation of downstream PI3K-Akt-BDNF and caspase-3 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - LiWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - ShiMeng Jiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - ChenQuan Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - BiKui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- International Research Center for Precision Medicine, Transformative Technology and Software Services, Hunan, China
| | - HuaLin Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- International Research Center for Precision Medicine, Transformative Technology and Software Services, Hunan, China
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16
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Zhang XY, Li J, Chen SL, Li Y, Wang H, He JH. Malakoplakia with aberrant ALK expression by immunohistochemistry: a case report. Diagn Pathol 2023; 18:97. [PMID: 37644531 PMCID: PMC10464214 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-023-01383-z] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malakoplakia is a rare inflammatory disease of the urogenital tract. There have been no reports of malakoplakia expressing anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) to date. Here, we present one case of malakoplakia with aberrant ALK expression by immunohistochemistry and discuss the clinical significance. CASE PRESENTATION A 65-year-old Chinese woman with a history of diabetes presented with solid masses in the liver and kidney and elevated lesions on the mucosal surface of the colon. Right nephrectomy and partial liver resection were performed. Microscopically, sheets of histiocytes with poor intercellular adhesion were seen, with Michaelis-Gutmann bodies present in both the intracellular and extracellular interstitium. CD10-, CD68-, and CD163-positive cells were present, with Michaelis-Gutmann bodies confirmed by staining with Alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), periodic acid-Schiff with diastase, Von Kossa, and Prussian blue. Aberrant ALK1 and ALK (D5F3) expression was observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells. However, ALK gene mutation was not detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization or whole exome next-generation sequencing. NGS revealed nine individual somatic gene mutations: GOT1L1, GLIS2, SPOUT1, TMEM97, MUC3A, NSD2, SFXN5, ADAD1 and RAD50. The significance of the somatic gene mutations detected in this study is not clear, and the relationship between them and malakoplakia cannot be clarified by existing scientific studies. The pathological diagnosis was malakoplakia with aberrant ALK expression by immunohistochemistry. The antibiotics imipenem and vancomycin were started based on the results of drug sensitivity analysis and the patient was subsequently discharged. She experienced no discomfort during 30 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION This is the first reported case of malakoplakia with aberrant ALK expression, it should be differentiated from ALK-positive histiocytosis to avoid misdiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ying Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Panyu District Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Urology, Panyu District Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shui-Lian Chen
- Department of Pathology, Panyu District Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Pathology, Panyu District Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Pathology, Panyu District Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Hua He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Panyu District Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
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17
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Janssen B, Tian G, Lengyel-Zhand Z, Hsieh CJ, Lougee MG, Riad A, Xu K, Hou C, Weng CC, Lopresti BJ, Kim HJ, Pagar VV, Ferrie JJ, Garcia BA, Mathis CA, Luk K, Petersson EJ, Mach RH. Identification of a Putative α-synuclein Radioligand Using an in silico Similarity Search. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:704-719. [PMID: 36991273 PMCID: PMC10527666 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01814-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies from our lab utilized an ultra-high throughput screening method to identify compound 1 as a small molecule that binds to alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) fibrils. The goal of the current study was to conduct a similarity search of 1 to identify structural analogs having improved in vitro binding properties for this target that could be labeled with radionuclides for both in vitro and in vivo studies for measuring α-synuclein aggregates. METHODS Using 1 as a lead compound in a similarity search, isoxazole derivative 15 was identified to bind to α-synuclein fibrils with high affinity in competition binding assays. A photocrosslinkable version was used to confirm binding site preference. Derivative 21, the iodo-analog of 15, was synthesized, and subsequently radiolabeled isotopologs [125I]21 and [11C]21 were successfully synthesized for use in in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. [125I]21 was used in radioligand binding studies in post-mortem Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain homogenates. In vivo imaging of an α-synuclein mouse model and non-human primates was performed with [11C]21. RESULTS In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies for a panel of compounds identified through a similarity search, were shown to correlate with Ki values obtained from in vitro binding studies. Improved affinity of isoxazole derivative 15 for α-synuclein binding site 9 was indicated by photocrosslinking studies with CLX10. Design and successful (radio)synthesis of iodo-analog 21 of isoxazole derivative 15 enabled further in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Kd values obtained in vitro with [125I]21 for α-synuclein and Aβ42 fibrils were 0.48 ± 0.08 nM and 2.47 ± 1.30 nM, respectively. [125I]21 showed higher binding in human postmortem PD brain tissue compared with AD tissue, and low binding in control brain tissue. Lastly, in vivo preclinical PET imaging showed elevated retention of [11C]21 in PFF-injected mouse brain. However, in PBS-injected control mouse brain, slow washout of the tracer indicates high non-specific binding. [11C]21 showed high initial brain uptake in a healthy non-human primate, followed by fast washout that may be caused by rapid metabolic rate (21% intact [11C]21 in blood at 5 min p.i.). CONCLUSION Through a relatively simple ligand-based similarity search, we identified a new radioligand that binds with high affinity (<10 nM) to α-synuclein fibrils and PD tissue. Although the radioligand has suboptimal selectivity for α-synuclein towards Aβ and high non-specific binding, we show here that a simple in silico approach is a promising strategy to identify novel ligands for target proteins in the CNS with the potential to be radiolabeled for PET neuroimaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bieneke Janssen
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Guilong Tian
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Zsofia Lengyel-Zhand
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Chia-Ju Hsieh
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Marshall G Lougee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Aladdin Riad
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kuiying Xu
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Catherine Hou
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Chi-Chang Weng
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Brian J Lopresti
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Hee Jong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Vinayak V Pagar
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - John J Ferrie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Chester A Mathis
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Kelvin Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - E James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Robert H Mach
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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18
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Wang T, Jia H. The Sigma Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease: New Potential Targets for Diagnosis and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12025. [PMID: 37569401 PMCID: PMC10418732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512025] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sigma (σ) receptors are a class of unique proteins with two subtypes: the sigma-1 (σ1) receptor which is situated at the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane (MAM), and the sigma-2 (σ2) receptor, located in the ER-resident membrane. Increasing evidence indicates the involvement of both σ1 and σ2 receptors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and thus these receptors represent two potentially effective biomarkers for emerging AD therapies. The availability of optimal radioligands for positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging of the σ1 and σ2 receptors in humans will provide tools to monitor AD progression and treatment outcomes. In this review, we first summarize the significance of both receptors in the pathophysiology of AD and highlight AD therapeutic strategies related to the σ1 and σ2 receptors. We then survey the potential PET radioligands, with an emphasis on the requirements of optimal radioligands for imaging the σ1 or σ2 receptors in humans. Finally, we discuss current challenges in the development of PET radioligands for the σ1 or σ2 receptors, and the opportunities for neuroimaging to elucidate the σ1 and σ2 receptors as novel biomarkers for early AD diagnosis, and for monitoring of disease progression and AD drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals (Beijing Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Hongmei Jia
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals (Beijing Normal University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;
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19
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Dong YT, Cao K, Xiang J, Qi XL, Xiao Y, Yu WF, He Y, Hong W, Guan ZZ. Resveratrol Attenuates the Disruption of Lipid Metabolism Observed in Amyloid Precursor Protein/Presenilin 1 Mouse Brains and Cultured Primary Neurons Exposed to Aβ. Neuroscience 2023; 521:134-147. [PMID: 37142180 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.04.023] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
To examine whether resveratrol (RSV), an activator of silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), can reverse the disruption of lipid metabolism caused by β-amyloid peptide (Aβ), APP/PS1 mice or cultured primary rat neurons were treated with RSV, suramin (inhibitor of SIRT1), ZLN005, a stimulator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), or PGC-1α silencing RNA. In the brains of the APP/PS1 mice, expressions of SIRT1, PGC-1α, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and very LDLR (VLDLR) were reduced at the protein and, in some cases, mRNA levels; while the levels of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), apolipoprotein E (ApoE), total cholesterol and LDL were all elevated. Interestingly, these changes were reversed by administration of RSV, while being aggravated by suramin. Furthermore, activation of PGC-1α, but inhibition of SIRT1, decreased the levels of PCSK9 and ApoE, while increased those of LDLR and VLDLR in the neurons exposed to Aβ, and silencing PGC-1α, but activation of SIRT1, did not influence the levels of any of these proteins. These findings indicate that RSV can attenuate the disruption of lipid metabolism observed in the brains of APP mice and in primary neurons exposed to Aβ by activating SIRT1, in which the mechanism may involve subsequently affecting PGC-1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Ting Dong
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases (Guizhou Medical University) of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Guiyang 550004, PR China; Department of Pathology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Kun Cao
- Department of Pathology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Jie Xiang
- Department of Pathology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Xiao-Lan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases (Guizhou Medical University) of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Yan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases (Guizhou Medical University) of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Wen-Feng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases (Guizhou Medical University) of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Yan He
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases (Guizhou Medical University) of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Wei Hong
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases (Guizhou Medical University) of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Guiyang 550004, PR China
| | - Zhi-Zhong Guan
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases (Guizhou Medical University) of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Guiyang 550004, PR China; Department of Pathology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, PR China.
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20
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Lu Y, Gu Q, Martin SF. Structure-affinity relationships of stereoisomers of norbenzomorphan-derived σ 2R/TMEM97 modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115488. [PMID: 37247506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115488] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The sigma 2 receptor (σ2R), which is identical to transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97), is attracting increasing interest as a possible therapeutic target for various indications in neuroscience. In continuation of a program to identify novel compounds that bind with high affinity and selectivity to σ2R/TMEM97, we performed structure-affinity-relationship (SAfiR) studies of several sets of σ2R/TMEM97 ligands having a B-norbenzomorphan ring core. Binding data for σ2R/TMEM97 and σ1R of several enantiomeric pairs of piperazine-substituted norbenzomorphans show the (1S,5R)-enantiomers have affinities (Ki = 9-75 nM) for σ2R/TMEM97 that are 2-3-fold higher than their enantiomorphic (1R,5S)-analogs; however, there is no clear trend for selectivity for σ2R/TMEM97 vs σ1R. A series of N-alkyl piperazino (1S,5R)-norbenzomorphans was then evaluated, and with the exception of compounds having N-alkyl groups substituted with oxygen or amino groups at C (2) of an ethylene chain, Ki values for σ2R/TMEM97 are less than 25 nM, and several compounds have good selectivities (ca 7-16-fold) for σ2R/TMEM97 vs σ1R. Mono-substituted carbobenzyloxy analogs have Ki values for σ2R/TMEM97 comparable to the unsubstituted parent (Ki = ca 7-27 nM), but replacing the N-acyloxy group with N-acyl or N-arylsulfonyl groups provides analogs having lower affinity and selectivity. Some congeners with bioisosteric replacements of the piperazine group on the (1S,5R)-norbenzomorphan core have high affinity (Ki = <30 nM) for σ2R/TMEM97, but selectivities are modest. Computational docking studies for racemic pairs of piperazino norbenzomorphans show that individual (1S,5R)- and (1R,5S)-enantiomers adopt distinct poses upon binding to σ2R/TMEM97, whereas ligands belongingto the same enantiomeric series adopt closely similar binding poses. The protonated amino group in each of the enantiomorphic ligands engages in highly conserved salt bridges with Asp29 and cation-π interactions with Tyr150 that are the primary determinants of binding affinity. There is no correlation between any of the computational parameter outputs and Ki values, but this is unsurprising given the small energetic differences involved. Modeling also suggest sthat some compounds can extend deeper into σ2R/TMEM97 binding pocket forming salt bridges with Glu73.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Qi Gu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Stephen F Martin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States.
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21
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Thejer BM, Infantino V, Santarsiero A, Pappalardo I, Abatematteo FS, Teakel S, Van Oosterum A, Mach RH, Denora N, Lee BC, Resta N, Bagnulo R, Niso M, Contino M, Montsch B, Heffeter P, Abate C, Cahill MA. Sigma-2 Receptor Ligand Binding Modulates Association between TSPO and TMEM97. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076381. [PMID: 37047353 PMCID: PMC10093951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Sigma-2 receptor (S2R) is a S2R ligand-binding site historically associated with reportedly 21.5 kDa proteins that have been linked to several diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. The S2R is highly expressed in various tumors, where it correlates with the proliferative status of the malignant cells. Recently, S2R was reported to be the transmembrane protein TMEM97. Prior to that, we had been investigating the translocator protein (TSPO) as a potential 21.5 kDa S2R candidate protein with reported heme and sterol associations. Here, we investigate the contributions of TMEM97 and TSPO to S2R activity in MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma and MIA PaCa-2 (MP) pancreatic carcinoma cells. Additionally, the role of the reported S2R-interacting partner PGRMC1 was also elucidated. Proximity ligation assays and co-immunoprecipitation show a functional association between S2R and TSPO. Moreover, a close physical colocalization of TMEM97 and TSPO was found in MP cells. In MCF7 cells, co-immunoprecipitation only occurred with TMEM97 but not with PGRMC1, which was further confirmed by confocal microscopy experiments. Treatment with the TMEM97 ligand 20-(S)-hydroxycholesterol reduced co-immunoprecipitation of both TMEM97 and PGRMC1 in immune pellets of immunoprecipitated TSPO in MP cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first suggestion of a (functional) interaction between TSPO and TMEM97 that can be affected by S2R ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar M. Thejer
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Research and Development Department, The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Baghdad 10065, Iraq
| | - Vittoria Infantino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Anna Santarsiero
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pappalardo
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell’Ateneo lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Francesca S. Abatematteo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari ‘ALDO MORO’, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Sarah Teakel
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Van Oosterum
- Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Florey Building, 54 Mills Road, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Robert H. Mach
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari ‘ALDO MORO’, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Byung Chul Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomolecular Imaging and Innovative Drug Development, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon 16229, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicoletta Resta
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione e Rigenerativa e Area Jonica (DIMePRe-J), Università degli Studi di Bari ‘ALDO MORO’, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Rosanna Bagnulo
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione e Rigenerativa e Area Jonica (DIMePRe-J), Università degli Studi di Bari ‘ALDO MORO’, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Niso
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari ‘ALDO MORO’, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari ‘ALDO MORO’, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Bianca Montsch
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Heffeter
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Carmen Abate
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari ‘ALDO MORO’, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Amendola, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Michael A. Cahill
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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22
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Lizama BN, Kahle J, Catalano SM, Caggiano AO, Grundman M, Hamby ME. Sigma-2 Receptors—From Basic Biology to Therapeutic Target: A Focus on Age-Related Degenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076251. [PMID: 37047224 PMCID: PMC10093856 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a large unmet medical need to develop disease-modifying treatment options for individuals with age-related degenerative diseases of the central nervous system. The sigma-2 receptor (S2R), encoded by TMEM97, is expressed in brain and retinal cells, and regulates cell functions via its co-receptor progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), and through other protein–protein interactions. Studies describing functions of S2R involve the manipulation of expression or pharmacological modulation using exogenous small-molecule ligands. These studies demonstrate that S2R modulates key pathways involved in age-related diseases including autophagy, trafficking, oxidative stress, and amyloid-β and α-synuclein toxicity. Furthermore, S2R modulation can ameliorate functional deficits in cell-based and animal models of disease. This review summarizes the current evidence-based understanding of S2R biology and function, and its potential as a therapeutic target for age-related degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease, α-synucleinopathies, and dry age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Michael Grundman
- Global R&D Partners, LLC., San Diego, CA 92130, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mary E. Hamby
- Cognition Therapeutics, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA
- Correspondence:
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23
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Abatematteo FS, Majellaro M, Montsch B, Prieto-Díaz R, Niso M, Contino M, Stefanachi A, Riganti C, Mangiatordi GF, Delre P, Heffeter P, Sotelo E, Abate C. Development of Fluorescent 4-[4-(3 H-Spiro[isobenzofuran-1,4'-piperidin]-1'-yl)butyl]indolyl Derivatives as High-Affinity Probes to Enable the Study of σ Receptors via Fluorescence-Based Techniques. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3798-3817. [PMID: 36919956 PMCID: PMC10041534 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Sigma (σ) receptor subtypes, σ1 and σ2, are targets of wide pharmaceutical interest. The σ2 receptor holds promise for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics against cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanisms activated by the σ2 receptor. To contribute to the exploitation of its therapeutic potential, we developed novel specific fluorescent ligands. Indole derivatives bearing the N-butyl-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,4'-piperidine] portion were functionalized with fluorescent tags. Nanomolar-affinity fluorescent σ ligands, spanning from green to red to near-infrared emission, were obtained. Compounds 19 (σ pan affinity) and 29 (σ2 selective), which displayed the best compromise between pharmacodynamic and photophysical properties, were investigated in flow cytometry, confocal, and live cell microscopy, demonstrating their specificity for the σ2 receptor. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first red-emitting fluorescent σ2 ligands, validated as powerful tools for the study of σ2 receptors via fluorescence-based techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Majellaro
- Centro Singular Investigación Quimica Biologica e Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Quimica Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Bianca Montsch
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rubén Prieto-Díaz
- Centro Singular Investigación Quimica Biologica e Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Quimica Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Via Orabona, 4, 79125 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Angela Stefanachi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Via Orabona, 4, 79125 Bari, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, via Santena 5/bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Delre
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Amendola, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Petra Heffeter
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Eddy Sotelo
- Centro Singular Investigación Quimica Biologica e Materiales Moleculares (CIQUS), Departamento de Quimica Orgánica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Via Orabona, 4, 79125 Bari, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Amendola, 70126 Bari, Italy
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24
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Tzioras M, McGeachan RI, Durrant CS, Spires-Jones TL. Synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:19-38. [PMID: 36513730 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00749-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline in older individuals accompanied by the presence of two pathological protein aggregates - amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau - in the brain. The disease results in brain atrophy caused by neuronal loss and synapse degeneration. Synaptic loss strongly correlates with cognitive decline in both humans and animal models of AD. Indeed, evidence suggests that soluble forms of amyloid-β and tau can cause synaptotoxicity and spread through neural circuits. These pathological changes are accompanied by an altered phenotype in the glial cells of the brain - one hypothesis is that glia excessively ingest synapses and modulate the trans-synaptic spread of pathology. To date, effective therapies for the treatment or prevention of AD are lacking, but understanding how synaptic degeneration occurs will be essential for the development of new interventions. Here, we highlight the mechanisms through which synapses degenerate in the AD brain, and discuss key questions that still need to be answered. We also cover the ways in which our understanding of the mechanisms of synaptic degeneration is leading to new therapeutic approaches for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makis Tzioras
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert I McGeachan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,The Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire S Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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25
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Wendler A, Wehling M. Many or too many progesterone membrane receptors? Clinical implications. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2022; 33:850-868. [PMID: 36384863 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Several receptors for nongenomically initiated actions of progesterone (P4) exist, namely membrane-associated P4 receptors (MAPRs), membrane progestin receptors (mPRs), receptors for neurosteroids [GABAA receptor (GABAAR), NMDA receptor, sigma-1 and -2 receptors (S1R/S2R)], the classical genomic P4 receptor (PGR), and α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 2 (ABHD2). Two drugs related to this field have been approved: brexanolone (Zulresso™) for the treatment of postpartum depression, and ganaxolone (Ztalmy™) for the treatment of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Both are derivatives of P4 and target the GABAAR. Several other indications are in clinical testing. CT1812 (Elayta™) is also being tested for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Phase 2 clinical trials, targeting the P4 receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1)/S2R complex. In this Review, we highlight emerging knowledge on the mechanisms of nongenomically initiated actions of P4 and its derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wendler
- Clinical Pharmacology Mannheim, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Martin Wehling
- Clinical Pharmacology Mannheim, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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26
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Jin J, Arbez N, Sahn JJ, Lu Y, Linkens KT, Hodges TR, Tang A, Wiseman R, Martin SF, Ross CA. Neuroprotective Effects of σ 2R/TMEM97 Receptor Modulators in the Neuronal Model of Huntington's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2852-2862. [PMID: 36108101 PMCID: PMC9547941 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene that encodes for an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in exon-1 of the human mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein. The presence of this polyQ repeat results in neuronal degeneration, for which there is no cure or treatment that modifies disease progression. In previous studies, we have shown that small molecules that bind selectively to σ2R/TMEM97 can have significant neuroprotective effects in models of Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, and several other neurodegenerative diseases. In the present work, we extend these investigations and show that certain σ2R/TMEM97-selective ligands decrease mHTT-induced neuronal toxicity. We first synthesized a set of compounds designed to bind to σ2R/TMEM97 and determined their binding profiles (Ki values) for σ2R/TMEM97 and other proteins in the central nervous system. Modulators with high affinity and selectivity for σ2R/TMEM97 were then tested in our HD cell model. Primary cortical neurons were cultured in vitro for 7 days and then co-transfected with either a normal HTT construct (Htt N-586-22Q/GFP) or the mHTT construct Htt-N586-82Q/GFP. Transfected neurons were treated with either σ2R/TMEM97 or σ1R modulators for 48 h. After treatment, neurons were fixed and stained with Hoechst, and condensed nuclei were quantified to assess cell death in the transfected neurons. Significantly, σ2R/TMEM97 modulators reduce the neuronal toxicity induced by mHTT, and their neuroprotective effects are not blocked by NE-100, a selective σ1R antagonist known to block neuroprotection by σ1R ligands. These results indicate for the first time that σ2R/TMEM97 modulators can protect neurons from mHTT-induced neuronal toxicity, suggesting that targeting σ2R/TMEM97 may lead to a novel therapeutic approach to treat patients with HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jin
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, 21287, United States
| | - Nicolas Arbez
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, 21287, United States.,Cellular Sciences Department, IdRS, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - James J. Sahn
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Kathryn T. Linkens
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Timothy R. Hodges
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Anthony Tang
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, 21287, United States
| | - Robyn Wiseman
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, 21287, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
| | - Stephen F. Martin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States,equally contributed co-senior authors to whom correspondence may be addressed: ;
| | - Christopher A. Ross
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, 21287, United States.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States.,equally contributed co-senior authors to whom correspondence may be addressed: ;
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27
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Turgutalp B, Bhattarai P, Ercetin T, Luise C, Reis R, Gurdal EE, Isaak A, Biriken D, Dinter E, Sipahi H, Schepmann D, Junker A, Wünsch B, Sippl W, Gulcan HO, Kizil C, Yarim M. Discovery of Potent Cholinesterase Inhibition-Based Multi-Target-Directed Lead Compounds for Synaptoprotection in Alzheimer's Disease. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12292-12318. [PMID: 36084304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Drug development efforts that focused on single targets failed to provide effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, we designed cholinesterase inhibition (ChEI)-based multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) to simultaneously target AD-related receptors. We built a library of 70 compounds, sequentially screened for ChEI, and determined σ1R, σ2R, NMDAR-GluN2B binding affinities, and P2X7R antagonistic activities. Nine fulfilled in silico drug-likeness criteria and did not display toxicity in three cell lines. Seven displayed cytoprotective activity in two stress-induced cellular models. Compared to donepezil, six showed equal/better synaptic protection in a zebrafish model of acute amyloidosis-induced synaptic degeneration. Two P2X7R antagonists alleviated the activation state of microglia in vivo. Permeability studies were performed, and four did not inhibit CYP450 3A4, 2D6, and 2C9. Therefore, four ChEI-based lead MTDLs are promising drug candidates for synaptic integrity protection and could serve as disease-modifying AD treatment. Our study also proposes zebrafish as a useful preclinical tool for drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengisu Turgutalp
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey.,German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Association, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Prabesh Bhattarai
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Association, 01307 Dresden, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 10032 New York, United States
| | - Tugba Ercetin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, TRNC, via Mersin 10, 99628 Famagusta, Turkey
| | - Chiara Luise
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 6099 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rengin Reis
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, 34758 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Enise Ece Gurdal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey.,Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Andreas Isaak
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Derya Biriken
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Association, 01307 Dresden, Germany.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, 06620 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Elisabeth Dinter
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Association, 01307 Dresden, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Clinic, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hande Sipahi
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dirk Schepmann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Anna Junker
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Bernhard Wünsch
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, 6099 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Hayrettin Ozan Gulcan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, TRNC, via Mersin 10, 99628 Famagusta, Turkey
| | - Caghan Kizil
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Association, 01307 Dresden, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 10032 New York, United States
| | - Mine Yarim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, 34755 Istanbul, Turkey
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28
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Martin SF. Bridging Known and Unknown Unknowns: From Natural Products and Their Mimics to Unmet Needs in Neuroscience. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:2397-2408. [PMID: 35960884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Scientific excursions into the unknown are often characterized by unanticipated twists and turns that may lead in directions that never could have been predicted. Decisions made during the course of these explorations determine what we discover. This Account chronicles one such journey that began with a challenge encountered during the synthesis of a natural product and then unfolded over more than 30 years to focus on unmet needs in neuroscience. Specifically, while developing a concise approach to tetrahydroalstonine, a heteroyohimboid alkaloid having α-adrenergic activity, we faced the predicament of assembling a key intermediate. Solving this problem resulted in the serendipitous discovery of the vinylogous Mannich reaction and a productive program wherein we used this powerful construction as a key step in the syntheses of numerous alkaloids. However, we also realized that lessons learned from the synthesis of tetrahydroalstonine could be generalized to invent a new strategy for preparing diverse collections of substituted nitrogen heterocycles that could be screened against biological targets. The approach featured the combination of several reactants in a multicomponent assembly process to give a functionalized intermediate that could be elaborated by various ring-forming reactions to give heterocyclic scaffolds that could be further diversified. Screening these compound sets against a broad range of biological targets revealed some intriguing hits, but none of them led to a productive collaboration in translational research. Notwithstanding this setback, we screened curated members of our collections against proteins in the central nervous system and discovered some substituted B-norbenzomorphans that were selective for the enigmatic sigma-2 receptor (σ2R), an understudied protein that had been primarily associated with cancer. With scant knowledge of its role in neuroscience, we posited that small molecules that bind to σ2R might be neuroprotective, thus launching a new venture. In parallel investigations we prepared analogues of the initial hits, explored their effects in animal models of neurodegenerative and neurological conditions, and identified σ2R as transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97). After first establishing the neuroprotective effects of several σ2R/TMEM97 ligands in a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model of neurodegeneration, we showed that one of these has procognitive effects and reduces levels of proinflammatory cytokines in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. We then identified a closely related σ2R/TMEM97 ligand that mitigates hippocampal-dependent memory deficits, prevents axon degeneration, and protects neurons and oligodendrocytes after traumatic brain injury. In a recent study, this compound was shown to protect retinal ganglion cells from retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury. In other collaborative investigations, we have shown that related, but structurally distinct, σ2R/TMEM97 ligands alleviate neuropathic pain, while a σ2R/TMEM97 ligand representing yet another chemotype reduces impairments associated with alcohol withdrawal. More recently, we have shown that σ2R/TMEM97 ligands enhance survival of cortical neurons in a neuronal model of Huntington's disease. Translational and mechanistic studies in these and other areas are in progress. Solving a problem we faced in natural product synthesis thus served as an unexpected gateway to discoveries that could lead to entirely new approaches to treat neurodegenerative and neurological conditions by targeting σ2R/TMEM97, a protein that has never been associated with these afflictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen F Martin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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29
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Li Y, Xie X, Liao S, Zeng Z, Li S, Xie B, Huang Q, Zhou H, Zhou C, Lin J, Huang Y, Xu D. A011, a novel small-molecule ligand of σ 2 receptor, potently suppresses breast cancer progression via endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 152:113232. [PMID: 35679718 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer to become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Sigma-2 (σ2) receptor is considered to be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer because of its high expression in breast cancer cells and low expression in normal breast cells. Many σ2 ligands have been reported to have excellent anticancer activity, but their mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. We discovered that A011 had high affinity and selectivity for σ2 receptor, reduced proliferation in five cancer cell lines, and significantly inhibited the monoclonal formation ability of MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, A011 rapidly increased the levels of intracellular Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species and induced autophagy. Molecular pharmacology studies revealed that A011 induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, activated the PERK-eIF2α-CHOP pathway and inhibited the activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway, leading to cell apoptosis. In an in vivo tumor model, A011 showed obvious anti-tumor activity and no significant toxicity. More importantly, our study demonstrated for the first time that endoplasmic reticulum stress is the main mechanism of anti-cancer effects for σ2 ligands, at least for A011. A011 may potentially be useful as a therapeutic agent for treating breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyun Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaoyang Xie
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Shiyi Liao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Zhanwei Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Siyan Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510016, China
| | - Baocheng Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan 523018 China
| | - Qunfa Huang
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Huan Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Chenhui Zhou
- School of Nursing, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jiantao Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yunsheng Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China.
| | - Daohua Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Pharmacutical Development, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China.
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30
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Targeting σ2R/TMEM97 with novel aminotetralins. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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31
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Exploration of Diazaspiro Cores as Piperazine Bioisosteres in the Development of σ2 Receptor Ligands. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158259. [PMID: 35897835 PMCID: PMC9332756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of σ2R compounds containing benzimidazolone and diazacycloalkane cores was synthesized and evaluated in radioligand binding assays. Replacing the piperazine moiety in a lead compound with diazaspiroalkanes and the fused octahydropyrrolo[3,4-b] pyrrole ring system resulted in a loss in affinity for the σ2R. On the other hand, the bridged 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 1,4-diazepine, and a 3-aminoazetidine analog possessed nanomolar affinities for the σ2R. Computational chemistry studies were also conducted with the recently published crystal structure of the σ2R/TMEM97 and revealed that hydrogen bond interactions with ASP29 and π-stacking interactions with TYR150 were largely responsible for the high binding affinity of small molecules to this protein.
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32
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Peng M, Zhou X, Yao F, Li H, Song W, Xiong S, Xia X. (–)-Epicatechin Provides Neuroprotection in Sodium Iodate-Induced Retinal Degeneration. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:879901. [PMID: 35833100 PMCID: PMC9271623 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.879901] [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: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and pathological amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition are involved in the pathogenesis of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The natural flavonoid (–)-epicatechin (EC) is known to be an antioxidant and neuroprotective compound. Whether EC plays a therapeutic role in AMD is unknown. In this work, we aimed to assess the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of EC against sodium iodate (NaIO3)-induced retinal degeneration in C57BL/6 mice via bioinformatic, morphological, and functional methods. We demonstrated that EC had no toxic effects on the retina and could ameliorate retinal deformation and thinning. EC treatment prevented outer retinal degeneration, reduced drusen-like deposits, increased b-wave amplitude in electroretinography, blocked retinal gliosis, and increased the number and quality of mitochondria. Importantly, EC increased the protein expression of OPA1 and decreased the expression of PINK1, indicating the role of EC in mitochondrial fusion that impaired by NaIO3. Moreover, EC downregulated APP and TMEM97 levels, upregulated PGRMC1 levels, and reduced subretinal Aβ accumulation. This study illustrated that EC, which may become a promising therapeutic strategy for AMD, prevented NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration, and this improvement may be associated with the mitochondrial quality control and the TMEM97/PGRMC1/Aβ signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjuan Peng
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuezhi Zhou
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Yao
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weitao Song
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Siqi Xiong
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Siqi Xiong
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiaobo Xia
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33
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Brown CN, Rumian NL, Tullis JE, Coultrap SJ, Bayer KU. Aβ-induced synaptic impairments require CaMKII activity that is stimulated by indirect signaling events. iScience 2022; 25:104368. [PMID: 35620430 PMCID: PMC9127195 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104368] [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: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aβ bears homology to the CaMKII regulatory domain, and peptides derived from this domain can bind and disrupt the CaMKII holoenzyme, suggesting that Aβ could have a similar effect. Notably, Aβ impairs the synaptic CaMKII accumulation that is mediated by GluN2B binding, which requires CaMKII assembly into holoenzymes. Furthermore, this Aβ-induced impairment is prevented by CaMKII inhibitors that should also inhibit the putative direct Aβ binding. However, our study did not find any evidence for direct effects of Aβ on CaMKII: Aβ did not directly disrupt CaMKII holoenzymes, GluN2B binding, T286 autophosphorylation, or kinase activity in vitro. Most importantly, in neurons, the Aβ-induced impairment of CaMKII synaptic accumulation was prevented by an ATP-competitive CaMKII inhibitor that would not interfere with the putative direct Aβ binding. Together, our results indicate that synaptic Aβ effects are not mediated by direct binding to CaMKII, but instead require CaMKII activation via indirect signaling events. Aβ and the CaMKII regulatory domain share a region of homology Suppression of CaMKII movement in neurons by Aβ requires CaMKII activity Aβ does not directly affect CaMKII activity, T286 phosphorylation, or GluN2B binding Thus, the Aβ effects on CaMKII in neurons require indirect signaling mechanisms
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Kim HY, Lee JY, Hsieh CJ, Riad A, Izzo NJ, Catalano SM, Graham TJA, Mach RH. Screening of σ 2 Receptor Ligands and In Vivo Evaluation of 11C-Labeled 6,7-Dimethoxy-2-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)butan-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline for Potential Use as a σ 2 Receptor Brain PET Tracer. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6261-6272. [PMID: 35404616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a panel of 46 compounds containing five different scaffolds known to have high σ2 receptor affinity were screened. 6,7-Dimethoxy-2-[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)butan-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline [(±)-7] (Ki for σ1 = 48.4 ± 7.7 nM, and Ki for σ2 = 0.59 ± 0.02 nM) and its desmethyl analogue, (±)-8 (Ki for σ1 = 108 ± 35 nM, and Ki for σ2 = 4.92 ± 0.59 nM), showed excellent binding affinity and subtype selectivity for σ2 receptors. In vitro cell binding indicated that σ2 receptor binding of [11C]-(±)-7 and [11C]-(±)-8 was dependent on TMEM97 protein expression. In PET studies, the peak brain uptake of [11C]-(±)-7 (8.28 ± 2.52%ID/cc) was higher than that of [11C]-(±)-8 (4.25 ± 0.97%ID/cc) with specific distribution in the cortex and hypothalamus. Brain uptake or tissue binding was selectively inhibited by ligands with different σ2 receptor binding affinities. The results suggest [11C]-(±)-7 can be used as a PET radiotracer for imaging the function of σ2 receptors in central nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Young Kim
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Vagelos Laboratories, 1012, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Ji Youn Lee
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Vagelos Laboratories, 1012, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Chia-Ju Hsieh
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Vagelos Laboratories, 1012, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Aladdin Riad
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Vagelos Laboratories, 1012, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Nicholas J Izzo
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203-5118, United States
| | - Susan M Catalano
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203-5118, United States
| | - Thomas J A Graham
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Vagelos Laboratories, 1012, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
| | - Robert H Mach
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Vagelos Laboratories, 1012, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States
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35
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Discovery and development of brain-penetrant 18F-labeled radioligands for neuroimaging of the sigma-2 receptors. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:1406-1415. [PMID: 35530149 PMCID: PMC9069315 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We have discovered and synthesized a series of indole-based derivatives as novel sigma-2 (σ 2) receptor ligands. Two ligands with high σ 2 receptor affinity and subtype selectivity were then radiolabeled with F-18 in good radiochemical yields and purities, and evaluated in rodents. In biodistribution studies in male ICR mice, radioligand [18F]9, or 1-(4-(5,6-dimethoxyisoindolin-2-yl)butyl)-4-(2-[18F]fluoroethoxy)-1H-indole, was found to display high brain uptake and high brain-to-blood ratio. Pretreatment of animals with the selective σ 2 receptor ligand CM398 led to significant reductions in both brain uptake (29%-54%) and brain-to-blood ratio (60%-88%) of the radioligand in a dose-dependent manner, indicating high and saturable specific binding of [18F]9 to σ 2 receptors in the brain. Further, ex vivo autoradiography in male ICR mice demonstrated regionally heterogeneous specific binding of [18F]9 in the brain that is consistent with the distribution pattern of σ 2 receptors. Dynamic positron emission tomography imaging confirmed regionally distinct distribution and high levels of specific binding for [18F]9 in the rat brain, along with appropriate tissue kinetics. Taken together, results from our current study indicated the novel radioligand [18F]9 as the first highly specific and promising imaging agent for σ 2 receptors in the brain.
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36
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Chen Q, Fang J, Shen H, Chen L, Shi M, Huang X, Miao Z, Gong Y. Roles, molecular mechanisms, and signaling pathways of TMEMs in neurological diseases. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:13273-13297. [PMID: 35035675 PMCID: PMC8748174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane protein family members (TMEMs) span the entire lipid bilayer and act as channels that allow the transport of specific substances through biofilms. The functions of most TMEMs are unexplored. Numerous studies have shown that TMEMs are involved in the pathophysiological processes of various nervous system diseases, but the specific mechanisms of TMEMs in the pathogenesis of diseases remain unclear. In this review, we discuss the expression, physiological functions, and molecular mechanisms of TMEMs in brain tumors, psychiatric disorders, abnormal motor activity, cobblestone lissencephaly, neuropathic pain, traumatic brain injury, and other disorders of the nervous system. Additionally, we propose that TMEMs may be used as prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets in patients with various neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghong Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese MedicineNanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Junlin Fang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Banan Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineChongqing 401320, China
| | - Hui Shen
- Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineSuzhou 215600, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineSuzhou 215600, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengying Shi
- Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineSuzhou 215600, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xianbao Huang
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese MedicineNanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhiwei Miao
- Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineSuzhou 215600, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yating Gong
- Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineSuzhou 215600, Jiangsu, China
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37
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Zhu H, Su Z, Ning J, Zhou L, Tan L, Sayed S, Song J, Wang Z, Li H, Sun Q, Liu S, Sha O, Leng F, Chen X, Lu D. Transmembrane protein 97 exhibits oncogenic properties via enhancing LRP6-mediated Wnt signaling in breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:912. [PMID: 34615853 PMCID: PMC8494741 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04211-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Upregulation of transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97) has been associated with progression and poor outcome in multiple human cancers, including breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that TMEM97 may be involved in the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. However, the molecular mechanism of TMEM97 action on Wnt/β-catenin signaling is completely unclear. In the current study, TMEM97 was identified as an LRP6-interacting protein. TMEM97 could interact with LRP6 intracellular domain and enhance LRP6-mediated Wnt signaling in a CK1δ/ε-dependent manner. The binding of TMEM97 to LRP6 facilitated the recruitment of CK1δ/ε to LRP6 complex, resulting in LRP6 phosphorylation at Ser 1490 and the stabilization of β-catenin. In breast cancer cells, knockout of TMEM97 attenuated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade via regulating LRP6 phosphorylation, leading to a decrease in the expression of Wnt target genes AXIN2, LEF1, and survivin. TMEM97 deficiency also suppressed cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and stemness properties in breast cancer cells. Importantly, TMEM97 knockout suppressed tumor growth through downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a breast cancer xenograft model. Taken together, our results revealed that TMEM97 is a positive modulator of canonical Wnt signaling. TMEM97-mediated Wnt signaling is implicated in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer, and its targeted inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zijie Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Research, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, China
| | - Jiong Ning
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lifeng Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sapna Sayed
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaxing Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhongyuan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qi Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ou Sha
- School of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Feng Leng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-4255, USA
| | - Xianxiong Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Desheng Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
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Shen H, Li J, Heisler-Taylor T, Makin R, Yang H, Mavlyutov TA, Gelfand B, Cebulla CM, Guo LW. TMEM97 ablation aggravates oxidant-induced retinal degeneration. Cell Signal 2021; 86:110078. [PMID: 34245862 PMCID: PMC8869839 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is critical to the survival of the overlying photoreceptors. Subject to light exposure and active metabolism, the RPE and photoreceptors are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage that plays an important part in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Recent meta-analyses identified TMEM97 as a new putative AMD risk locus, though it is yet to be functionally verified. The role of TMEM97 in the retina and RPE is not known. Here we investigated TMEM97 function using the sodium iodate model of oxidant-induced retinal degeneration in TMEM97 knockout (KO) mice. We found markedly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and loss of photoreceptos in TMEM97 KO mouse retinas relative to wild type (WT) controls. In vitro, sodium iodate treatment of CRISPR-mediated TMEM97 KO RPE cells resulted in diminished abundance of the master antioxidant transcription factor NRF2 and its target gene product SOD2, the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, as well as elevated ROS and apoptosis markers. Moreover, TMEM97 KO affected proteins key to mitochondrial and lysosomal stability and impeded autophagy flux. These findings suggest that the absence of TMEM97 in RPE cells disturbs redox-balancing systems, thereby heightening oxidative stress. As TMEM97 is a druggable target, this study may inspire interest in basic and translational research in the context of retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Shen
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Tyler Heisler-Taylor
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
| | - Ryan Makin
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Timur A Mavlyutov
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Bradley Gelfand
- Center for Advanced Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Colleen M Cebulla
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA.
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Current development of sigma-2 receptor radioligands as potential tumor imaging agents. Bioorg Chem 2021; 115:105163. [PMID: 34289426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sigma receptors are transmembrane proteins with two different subtypes: σ1 and σ2. Because of its overexpression in tumors, the σ2 receptor (σ2R) is a well-known biomarker for cancer cells. A large number of small-molecule ligands for the σ2Rs have been identified and tested for imaging the proliferative status of tumors using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). These small molecules include derivatives of bicyclic amines, indoles, cyclohexylpiperazines and tetrahydroisoquinolines. This review discusses various aspects of small molecule ligands, such as chemical composition, labeling strategy, affinity for σ2Rs, and in vitro/in vivo investigations. The recent studies described here could be useful for the development of σ2R radioligands as potential tumor imaging agents.
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Ma WH, Chen AF, Xie XY, Huang YS. Sigma ligands as potent inhibitors of Aβ and AβOs in neurons and promising therapeutic agents of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2021; 190:108342. [PMID: 33045243 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease and characterized by dementia, memory decline, loss of learning and cognitive disorder. The main pathological features of AD are the deposition of amyloid plaques and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. The current anti-AD drugs have shown unsatisfactory therapeutic results. Due to the complications and unclear pathogenesis, AD is still irreversible and incurable. Among several hypotheses proposed by the academic community, the amyloid cascade is widely recognized by scholars and supported by a large amount of evidences. However, controversy over pathogenic factors has also been ongoing. Increasing evidence has shown that amyloid-β (Aβ) and especially amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) are highly neurotoxic and pathogenic agents that damage neurons, mediate various receptors in the downstream pathways, and ultimately lead to learning and cognitive dysfunction. However, efforts in developing inhibitors of Aβ or amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) have all failed to yield good clinical results. More recently, it has been demonstrated that sigma receptors, including sigma-1 and sigma-2 subtypes, may play critical roles in the regulation of binding and metabolism of AβOs in neuron cells and the pathophysiology of AD. Thus, sigma receptor ligands are being recognized as promising therapeutic agents for treating or ameliorating AD. This article will review the pathophysiology of AD and highlight the sigma ligands that display the capability of preventing or even reversing Aβ- and AβOs-induced neurotoxicity and blocking the signal transduction caused by AβOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hui Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Ai-Fang Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Xiao-Yang Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Yun-Sheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
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Izzo NJ, Yuede CM, LaBarbera KM, Limegrover CS, Rehak C, Yurko R, Waybright L, Look G, Rishton G, Safferstein H, Hamby ME, Williams C, Sadlek K, Edwards HM, Davis CS, Grundman M, Schneider LS, DeKosky ST, Chelsky D, Pike I, Henstridge C, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, LeVine H, Spires-Jones TL, Cirrito JR, Catalano SM. Preclinical and clinical biomarker studies of CT1812: A novel approach to Alzheimer's disease modification. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:1365-1382. [PMID: 33559354 PMCID: PMC8349378 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers are one of the most toxic structural forms of the Aβ protein and are hypothesized to cause synaptotoxicity and memory failure as they build up in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients' brain tissue. We previously demonstrated that antagonists of the sigma-2 receptor complex effectively block Aβ oligomer toxicity. CT1812 is an orally bioavailable, brain penetrant small molecule antagonist of the sigma-2 receptor complex that appears safe and well tolerated in healthy elderly volunteers. We tested CT1812's effect on Aβ oligomer pathobiology in preclinical AD models and evaluated CT1812's impact on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein biomarkers in mild to moderate AD patients in a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02907567). METHODS Experiments were performed to measure the impact of CT1812 versus vehicle on Aβ oligomer binding to synapses in vitro, to human AD patient post mortem brain tissue ex vivo, and in living APPSwe /PS1dE9 transgenic mice in vivo. Additional experiments were performed to measure the impact of CT1812 versus vehicle on Aβ oligomer-induced deficits in membrane trafficking rate, synapse number, and protein expression in mature hippocampal/cortical neurons in vitro. The impact of CT1812 on cognitive function was measured in transgenic Thy1 huAPPSwe/Lnd+ and wild-type littermates. A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trial was performed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and impact on protein biomarker expression of CT1812 or placebo given once daily for 28 days to AD patients (Mini-Mental State Examination 18-26). CSF protein expression was measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in samples drawn prior to dosing (Day 0) and at end of dosing (Day 28) and compared within each patient and between pooled treated versus placebo-treated dosing groups. RESULTS CT1812 significantly and dose-dependently displaced Aβ oligomers bound to synaptic receptors in three independent preclinical models of AD, facilitated oligomer clearance into the CSF, increased synaptic number and protein expression in neurons, and improved cognitive performance in transgenic mice. CT1812 significantly increased CSF concentrations of Aβ oligomers in AD patient CSF, reduced concentrations of synaptic proteins and phosphorylated tau fragments, and reversed expression of many AD-related proteins dysregulated in CSF. DISCUSSION These preclinical studies demonstrate the novel disease-modifying mechanism of action of CT1812 against AD and Aβ oligomers. The clinical results are consistent with preclinical data and provide evidence of target engagement and impact on fundamental disease-related signaling pathways in AD patients, supporting further development of CT1812.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Courtney Rehak
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Raymond Yurko
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lora Waybright
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gary Look
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Mary E Hamby
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Kelsey Sadlek
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Grundman
- Global R&D Partners, San Diego, California, USA.,University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lon S Schneider
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kaj Blennow
- University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Harry LeVine
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Cahill MA, Neubauer H. PGRMC Proteins Are Coming of Age: A Special Issue on the Role of PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 in Metabolism and Cancer Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:512. [PMID: 33572771 PMCID: PMC7866220 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a preface by the guest editors of the special issue of Cancers featuring the biology of progesterone (P4) receptor membrane component (PGRMC) proteins as it relates to metabolism and cancer [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Cahill
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, WaggaWagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Hans Neubauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Women’s Hospital of Dusseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
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Limegrover CS, Yurko R, Izzo NJ, LaBarbera KM, Rehak C, Look G, Rishton G, Safferstein H, Catalano SM. Sigma-2 receptor antagonists rescue neuronal dysfunction induced by Parkinson's patient brain-derived α-synuclein. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1161-1176. [PMID: 33480104 PMCID: PMC7986605 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
α‐Synuclein oligomers are thought to have a pivotal role in sporadic and familial Parkinson's disease (PD) and related α‐synucleinopathies, causing dysregulation of protein trafficking, autophagy/lysosomal function, and protein clearance, as well as synaptic function impairment underlying motor and cognitive symptoms of PD. Moreover, trans‐synaptic spread of α‐synuclein oligomers is hypothesized to mediate disease progression. Therapeutic approaches that effectively block α‐synuclein oligomer‐induced pathogenesis are urgently needed. Here, we show for the first time that α‐synuclein species isolated from human PD patient brain and recombinant α‐synuclein oligomers caused similar deficits in lipid vesicle trafficking rates in cultured rat neurons and glia, while α‐synuclein species isolated from non‐PD human control brain samples did not. Recombinant α‐synuclein oligomers also increased neuronal expression of lysosomal‐associated membrane protein‐2A (LAMP‐2A), the lysosomal receptor that has a critical role in chaperone‐mediated autophagy. Unbiased screening of several small molecule libraries (including the NIH Clinical Collection) identified sigma‐2 receptor antagonists as the most effective at blocking α‐synuclein oligomer‐induced trafficking deficits and LAMP‐2A upregulation in a dose‐dependent manner. These results indicate that antagonists of the sigma‐2 receptor complex may alleviate α‐synuclein oligomer‐induced neurotoxicity and are a novel therapeutic approach for disease modification in PD and related α‐synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Gary Look
- Cognition Therapeutics Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Sigma-2 Receptor-A Potential Target for Cancer/Alzheimer's Disease Treatment via Its Regulation of Cholesterol Homeostasis. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25225439. [PMID: 33233619 PMCID: PMC7699687 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The sigma receptors were classified into sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptor based on their different pharmacological profiles. In the past two decades, our understanding of the biological and pharmacological properties of the sigma-1 receptor is increasing; however, little is known about the sigma-2 receptor. Recently, the molecular identity of the sigma-2 receptor has been identified as TMEM97. Although more and more evidence has showed that sigma-2 ligands have the ability to treat cancer and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the mechanisms connecting these two diseases are unknown. Data obtained over the past few years from human and animal models indicate that cholesterol homeostasis is altered in AD and cancer, underscoring the importance of cholesterol homeostasis in AD and cancer. In this review, based on accumulated evidence, we proposed that the beneficial roles of sigma-2 ligands in cancer and AD might be mediated by their regulation of cholesterol homeostasis.
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Proceedings from the Fourth International Symposium on σ-2 Receptors: Role in Health and Disease. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0317-20.2020. [PMID: 33028631 PMCID: PMC7643771 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0317-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The σ-2 receptor (S2R) complex has been implicated in CNS disorders ranging from anxiety and depression to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The proteins comprising the S2R complex impact processes including autophagy, cholesterol synthesis, progesterone signaling, lipid membrane-bound protein trafficking, and receptor stabilization at the cell surface. While there has been much progress in understanding the role of S2R in cellular processes and its potential therapeutic value, a great deal remains unknown. The International Symposium on Sigma-2 Receptors is held in conjunction with the annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference to promote collaboration and advance the field of S2R research. This review summarizes updates presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Sigma-2 Receptors: Role in Health and Disease, a Satellite Symposium held at the 2019 SfN conference. Interdisciplinary members of the S2R research community presented both previously published and preliminary results from ongoing studies of the role of S2R in cellular metabolism, the anatomic and cellular expression patterns of S2R, the relationship between S2R and amyloid β (Aβ) in AD, the role of S2R complex protein PGRMC1 in health and disease, and the efforts to design new S2R ligands for the purposes of research and drug development. The proceedings from this symposium are reported here as an update on the field of S2R research, as well as to highlight the value of the symposia that occur yearly in conjunction with the SfN conference.
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