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Sagredo GT, Tanglay O, Shahdadpuri S, Fu Y, Halliday GM. ⍺-Synuclein levels in Parkinson's disease - Cell types and forms that contribute to pathogenesis. Exp Neurol 2024; 379:114887. [PMID: 39009177 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114887] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) has two main pathological hallmarks, the loss of nigral dopamine neurons and the proteinaceous aggregations of ⍺-synuclein (⍺Syn) in neuronal Lewy pathology. These two co-existing features suggest a causative association between ⍺Syn aggregation and the underpinning mechanism of neuronal degeneration in PD. Both increased levels and post-translational modifications of ⍺Syn can contribute to the formation of pathological aggregations of ⍺Syn in neurons. Recent studies have shown that the protein is also expressed by multiple types of non-neuronal cells in the brain and peripheral tissues, suggesting additional roles of the protein and potential diversity in non-neuronal pathogenic triggers. It is important to determine (1) the threshold levels triggering ⍺Syn to convert from a biological to a pathologic form in different brain cells in PD; (2) the dominant form of pathologic ⍺Syn and the associated post-translational modification of the protein in each cell type involved in PD; and (3) the cell type associated biological processes impacted by pathologic ⍺Syn in PD. This review integrates these aspects and speculates on potential pathological mechanisms and their impact on neuronal and non-neuronal ⍺Syn in the brains of patients with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle Tatiana Sagredo
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre & Faculty of Medicine and Health School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, United States of America
| | - Onur Tanglay
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre & Faculty of Medicine and Health School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shrey Shahdadpuri
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre & Faculty of Medicine and Health School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - YuHong Fu
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre & Faculty of Medicine and Health School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, United States of America
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre & Faculty of Medicine and Health School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, United States of America.
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2
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Agarwal A, Chandran A, Raza F, Ungureanu IM, Hilcenko C, Stott K, Bright NA, Morone N, Warren AJ, Lautenschläger J. VAMP2 regulates phase separation of α-synuclein. Nat Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41556-024-01451-6. [PMID: 38951707 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01451-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αSYN), a pivotal synaptic protein implicated in synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, undergoes protein phase separation. We reveal that vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) orchestrates αSYN phase separation both in vitro and in cells. Electrostatic interactions, specifically mediated by VAMP2 via its juxtamembrane domain and the αSYN C-terminal region, drive phase separation. Condensate formation is specific for R-SNARE VAMP2 and dependent on αSYN lipid membrane binding. Our results delineate a regulatory mechanism for αSYN phase separation in cells. Furthermore, we show that αSYN condensates sequester vesicles and attract complexin-1 and -2, thus supporting a role in synaptic physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Agarwal
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aswathy Chandran
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Farheen Raza
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Protein and Cellular Sciences, GSK, Stevenage, UK
| | - Irina-Maria Ungureanu
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christine Hilcenko
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katherine Stott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicholas A Bright
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Alan J Warren
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Janin Lautenschläger
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
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3
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Ahmed MR, Inayathullah M, Morton M, Pothineni VR, Kim K, Ahmed MS, Babar MM, Rajadas J. Intranasal delivery of liposome encapsulated flavonoids ameliorates l-DOPA induced dyskinesia in hemiparkinsonian mice. Biomaterials 2024; 311:122680. [PMID: 38959534 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122680] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
In the present study, we explored the development of a novel noninvasive liposomal drug delivery material for use in intranasal drug delivery applications in human diseases. We used drug entrapment into liposomal nanoparticle assembly to efficiently deliver the drugs to the nasal mucosa to be delivered to the brain. The naturally occurring flavonoid 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) has previously been shown to have beneficial effects in ameliorating Parkinson's disease (PD). We used both naturally occurring 7,8-DHF and the chemically modified form of DHF, the DHF-ME, to be used as a drug candidate for the treatment of PD and l-DOPA induced dyskinesia (LID), which is the debilitating side effect of l-DOPA therapy in PD. The ligand-protein interaction behavior for 7,8-DHF and 6,7-DHF-ME was found to be more effective with molecular docking and molecular stimulation studies of flavonoid compounds with TrkB receptor. Our study showed that 7,8-DHF delivered via intranasal route using a liposomal formulation ameliorated LID in hemiparkinsonian mice model when these mice were chronically administered with l-DOPA, which is the only current medication for relieving the clinical symptoms of PD. The present study also demonstrated that apart from reducing the LID, 7,8-DHF delivery directly to the brain via the intranasal route also corrected some long-term signaling adaptations involving ΔFosB and α Synuclein in the brain of dopamine (DA) depleted animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rafiuddin Ahmed
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Mohammed Inayathullah
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Mithya Morton
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA; Children's Hospital of Orange County - UC Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, 505 S. Main St., Suite #525, Orange, CA, 92868, USA
| | - Venkata Raveendra Pothineni
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Kwangmin Kim
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA; Department of Physiology, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, 21999, South Korea
| | - Mohamed Sohail Ahmed
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MCN 1161 21st Ave S. Nashville TN 37232, USA
| | - Mustafeez Mujtaba Babar
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Jayakumar Rajadas
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory of Cardiovascular Institute/ Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
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4
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Bao LX, Luo ZM, Zhu XL, Xu YY. Automated identification of protein expression intensity and classification of protein cellular locations in mouse brain regions from immunofluorescence images. Med Biol Eng Comput 2024; 62:1105-1119. [PMID: 38150111 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-023-02985-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of protein expression in mammalian brains at regional and cellular levels can facilitate understanding of protein functions and associated diseases. As the mouse brain is a typical mammalian brain considering cell type and structure, several studies have been conducted to analyze protein expression in mouse brains. However, labeling protein expression using biotechnology is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, automated models that can accurately recognize protein expression are needed. Here, we constructed machine learning models to automatically annotate the protein expression intensity and cellular location in different mouse brain regions from immunofluorescence images. The brain regions and sub-regions were segmented through learning image features using an autoencoder and then performing K-means clustering and registration to align with the anatomical references. The protein expression intensities for those segmented structures were computed on the basis of the statistics of the image pixels, and patch-based weakly supervised methods and multi-instance learning were used to classify the cellular locations. Results demonstrated that the models achieved high accuracy in the expression intensity estimation, and the F1 score of the cellular location prediction was 74.5%. This work established an automated pipeline for analyzing mouse brain images and provided a foundation for further study of protein expression and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Xia Bao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Zhuo-Ming Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Xi-Liang Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Ying-Ying Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China.
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5
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Schwab K, Magbagbeolu M, Theuring F, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G. Solubility of α-synuclein species in the L62 mouse model of synucleinopathy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6239. [PMID: 38486089 PMCID: PMC10940722 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56735-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) into Lewy bodies is a hallmark of synucleinopathies, a group of neurological disorders that include Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Small oligomers as well as larger fibrils of α-Syn have been suggested to induce cell toxicity leading to a degenerative loss of neurones. A richer understanding of α-Syn aggregation in disease, however, requires the identification of the different α-Syn species and the characterisation of their biochemical properties. We here aimed at a more in-depth characterisation of the α-Syn transgenic mice, Line 62 (L62), and examined the deposition pattern and solubility of human and murine α-Syn in these mice using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods. Application of multiple antibodies confirmed mAb syn204 as the most discriminatory antibody for human α-Syn in L62. Syn204 revealed an intense and widespread immunohistochemical α-Syn labelling in parietal cortex and hippocampus, and to a lower level in basal forebrain and hindbrain regions. The labelled α-Syn represented somatic inclusions as well as processes and synaptic endings. Biochemical analysis revealed a Triton-resistant human α-Syn pool of large oligomers, a second pool of small oligomers that was not resistant to solubilization with urea/Triton. A third SDS-soluble pool of intermediate sized aggregates containing a mixture of both, human and mouse α-Syn was also present. These data suggest that several pools of α-Syn can exist in neurones, most likely in different cellular compartments. Information about these different pools is important for the development of novel disease modifying therapies aimed at α-Syn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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6
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Moceri S, Bäuerle N, Habermeyer J, Ratz-Wirsching V, Harrer J, Distler J, Schulze-Krebs A, Timotius IK, Bluhm A, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Roßner S, Winkler J, Xiang W, Hörsten SV. Young human alpha synuclein transgenic (BAC-SNCA) mice display sex- and gene-dose-dependent phenotypic disturbances. Behav Brain Res 2024; 460:114781. [PMID: 38043677 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114781] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative movement disorder, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the accumulation of aggregated alpha synuclein (aSyn). The disease often presents with early prodromal non-motor symptoms and later motor symptoms. Diagnosing PD based purely on motor symptoms is often too late for successful intervention, as a significant neuronal loss has already occurred. Furthermore, the lower prevalence of PD in females is not well understood, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the interaction between sex and aSyn, the crucial protein for PD pathogenesis. Here, we conducted a comprehensive phenotyping study in 1- to 5-month-old mice overexpressing human aSyn gene (SNCA) in a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC-SNCA). We demonstrate a SNCA gene-dose-dependent increase of human aSyn and phosphorylated aSyn, as well as a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase expression in BAC-SNCA mice, with more pronounced effects in male mice. Phosphorylated aSyn was already found in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of 2-month-old mice. This was time-wise associated with significant gait altrations in BAC-SNCA mice as early as 1 and 3 months of age using CatWalk gait analysis. Furthermore, anxiety-related behavioral tests revealed an increase in anxiety levels in male BAC-SNCA mice. Finally, 5-month-old male BAC-SNCA mice exhibited a SNCA gene-dose-dependent elevation in energy expenditure in automated home-cage monitoring. For the first time, these findings describe early-onset, sex- and gene-dose-dependent, aSyn-mediated disturbances in BAC-SNCA mice, providing a model for sex-differences, early-onset neuropathology, and prodromal symptoms of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Moceri
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Natascha Bäuerle
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johanna Habermeyer
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veronika Ratz-Wirsching
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Harrer
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg Distler
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Schulze-Krebs
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ivanna K Timotius
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Department of Electronic Engineering, Satya Wacana Christian University, 50711 Salatiga, Indonesia
| | - Alexandra Bluhm
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jürgen Winkler
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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7
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Booms A, Pierce SE, van der Schans EJ, Coetzee GA. Parkinson's disease risk enhancers in microglia. iScience 2024; 27:108921. [PMID: 38323005 PMCID: PMC10845915 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms that associate with increased risk for Parkinson's disease (PD), but the functions of most of them are unknown. Using assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (ATAC) and H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing data, we identified 73 regulatory elements in microglia that overlap PD risk SNPs. To determine the target genes of a "risk enhancer" within intron two of SNCA, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to delete the open chromatin region where two PD risk SNPs reside. The loss of the enhancer led to reduced expression of multiple genes including SNCA and the adjacent gene MMRN1. It also led to expression changes of genes involved in glucose metabolism, a process that is known to be altered in PD patients. Our work expands the role of SNCA in PD and provides a connection between PD-associated genetic variants and underlying biology that points to a risk mechanism in microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Booms
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Van Andel Institute graduate student, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Steven E. Pierce
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | | | - Gerhard A. Coetzee
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Santhosh Kumar S, Naseri NN, Pather SR, Hallacli E, Ndayisaba A, Buenaventura C, Acosta K, Roof J, Fazelinia H, Spruce LA, Luk K, Khurana V, Rhoades E, Shalem O. Sequential CRISPR screening reveals partial NatB inhibition as a strategy to mitigate alpha-synuclein levels in human neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj4767. [PMID: 38335281 PMCID: PMC10857481 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) protein levels correlate with the risk and severity of Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative diseases. Lowering αSyn is being actively investigated as a therapeutic modality. Here, we systematically map the regulatory network that controls endogenous αSyn using sequential CRISPR-knockout and -interference screens in an αSyn gene (SNCA)-tagged cell line and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons (iNeurons). We uncover αSyn modifiers at multiple regulatory layers, with amino-terminal acetyltransferase B (NatB) enzymes being the most potent endogenous αSyn modifiers in both cell lines. Amino-terminal acetylation protects the cytosolic αSyn from rapid degradation by the proteasome in a Ube2w-dependent manner. Moreover, we show that pharmacological inhibition of methionyl-aminopeptidase 2, a regulator of NatB complex formation, attenuates endogenous αSyn in iNeurons carrying SNCA triplication. Together, our study reveals several gene networks that control endogenous αSyn, identifies mechanisms mediating the degradation of nonacetylated αSyn, and illustrates potential therapeutic pathways for decreasing αSyn levels in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saranya Santhosh Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nima N. Naseri
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarshan R. Pather
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erinc Hallacli
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alain Ndayisaba
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chris Buenaventura
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karen Acosta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Roof
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hossein Fazelinia
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lynn A. Spruce
- Proteomics Core Facility, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelvin Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vikram Khurana
- Division of Movement Disorders and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rhoades
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ophir Shalem
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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9
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Nordengen K, Morland C. From Synaptic Physiology to Synaptic Pathology: The Enigma of α-Synuclein. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:986. [PMID: 38256059 PMCID: PMC10815905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020986] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) has gained significant attention due to its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease. However, its normal function in the human brain is equally fascinating. The α-syn protein is highly dynamic and can adapt to various conformational stages, which differ in their interaction with synaptic elements, their propensity to drive pathological aggregation, and their toxicity. This review will delve into the multifaceted role of α-syn in different types of synapses, shedding light on contributions to neurotransmission and overall brain function. We describe the physiological role of α-syn at central synapses, including the bidirectional interaction between α-syn and neurotransmitter systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaja Nordengen
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Cecilie Morland
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, 1068 Oslo, Norway
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10
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Saramowicz K, Siwecka N, Galita G, Kucharska-Lusina A, Rozpędek-Kamińska W, Majsterek I. Alpha-Synuclein Contribution to Neuronal and Glial Damage in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:360. [PMID: 38203531 PMCID: PMC10778752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010360] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the widespread accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) protein aggregates. αSyn aggregation disrupts critical cellular processes, including synaptic function, mitochondrial integrity, and proteostasis, which culminate in neuronal cell death. Importantly, αSyn pathology extends beyond neurons-it also encompasses spreading throughout the neuronal environment and internalization by microglia and astrocytes. Once internalized, glia can act as neuroprotective scavengers, which limit the spread of αSyn. However, they can also become reactive, thereby contributing to neuroinflammation and the progression of PD. Recent advances in αSyn research have enabled the molecular diagnosis of PD and accelerated the development of targeted therapies. Nevertheless, despite more than two decades of research, the cellular function, aggregation mechanisms, and induction of cellular damage by αSyn remain incompletely understood. Unraveling the interplay between αSyn, neurons, and glia may provide insights into disease initiation and progression, which may bring us closer to exploring new effective therapeutic strategies. Herein, we provide an overview of recent studies emphasizing the multifaceted nature of αSyn and its impact on both neuron and glial cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ireneusz Majsterek
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.S.); (N.S.); (G.G.); (A.K.-L.); (W.R.-K.)
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11
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Kon T, Forrest SL, Lee S, Martinez-Valbuena I, Li J, Nassir N, Uddin MJ, Lang AE, Kovacs GG. Neuronal SNCA transcription during Lewy body formation. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:185. [PMID: 37996943 PMCID: PMC10666428 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01687-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) is believed to contribute to neurodegeneration in Lewy body disease (LBD) based on considerable evidence including a gene-dosage effect observed in relation to point mutations and multiplication of SNCA in familial Parkinson's disease. A contradictory concept proposes early loss of the physiological α-syn as the major driver of neurodegeneration. There is a paucity of data on SNCA transcripts in various α-syn immunoreactive cytopathologies. Here, the total cell body, nuclear, and cytoplasmic area density of SNCA transcripts in neurons without and with various α-syn immunoreactive cytopathologies in the substantia nigra and amygdala in autopsy cases of LBD (n = 5) were evaluated using RNAscope combined with immunofluorescence for disease-associated α-syn. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing was performed to elucidate cell-type specific SNCA expression in non-diseased frontal cortex (n = 3). SNCA transcripts were observed in the neuronal nucleus and cytoplasm in neurons without α-syn, those containing punctate α-syn immunoreactivity, irregular-shaped compact inclusion, and brainstem-type and cortical-type LBs. However, SNCA transcripts were only rarely found in the α-syn immunoreactive LB areas. The total cell body SNCA transcript area densities in neurons with punctate α-syn immunoreactivity were preserved but were significantly reduced in neurons with compact α-syn inclusions both in the substantia nigra and amygdala. This reduction was also observed in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus. Only single SNCA transcripts were detected in astrocytes with or without disease-associated α-syn immunoreactivity in the amygdala. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed that excitatory and inhibitory neurons, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, oligodendrocytes, and homeostatic microglia expressed SNCA transcripts, while expression was largely absent in astrocytes and microglia. The preserved cellular SNCA expression in the more abundant non-Lewy body type α-syn cytopathologies might provide a pool for local protein production that can aggregate and serve as a seed for misfolded α-syn. Successful segregation of disease-associated α-syn is associated with the exhaustion of SNCA production in the terminal cytopathology, the Lewy body. Our observations inform therapy development focusing on targeting SNCA transcription in LBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Kon
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Ave., Rm 6KD414, Tanz CRND, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Shelley L Forrest
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Ave., Rm 6KD414, Tanz CRND, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Laboratory Medicine Program and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Seojin Lee
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Ave., Rm 6KD414, Tanz CRND, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Ivan Martinez-Valbuena
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Ave., Rm 6KD414, Tanz CRND, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Jun Li
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Ave., Rm 6KD414, Tanz CRND, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | | | - Mohammed J Uddin
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
- GenomeArc Inc, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anthony E Lang
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Ave., Rm 6KD414, Tanz CRND, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
- Edmund J Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and Rossy Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, 60 Leonard Ave., Rm 6KD414, Tanz CRND, Krembil Discovery Tower, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada.
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
- Laboratory Medicine Program and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Edmund J Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and Rossy Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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12
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Zanotti LC, Malizia F, Cesatti Laluce N, Avila A, Mamberto M, Anselmino LE, Menacho-Márquez M. Synuclein Proteins in Cancer Development and Progression. Biomolecules 2023; 13:980. [PMID: 37371560 PMCID: PMC10296229 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060980] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleins are a family of small, soluble proteins mainly expressed in neural tissue and in certain tumors. Since their discovery, tens of thousands of scientific reports have been published about this family of proteins as they are associated with severe human diseases. Although the physiological function of these proteins is still elusive, their relationship with neurodegeneration and cancer has been clearly described over the years. In this review, we summarize data connecting synucleins and cancer, going from the structural description of these molecules to their involvement in tumor-related processes, and discuss the putative use of these proteins as cancer molecular biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía C. Zanotti
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Florencia Malizia
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nahuel Cesatti Laluce
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aylén Avila
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Macarena Mamberto
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Luciano E. Anselmino
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mauricio Menacho-Márquez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER, CONICET-UNR), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental, CONICET, Rosario 3100, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPReB), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (UNR), Suipacha 660, Rosario 2000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario, Red de Investigación del Cáncer de Rosario (RICaR), 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Killinger BA, Mercado G, Choi S, Tittle T, Chu Y, Brundin P, Kordower JH. Distribution of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in non-diseased brain implicates olfactory bulb mitral cells in synucleinopathy pathogenesis. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:43. [PMID: 36966145 PMCID: PMC10039879 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00491-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by pathological inclusions called "Lewy pathology" (LP) that consist of aggregated alpha-synuclein predominantly phosphorylated at serine 129 (PSER129). Despite the importance for understanding disease, little is known about the endogenous function of PSER129 or why it accumulates in the diseased brain. Here we conducted several observational studies using a sensitive tyramide signal amplification (TSA) technique to determine PSER129 distribution and function in the non-diseased mammalian brain. In wild-type non-diseased mice, PSER129 was detected in the olfactory bulb (OB) and several brain regions across the neuroaxis (i.e., OB to brainstem). In contrast, PSER129 immunoreactivity was not observed in any brain region of alpha-synuclein knockout mice. We found evidence of PSER129 positive structures in OB mitral cells of non-diseased mice, rats, non-human primates, and healthy humans. Using TSA multiplex fluorescent labeling, we showed that PSER129 positive punctate structures occur within inactive (i.e., c-fos negative) T-box transcription factor 21 (TBX21) positive mitral cells and PSER129 within these cells was spatially associated with PK-resistant alpha-synuclein. Ubiquitin was found in PSER129 mitral cells but was not closely associated with PSER129. Biotinylation by antibody recognition (BAR) identified 125 PSER129-interacting proteins in the OB of healthy mice, which were significantly enriched for presynaptic vesicle trafficking/recycling, SNARE, fatty acid oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, and RNA binding. TSA multiplex labeling confirmed the physical association of BAR-identified protein Ywhag with PSER129 in the OB and in other regions across the neuroaxis. We conclude that PSER129 accumulates in the mitral cells of the healthy OB as part of alpha-synuclein normal cellular functions. Incidental LP has been reported in the OB, and therefore we speculate that for synucleinopathies, either the disease processes begin locally in OB mitral cells or a systemic disease process is most apparent in the OB because of the natural tendency to accumulate PSER129.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A Killinger
- Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Gabriela Mercado
- Parkinson's disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Solji Choi
- Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Tyler Tittle
- Graduate College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Yaping Chu
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center (NDRC), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Parkinson's disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), F Hoffman-La Roche, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Kordower
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center (NDRC), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
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14
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Moradi Vastegani S, Nasrolahi A, Ghaderi S, Belali R, Rashno M, Farzaneh M, Khoshnam SE. Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Parkinson's Disease: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03904-0. [PMID: 36943668 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03904-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder whose pathogenesis is not completely understood. Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress have been considered as major causes and central events responsible for the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in PD. Therefore, investigating mitochondrial disorders plays a role in understanding the pathogenesis of PD and can be an important therapeutic target for this disease. This study discusses the effect of environmental, genetic and biological factors on mitochondrial dysfunction and also focuses on the mitochondrial molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, and its possible therapeutic targets in PD, including reactive oxygen species generation, calcium overload, inflammasome activation, apoptosis, mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial dynamics. Other potential therapeutic strategies such as mitochondrial transfer/transplantation, targeting microRNAs, using stem cells, photobiomodulation, diet, and exercise were also discussed in this review, which may provide valuable insights into clinical aspects. A better understanding of the roles of mitochondria in the pathophysiology of PD may provide a rationale for designing novel therapeutic interventions in our fight against PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Moradi Vastegani
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ava Nasrolahi
- Infectious Ophthalmologic Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Shahab Ghaderi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Science and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Rafie Belali
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Masome Rashno
- Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran
| | - Maryam Farzaneh
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Seyed Esmaeil Khoshnam
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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15
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Lin S, Leitão ADG, Fang S, Gu Y, Barber S, Gilliard-Telefoni R, Castro A, Sung K, Shen R, Florio JB, Mante ML, Ding J, Spencer B, Masliah E, Rissman RA, Wu C. Overexpression of alpha synuclein disrupts APP and Endolysosomal axonal trafficking in a mouse model of synucleinopathy. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 178:106010. [PMID: 36702318 PMCID: PMC10754494 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106010] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations or triplication of the alpha synuclein (ASYN) gene contribute to synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Recent evidence suggests that ASYN also plays an important role in amyloid-induced neurotoxicity, although the mechanism(s) remains unknown. One hypothesis is that accumulation of ASYN alters endolysosomal pathways to impact axonal trafficking and processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). To define an axonal function for ASYN, we used a transgenic mouse model of synucleinopathy that expresses a GFP-human ASYN (GFP-hASYN) transgene and an ASYN knockout (ASYN-/-) mouse model. Our results demonstrate that expression of GFP-hASYN in primary neurons derived from a transgenic mouse impaired axonal trafficking and processing of APP. In addition, axonal transport of BACE1, Rab5, Rab7, lysosomes and mitochondria were also reduced in these neurons. Interestingly, axonal transport of these organelles was also affected in ASYN-/- neurons, suggesting that ASYN plays an important role in maintaining normal axonal transport function. Therefore, selective impairment of trafficking and processing of APP by ASYN may act as a potential mechanism to induce pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzhen Lin
- Institute of Neurology, Ruijing Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - André D G Leitão
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Savannah Fang
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yingli Gu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sophia Barber
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Alfredo Castro
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kijung Sung
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ruinan Shen
- Institute of Neurology, Ruijing Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jazmin B Florio
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael L Mante
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jianqing Ding
- Institute of Neurology, Ruijing Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Brian Spencer
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; VA San Diego Health System, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Chengbiao Wu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Martin-Lopez E, Vidyadhara DJ, Liberia T, Meller SJ, Harmon LE, Hsu RM, Spence N, Brennan B, Han K, Yücel B, Chandra SS, Greer CA. α-Synuclein Pathology and Reduced Neurogenesis in the Olfactory System Affect Olfaction in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1051-1071. [PMID: 36596700 PMCID: PMC9908323 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1526-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by multiple symptoms including olfactory dysfunction, whose underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we explored pathologic changes in the olfactory pathway of transgenic (Tg) mice of both sexes expressing the human A30P mutant α-synuclein (α-syn; α-syn-Tg mice) at 6-7 and 12-14 months of age, representing early and late-stages of motor progression, respectively. α-Syn-Tg mice at late stages exhibited olfactory behavioral deficits, which correlated with severe α-syn pathology in projection neurons (PNs) of the olfactory pathway. In parallel, olfactory bulb (OB) neurogenesis in α-syn-Tg mice was reduced in the OB granule cells at six to seven months and OB periglomerular cells at 12-14 months, respectively, both of which could contribute to olfactory dysfunction. Proteomic analyses showed a disruption in endocytic and exocytic pathways in the OB during the early stages which appeared exacerbated at the synaptic terminals when the mice developed olfactory deficits at 12-14 months. Our data suggest that (1) the α-syn-Tg mice recapitulate the olfactory functional deficits seen in PD; (2) olfactory structures exhibit spatiotemporal disparities for vulnerability to α-syn pathology; (3) α-syn pathology is restricted to projection neurons in the olfactory pathway; (4) neurogenesis in adult α-syn-Tg mice is reduced in the OB; and (5) synaptic endocytosis and exocytosis defects in the OB may further explain olfactory deficits.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Olfactory dysfunction is a characteristic symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Using the human A30P mutant α-synuclein (α-syn)-expressing mouse model, we demonstrated the appearance of olfactory deficits at late stages of the disease, which was accompanied by the accumulation of α-syn pathology in projection neurons (PNs) of the olfactory system. This dysfunction included a reduction in olfactory bulb (OB) neurogenesis as well as changes in synaptic vesicular transport affecting synaptic function, both of which are likely contributing to olfactory behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Martin-Lopez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - D J Vidyadhara
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Teresa Liberia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Sarah J Meller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Leah E Harmon
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Ryan M Hsu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Natalie Spence
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Bowen Brennan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Kimberly Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Betül Yücel
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Sreeganga S Chandra
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
| | - Charles A Greer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510
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17
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Lysophospholipids: A Potential Drug Candidates for Neurodegenerative Disorders. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123126. [PMID: 36551882 PMCID: PMC9775253 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) commonly present misfolded and aggregated proteins. Considerable research has been performed to unearth the molecular processes underpinning this pathological aggregation and develop therapeutic strategies targeting NDs. Fibrillary deposits of α-synuclein (α-Syn), a highly conserved and thermostable protein, are a critical feature in the development of NDs such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body disease (LBD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Inhibition of α-Syn aggregation can thus serve as a potential approach for therapeutic intervention. Recently, the degradation of target proteins by small molecules has emerged as a new therapeutic modality, gaining the hotspot in pharmaceutical research. Additionally, interest is growing in the use of food-derived bioactive compounds as intervention agents against NDs via functional foods and dietary supplements. According to reports, dietary bioactive phospholipids may have cognition-enhancing and neuroprotective effects, owing to their abilities to influence cognition and mental health in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which lipids may prevent the pathological aggregation of α-Syn warrant further clarification. Here, we review evidence for the potential mechanisms underlying this effect, with a particular focus on how porcine liver decomposition product (PLDP)-derived lysophospholipids (LPLs) may inhibit α-Syn aggregation.
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18
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Sex-Related Differences in Voluntary Alcohol Intake and mRNA Coding for Synucleins in the Brain of Adult Rats Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092163. [PMID: 36140264 PMCID: PMC9496239 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092163] [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: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal alcohol consumption is one of the strong predictive factors of alcohol use and consequent abuse; however, investigations of sex differences in response to prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) are limited. Here we compared the effects of PAE throughout gestation on alcohol preference, state anxiety and mRNA expression of presynaptic proteins α-, β- and γ-synucleins in the brain of adult (PND60) male and female Wistar rats. Total RNA was isolated from the hippocampus, midbrain and hypothalamus and mRNA levels were assessed with quantitative RT-PCR. Compared with naïve males, naïve female rats consumed more alcohol in “free choice” paradigm (10% ethanol vs. water). At the same time, PAE produced significant increase in alcohol consumption and preference in males but not in females compared to male and female naïve groups, correspondingly. We found significantly lower α-synuclein mRNA levels in the hippocampus and midbrain of females compared to males and significant decrease in α-synuclein mRNA in these brain areas in PAE males, but not in females compared to the same sex controls. These findings indicate that the impact of PAE on transcriptional regulation of synucleins may be sex-dependent, and in males’ disruption in α-synuclein mRNA expression may contribute to increased vulnerability to alcohol-associated behavior.
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19
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Kulkarni AS, Burns MR, Brundin P, Wesson DW. Linking α-synuclein-induced synaptopathy and neural network dysfunction in early Parkinson’s disease. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac165. [PMID: 35822101 PMCID: PMC9272065 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The prodromal phase of Parkinson’s disease is characterized by aggregation of the misfolded pathogenic protein α-synuclein in select neural centres, co-occurring with non-motor symptoms including sensory and cognitive loss, and emotional disturbances. It is unclear whether neuronal loss is significant during the prodrome. Underlying these symptoms are synaptic impairments and aberrant neural network activity. However, the relationships between synaptic defects and network-level perturbations are not established. In experimental models, pathological α-synuclein not only impacts neurotransmission at the synaptic level, but also leads to changes in brain network-level oscillatory dynamics—both of which likely contribute to non-motor deficits observed in Parkinson’s disease. Here we draw upon research from both human subjects and experimental models to propose a ‘synapse to network prodrome cascade’ wherein before overt cell death, pathological α-synuclein induces synaptic loss and contributes to aberrant network activity, which then gives rise to prodromal symptomology. As the disease progresses, abnormal patterns of neural activity ultimately lead to neuronal loss and clinical progression of disease. Finally, we outline goals and research needed to unravel the basis of functional impairments in Parkinson’s disease and other α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya S Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida , 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610 , USA
| | - Matthew R Burns
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida , 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610 , USA
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Disorders, University of Florida , 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610 , USA
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), F. Hoffman-La Roche , Little Falls, NJ , USA
| | - Daniel W Wesson
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida , 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610 , USA
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Disorders, University of Florida , 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610 , USA
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20
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Early Signs of Molecular Defects in iPSC-Derived Neural Stems Cells from Patients with Familial Parkinson’s Disease. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070876. [PMID: 35883433 PMCID: PMC9313424 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, classically associated with extensive loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. The hallmark of the disease is the accumulation of pathogenic conformations of the presynaptic protein, α-synuclein (αSyn), and the formation of intraneuronal protein aggregate inclusions. Neurodegeneration of dopamine neurons leads to a prominent dopaminergic deficiency in the basal ganglia, responsible for motor disturbances. However, it is now recognized that the disease involves more widespread neuronal dysfunction, leading to early and late non-motor symptoms. The development of in vitro systems based on the differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells provides us the unique opportunity to monitor alterations at the cellular and molecular level throughout the differentiation procedure and identify perturbations that occur early, even at the neuronal precursor stage. Here we aim to identify whether p.A53T-αSyn induced disturbances at the molecular level are already present in neural precursors. Towards this, we present data from transcriptomics analysis of control and p.A53T-αSyn NPCs showing altered expression in transcripts involved in axon guidance, adhesion, synaptogenesis, ion transport, and metabolism. The comparative analysis with the transcriptomics profile of p.A53T-αSyn neurons shows both distinct and overlapping pathways leading to neurodegeneration while meta-analysis with transcriptomics data from both neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders reveals that p.A53T-pathology has a significant overlap with the latter category. This is the first study showing that molecular dysregulation initiates early at the p.A53T-αSyn NPC level, suggesting that synucleinopathies may have a neurodevelopmental component.
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21
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Henderson MX, Henrich MT, Geibl FF, Oertel WH, Brundin P, Surmeier DJ. The roles of connectivity and neuronal phenotype in determining the pattern of α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 168:105687. [PMID: 35283326 PMCID: PMC9610381 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, and motor dysfunction has been attributed to loss of dopaminergic neurons. However, motor dysfunction is only one of many symptoms experienced by patients. A neuropathological hallmark of PD is intraneuronal protein aggregates called Lewy pathology (LP). Neuropathological staging studies have shown that dopaminergic neurons are only one of the many cell types prone to manifest LP. Progressive appearance of LP in multiple brain regions, as well as peripheral nerves, has led to the popular hypothesis that LP and misfolded forms of one of its major components - α-synuclein (aSYN) - can spread through synaptically connected circuits. However, not all brain regions or neurons within connected circuits develop LP, suggesting that cell autonomous factors modulate the development of pathology. Here, we review studies about how LP develops and progressively engages additional brain regions. We focus on how connectivity constrains progression and discuss cell autonomous factors that drive pathology development. We propose a mixed model of cell autonomous factors and trans-synaptic spread as mediators of pathology progression and put forward this model as a framework for future experiments exploring PD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael X Henderson
- Parkinson's Disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States of America.
| | - Martin T Henrich
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States of America
| | - Fanni F Geibl
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States of America
| | - Wolfgang H Oertel
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Parkinson's Disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States of America
| | - D James Surmeier
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States of America
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22
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Wang X, Yin Z, Meng X, Yang D, Meng H, Liao C, Wei L, Chen Y, Yang X, Han J, Duan Y, Zhang S. Daidzein alleviates neuronal damage and oxidative stress via GSK3β/Nrf2 pathway in mice. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.105060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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23
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Ponterio G, Faustini G, El Atiallah I, Sciamanna G, Meringolo M, Tassone A, Imbriani P, Cerri S, Martella G, Bonsi P, Bellucci A, Pisani A. Alpha-Synuclein is Involved in DYT1 Dystonia Striatal Synaptic Dysfunction. Mov Disord 2022; 37:949-961. [PMID: 35420219 PMCID: PMC9323501 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The neuronal protein alpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn) is crucially involved in Parkinson's disease pathophysiology. Intriguingly, torsinA (TA), the protein causative of DYT1 dystonia, has been found to accumulate in Lewy bodies and to interact with α‐Syn. Both proteins act as molecular chaperones and control synaptic machinery. Despite such evidence, the role of α‐Syn in dystonia has never been investigated. Objective We explored whether α‐Syn and N‐ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion attachment protein receptor proteins (SNAREs), that are known to be modulated by α‐Syn, may be involved in DYT1 dystonia synaptic dysfunction. Methods We used electrophysiological and biochemical techniques to study synaptic alterations in the dorsal striatum of the Tor1a+/Δgag mouse model of DYT1 dystonia. Results In the Tor1a+/Δgag DYT1 mutant mice, we found a significant reduction of α‐Syn levels in whole striata, mainly involving glutamatergic corticostriatal terminals. Strikingly, the striatal levels of the vesicular SNARE VAMP‐2, a direct α‐Syn interactor, and of the transmembrane SNARE synaptosome‐associated protein 23 (SNAP‐23), that promotes glutamate synaptic vesicles release, were markedly decreased in mutant mice. Moreover, we detected an impairment of miniature glutamatergic postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) recorded from striatal spiny neurons, in parallel with a decreased asynchronous release obtained by measuring quantal EPSCs (qEPSCs), which highlight a robust alteration in release probability. Finally, we also observed a significant reduction of TA striatal expression in α‐Syn null mice. Conclusions Our data demonstrate an unprecedented relationship between TA and α‐Syn, and reveal that α‐Syn and SNAREs alterations characterize the synaptic dysfunction underlying DYT1 dystonia. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Ponterio
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilham El Atiallah
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sciamanna
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Meringolo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Tassone
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Imbriani
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Martella
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bonsi
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Plasticity, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- IRCCS Fondazione Mondino, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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24
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Geertsma HM, Suk TR, Ricke KM, Horsthuis K, Parmasad JLA, Fisk ZA, Callaghan SM, Rousseaux MWC. Constitutive nuclear accumulation of endogenous alpha-synuclein in mice causes motor impairment and cortical dysfunction, independent of protein aggregation. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3613-3628. [PMID: 35179202 PMCID: PMC9616578 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that nuclear alpha-synuclein (αSyn) plays a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, this question has been difficult to address as controlling the localization of αSyn in experimental systems often requires protein overexpression, which affects its aggregation propensity. To overcome this, we engineered SncaNLS mice, which localize endogenous αSyn to the nucleus. We characterized these mice on a behavioral, histological and biochemical level to determine whether the increase of nuclear αSyn is sufficient to elicit PD-like phenotypes. SncaNLS mice exhibit age-dependent motor deficits and altered gastrointestinal function. We found that these phenotypes were not linked to αSyn aggregation or phosphorylation. Through histological analyses, we observed motor cortex atrophy in the absence of midbrain dopaminergic neurodegeneration. We sampled cortical proteomes of SncaNLS mice and controls to determine the molecular underpinnings of these pathologies. Interestingly, we found several dysregulated proteins involved in dopaminergic signaling, including Darpp32, Pde10a and Gng7, which we further confirmed was decreased in cortical samples of the SncaNLS mice compared with controls. These results suggest that chronic endogenous nuclear αSyn can elicit toxic phenotypes in mice, independent of its aggregation. This model raises key questions related to the mechanism of αSyn toxicity in PD and provides a new model to study an underappreciated aspect of PD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Geertsma
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Terry R Suk
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Konrad M Ricke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Kyra Horsthuis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Jean-Louis A Parmasad
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Zoe A Fisk
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Steve M Callaghan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H8M5, Canada. Tel: +1 6138625800 ext. 8611;
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25
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Sun F, Salinas AG, Filser S, Blumenstock S, Medina-Luque J, Herms J, Sgobio C. Impact of α-synuclein spreading on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway depends on the onset of the pathology. Brain Pathol 2021; 32:e13036. [PMID: 34806235 PMCID: PMC8877754 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Misfolded α‐synuclein spreads along anatomically connected areas through the brain, prompting progressive neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson's disease. To investigate the impact of early stage seeding and spreading of misfolded α‐synuclein along with the nigrostriatal pathway, we studied the pathophysiologic effect induced by a single acute α‐synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) inoculation into the midbrain. Further, to model the progressive vulnerability that characterizes the dopamine (DA) neuron life span, we used two cohorts of mice with different ages: 2‐month‐old (young) and 5‐month‐old (adult) mice. Two months after α‐synuclein PFFs injection, we found that striatal DA release decreased exclusively in adult mice. Adult DA neurons showed an increased level of pathology spreading along with the nigrostriatal pathway accompanied with a lower volume of α‐synuclein deposition in the midbrain, impaired neurotransmission, rigid DA terminal composition, and less microglial reactivity compared with young neurons. Notably, preserved DA release and increased microglial coverage in the PFFs‐seeded hemisphere coexist with decreased large‐sized terminal density in young DA neurons. This suggests the presence of a targeted pruning mechanism that limits the detrimental effect of α‐synuclein early spreading. This study suggests that the impact of the pathophysiology caused by misfolded α‐synuclein spreading along the nigrostriatal pathway depends on the age of the DA network, reducing striatal DA release specifically in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanfan Sun
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Armando G Salinas
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisina, USA
| | - Severin Filser
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.,Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Munich University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja Blumenstock
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.,Molecular Neurodegeneration Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jose Medina-Luque
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Herms
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Carmelo Sgobio
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
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26
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Brzozowski CF, Hijaz BA, Singh V, Gcwensa NZ, Kelly K, Boyden ES, West AB, Sarkar D, Volpicelli-Daley LA. Inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity promotes anterograde axonal transport and presynaptic targeting of α-synuclein. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:180. [PMID: 34749824 PMCID: PMC8576889 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01283-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathologic inclusions composed of α-synuclein called Lewy pathology are hallmarks of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Dominant inherited mutations in leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common genetic cause of PD. Lewy pathology is found in the majority of individuals with LRRK2-PD, particularly those with the G2019S-LRRK2 mutation. Lewy pathology in LRRK2-PD associates with increased non-motor symptoms such as cognitive deficits, anxiety, and orthostatic hypotension. Thus, understanding the relationship between LRRK2 and α-synuclein could be important for determining the mechanisms of non-motor symptoms. In PD models, expression of mutant LRRK2 reduces membrane localization of α-synuclein, and enhances formation of pathologic α-synuclein, particularly when synaptic activity is increased. α-Synuclein and LRRK2 both localize to the presynaptic terminal. LRRK2 plays a role in membrane traffic, including axonal transport, and therefore may influence α-synuclein synaptic localization. This study shows that LRRK2 kinase activity influences α-synuclein targeting to the presynaptic terminal. We used the selective LRRK2 kinase inhibitors, MLi-2 and PF-06685360 (PF-360) to determine the impact of reduced LRRK2 kinase activity on presynaptic localization of α-synuclein. Expansion microscopy (ExM) in primary hippocampal cultures and the mouse striatum, in vivo, was used to more precisely resolve the presynaptic localization of α-synuclein. Live imaging of axonal transport of α-synuclein-GFP was used to investigate the impact of LRRK2 kinase inhibition on α-synuclein axonal transport towards the presynaptic terminal. Reduced LRRK2 kinase activity increases α-synuclein overlap with presynaptic markers in primary neurons, and increases anterograde axonal transport of α-synuclein-GFP. In vivo, LRRK2 inhibition increases α-synuclein overlap with glutamatergic, cortico-striatal terminals, and dopaminergic nigral-striatal presynaptic terminals. The findings suggest that LRRK2 kinase activity plays a role in axonal transport, and presynaptic targeting of α-synuclein. These data provide potential mechanisms by which LRRK2-mediated perturbations of α-synuclein localization could cause pathology in both LRRK2-PD, and idiopathic PD.
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27
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Wang Y, Chen X, Wang Y, Li S, Cai H, Le W. The essential role of transcription factor Pitx3 in preventing mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurodegeneration and maintaining neuronal subtype identities during aging. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1008. [PMID: 34707106 PMCID: PMC8551333 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04319-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary homeobox 3 (Pitx3) is required for the terminal differentiation of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons during neuronal development. However, whether Pitx3 contributes to the normal physiological function and cell-type identity of adult neurons remains unknown. To explore the role of Pitx3 in maintaining mature neurons, we selectively deleted Pitx3 in the mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons of Pitx3fl/fl/DATCreERT2 bigenic mice using a tamoxifen inducible CreERT2/loxp gene-targeting system. Pitx3fl/fl/DATCreERT2 mice developed age-dependent progressive motor deficits, concomitant with a rapid reduction of striatal dopamine (DA) content and a profound loss of mdDA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) but not in the adjacent ventral tegmental area (VTA), recapitulating the canonical neuropathological features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mechanistic studies showed that Pitx3-deficiency significantly increased the number of cleaved caspase-3+ cells in SNc, which likely underwent neurodegeneration. Meanwhile, the vulnerability of SNc mdDA neurons was increased in Pitx3fl/fl/DATCreERT2 mice, as indicated by an early decline in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a1 (Aldh1a1) levels. Noticeably, somatic accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) was also significantly increased in the Pitx3-deficient neurons. Together, our data demonstrate that the loss of Pitx3 in fully differentiated mdDA neurons results in progressive neurodegeneration, indicating the importance of the Pitx3 gene in adult neuronal survival. Our findings also suggest that distinct Pitx3-dependent pathways exist in SNc and VTA mdDA neurons, correlating with the differential vulnerability of SNc and VTA mdDA neurons in the absence of Pitx3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
- Institute of Neurology and Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences-Sichuan Provincial Hospital, Medical School of UETSC, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Song Li
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenic Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Weidong Le
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China.
- Institute of Neurology and Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences-Sichuan Provincial Hospital, Medical School of UETSC, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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28
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Anti-Aggregative Effect of the Antioxidant DJ-1 on the TPPP/p25-Derived Pathological Associations of Alpha-Synuclein. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112909. [PMID: 34831132 PMCID: PMC8616041 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112909] [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: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
DJ-1, a multi-functional protein with antioxidant properties, protects dopaminergic neurons against Parkinson’s disease (PD). The oligomerization/assembly of alpha-synuclein (SYN), promoted by Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein (TPPP/p25), is fatal in the early stage of PD. The pathological assembly of SYN with TPPP/p25 inhibits their proteolytic degradation. In this work, we identified DJ-1 as a new interactive partner of TPPP/p25, and revealed its influence on the association of TPPP/p25 with SYN. DJ-1 did not affect the TPPP/p25-derived tubulin polymerization; however, it did impede the toxic assembly of TPPP/p25 with SYN. The interaction of DJ-1 with TPPP/p25 was visualized in living human cells by fluorescence confocal microscopy coupled with Bifunctional Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC). While the transfected DJ-1 displayed homogeneous intracellular distribution, the TPPP/p25-DJ-1 complex was aligned along the microtubule network. The anti-aggregative effect of DJ-1 on the pathological TPPP/p25-SYN assemblies was established by the decrease in the intensity of their intracellular fluorescence (BiFC signal) and the increase in the proteolytic degradation of SYN complexed with TPPP/p25 due to the DJ-1-derived disassembly of SYN with TPPP/p25. These data obtained with HeLa and SH-SY5Y cells revealed the protective effect of DJ-1 against toxic SYN assemblies, which assigns a new function to the antioxidant sensor DJ-1.
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Amadeo A, Pizzi S, Comincini A, Modena D, Calogero AM, Madaschi L, Faustini G, Rolando C, Bellucci A, Pezzoli G, Mazzetti S, Cappelletti G. The Association between α-Synuclein and α-Tubulin in Brain Synapses. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179153. [PMID: 34502063 PMCID: PMC8430732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-synuclein is a small protein that is mainly expressed in the synaptic terminals of nervous tissue. Although its implication in neurodegeneration is well established, the physiological role of α-synuclein remains elusive. Given its involvement in the modulation of synaptic transmission and the emerging role of microtubules at the synapse, the current study aimed at investigating whether α-synuclein becomes involved with this cytoskeletal component at the presynapse. We first analyzed the expression of α-synuclein and its colocalization with α-tubulin in murine brain. Differences were found between cortical and striatal/midbrain areas, with substantia nigra pars compacta and corpus striatum showing the lowest levels of colocalization. Using a proximity ligation assay, we revealed the direct interaction of α-synuclein with α-tubulin in murine and in human brain. Finally, the previously unexplored interaction of the two proteins in vivo at the synapse was disclosed in murine striatal presynaptic boutons through multiple approaches, from confocal spinning disk to electron microscopy. Collectively, our data strongly suggest that the association with tubulin/microtubules might actually be an important physiological function for α-synuclein in the synapse, thus suggesting its potential role in a neuropathological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida Amadeo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-025-031-4885 (A.A.); +39-025-031-4752 (G.C.)
| | - Sara Pizzi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Alessandro Comincini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Debora Modena
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Alessandra Maria Calogero
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Laura Madaschi
- UNITECH NOLIMITS, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Chiara Rolando
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Via Zuretti 35, 20125 Milano, Italy;
| | - Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Via Zuretti 35, 20125 Milano, Italy;
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-025-031-4885 (A.A.); +39-025-031-4752 (G.C.)
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Tozzi A, Sciaccaluga M, Loffredo V, Megaro A, Ledonne A, Cardinale A, Federici M, Bellingacci L, Paciotti S, Ferrari E, La Rocca A, Martini A, Mercuri NB, Gardoni F, Picconi B, Ghiglieri V, De Leonibus E, Calabresi P. Dopamine-dependent early synaptic and motor dysfunctions induced by α-synuclein in the nigrostriatal circuit. Brain 2021; 144:3477-3491. [PMID: 34297092 PMCID: PMC8677552 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein are specific features of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases defined as synucleinopathies. Parkinson’s disease progression has been correlated with the formation and extracellular release of α-synuclein aggregates, as well as with their spread from neuron to neuron. Therapeutic interventions in the initial stages of Parkinson’s disease require a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which α-synuclein disrupts the physiological synaptic and plastic activity of the basal ganglia. For this reason, we identified two early time points to clarify how the intrastriatal injection of α-synuclein-preformed fibrils in rodents via retrograde transmission induces time-dependent electrophysiological and behavioural alterations. We found that intrastriatal α-synuclein-preformed fibrils perturb the firing rate of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, while the discharge of putative GABAergic cells of the substantia nigra pars reticulata is unchanged. The α-synuclein-induced dysregulation of nigrostriatal function also impairs, in a time-dependent manner, the two main forms of striatal synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation and long-term depression. We also observed an increased glutamatergic transmission measured as an augmented frequency of spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents. These changes in neuronal function in the substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum were observed before overt neuronal death occurred. In an additional set of experiments, we were able to rescue α-synuclein-induced alterations of motor function, striatal synaptic plasticity and increased spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents by subchronic treatment with l-DOPA, a precursor of dopamine widely used in the therapy of Parkinson’s disease, clearly demonstrating that a dysfunctional dopamine system plays a critical role in the early phases of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tozzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Loffredo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.,Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo scalo, Italy
| | - Alfredo Megaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Cardinale
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurophysiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Federici
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bellingacci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Paciotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- University of Milan, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonino La Rocca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo scalo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Martini
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola B Mercuri
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gardoni
- University of Milan, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Picconi
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurophysiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy.,Telematic University San Raffaele, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elvira De Leonibus
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo scalo, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Neurological Clinic, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Università Cattolica del "Sacro Cuore", 00168 Rome, Italy
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Administration of AAV-Alpha Synuclein NAC Antibody Improves Locomotor Behavior in Rats Overexpressing Alpha Synuclein. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060948. [PMID: 34205689 PMCID: PMC8233769 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of α-Synuclein (αSyn) in nigral dopaminergic neurons is commonly seen in patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD). We recently reported that transduction of intracellular single-chain intrabody targeting the 53–87 amino acid residues of human αSyn by recombinant adeno associated viral vector (AAV-NAC32) downregulated αSyn protein in SH-SY5Y cells and rat brain. This study characterizes the behavioral phenotype and dopaminergic protection in animals receiving AAV-NAC32. Our results show that adult DAT-Cre rats selectively overexpress αSyn in nigra dopaminergic neurons after local administration of AAV-DIO-αSyn. These animals develop PD-like phenotype, including bradykinesia and loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in substantia nigra pars compacta dorsal tier (SNcd). An injection of AAV-NAC32 to nigra produces a selective antibody against αSyn and normalizes the behavior. AAV-NAC32 significantly increases TH, while reduces αSyn immunoreactivity in SNcd. Altogether, our data suggest that an AAV-mediated gene transfer of NAC32 antibody effectively antagonizes αSyn-mediated dopaminergic degeneration in nigra, which may be a promising therapeutic candidate for synucleinopathy or PD.
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Ray B, Mahalakshmi AM, Tuladhar S, Bhat A, Srinivasan A, Pellegrino C, Kannan A, Bolla SR, Chidambaram SB, Sakharkar MK. "Janus-Faced" α-Synuclein: Role in Parkinson's Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:673395. [PMID: 34124057 PMCID: PMC8194081 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a pathological condition characterized by the aggregation and the resultant presence of intraneuronal inclusions termed Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites which are mainly composed of fibrillar α-synuclein (α-syn) protein. Pathogenic aggregation of α-syn is identified as the major cause of LBs deposition. Several mutations in α-syn showing varied aggregation kinetics in comparison to the wild type (WT) α-syn are reported in PD (A30P, E46K, H 50Q, G51D, A53E, and A53T). Also, the cell-to-cell spread of pathological α-syn plays a significant role in PD development. Interestingly, it has also been suggested that the pathology of PD may begin in the gastrointestinal tract and spread via the vagus nerve (VN) to brain proposing the gut-brain axis of α-syn pathology in PD. Despite multiple efforts, the behavior and functions of this protein in normal and pathological states (specifically in PD) is far from understood. Furthermore, the etiological factors responsible for triggering aggregation of this protein remain elusive. This review is an attempt to collate and present latest information on α-syn in relation to its structure, biochemistry and biophysics of aggregation in PD. Current advances in therapeutic efforts toward clearing the pathogenic α-syn via autophagy/lysosomal flux are also reviewed and reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipul Ray
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Centre for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Arehally M. Mahalakshmi
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Sunanda Tuladhar
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Centre for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Abid Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Centre for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Asha Srinivasan
- Division of Nanoscience & Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Christophe Pellegrino
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institute of Mediterranean Neurobiology, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Anbarasu Kannan
- Department of Protein Chemistry and Technology, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, India
| | - Srinivasa Rao Bolla
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan City, Kazakhstan
| | - Saravana Babu Chidambaram
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Centre for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
- Special Interest Group – Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Neurosciences Research, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
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Neurons and Glia Interplay in α-Synucleinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094994. [PMID: 34066733 PMCID: PMC8125822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of the neuronal presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein within proteinaceous inclusions represents the key histophathological hallmark of a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, referred to by the umbrella term a-synucleinopathies. Even though alpha-synuclein is expressed predominantly in neurons, pathological aggregates of the protein are also found in the glial cells of the brain. In Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, alpha-synuclein accumulates mainly in neurons forming the Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, whereas in multiple system atrophy, the protein aggregates mostly in the glial cytoplasmic inclusions within oligodendrocytes. In addition, astrogliosis and microgliosis are found in the synucleinopathy brains, whereas both astrocytes and microglia internalize alpha-synuclein and contribute to the spread of pathology. The mechanisms underlying the pathological accumulation of alpha-synuclein in glial cells that under physiological conditions express low to non-detectable levels of the protein are an area of intense research. Undoubtedly, the presence of aggregated alpha-synuclein can disrupt glial function in general and can contribute to neurodegeneration through numerous pathways. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of alpha-synuclein in both neurons and glia, highlighting the contribution of the neuron-glia connectome in the disease initiation and progression, which may represent potential therapeutic target for a-synucleinopathies.
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Zhang Z, Sun X, Wang K, Yu Y, Zhang L, Zhang K, Gu J, Yuan X, Song G. Hydrogen-saturated saline mediated neuroprotection through autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in early and medium stages of rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease rats. Brain Res Bull 2021; 172:1-13. [PMID: 33838212 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Some cardiovascular symptoms in the early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) were related to degeneration of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) catecholaminergic neurons. To date, little is known about the effects of hydrogen water on early stage of PD. Here, protective actions of hydrogen-saturated saline (HS) on rotenone-induced PD rats, as well as its underlying mechanisms were investigated. HS was used to treat PD rats at three general stages; early, medium and late, which were represented by rotenone induced rats for 0, 7 and 14 days. HS treatment significantly alleviated the cardiovascular and motor symptoms in rotenone-induced PD rats, improved the survival number of RVLM catecholaminergic neurons and nigral dopamine neurons only in early and medium stages of PD rats. Decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alpha-synuclein (α-Syn), transformation of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-I/II and degradation of sequestosome 1 (p62) were detected, as well as increased expression level of autophagy related protein 5 (ATG5) and B-cell lymphoma-2 interacting protein 1 (Beclin-1) in the RVLM and substantia nigra (SN) after HS treatment in early and medium stages of PD rats. In addition, phosphorylation levels of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt) and mammalian rapamycin target protein (mTOR) decreased after HS treatment in early and medium stages of PD rats. The results suggested that HS treatment exerted beneficial effects in early and medium stages before motor impairments emerged but not in the late stage of rotenone-induced PD rats. It exerted neuroprotection with RVLM catecholaminergic neurons and nigral dopamine neurons, mediated in part by decreasing levels of ROS and α-Syn through increasing autophagy machinery which were partly via inhibiting PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqiang Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Postdoctoral Workstation, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Life Science Research Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Electrocardiogram, Taian Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Keping Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Jinglongfei Gu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Xiaofan Yuan
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, 271000, China
| | - Guohua Song
- Life Science Research Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, 271000, China.
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Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Various Forms of Parkinsonism-Similarities and Differences. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030656. [PMID: 33809527 PMCID: PMC7999195 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) belong to a group of neurodegenerative diseases called parkinsonian syndromes. They share several clinical, neuropathological and genetic features. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive dysfunction of specific populations of neurons, determining clinical presentation. Neuronal loss is associated with extra- and intracellular accumulation of misfolded proteins. The parkinsonian diseases affect distinct areas of the brain. PD and MSA belong to a group of synucleinopathies that are characterized by the presence of fibrillary aggregates of α-synuclein protein in the cytoplasm of selected populations of neurons and glial cells. PSP is a tauopathy associated with the pathological aggregation of the microtubule associated tau protein. Although PD is common in the world’s aging population and has been extensively studied, the exact mechanisms of the neurodegeneration are still not fully understood. Growing evidence indicates that parkinsonian disorders to some extent share a genetic background, with two key components identified so far: the microtubule associated tau protein gene (MAPT) and the α-synuclein gene (SNCA). The main pathways of parkinsonian neurodegeneration described in the literature are the protein and mitochondrial pathways. The factors that lead to neurodegeneration are primarily environmental toxins, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress and traumatic brain injury.
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Gcwensa NZ, Russell DL, Cowell RM, Volpicelli-Daley LA. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Synaptic and Axon Degeneration in Parkinson's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:626128. [PMID: 33737866 PMCID: PMC7960781 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.626128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impairs movement as well as causing multiple other symptoms such as autonomic dysfunction, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, hyposmia, and cognitive changes. Loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and loss of dopamine terminals in the striatum contribute to characteristic motor features. Although therapies ease the symptoms of PD, there are no treatments to slow its progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that synaptic impairments and axonal degeneration precede neuronal cell body loss. Early synaptic changes may be a target to prevent disease onset and slow progression. Imaging of PD patients with radioligands, post-mortem pathologic studies in sporadic PD patients, and animal models of PD demonstrate abnormalities in presynaptic terminals as well as postsynaptic dendritic spines. Dopaminergic and excitatory synapses are substantially reduced in PD, and whether other neuronal subtypes show synaptic defects remains relatively unexplored. Genetic studies implicate several genes that play a role at the synapse, providing additional support for synaptic dysfunction in PD. In this review article we: (1) provide evidence for synaptic defects occurring in PD before neuron death; (2) describe the main genes implicated in PD that could contribute to synapse dysfunction; and (3) show correlations between the expression of Snca mRNA and mouse homologs of PD GWAS genes demonstrating selective enrichment of Snca and synaptic genes in dopaminergic, excitatory and cholinergic neurons. Altogether, these findings highlight the need for novel therapeutics targeting the synapse and suggest that future studies should explore the roles for PD-implicated genes across multiple neuron types and circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwazi Z Gcwensa
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Drèson L Russell
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Rita M Cowell
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Laura A Volpicelli-Daley
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Interaction between Parkin and α-Synuclein in PARK2-Mediated Parkinson's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020283. [PMID: 33572534 PMCID: PMC7911026 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkin and α-synuclein are two key proteins involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Neurotoxic alterations of α-synuclein that lead to the formation of toxic oligomers and fibrils contribute to PD through synaptic dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, defective endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi function, and nuclear dysfunction. In half of the cases, the recessively inherited early-onset PD is caused by loss of function mutations in the PARK2 gene that encodes the E3-ubiquitin ligase, parkin. Parkin is involved in the clearance of misfolded and aggregated proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system and regulates mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. PARK2-related PD is generally thought not to be associated with Lewy body formation although it is a neuropathological hallmark of PD. In this review article, we provide an overview of post-mortem neuropathological examinations of PARK2 patients and present the current knowledge of a functional interaction between parkin and α-synuclein in the regulation of protein aggregates including Lewy bodies. Furthermore, we describe prevailing hypotheses about the formation of intracellular micro-aggregates (synuclein inclusions) that might be more likely than Lewy bodies to occur in PARK2-related PD. This information may inform future studies aiming to unveil primary signaling processes involved in PD and related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Chakafana G, Shonhai A. The Role of Non-Canonical Hsp70s (Hsp110/Grp170) in Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:254. [PMID: 33525518 PMCID: PMC7911927 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although cancers account for over 16% of all global deaths annually, at present, no reliable therapies exist for most types of the disease. As protein folding facilitators, heat shock proteins (Hsps) play an important role in cancer development. Not surprisingly, Hsps are among leading anticancer drug targets. Generally, Hsp70s are divided into two main subtypes: canonical Hsp70 (Escherichia coli Hsp70/DnaK homologues) and the non-canonical (Hsp110 and Grp170) members. These two main Hsp70 groups are delineated from each other by distinct structural and functional specifications. Non-canonical Hsp70s are considered as holdase chaperones, while canonical Hsp70s are refoldases. This unique characteristic feature is mirrored by the distinct structural features of these two groups of chaperones. Hsp110/Grp170 members are larger as they possess an extended acidic insertion in their substrate binding domains. While the role of canonical Hsp70s in cancer has received a fair share of attention, the roles of non-canonical Hsp70s in cancer development has received less attention in comparison. In the current review, we discuss the structure-function features of non-canonical Hsp70s members and how these features impact their role in cancer development. We further mapped out their interactome and discussed the prospects of targeting these proteins in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Addmore Shonhai
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, 0950 Thohoyandou, South Africa
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Zeng H, Liu N, Liu XX, Yang YY, Zhou MW. α-Synuclein in traumatic and vascular diseases of the central nervous system. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:22313-22334. [PMID: 33188159 PMCID: PMC7695413 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a small, soluble, disordered protein that is widely expressed in the nervous system. Although its physiological functions are not yet fully understood, it is mainly involved in synaptic vesicle transport, neurotransmitter synthesis and release, cell membrane homeostasis, lipid synthesis, mitochondrial and lysosomal activities, and heavy metal removal. The complex and inconsistent pathological manifestations of α-Syn are attributed to its structural instability, mutational complexity, misfolding, and diverse posttranslational modifications. These effects trigger mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammatory responses, resulting in neuronal death and neurodegeneration. Several recent studies have discovered the pathogenic roles of α-Syn in traumatic and vascular central nervous system diseases, such as traumatic spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke, and in aggravating the processes of neurodegeneration. This review aims to highlight the structural and pathophysiological changes in α-Syn and its mechanism of action in traumatic and vascular diseases of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiao-Xie Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yan-Yan Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mou-Wang Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Kuhlmann N, Milnerwood AJ. A Critical LRRK at the Synapse? The Neurobiological Function and Pathophysiological Dysfunction of LRRK2. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:153. [PMID: 32973447 PMCID: PMC7482583 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of LRRK2 mutations causal to Parkinson's disease (PD) in the early 2000s, the LRRK2 protein has been implicated in a plethora of cellular processes in which pathogenesis could occur, yet its physiological function remains elusive. The development of genetic models of LRRK2 PD has helped identify the etiological and pathophysiological underpinnings of the disease, and may identify early points of intervention. An important role for LRRK2 in synaptic function has emerged in recent years, which links LRRK2 to other genetic forms of PD, most notably those caused by mutations in the synaptic protein α-synuclein. This point of convergence may provide useful clues as to what drives dysfunction in the basal ganglia circuitry and eventual death of substantia nigra (SN) neurons. Here, we discuss the evolution and current state of the literature placing LRRK2 at the synapse, through the lens of knock-out, overexpression, and knock-in animal models. We hope that a deeper understanding of LRRK2 neurobiology, at the synapse and beyond, will aid the eventual development of neuroprotective interventions for PD, and the advancement of useful treatments in the interim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Kuhlmann
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Austen J Milnerwood
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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The expression level of alpha-synuclein in different neuronal populations is the primary determinant of its prion-like seeding. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4895. [PMID: 32184415 PMCID: PMC7078319 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61757-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn)-rich aggregates propagate in neuronal networks and compromise cellular homeostasis leading to synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. Aggregated aSyn spread follows a conserved spatio-temporal pattern that is not solely dependent on connectivity. Hence, the differential tropism of aSyn-rich aggregates to distinct brain regions, or their ability to amplify within those regions, must contribute to this process. To better understand what underlies aSyn-rich aggregates distribution within the brain, we generated primary neuronal cultures from various brain regions of wild-type mice and mice expressing a reduced level of aSyn, and exposed them to fibrillar aSyn. We then assessed exogenous fibrillar aSyn uptake, endogenous aSyn seeding, and endogenous aSyn physiological expression levels. Despite a similar uptake of exogenous fibrils by neuronal cells from distinct brain regions, the seeded aggregation of endogenous aSyn differed greatly from one neuronal population to another. The different susceptibility of neuronal populations was linked to their aSyn expression level. Our data establish that endogenous aSyn expression level plays a key role in fibrillar aSyn prion-like seeding, supporting that endogenous aSyn expression level participates in selective regional brain vulnerability.
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Initiation and propagation of α-synuclein aggregation in the nervous system. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:19. [PMID: 32143659 PMCID: PMC7060612 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00368-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The two main pathological hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease are loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and proteinaceous amyloid fibrils composed mostly of α-synuclein, called Lewy pathology. Levodopa to enhance dopaminergic transmission remains one of the most effective treatment for alleviating the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (Olanow, Mov Disord 34:812–815, 2019). In addition, deep brain stimulation (Bronstein et al., Arch Neurol 68:165, 2011) to modulate basal ganglia circuit activity successfully alleviates some motor symptoms. MRI guided focused ultrasound in the subthalamic nucleus is a promising therapeutic strategy as well (Martinez-Fernandez et al., Lancet Neurol 17:54–63, 2018). However, to date, there exists no treatment that stops the progression of this disease. The findings that α-synuclein can be released from neurons and inherited through interconnected neural networks opened the door for discovering novel treatment strategies to prevent the formation and spread of Lewy pathology with the goal of halting PD in its tracks. This hypothesis is based on discoveries that pathologic aggregates of α-synuclein induce the endogenous α-synuclein protein to adopt a similar pathologic conformation, and is thus self-propagating. Phase I clinical trials are currently ongoing to test treatments such as immunotherapy to prevent the neuron to neuron spread of extracellular aggregates. Although tremendous progress has been made in understanding how Lewy pathology forms and spreads throughout the brain, cell intrinsic factors also play a critical role in the formation of pathologic α-synuclein, such as mechanisms that increase endogenous α-synuclein levels, selective expression profiles in distinct neuron subtypes, mutations and altered function of proteins involved in α-synuclein synthesis and degradation, and oxidative stress. Strategies that prevent the formation of pathologic α-synuclein should consider extracellular release and propagation, as well as neuron intrinsic mechanisms.
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Iarkov A, Barreto GE, Grizzell JA, Echeverria V. Strategies for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: Beyond Dopamine. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:4. [PMID: 32076403 PMCID: PMC7006457 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-leading cause of dementia and is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra alongside the presence of intraneuronal α-synuclein-positive inclusions. Therapies to date have been directed to the restoration of the dopaminergic system, and the prevention of dopaminergic neuronal cell death in the midbrain. This review discusses the physiological mechanisms involved in PD as well as new and prospective therapies for the disease. The current data suggest that prevention or early treatment of PD may be the most effective therapeutic strategy. New advances in the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of PD predict the development of more personalized and integral therapies in the years to come. Thus, the development of more reliable biomarkers at asymptomatic stages of the disease, and the use of genetic profiling of patients will surely permit a more effective treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Iarkov
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - George E Barreto
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - J Alex Grizzell
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Valentina Echeverria
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile.,Research & Development Service, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Bay Pines, FL, United States
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Longhena F, Faustini G, Brembati V, Pizzi M, Bellucci A. The good and bad of therapeutic strategies that directly target α-synuclein. IUBMB Life 2019; 72:590-600. [PMID: 31693290 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of either neuronal/axonal or glial insoluble proteinaceous aggregates mainly composed of α-synuclein (α-syn). Among them, the most common disorders are Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and some forms of familial parkinsonism. Both α-syn fibrils and oligomers have been found to exert toxic effects on neurons or oligodendroglial cells, can activate neuroinflammatory responses, and mediate the spreading of α-syn pathology. This poses the question of which is the most toxic α-syn species. What is worst, α-syn appears as a very peculiar protein, exerting multiple physiological functions in neurons, especially at synapses, but without acquiring a stable tertiary structure. Its conformation is particularly plastic, and the protein can exist in a natively unfolded state (mainly in solution), partially α-helical folded state (when it interacts with biological membranes), or oligomeric state (tetramers or dimers with debated functional profile). The extent of α-syn expression impinges on the resilience of neuronal cells, as multiplications of its gene locus, or overexpression, can cause neurodegeneration and onset of motor phenotype. For these reasons, one of the main challenges in the field of synucleinopathies, which still nowadays can only be managed by symptomatic therapies, has been the development of strategies aimed at reducing α-syn levels, oligomer formation, fibrillation, or cell-to-cell transmission. This review resumes the therapeutic approaches that have been proposed or are under development to counteract α-syn pathology by direct targeting of this protein and discuss their pros and cons in relation to the current state-of-the-art α-syn biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Longhena
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Viviana Brembati
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Pizzi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Jellinger KA. Neuropathology and pathogenesis of extrapyramidal movement disorders: a critical update-I. Hypokinetic-rigid movement disorders. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2019; 126:933-995. [PMID: 31214855 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02028-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Extrapyramidal movement disorders include hypokinetic rigid and hyperkinetic or mixed forms, most of them originating from dysfunction of the basal ganglia (BG) and their information circuits. The functional anatomy of the BG, the cortico-BG-thalamocortical, and BG-cerebellar circuit connections are briefly reviewed. Pathophysiologic classification of extrapyramidal movement disorder mechanisms distinguish (1) parkinsonian syndromes, (2) chorea and related syndromes, (3) dystonias, (4) myoclonic syndromes, (5) ballism, (6) tics, and (7) tremor syndromes. Recent genetic and molecular-biologic classifications distinguish (1) synucleinopathies (Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease-dementia, and multiple system atrophy); (2) tauopathies (progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, FTLD-17; Guamian Parkinson-dementia; Pick's disease, and others); (3) polyglutamine disorders (Huntington's disease and related disorders); (4) pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration; (5) Wilson's disease; and (6) other hereditary neurodegenerations without hitherto detected genetic or specific markers. The diversity of phenotypes is related to the deposition of pathologic proteins in distinct cell populations, causing neurodegeneration due to genetic and environmental factors, but there is frequent overlap between various disorders. Their etiopathogenesis is still poorly understood, but is suggested to result from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Multiple etiologies and noxious factors (protein mishandling, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, energy failure, and chronic neuroinflammation) are more likely than a single factor. Current clinical consensus criteria have increased the diagnostic accuracy of most neurodegenerative movement disorders, but for their definite diagnosis, histopathological confirmation is required. We present a timely overview of the neuropathology and pathogenesis of the major extrapyramidal movement disorders in two parts, the first one dedicated to hypokinetic-rigid forms and the second to hyperkinetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt A Jellinger
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Alberichgasse 5/13, 1150, Vienna, Austria.
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α-Synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease and related α-synucleinopathies. Neurosci Lett 2019; 709:134316. [PMID: 31170426 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Over 20 years ago, the synaptic protein α-synuclein was identified as the primary component of the Lewy bodies (LBs) that are a sine qua non of Parkinson's disease (PD). Since that time, extensive research has demonstrated that α-synuclein pathology is not only a hallmark of PD, but can also cause neuronal dysfunction and death. Detailed staging of α-synuclein pathology in the brains of patients has revealed a progressive pattern of pathology that correlates with the symptoms of disease. Early in the disease course, PD patients exhibit motor dysfunction, and α-synuclein pathology at this stage is primarily found in regions controlling motor function. At later stages of disease as patients' cognitive function deteriorates, α-synuclein pathology can be found in cortical structures responsible for higher cognitive processing. The stereotypical progression of α-synuclein pathology through the brain over time suggests that there may be a physical transmission of pathological α-synuclein from one area of the brain to another. The transmission hypothesis posits that an initial seed of pathological α-synuclein in one neuron may be released and taken up by another vulnerable neuron and thereby initiate pathological misfolding of α-synuclein in the recipient neuron. In recent years, convergent evidence from various studies has indicated that pathological protein transmission can occur in the human brain. Cell and animal models based on the transmission hypothesis have shown not only that pathological α-synuclein can be transmitted from cell-to-cell, but that this pathology can lead to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. The α-synuclein transmission hypothesis has profound implications for treatment of what is currently an intractable neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we explore the evidence for cell-to-cell transmission of pathological α-synuclein, the current understanding of how pathological α-synuclein can move to a new cell and template misfolding, and the therapeutic implications of α-synuclein transmission.
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