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Andrikopoulos N, Tang H, Wang Y, Liang X, Li Y, Davis TP, Ke PC. Exploring Peptido-Nanocomposites in the Context of Amyloid Diseases. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202309958. [PMID: 37943171 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309958] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic peptides are a major class of pharmaceutical drugs owing to their target-binding specificity as well as their versatility in inhibiting aberrant protein-protein interactions associated with human pathologies. Within the realm of amyloid diseases, the use of peptides and peptidomimetics tailor-designed to overcome amyloidogenesis has been an active research endeavor since the late 90s. In more recent years, incorporating nanoparticles for enhancing the biocirculation and delivery of peptide drugs has emerged as a frontier in nanomedicine, and nanoparticles have further demonstrated a potency against amyloid aggregation and cellular inflammation to rival strategies employing small molecules, peptides, and antibodies. Despite these efforts, however, a fundamental understanding of the chemistry, characteristics and function of peptido-nanocomposites is lacking, and a systematic analysis of such strategy for combating a range of amyloid pathogeneses is missing. Here we review the history, principles and evolving chemistry of constructing peptido-nanocomposites from bottom up and discuss their future application against amyloid diseases that debilitate a significant portion of the global population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Andrikopoulos
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Huayuan Tang
- College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211100, China
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiufang Liang
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuhuan Li
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Thomas P Davis
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Pu Chun Ke
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
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2
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Paul S, Jeništová A, Vosough F, Berntsson E, Mörman C, Jarvet J, Gräslund A, Wärmländer SKTS, Barth A. 13C- and 15N-labeling of amyloid-β and inhibitory peptides to study their interaction via nanoscale infrared spectroscopy. Commun Chem 2023; 6:163. [PMID: 37537303 PMCID: PMC10400569 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00955-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between molecules are fundamental in biology. They occur also between amyloidogenic peptides or proteins that are associated with different amyloid diseases, which makes it important to study the mutual influence of two polypeptides on each other's properties in mixed samples. However, addressing this research question with imaging techniques faces the challenge to distinguish different polypeptides without adding artificial probes for detection. Here, we show that nanoscale infrared spectroscopy in combination with 13C, 15N-labeling solves this problem. We studied aggregated amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and its interaction with an inhibitory peptide (NCAM1-PrP) using scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy. Although having similar secondary structure, labeled and unlabeled peptides could be distinguished by comparing optical phase images taken at wavenumbers characteristic for either the labeled or the unlabeled peptide. NCAM1-PrP seems to be able to associate with or to dissolve existing Aβ fibrils because pure Aβ fibrils were not detected after mixing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Paul
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- attocube systems AG, Haar, Germany
| | - Adéla Jeništová
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Faraz Vosough
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elina Berntsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Cecilia Mörman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Andreas Barth
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
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3
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Zakany F, Mándity IM, Varga Z, Panyi G, Nagy P, Kovacs T. Effect of the Lipid Landscape on the Efficacy of Cell-Penetrating Peptides. Cells 2023; 12:1700. [PMID: 37443733 PMCID: PMC10340183 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Every cell biological textbook teaches us that the main role of the plasma membrane is to separate cells from their neighborhood to allow for a controlled composition of the intracellular space. The mostly hydrophobic nature of the cell membrane presents an impenetrable barrier for most hydrophilic molecules larger than 1 kDa. On the other hand, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are capable of traversing this barrier without compromising membrane integrity, and they can do so on their own or coupled to cargos. Coupling biologically and medically relevant cargos to CPPs holds great promise of delivering membrane-impermeable drugs into cells. If the cargo is able to interact with certain cell types, uptake of the CPP-drug complex can be tailored to be cell-type-specific. Besides outlining the major membrane penetration pathways of CPPs, this review is aimed at deciphering how properties of the membrane influence the uptake mechanisms of CPPs. By summarizing an extensive body of experimental evidence, we argue that a more ordered, less flexible membrane structure, often present in the very diseases planned to be treated with CPPs, decreases their cellular uptake. These correlations are not only relevant for understanding the cellular biology of CPPs, but also for rationally improving their value in translational or clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florina Zakany
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - István M. Mándity
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
- TTK Lendület Artificial Transporter Research Group, Institute of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gyorgy Panyi
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Peter Nagy
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Tamas Kovacs
- Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (F.Z.); (Z.V.); (G.P.)
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4
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Porosk L, Härk HH, Bicev RN, Gaidutšik I, Nebogatova J, Armolik EJ, Arukuusk P, da Silva ER, Langel Ü. Aggregation Limiting Cell-Penetrating Peptides Derived from Protein Signal Sequences. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054277. [PMID: 36901707 PMCID: PMC10002422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054277] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease (ND) and the leading cause of dementia. It is characterized by non-linear, genetic-driven pathophysiological dynamics with high heterogeneity in the biological alterations and the causes of the disease. One of the hallmarks of the AD is the progression of plaques of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) or neurofibrillary tangles of Tau. Currently there is no efficient treatment for the AD. Nevertheless, several breakthroughs in revealing the mechanisms behind progression of the AD have led to the discovery of possible therapeutic targets. Some of these include the reduction in inflammation in the brain, and, although highly debated, limiting of the aggregation of the Aβ. In this work we show that similarly to the Neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) signal sequence, other Aβ interacting protein sequences, especially derived from Transthyretin, can be used successfully to reduce or target the amyloid aggregation/aggregates in vitro. The modified signal peptides with cell-penetrating properties reduce the Aβ aggregation and are predicted to have anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, we show that by expressing the Aβ-EGFP fusion protein, we can efficiently assess the potential for reduction in aggregation, and the CPP properties of peptides in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly Porosk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence:
| | - Heleri Heike Härk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Renata Naporano Bicev
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Ilja Gaidutšik
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Eger-Jasper Armolik
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Piret Arukuusk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Ülo Langel
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Department Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, S.Arrheniusv. 16B, Room C472, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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5
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Österlund N, Wärmländer SKTS, Gräslund A. Cell-Penetrating Peptides with Unexpected Anti-Amyloid Properties. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:823. [PMID: 35456657 PMCID: PMC9027922 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040823] [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: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) with sequences derived originally from a prion protein (PrP) have been shown to exhibit both anti-prion and anti-amyloid properties particularly against prion proteins and the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide active in Alzheimer's disease. These disease-modifying properties are so far observed in cell cultures and in vitro. The CPP sequences are composed of a hydrophobic signal sequence followed by a highly positively charged hexapeptide segment. The original signal sequence of the prion protein can be changed to the signal sequence of the NCAM1 protein without losing the anti-prion activity. Although the detailed molecular mechanisms of these CPP peptides are not fully understood, they do form amyloid aggregates by themselves, and molecular interactions between the CPPs and PrP/Aβ can be observed in vitro using various spectroscopic techniques. These initial intermolecular interactions appear to re-direct the aggregation pathways for prion/amyloid formation to less cell-toxic molecular structures (i.e., co-aggregates), which likely is why the disease-inducing PrP/Aβ aggregation is counteracted in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicklas Österlund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Sebastian K. T. S. Wärmländer
- Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
- CellPept Sweden AB, Kvarngatan 10B, 11847 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden;
- CellPept Sweden AB, Kvarngatan 10B, 11847 Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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Abstract
Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are generally defined as short positively charged peptides, containing 5-30 amino acids. Based on their physicochemical properties, they are classified as three main groups, namely hydrophobic, amphipathic, and hydrophilic. They are capable of interacting with the cell membrane without inducing serious toxicity, and they can carry cargo molecules across the membrane. Cargo molecules could be different therapeutics which makes CPPs valuable in the field of drug delivery into living cells. Nowadays, CPPs are considered as potential parts of therapeutics against several diseases.Despite similarities in their primary structure, the interactions of CPPs with a cell membrane may vary a lot. This is even more complicated when the CPP is bound to the cargo molecule. The mechanism(s) of their cellular uptake and endosomal escape have not been completely resolved. Understanding the mechanism of membrane interaction will help us designing a CPP with enhanced, selective cargo delivery, hopefully resulting in better disease treatments. So far energy independent direct membrane penetration and energy-dependent endocytosis have been suggested as two main mechanisms of cellular entry for CPPs, and both may be applicable for the same CPP-complex, depending on the conditions.In order to understand which mechanism is associated with a particular CPP 's cellular uptake in a particular cell (sometimes including endosomal escape), different biological and biophysical methods and strategies have been applied. In this chapter, we will address several biophysical methods, such as fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and NMR .We also review different membrane model systems which are suitable for the biophysical studies. These include large unilamellar phospholipid vesicles (LUVs ), which are the most commonly used in the lipid-peptide interaction studies. Detergent micelles and mixed micelles (bicelles) are also suitable membrane model systems, particularly in high-resolution NMR studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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7
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Gielnik M, Taube M, Zhukova L, Zhukov I, Wärmländer SKTS, Svedružić Ž, Kwiatek WM, Gräslund A, Kozak M. Zn(II) binding causes interdomain changes in the structure and flexibility of the human prion protein. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21703. [PMID: 34737343 PMCID: PMC8568922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00495-0] [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: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a mainly α-helical 208-residue protein located in the pre- and postsynaptic membranes. For unknown reasons, PrPC can undergo a structural transition into a toxic, β-sheet rich scrapie isoform (PrPSc) that is responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Metal ions seem to play an important role in the structural conversion. PrPC binds Zn(II) ions and may be involved in metal ion transport and zinc homeostasis. Here, we use multiple biophysical techniques including optical and NMR spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and small angle X-ray scattering to characterize interactions between human PrPC and Zn(II) ions. Binding of a single Zn(II) ion to the PrPC N-terminal domain via four His residues from the octarepeat region induces a structural transition in the C-terminal α-helices 2 and 3, promotes interaction between the N-terminal and C-terminal domains, reduces the folded protein size, and modifies the internal structural dynamics. As our results suggest that PrPC can bind Zn(II) under physiological conditions, these effects could be important for the physiological function of PrPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Gielnik
- Department of Macromolecular Physics, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Michał Taube
- Department of Macromolecular Physics, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Lilia Zhukova
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Igor Zhukov
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106, Warszawa, Poland
| | | | - Željko Svedružić
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Wojciech M Kwiatek
- Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-342, Kraków, Poland
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maciej Kozak
- Department of Macromolecular Physics, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
- National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS, Jagiellonian University, 30-392, Kraków, Poland.
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8
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Król S, Österlund N, Vosough F, Jarvet J, Wärmländer S, Barth A, Ilag LL, Magzoub M, Gräslund A, Mörman C. The amyloid-inhibiting NCAM-PrP peptide targets Aβ peptide aggregation in membrane-mimetic environments. iScience 2021; 24:102852. [PMID: 34381976 PMCID: PMC8340127 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Substantial research efforts have gone into elucidating the role of protein misfolding and self-assembly in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aggregation of the Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide into insoluble fibrils is closely associated with AD. Here, we use biophysical techniques to study a peptide-based approach to target Aβ amyloid aggregation. A peptide construct, NCAM-PrP, consists of a largely hydrophobic signal sequence linked to a positively charged hexapeptide. The NCAM-PrP peptide inhibits Aβ amyloid formation by forming aggregates which are unavailable for further amyloid aggregation. In a membrane-mimetic environment, Aβ and NCAM-PrP form specific heterooligomeric complexes, which are of lower aggregation states compared to Aβ homooligomers. The Aβ:NCAM-PrP interaction appears to take place on different aggregation states depending on the absence or presence of a membrane-mimicking environment. These insights can be useful for the development of potential future therapeutic strategies targeting Aβ at several aggregation states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Król
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Nicklas Österlund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Faraz Vosough
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Wärmländer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Andreas Barth
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Leopold L. Ilag
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Mazin Magzoub
- Biology Program, Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Mörman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
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Magzoub M. Combating Proteins with Proteins: Engineering Cell-Penetrating Peptide Antagonists of Amyloid-β Aggregation and Associated Neurotoxicity. DNA Cell Biol 2020; 39:920-925. [PMID: 32379486 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2020.5604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A central event that underlies the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the self-assembly of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide into aggregates termed amyloids. Increasing evidence implicates soluble prefibrillar Aβ oligomers in the neurodegeneration and synaptic dysfunction in AD. Recently we introduced a new class of highly promising antagonists of Aβ amyloidogenesis: designed cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). These CPPs combine the attractive intrinsic properties of peptides (high target specificity and selectivity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease and low cost of production) with potent therapeutic effects (inhibition of Aβ oligomerization, fiber formation, and neurotoxicity) and highly efficient delivery (to target cells and subcellular organelles).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazin Magzoub
- Biology Program, Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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10
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Mohammadi B, Linsenmeier L, Shafiq M, Puig B, Galliciotti G, Giudici C, Willem M, Eden T, Koch-Nolte F, Lin YH, Tatzelt J, Glatzel M, Altmeppen HC. Transgenic Overexpression of the Disordered Prion Protein N1 Fragment in Mice Does Not Protect Against Neurodegenerative Diseases Due to Impaired ER Translocation. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:2812-2829. [PMID: 32367491 PMCID: PMC7253391 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01917-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The structurally disordered N-terminal half of the prion protein (PrPC) is constitutively released into the extracellular space by an endogenous proteolytic cleavage event. Once liberated, this N1 fragment acts neuroprotective in ischemic conditions and interferes with toxic peptides associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyloid-beta (Aβ) in Alzheimer’s disease. Since analog protective effects of N1 in prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, have not been studied, and given that the protease releasing N1 has not been identified to date, we have generated and characterized transgenic mice overexpressing N1 (TgN1). Upon intracerebral inoculation of TgN1 mice with prions, no protective effects were observed at the levels of survival, clinical course, neuropathological, or molecular assessment. Likewise, primary neurons of these mice did not show protection against Aβ toxicity. Our biochemical and morphological analyses revealed that this lack of protective effects is seemingly due to an impaired ER translocation of the disordered N1 resulting in its cytosolic retention with an uncleaved signal peptide. Thus, TgN1 mice represent the first animal model to prove the inefficient ER translocation of intrinsically disordered domains (IDD). In contrast to earlier studies, our data challenge roles of cytoplasmic N1 as a cell penetrating peptide or as a potent “anti-prion” agent. Lastly, our study highlights both the importance of structured domains in the nascent chain for proteins to be translocated and aspects to be considered when devising novel N1-based therapeutic approaches against neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Mohammadi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luise Linsenmeier
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mohsin Shafiq
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Berta Puig
- Department of Neurology, Experimental Research in Stroke and Inflammation (ERSI), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Giovanna Galliciotti
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Camilla Giudici
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Willem
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Eden
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Koch-Nolte
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yu-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Tatzelt
- Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hermann C Altmeppen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
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11
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Pansieri J, Ostojić L, Iashchishyn IA, Magzoub M, Wallin C, Wärmländer SK, Gräslund A, Nguyen Ngoc M, Smirnovas V, Svedružić Ž, Morozova-Roche LA. Pro-Inflammatory S100A9 Protein Aggregation Promoted by NCAM1 Peptide Constructs. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:1410-1417. [PMID: 31194501 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid cascade and neuroinflammation are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, and pro-inflammatory S100A9 protein is central to both of them. Here, we have shown that NCAM1 peptide constructs carrying polycationic sequences derived from Aβ peptide (KKLVFF) and PrP protein (KKRPKP) significantly promote the S100A9 amyloid self-assembly in a concentration-dependent manner by making transient interactions with individual S100A9 molecules, perturbing its native structure and acting as catalysts. Since the individual molecule misfolding is a rate-limiting step in S100A9 amyloid aggregation, the effects of the NCAM1 construct on the native S100A9 are so critical for its amyloid self-assembly. S100A9 rapid self-assembly into large aggregated clumps may prevent its amyloid tissue propagation, and by modulating S100A9 aggregation as a part of the amyloid cascade, the whole process may be effectively tuned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Pansieri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lucija Ostojić
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Igor A. Iashchishyn
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mazin Magzoub
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Cecilia Wallin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mai Nguyen Ngoc
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Željko Svedružić
- Department of Biomedical Technology, University of Rijeka, HR 51000, Rijeka, Croatia
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Mukundan V, Maksoudian C, Vogel MC, Chehade I, Katsiotis MS, Alhassan SM, Magzoub M. Cytotoxicity of prion protein-derived cell-penetrating peptides is modulated by pH but independent of amyloid formation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2016; 613:31-42. [PMID: 27818203 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 10/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are associated with conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into an abnormally folded and infectious scrapie isoform (PrPSc). We previously showed that peptides derived from the unprocessed N-termini of mouse and bovine prion proteins, mPrP1-28 and bPrP1-30, function as cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), and destabilize model membrane systems, which could explain the infectivity and toxicity of prion diseases. However, subsequent studies revealed that treatment with mPrP1-28 or bPrP1-30 significantly reduce PrPSc levels in prion-infected cells. To explain these seemingly contradictory results, we correlated the aggregation, membrane perturbation and cytotoxicity of the peptides with their cellular uptake and intracellular localization. Although the peptides have a similar primary sequence, mPrP1-28 is amyloidogenic, whereas bPrP1-30 forms smaller oligomeric or non-fibrillar aggregates. Surprisingly, bPrP1-30 induces much higher cytotoxicity than mPrP1-28, indicating that amyloid formation and toxicity are independent. The toxicity is correlated with prolonged residence at the plasma membrane and membrane perturbation. Both ordered aggregation and toxicity of the peptides are inhibited by low pH. Under non-toxic conditions, the peptides are internalized by lipid-raft dependent macropinocytosis and localize to acidic lysosomal compartments. Our results shed light on the antiprion mechanism of the prion protein-derived CPPs and identify a potential site for PrPSc formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineeth Mukundan
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Christy Maksoudian
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maria C Vogel
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ibrahim Chehade
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marios S Katsiotis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Saeed M Alhassan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mazin Magzoub
- Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Fatty acid modified octa-arginine for delivery of siRNA. Int J Pharm 2015; 495:527-535. [PMID: 26386137 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a major challenge that limits its potential clinical application. Four fatty acids derivatives of octa-arginine (R8) were synthesized and evaluated for the delivery of siRNA into hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2 and human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The results showed that the long chain acid oleic acid or stearic acid derivatives of R8, OA-R8 and StA-R8, were more efficient in siRNA complexation and form nanoparticles with greater stability compared to the native R8. Cellular uptake of fluorescence-labeled siRNA delivered by OA-R8 and StA-R8 in Hep G2 and A549 cells was substantially 40-50 times higher than unmodified R8. A significant reduction in siRNA cellular uptake was observed in the presence of sucrose and cytochalasin D, indicating endocytosis as a primary mechanism of cellular entry. A survivin siRNA was used to prepare nanoparticles with OA-R8 or StA-R8 and evaluated for silencing of survivin mRNA and protein in A549 cells, and the inhibition efficiencies of survivin protein reached to 50.3% and 54.6%, respectively. The results showed greater effectiveness with the derivatized R8. Taken together, these findings showed that long chain fatty acid derivatives of R8 are efficient delivery agents for siRNA and may facilitate its therapeutic application.
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