A pantothenate kinase-deficient mouse model reveals a gene expression program associated with brain coenzyme a reduction

Metabolic impairments in neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is a broad, heterogeneous group of rare inherited diseases (1-3 patients/1,000,000 people) characterized by progressive symptoms associated with excessive abnormal iron deposition in the brain. Approximately 15,000-20,000 individuals worldwide are estimated to be affected by NBIA. NBIA is usually associated with slowly progressive pyramidal and extrapyramidal symptoms, axonal motor neuropathy, optic nerve atrophy, cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disorders. To date, eleven subtypes of NBIA have been described and the most common ones include pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN), mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration (MPAN) and beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN). We present a comprehensive overview of the evidence for disturbed cellular homeostasis and metabolic alterations in NBIA variants, with a careful focus on mitochondrial bioenergetics and lipid metabolism which drives a new perspective in understanding the course of this infrequent malady.

Methamphetamine-induced impairment of memory and fleeting neuroinflammation: Profiling mRNA changes in mouse hippocampus following short-term and long-term exposure

Methamphetamine (METH) has been implicated in inducing memory impairment, but the precise mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. Current research often limits itself to singular models or focuses on individual gene or protein functions, which hampers a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we established three METH mouse exposure models, extracted hippocampal nuclei, and utilized RNA sequencing to analyze changes in mRNA expression profiles. Our results indicate that METH significantly impairs the learning and memory capabilities of mice. Additionally, we observed that METH-induced inflammatory responses occur in the early phase and do not further exacerbate with repeated injections. However, RNA sequencing revealed the persistent enrichment of inflammatory pathway molecules, which correlated with worsened behaviors. This suggests that although METH-induced neuroinflammation plays a critical role in learning and memory impairment, the continued enrichment of inflammatory pathway molecules is associated with behavioral outcomes. These findings provide crucial evidence for the potential application of immune intervention in METH-related disorders.

The iron maiden: Oligodendroglial metabolic dysfunction in multiple sclerosis and mitochondrial signaling

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, governed by oligodendrocyte (OL) dystrophy and central nervous system (CNS) demyelination manifesting variable neurological impairments. Mitochondrial mechanisms may drive myelin biogenesis maintaining the axo-glial unit according to dynamic requisite demands imposed by the axons they ensheath. The promotion of OL maturation and myelination by actively transporting thyroid hormone (TH) into the CNS and thereby facilitating key transcriptional and metabolic pathways that regulate myelin biogenesis is fundamental to sustain the profound energy demands at each axo-glial interface. Deficits in regulatory functions exerted through TH for these physiological roles to be orchestrated by mature OLs, can occur in genetic and acquired myelin disorders, whereby mitochondrial efficiency and eventual dysfunction can lead to profound oligodendrocytopathy, demyelination and neurodegenerative sequelae. TH-dependent transcriptional and metabolic pathways can be dysregulated during acute and chronic MS lesion activity depriving OLs from critical acetyl-CoA biochemical mechanisms governing myelin lipid biosynthesis and at the same time altering the generation of iron metabolism that may drive ferroptotic mechanisms, leading to advancing neurodegeneration.

Coenzyme A biosynthesis: mechanisms of regulation, function and disease

The tricarboxylic acid cycle, nutrient oxidation, histone acetylation and synthesis of lipids, glycans and haem all require the cofactor coenzyme A (CoA). Although the sources and regulation of the acyl groups carried by CoA for these processes are heavily studied, a key underlying question is less often considered: how is production of CoA itself controlled? Here, we discuss the many cellular roles of CoA and the regulatory mechanisms that govern its biosynthesis from cysteine, ATP and the essential nutrient pantothenate (vitamin B5), or from salvaged precursors in mammals. Metabolite feedback and signalling mechanisms involving acetyl-CoA, other acyl-CoAs, acyl-carnitines, MYC, p53, PPARα, PINK1 and insulin- and growth factor-stimulated PI3K-AKT signalling regulate the vitamin B5 transporter SLC5A6/SMVT and CoA biosynthesis enzymes PANK1, PANK2, PANK3, PANK4 and COASY. We also discuss methods for measuring CoA-related metabolites, compounds that target CoA biosynthesis and diseases caused by mutations in pathway enzymes including types of cataracts, cardiomyopathy and neurodegeneration (PKAN and COPAN).

Pantothenate Kinase Activation Restores Brain Coenzyme A in a Mouse Model of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is characterized by a motor disorder with combinations of dystonia, parkinsonism, and spasticity, leading to premature death. PKAN is caused by mutations in the PANK2 gene that result in loss or reduction of PANK2 protein function. PANK2 is one of three kinases that initiate and regulate coenzyme A biosynthesis from vitamin B5, and the ability of BBP-671, an allosteric activator of pantothenate kinases, to enter the brain and elevate coenzyme A was investigated. The metabolic stability, protein binding, and membrane permeability of BBP-671 all suggest that it has the physical properties required to cross the blood-brain barrier. BBP-671 was detected in plasma, liver, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain following oral administration in rodents, demonstrating the ability of BBP-671 to penetrate the brain. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of orally administered BBP-671 evaluated in cannulated rats showed that coenzyme A (CoA) concentrations were elevated in blood, liver, and brain. BBP-671 elevation of whole-blood acetyl-CoA served as a peripheral pharmacodynamic marker and provided a suitable method to assess target engagement. BBP-671 treatment elevated brain coenzyme A concentrations and improved movement and body weight in a PKAN mouse model. Thus, BBP-671 crosses the blood-brain barrier to correct the brain CoA deficiency in a PKAN mouse model, resulting in improved locomotion and survival and providing a preclinical foundation for the development of BBP-671 as a potential treatment of PKAN. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The blood-brain barrier represents a major hurdle for drugs targeting brain metabolism. This work describes the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of BBP-671, a pantothenate kinase activator. BBP-671 crosses the blood-brain barrier to correct the neuron-specific coenzyme A (CoA) deficiency and improve motor function in a mouse model of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. The central role of CoA and acetyl-CoA in intermediary metabolism suggests that pantothenate kinase activators may be useful in modifying neurological metabolic disorders.

Recent developments in the analytical approaches of acyl-CoAs to assess their role in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders

Fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) are inborn errors of metabolism that occur due to deficiency of specific enzyme activities and transporter proteins involved in the mitochondrial metabolism of fatty acids, causing a deficiency in ATP production. The identification of suitable biomarkers plays a crucial role in predicting the future risk of disease and monitoring responses to therapies. Acyl-CoAs are directly involved in the steps of fatty acid oxidation and are the primary biomarkers associated with FAOD. However, acyl-CoAs are not used as diagnostic biomarkers in hospitals and clinics as they are present intracellularly with low endogenous levels. Additionally, the analytical method development of acyl-CoAs is quite challenging due to diverse physicochemical properties and instability. Hence, secondary biomarkers such as acylcarnitines are used for the identification of FAOD. In this review, the focus is on the analytical techniques that have evolved over the years for the identification and quantitation of acyl-CoAs. Among these techniques, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry clearly has an advantage in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. Stable isotope labeling by essential nutrients in cell culture (SILEC) enables the generation of labeled internal standards. Each acyl-CoA species has a distinct pattern of instability and degradation, and the use of appropriately matched internal standards can compensate for such issues. Although significant progress has been made in measuring acyl-CoAs, more efforts are needed for bringing these technical advancements to hospitals and clinics. This review also highlights the difficulties involved in the routine use of acyl-CoAs as a diagnostic biomarker and some of the measures that can be adopted by clinics and hospitals for overcoming these limitations.

Patient-Derived Cellular Models for Polytarget Precision Medicine in Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration

The term neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) brings together a broad set of progressive and disabling neurological genetic disorders in which iron is deposited preferentially in certain areas of the brain. Among NBIA disorders, the most frequent subtype is pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) caused by pathologic variants in the PANK2 gene codifying the enzyme pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2). To date, there are no effective treatments to stop the progression of these diseases. This review discusses the utility of patient-derived cell models as a valuable tool for the identification of pharmacological or natural compounds for implementing polytarget precision medicine in PKAN. Recently, several studies have described that PKAN patient-derived fibroblasts present the main pathological features associated with the disease including intracellular iron overload. Interestingly, treatment of mutant cell cultures with various supplements such as pantothenate, pantethine, vitamin E, omega 3, α-lipoic acid L-carnitine or thiamine, improved all pathophysiological alterations in PKAN fibroblasts with residual expression of the PANK2 enzyme. The information provided by pharmacological screenings in patient-derived cellular models can help optimize therapeutic strategies in individual PKAN patients.

Metabolic patterns in brain 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET relate to aetiology in paediatric dystonia

There is a lack of imaging markers revealing the functional characteristics of different brain regions in paediatric dystonia. In this observational study, we assessed the utility of [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET in understanding dystonia pathophysiology by revealing specific resting awake brain glucose metabolism patterns in different childhood dystonia subgroups. PET scans from 267 children with dystonia being evaluated for possible deep brain stimulation surgery between September 2007 and February 2018 at Evelina London Children's Hospital (ELCH), UK, were examined. Scans without gross anatomical abnormality (e.g. large cysts, significant ventriculomegaly; n = 240) were analysed with Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM12). Glucose metabolism patterns were examined in the 144/240 (60%) cases with the 10 commonest childhood-onset dystonias, focusing on nine anatomical regions. A group of 39 adult controls was used for comparisons. The genetic dystonias were associated with the following genes: TOR1A, THAP1, SGCE, KMT2B, HPRT1 (Lesch Nyhan disease), PANK2 and GCDH (Glutaric Aciduria type 1). The acquired cerebral palsy (CP) cases were divided into those related to prematurity (CP-Preterm), neonatal jaundice/kernicterus (CP-Kernicterus) and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (CP-Term). Each dystonia subgroup had distinct patterns of altered FDG-PET uptake. Focal glucose hypometabolism of the pallidi, putamina or both, was the commonest finding, except in PANK2, where basal ganglia metabolism appeared normal. HPRT1 uniquely showed glucose hypometabolism across all nine cerebral regions. Temporal lobe glucose hypometabolism was found in KMT2B, HPRT1 and CP-Kernicterus. Frontal lobe hypometabolism was found in SGCE, HPRT1 and PANK2. Thalamic and brainstem hypometabolism were seen only in HPRT1, CP-Preterm and CP-term dystonia cases. The combination of frontal and parietal lobe hypermetabolism was uniquely found in CP-term cases. PANK2 cases showed a distinct combination of parietal hypermetabolism with cerebellar hypometabolism but intact putaminal-pallidal glucose metabolism. HPRT1, PANK2, CP-kernicterus and CP-preterm cases had cerebellar and insula glucose hypometabolism as well as parietal glucose hypermetabolism. The study findings offer insights into the pathophysiology of dystonia and support the network theory for dystonia pathogenesis. 'Signature' patterns for each dystonia subgroup could be a useful biomarker to guide differential diagnosis and inform personalized management strategies.

Inherited Disorders of Coenzyme A Biosynthesis: Models, Mechanisms, and Treatments

Coenzyme A (CoA) is a vital and ubiquitous cofactor required in a vast number of enzymatic reactions and cellular processes. To date, four rare human inborn errors of CoA biosynthesis have been described. These disorders have distinct symptoms, although all stem from variants in genes that encode enzymes involved in the same metabolic process. The first and last enzymes catalyzing the CoA biosynthetic pathway are associated with two neurological conditions, namely pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) and COASY protein-associated neurodegeneration (CoPAN), which belong to the heterogeneous group of neurodegenerations with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), while the second and third enzymes are linked to a rapidly fatal dilated cardiomyopathy. There is still limited information about the pathogenesis of these diseases, and the knowledge gaps need to be resolved in order to develop potential therapeutic approaches. This review aims to provide a summary of CoA metabolism and functions, and a comprehensive overview of what is currently known about disorders associated with its biosynthesis, including available preclinical models, proposed pathomechanisms, and potential therapeutic approaches.

Relief of CoA sequestration and restoration of mitochondrial function in a mouse model of propionic acidemia

Propionic acidemia (PA, OMIM 606054) is a devastating inborn error of metabolism arising from mutations that reduce the activity of the mitochondrial enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC). The defects in PCC reduce the concentrations of nonesterified coenzyme A (CoASH), thus compromising mitochondrial function and disrupting intermediary metabolism. Here, we use a hypomorphic PA mouse model to test the effectiveness of BBP-671 in correcting the metabolic imbalances in PA. BBP-671 is a high-affinity allosteric pantothenate kinase activator that counteracts feedback inhibition of the enzyme to increase the intracellular concentration of CoA. Liver CoASH and acetyl-CoA are depressed in PA mice and BBP-671 treatment normalizes the cellular concentrations of these two key cofactors. Hepatic propionyl-CoA is also reduced by BBP-671 leading to an improved intracellular C3:C2-CoA ratio. Elevated plasma C3:C2-carnitine ratio and methylcitrate, hallmark biomarkers of PA, are significantly reduced by BBP-671. The large elevations of malate and α-ketoglutarate in the urine of PA mice are biomarkers for compromised tricarboxylic acid cycle activity and BBP-671 therapy reduces the amounts of both metabolites. Furthermore, the low survival of PA mice is restored to normal by BBP-671. These data show that BBP-671 relieves CoA sequestration, improves mitochondrial function, reduces plasma PA biomarkers, and extends the lifespan of PA mice, providing the preclinical foundation for the therapeutic potential of BBP-671.

Evidence for a Conserved Function of Eukaryotic Pantothenate Kinases in the Regulation of Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress

Human PANK1, PANK2, and PANK3 genes encode several pantothenate kinase isoforms that catalyze the phosphorylation of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) to phosphopantothenate, a critical step in the biosynthesis of the major cellular cofactor, Coenzyme A (CoA). Mutations in the PANK2 gene, which encodes the mitochondrial pantothenate kinase (PanK) isoform, have been linked to pantothenate-kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), a debilitating and often fatal progressive neurodegeneration of children and young adults. While the biochemical properties of these enzymes have been well-characterized in vitro, their expression in a model organism such as yeast in order to probe their function under cellular conditions have never been achieved. Here we used three yeast mutants carrying missense mutations in the yeast PanK gene, CAB1, which are associated with defective growth at high temperature and iron, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased iron content, and oxidative stress, to assess the cellular function of human PANK genes and functional conservation of the CoA-controlled processes between humans and yeast. Overexpression of human PANK1 and PANK3 in these mutants restored normal cellular activity whereas complementation with PANK2 was partial and could only be achieved with an isoform, PanK2^mtmΔ, lacking the mitochondrial transit peptide. These data, which demonstrate functional conservation of PanK activity between humans and yeast, set the stage for the use of yeast as a model system to investigate the impact of PKAN-associated mutations on the metabolic pathways altered in this disease.

PKAN pathogenesis and treatment

Studies aimed at supporting different treatment approaches for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) have revealed the complexity of coenzyme A (CoA) metabolism and the limits of our current knowledge about disease pathogenesis. Here we offer a foundation for critically evaluating the myriad approaches, argue for the importance of unbiased disease models, and highlight some of the outstanding questions that are central to our understanding and treating PKAN.

Generation and Validation of an Anti-Human PANK3 Mouse Monoclonal Antibody

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential co-factor at the intersection of diverse metabolic pathways. Cellular CoA biosynthesis is regulated at the first committed step—phosphorylation of pantothenic acid—catalyzed by pantothenate kinases (PANK1,2,3 in humans, PANK3 being the most highly expressed). Despite the critical importance of CoA in metabolism, the differential roles of PANK isoforms remain poorly understood. Our investigations of PANK proteins as potential precision oncology collateral lethality targets (PANK1 is co-deleted as part of the PTEN locus in some highly aggressive cancers) were severely hindered by a dearth of commercial antibodies that can reliably detect endogenous PANK3 protein. While we successfully validated commercial antibodies for PANK1 and PANK2 using CRISPR knockout cell lines, we found no commercial antibody that could detect endogenous PANK3. We therefore set out to generate a mouse monoclonal antibody against human PANK3 protein. We demonstrate that a clone (Clone MDA-299-62A) can reliably detect endogenous PANK3 protein in cancer cell lines, with band-specificity confirmed by CRISPR PANK3 knockout and knockdown cell lines. Sub-cellular fractionation shows that PANK3 is overwhelmingly cytosolic and expressed broadly across cancer cell lines. PANK3 monoclonal antibody MDA-299-62A should prove a valuable tool for researchers investigating this understudied family of metabolic enzymes in health and disease.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy detects cerebral metabolic derangement in a mouse model of brain coenzyme a deficiency

Background

Pantothenate kinase (PANK) is the first and rate-controlling enzymatic step in the only pathway for cellular coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis. PANK-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), formerly known as Hallervorden–Spatz disease, is a rare, life-threatening neurologic disorder that affects the CNS and arises from mutations in the human PANK2 gene. Pantazines, a class of small molecules containing the pantazine moiety, yield promising therapeutic effects in an animal model of brain CoA deficiency. A reliable technique to identify the neurometabolic effects of PANK dysfunction and to monitor therapeutic responses is needed.

Methods

We applied ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a noninvasive technique to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the newly developed Pantazine BBP-671.

Results

¹H MRS reliably quantified changes in cerebral metabolites, including glutamate/glutamine, lactate, and N-acetyl aspartate in a neuronal Pank1 and Pank2 double-knockout (SynCre⁺Pank1,2 dKO) mouse model of brain CoA deficiency. The neuronal SynCre⁺Pank1,2 dKO mice had distinct decreases in Glx/tCr, NAA/tCr, and lactate/tCr ratios compared to the wildtype matched control mice that increased in response to BBP-671 treatment.

Conclusions

BBP-671 treatment completely restored glutamate/glutamine levels in the brains of the mouse model, suggesting that these metabolites are promising clinically translatable biomarkers for future therapeutic trials.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03304-y.

Redesigning therapies for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration

Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an incurable rare genetic disorder of children and young adults caused by mutations in the PANK2 gene, which encodes an enzyme critical for the biosynthesis of Coenzyme A. Although PKAN affects only a small number of patients, it shares several hallmarks of more common neurodegenerative diseases of older adults such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Advances in etiological understanding and treatment of PKAN could therefore have implications for our understanding of more common diseases and may shed new lights on the physiological importance of Coenzyme A, a cofactor critical for the operation of various cellular metabolic processes. The large body of knowledge which accumulated over the years around PKAN pathology, including but not limited to studies of various PKAN models and therapies, has contributed not only to progress in our understanding of the disease, but as importantly, to the crystallization of key questions that guide future investigations of the disease. In this Review, we will summarize this knowledge and demonstrate how it forms the backdrop to new avenues of research.

Pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis in Apicomplexa and their promise as antiparasitic drug targets

The Apicomplexa phylum comprises thousands of distinct intracellular parasite species, including coccidians, haemosporidians, piroplasms, and cryptosporidia. These parasites are characterized by complex and divergent life cycles occupying a variety of host niches. Consequently, they exhibit distinct adaptations to the differences in nutritional availabilities, either relying on biosynthetic pathways or by salvaging metabolites from their host. Pantothenate (Pan, vitamin B5) is the precursor for the synthesis of an essential cofactor, coenzyme A (CoA), but among the apicomplexans, only the coccidian subgroup has the ability to synthesize Pan. While the pathway to synthesize CoA from Pan is largely conserved across all branches of life, there are differences in the redundancy of enzymes and possible alternative pathways to generate CoA from Pan. Impeding the scavenge of Pan and synthesis of Pan and CoA have been long recognized as potential targets for antimicrobial drug development, but in order to fully exploit these critical pathways, it is important to understand such differences. Recently, a potent class of pantothenamides (PanAms), Pan analogs, which target CoA-utilizing enzymes, has entered antimalarial preclinical development. The potential of PanAms to target multiple downstream pathways make them a promising compound class as broad antiparasitic drugs against other apicomplexans. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in understanding the Pan and CoA biosynthesis pathways, and the suitability of these pathways as drug targets in Apicomplexa, with a particular focus on the cyst-forming coccidian, Toxoplasma gondii, and the haemosporidian, Plasmodium falciparum.

Pantothenate kinase activation relieves coenzyme A sequestration and improves mitochondrial function in mice with propionic acidemia

[Figure: see text].

Rational Design of Novel Therapies for Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration

BACKGROUND

This review highlights the recent scientific advances that have enabled rational design of novel clinical trials for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), a rare autosomal recessive neurogenetic disorder associated with progressive neurodegenerative changes and functional impairment. PKAN is caused by genetic variants in the PANK2 gene that result in dysfunction in pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) enzyme activity, with consequent disruption of coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis, and subsequent accumulation of brain iron. The clinical phenotype is varied and may include dystonia, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, spasticity, loss of ambulation and ability to communicate, feeding difficulties, psychiatric issues, and cognitive and visual impairment. There are several symptom-targeted treatments, but these do not provide sustained benefit as the disorder progresses.

OBJECTIVES

A detailed understanding of the molecular and biochemical pathogenesis of PKAN has opened the door for the design of novel rationally designed therapeutics that target the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Two large double-blind phase 3 clinical trials have been completed for deferiprone (an iron chelation treatment) and fosmetpantotenate (precursor replacement therapy). A pilot open-label trial of pantethine as a potential precursor replacement strategy has also been completed, and a trial of 4-phosphopantetheine has begun enrollment. Several other compounds have been evaluated in pre-clinical studies, and additional clinical trials may be anticipated.

CONCLUSIONS

Experience with these trials has encouraged a critical evaluation of optimal trial designs, as well as the development of PKAN-specific measures to monitor outcomes. PKAN provides a valuable example for understanding targeted drug development and clinical trial design for rare disorders. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Exploring Yeast as a Study Model of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration and for the Identification of Therapeutic Compounds

Mutations in the pantothenate kinase 2 gene (PANK2) are the cause of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), the most common form of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. Although different disease models have been created to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of PKAN, the cascade of molecular events resulting from CoA synthesis impairment is not completely understood. Moreover, for PKAN disease, only symptomatic treatments are available. Despite the lack of a neural system, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been successfully used to decipher molecular mechanisms of many human disorders including neurodegenerative diseases as well as iron-related disorders. To gain insights into the molecular basis of PKAN, a yeast model of this disease was developed: a yeast strain with the unique gene encoding pantothenate kinase CAB1 deleted, and expressing a pathological variant of this enzyme. A detailed functional characterization demonstrated that this model recapitulates the main phenotypes associated with human disease: mitochondrial dysfunction, altered lipid metabolism, iron overload, and oxidative damage suggesting that the yeast model could represent a tool to provide information on pathophysiology of PKAN. Taking advantage of the impaired oxidative growth of this mutant strain, a screening for molecules able to rescue this phenotype was performed. Two molecules in particular were able to restore the multiple defects associated with PKAN deficiency and the rescue was not allele-specific. Furthermore, the construction and characterization of a set of mutant alleles, allowing a quick evaluation of the biochemical consequences of pantothenate kinase (PANK) protein variants could be a tool to predict genotype/phenotype correlation.

Neuronal Ablation of CoA Synthase Causes Motor Deficits, Iron Dyshomeostasis, and Mitochondrial Dysfunctions in a CoPAN Mouse Model

COASY protein-associated neurodegeneration (CoPAN) is a rare but devastating genetic autosomal recessive disorder of inborn error of CoA metabolism, which shares with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) similar features, such as dystonia, parkinsonian traits, cognitive impairment, axonal neuropathy, and brain iron accumulation. These two disorders are part of the big group of neurodegenerations with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) for which no effective treatment is available at the moment. To date, the lack of a mammalian model, fully recapitulating the human disorder, has prevented the elucidation of pathogenesis and the development of therapeutic approaches. To gain new insights into the mechanisms linking CoA metabolism, iron dyshomeostasis, and neurodegeneration, we generated and characterized the first CoPAN disease mammalian model. Since CoA is a crucial metabolite, constitutive ablation of the Coasy gene is incompatible with life. On the contrary, a conditional neuronal-specific Coasy knock-out mouse model consistently developed a severe early onset neurological phenotype characterized by sensorimotor defects and dystonia-like movements, leading to premature death. For the first time, we highlighted defective brain iron homeostasis, elevation of iron, calcium, and magnesium, together with mitochondrial dysfunction. Surprisingly, total brain CoA levels were unchanged, and no signs of neurodegeneration were present.

The Pathophysiological Role of CoA

The importance of coenzyme A (CoA) as a carrier of acyl residues in cell metabolism is well understood. Coenzyme A participates in more than 100 different catabolic and anabolic reactions, including those involved in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, ethanol, bile acids, and xenobiotics. However, much less is known about the importance of the concentration of this cofactor in various cell compartments and the role of altered CoA concentration in various pathologies. Despite continuous research on these issues, the molecular mechanisms in the regulation of the intracellular level of CoA under pathological conditions are still not well understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge of (a) CoA subcellular concentrations; (b) the roles of CoA synthesis and degradation processes; and (c) protein modification by reversible CoA binding to proteins (CoAlation). Particular attention is paid to (a) the roles of changes in the level of CoA under pathological conditions, such as in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, myopathies, and infectious diseases; and (b) the beneficial effect of CoA and pantethine (which like CoA is finally converted to Pan and cysteamine), used at pharmacological doses for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA)

The syndromes of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) encompass a group of invalidating and progressive rare diseases that share the abnormal accumulation of iron in the basal ganglia. The onset of NBIA disorders ranges from infancy to adulthood. Main clinical signs are related to extrapyramidal features (dystonia, parkinsonism and choreoathetosis), and neuropsychiatric abnormalities. Ten NBIA forms are widely accepted to be caused by mutations in the genes PANK2, PLA2G6, WDR45, C19ORF12, FA2H, ATP13A2, COASY, FTL1, CP, and DCAF17. Nonetheless, many patients remain without a conclusive genetic diagnosis, which shows that there must be additional as yet undiscovered NBIA genes. In line with this, isolated cases of known monogenic disorders, and also, new genetic diseases, which present with abnormal brain iron phenotypes compatible with NBIA, have been described. Several pathways are involved in NBIA syndromes: iron and lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dynamics, and autophagy. However, many neurodegenerative conditions share features such as mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, given the bioenergetics requirements of neurons. This review aims to describe the existing link between the classical ten NBIA forms by examining their connection with mitochondrial impairment as well as oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Overdosing on iron: Elevated iron and degenerative brain disorders

IMPACT STATEMENT

Brain degenerative disorders, which include some neurodevelopmental disorders and age-associated diseases, cause debilitating neurological deficits and are generally fatal. A large body of emerging evidence indicates that iron accumulation in neurons within specific regions of the brain plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many of these disorders. Iron homeostasis is a highly complex and incompletely understood process involving a large number of regulatory molecules. Our review provides a description of what is known about how iron is obtained by the body and brain and how defects in the homeostatic processes could contribute to the development of brain diseases, focusing on Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease as well as four other disorders belonging to a class of inherited conditions referred to as neurodegeneration based on iron accumulation (NBIA) disorders. A description of potential therapeutic approaches being tested for each of these different disorders is provided.