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Wei D, Cai J, Qin F, Zhou Q, Xiong W, Xu C, Li C, Wu H. Structure-activity relationship of dual inhibitors containing maleimide and imidazole motifs against glutaminyl cyclase and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 110:129851. [PMID: 38906336 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129851] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major cause of dementia and one of the most common chronic diseases affecting the aging population. Because AD is considered a public health priority, there is a critical need to discover novel and effective agents for the treatment of this condition. In view of the known contribution of up-regulated glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) to the initiation of AD, we previously evaluated a series of dual inhibitors containing maleimide and imidazole motifs as potential anti-AD agents. Here, we assessed another series of hybrids containing maleimide and imidazole motifs to gain an in-depth understanding of the structure-activity relationship (SAR). Based on the primary screening, the introduction of 5-methyl imidazole at one side of the molecule did not enhance the QC-specific inhibitory activity of these hybrids (2, IC50 = 1.22 μM), although the potency was increased by 2' substitution on the maleimide motif at the other side of the molecule. Interestingly, compounds containing 5-methyl imidazole exhibited stronger GSK-3β-specific inhibitory activity (2, IC50 = 0.0021 μM), and the electron-withdrawing group and 2' and 3' substitution were favorable. Further investigation of substitutions on the maleimide motif in compounds 14-35 revealed that QC-specific inhibition in the presence of piperidine was improved by introduction of a methoxy group (R2). Increasing the linker length and introduction of a methoxy group (R2) also increased the GSK-3β-specific inhibitory potency. These findings were further confirmed by molecular docking analysis of 33 and 24 with QC and GSK-3β. Overall, these hybrids exhibited enhanced inhibitory potency against both QC and GSK-3β, highlighting an important strategy for improving the potency of hybrids as dual-targeting anti-AD agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingjun Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiaxin Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Feixia Qin
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qingqing Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chenshu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chenyang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Vrabec R, Blunden G, Cahlíková L. Natural Alkaloids as Multi-Target Compounds towards Factors Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054399. [PMID: 36901826 PMCID: PMC10003045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in elderly people; currently, there is no efficient treatment. Considering the increase in life expectancy worldwide AD rates are predicted to increase enormously, and thus the search for new AD drugs is urgently needed. A great amount of experimental and clinical evidence indicated that AD is a complex disorder characterized by widespread neurodegeneration of the CNS, with major involvement of the cholinergic system, causing progressive cognitive decline and dementia. The current treatment, based on the cholinergic hypothesis, is only symptomatic and mainly involves the restoration of acetylcholine (ACh) levels through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Since the introduction of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid galanthamine as an antidementia drug in 2001, alkaloids have been one of the most attractive groups for searching for new AD drugs. The present review aims to comprehensively summarize alkaloids of various origins as multi-target compounds for AD. From this point of view, the most promising compounds seem to be the β-carboline alkaloid harmine and several isoquinoline alkaloids since they can simultaneously inhibit several key enzymes of AD's pathophysiology. However, this topic remains open for further research on detailed mechanisms of action and the synthesis of potentially better semi-synthetic analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Vrabec
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Gerald Blunden
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Lucie Cahlíková
- Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Potential Drugs Research Group, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Heyrovského 1203, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
- Correspondence:
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Xie Y, Chen C, Lin S, Yu X, Ye S, Chen X, Ouyang N, Xiong W, Li C, Xu C, Song G, Wu H. Design, synthesis and anti-AD effects of dual inhibitor targeting glutaminyl cyclase/GSK-3β. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 248:115089. [PMID: 36638710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), multifactorial disease, is recognized as one of the most common forms of dementia, and the efficacy of anti-AD drugs is limited clinically. Up-regulated glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) have been identified as two critical elements involved in AD recently. Here, a series of novel chemicals containing maleimide and imidazole motif were designed and synthesized as dual inhibitors targeting QC and GSK-3β. Based on primary screening, compound 2 (2.26 μM), 5 (2.37 μM), 8 (1.34 μM), 21 (2.44 μM), 25 (0.36 μM), 27 (1.76 μM), 28 (1.04 μM), 33 (2.08 μM) and 34 (2.33 μM) exhibited notable human QC (hQC) inhibitory potency, while compound 1 (0.014 μM), 7 (0.04 μM), 8 (0.057 μM), 19 (0.034 μM), 24 (0.014 μM), 32 (0.032 μM), 38 (0.051 μM), 39 (0.044 μM), 44 (0.048 μM), 47 (0.011 μM), 49 (0.021 μM) and so on showed remarkable GSK-3β inhibitory activities. And as expected, these chemicals possessed significant inhibitory potency on both hQC and GSK-3β, such as compound 1 (2.80 and 0.014 μM), 8 (1.34 and 0.057 μM), 25 (0.36 and 0.15 μM), 27 (1.76 and 0.069 μM), 28 (1.04 and 0.090 μM), 33 (2.08 and 0.19 μM), 34 (2.33 and 0.11 μM), 35 (2.55 and 0.14 μM), 36 (2.34 and 0.11 μM), etc. Subsequent in vivo studies demonstrated that compound 8 attenuated cognitive deficits and decreased the anxiety-like behavior in 3 × Tg-AD mice. The treatment decreased both pE-Aβ and Aβ accumulation by inhibiting the activity of QC, and decreased the hyperphosphorylation of Tau by reducing the levels of GSK-3β in the brains of AD mice. Results obtained in this research suggested that these novel compounds could be supposed as potential anti-AD agents targeting QC and GSK-3β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazhou Xie
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shujing Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xi Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shuixian Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaojie Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Na Ouyang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chenyang Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chenshu Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Guoli Song
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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4
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Li L, Liu J, Li X, Tang Y, Shi C, Zhang X, Cui Y, Wang L, Xu W. Influencing factors and characterization methods of nanoparticles regulating amyloid aggregation. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3278-3290. [PMID: 35437550 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01704g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Human disorders associated with amyloid aggregation, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, afflict the lives of millions worldwide. When peptides and proteins in the body are converted to amyloids, which have a tendency to aggregate, the toxic oligomers produced during the aggregation process can trigger a range of diseases. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been found to possess surface effects that can modulate the amyloid aggregation process and they have potential application value in the treatment of diseases related to amyloid aggregation and fibrillary tangles. In this review, we discuss recent progress relating to studies of nanoparticles that regulate amyloid aggregation. The review focuses on the factors influencing this regulation, which are important as guidelines for the future design of NPs for the treatment of amyloid aggregation. We describe the characterization methods that have been utilized so far in such studies. This review provides research information and characterization methods for the rational design of NPs, which should result in therapeutic strategies for amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyi Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Jianhui Liu
- Yantai Center of Ecology and Environment Monitoring of Shandong Province, Yantai 264025, China
| | - Xinyue Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Yuanhan Tang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Changxin Shi
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Yuming Cui
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Linlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Long-Acting and Targeting Drug Delivery System, Shandong Luye Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yantai 264000, China.
| | - Wenlong Xu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
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Chuang Y, Van I, Zhao Y, Xu Y. Icariin ameliorate Alzheimer's disease by influencing SIRT1 and inhibiting Aβ cascade pathogenesis. J Chem Neuroanat 2021; 117:102014. [PMID: 34407393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2021.102014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Of all types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is the type that has the highest proportion of cases and is the cause of substantial medical and economic burden. The mechanism of Alzheimer's disease is closely associated with the aggregation of amyloid-β protein and causes neurotoxicity and extracellular accumulation in the brain and to intracellular neurofibrillary tangles caused by tau protein hyperphosphorylation in the brain tissue. Previous studies have demonstrated that sirtuin1 downregulation is involved in the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease. The decrease of sirtuin1 level would cause Alzheimer's disease by means of promoting the amyloidogenic pathway to generate amyloid-β species and thereby triggering amyloid-β cascade reaction, such as tau protein hyperphosphorylation, neuron autophagy, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuron apoptosis. Currently, there is no effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease, it is necessary to develop new treatment strategies. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and based on the mechanism of the disease, tonifying the kidneys is one of the principles for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Epimedium is a well-known Chinese medicine for tonifying kidney. Therefore, investigating the influence of the components of Epimedium on the pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease may provide a reference for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the future. In this article, we summarise the effects and mechanism of icariin, the main ingredient extracted from Epimedium, in ameliorating Alzheimer's disease by regulating sirtuin1 to inhibit amyloid-β protein and improve other amyloid-β cascade pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaochen Chuang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China; Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macao, 999078, China
| | - Iatkio Van
- Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, Macao, 999078, China.
| | - Yonghua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, 999078, China
| | - Youhua Xu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, 999078, China.
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Xu C, Wang YN, Wu H. Glutaminyl Cyclase, Diseases, and Development of Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6549-6565. [PMID: 34000808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate (pE) modification, catalyzed mainly by glutaminyl cyclase (QC), is prevalent throughout nature and is particularly important in mammals including humans for the maturation of hormones, peptides, and proteins. In humans, the upregulation of QC is involved in multiple diseases and conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, melanomas, thyroid carcinomas, accelerated atherosclerosis, septic arthritics, etc. This upregulation catalyzes the generation of modified mediators such as pE-amyloid beta (Aß) and pE-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) peptides. Not surprisingly, QC has emerged as a reasonable target for the development of therapeutics to combat these diseases and conditions. In this manuscript the deleterious effects of upregulated QC resulting in disease manifestation are reviewed, along with progress on the development of QC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshu Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yi-Nan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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7
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Benoit SL, Maier RJ. The nickel-chelator dimethylglyoxime inhibits human amyloid beta peptide in vitro aggregation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6622. [PMID: 33758258 PMCID: PMC7988135 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of the most common neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the extracellular deposition and aggregation of Amyloid Beta (Aβ)-peptides in the brain. Previous studies have shown that select metal ions, most specifically copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) ions, have a synergistic effect on the aggregation of Aβ-peptides. In the present study, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the metal content of a commercial recombinant human Aβ40 peptide. Cu and Zn were among the metals detected; unexpectedly, nickel (Ni) was one of the most abundant elements. Using a fluorescence-based assay, we found that Aβ40 peptide in vitro aggregation was enhanced by addition of Zn2+ and Ni2+, and Ni2+-induced aggregation was facilitated by acidic conditions. Nickel binding to Aβ40 peptide was confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry. Addition of the Ni-specific chelator dimethylglyoxime (DMG) inhibited Aβ40 aggregation in absence of added metal, as well as in presence of Cu2+ and Ni2+, but not in presence of Zn2+. Finally, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that DMG can coordinate Cu or Ni, but not Fe, Se or Zn. Taken together, our results indicate that Ni2+ ions enhance, whereas nickel chelation inhibits, Aβ peptide in vitro aggregation. Hence, DMG-mediated Ni-chelation constitutes a promising approach towards inhibiting or slowing down Aβ40 aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane L Benoit
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Georgia, 805 Biological Sciences Bldg, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Metalloenzyme Studies, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Robert J Maier
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Georgia, 805 Biological Sciences Bldg, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Center for Metalloenzyme Studies, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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8
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Vassalli
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Center for the Cellular Microenvironment, 70 University Avenue, School of Engineering, G12 8LT, Glasgow, UK
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9
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The Effect of TCM-Induced HAMP on Key Enzymes in the Hydrolysis of AD Model Cells. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1068-1080. [PMID: 33683629 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03235-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) process is characterized classically by two hallmark pathologies: β-amyloid (Aβ) plaque deposition and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. Aβ peptides play an important role in AD, but despite much effort the molecular mechanisms of how Aβ contributes to AD remain unclear. The present study evaluated the effects of the active components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae induced HAMP on key enzymes in the hydrolysis of APP in HT22 cells. The active components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae could effectively up-regulate the expression of HAMP, alleviate the iron overload in the brain tissues of mice, significantly improve the learning and memory ability of AD, down-regulate the expression of Aβ and reduce the deposition of SP in an APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mouse model of AD. HAMP and Aβ25-35 induced HT22 cells are used as AD cell models in this study to investigate the effect of the compound consisting of the effective components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Pueraria on the key enzymes in the hydrolysis of APP. After the administration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the expression levels of ADAM10 and ADAM17 were increased while the expression level of BACE1 decreased. This indicates that TCM can promote the expression level of ADAM10 and ADAM17, inhibit the expression level of BACE1, thus further inhibiting the production of amyloid protein and reducing the production of Aβ and SP. Compared with RNAi group, the expression level of ADAM10 and ADAM17 in Aβ + RNAi group was decreased while the expression level of BACE1 increased. Compared with the Aβ + RNAi group the expression level of ADAM10 and ADAM17 in the Aβ + RNAi + TCM group was increased while the expression level of BACE1 was decreased. The present study indicated the effects of the active components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae may alleviate AD by up-regulating the expression of HAMP, thus reducing brain iron overload, promoting the expression of ADAM10 and ADAM17, inhibiting the expression of BACE1, and reducing the deposition of Aβ.
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Noor A, Zafar S, Zerr I. Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies in the Proteoform Spectrum-Tools and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1085. [PMID: 33499319 PMCID: PMC7865347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteinopathy refers to a group of disorders defined by depositions of amyloids within living tissue. Neurodegenerative proteinopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and others, constitute a large fraction of these disorders. Amyloids are highly insoluble, ordered, stable, beta-sheet rich proteins. The emerging theory about the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative proteinopathies suggests that the primary amyloid-forming proteins, also known as the prion-like proteins, may exist as multiple proteoforms that contribute differentially towards the disease prognosis. It is therefore necessary to resolve these disorders on the level of proteoforms rather than the proteome. The transient and hydrophobic nature of amyloid-forming proteins and the minor post-translational alterations that lead to the formation of proteoforms require the use of highly sensitive and specialized techniques. Several conventional techniques, like gel electrophoresis and conventional mass spectrometry, have been modified to accommodate the proteoform theory and prion-like proteins. Several new ones, like imaging mass spectrometry, have also emerged. This review aims to discuss the proteoform theory of neurodegenerative disorders along with the utility of these proteomic techniques for the study of highly insoluble proteins and their associated proteoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneeqa Noor
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.N.); (I.Z.)
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Saima Zafar
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.N.); (I.Z.)
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Department, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Bolan Road, H-12, 44000 Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; (A.N.); (I.Z.)
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Fülöp T, Munawara U, Larbi A, Desroches M, Rodrigues S, Catanzaro M, Guidolin A, Khalil A, Bernier F, Barron AE, Hirokawa K, Beauregard PB, Dumoulin D, Bellenger JP, Witkowski JM, Frost E. Targeting Infectious Agents as a Therapeutic Strategy in Alzheimer's Disease. CNS Drugs 2020; 34:673-695. [PMID: 32458360 PMCID: PMC9020372 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-020-00737-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent dementia in the world. Its cause(s) are presently largely unknown. The most common explanation for AD, now, is the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which states that the cause of AD is senile plaque formation by the amyloid β peptide, and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles by hyperphosphorylated tau. A second, burgeoning theory by which to explain AD is based on the infection hypothesis. Much experimental and epidemiological data support the involvement of infections in the development of dementia. According to this mechanism, the infection either directly or via microbial virulence factors precedes the formation of amyloid β plaques. The amyloid β peptide, possessing antimicrobial properties, may be beneficial at an early stage of AD, but becomes detrimental with the progression of the disease, concomitantly with alterations to the innate immune system at both the peripheral and central levels. Infection results in neuroinflammation, leading to, and sustained by, systemic inflammation, causing eventual neurodegeneration, and the senescence of the immune cells. The sources of AD-involved microbes are various body microbiome communities from the gut, mouth, nose, and skin. The infection hypothesis of AD opens a vista to new therapeutic approaches, either by treating the infection itself or modulating the immune system, its senescence, or the body's metabolism, either separately, in parallel, or in a multi-step way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamàs Fülöp
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada.
| | - Usma Munawara
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Anis Larbi
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Immunos Building, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mathieu Desroches
- MathNeuro Team, Inria Sophia Antipolis Méditerranée, Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Serafim Rodrigues
- Ikerbasque, The Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- BCAM, The Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Michele Catanzaro
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Guidolin
- BCAM, The Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Abdelouahed Khalil
- Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - François Bernier
- Next Generation Science Institute, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Zama, Japan
| | - Annelise E Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katsuiku Hirokawa
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Health and Life Science, Tokyo and Nito-memory Nakanosogo Hospital, Tokyo Med. Dent. University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Pascale B Beauregard
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - David Dumoulin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Bellenger
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jacek M Witkowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Eric Frost
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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12
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Köhler T, Patsis PA, Hahn D, Ruland A, Naas C, Müller M, Thiele J. DNAzymes as Catalysts for l-Tyrosine and Amyloid β Oxidation. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:7059-7064. [PMID: 32280846 PMCID: PMC7143405 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acids have an enormous potential for catalysis by applying tailored sequences of nucleotides for individual reaction conditions and substrates. If such a sequence is guanine-rich, it may arrange into a three-dimensional structure called G-quadruplex and give rise to a catalytically active DNA molecule, a DNAzyme, upon addition of hemin. Here, we present a DNAzyme-mediated reaction, which is the oxidation of l-tyrosine toward dityrosine by hydrogen peroxide. With an optimal stoichiometry between DNA and hemin of 1:10, we report an activity of 101.2 ± 3.5 μUnits (μU) of the artificial DNAzyme Dz-00 compared to 33.0 ± 1.8 μU of free hemin. Exemplarily, DNAzymes may take part in neurodegeneration caused by amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation due to l-tyrosine oxidation. We show that the natural, human genome-derived DNAzyme In1-sp is able to oxidize Aβ peptides with a 4.6% higher yield and a 33.3% higher velocity of the reaction compared to free hemin. As the artificial DNAzyme Dz-00 is even able to catalyze Aβ peptide oxidation with a 64.2% higher yield and 337.1% higher velocity, an in-depth screening of human genome-derived DNAzymes may identify further candidates with similarly high catalytic activity in Aβ peptide oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Köhler
- Leibniz-Institut
für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Panagiotis A. Patsis
- Leibniz-Institut
für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- European
Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Hahn
- Leibniz-Institut
für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Center
for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - André Ruland
- Leibniz-Institut
für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Carolin Naas
- Leibniz-Institut
für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Müller
- Leibniz-Institut
für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Julian Thiele
- Leibniz-Institut
für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany
- E-mail:
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13
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Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Herbal Small-Molecule Drugs for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041327. [PMID: 32079110 PMCID: PMC7072986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques composed of the β-amyloid peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and associates with progressive declines in memory and cognition. Several genes play important roles and regulate enzymes that produce a pathological accumulation of β-amyloid in the brain, such as gamma secretase (γ-secretase). Induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with Alzheimer’s disease with different underlying genetic mechanisms may help model different phenotypes of Alzheimer’s disease and facilitate personalized drug screening platforms for the identification of small molecules. We also discuss recent developments by γ-secretase inhibitors and modulators in the treatment of AD. In addition, small-molecule drugs isolated from Chinese herbal medicines have been shown effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease. We propose a mechanism of small-molecule drugs in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Combining therapy with different small-molecule drugs may increase the chance of symptomatic treatment. A customized strategy tailored to individuals and in combination with therapy may be a more suitable treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease in the future.
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14
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Tomaselli S, La Vitola P, Pagano K, Brandi E, Santamaria G, Galante D, D’Arrigo C, Moni L, Lambruschini C, Banfi L, Lucchetti J, Fracasso C, Molinari H, Forloni G, Balducci C, Ragona L. Biophysical and in Vivo Studies Identify a New Natural-Based Polyphenol, Counteracting Aβ Oligomerization in Vitro and Aβ Oligomer-Mediated Memory Impairment and Neuroinflammation in an Acute Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:4462-4475. [PMID: 31603646 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study natural-based complex polyphenols, obtained through a smart synthetic approach, have been evaluated for their ability to inhibit the formation of Aβ42 oligomers, the most toxic species causing synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neuronal death leading to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. In vitro neurotoxicity tests on primary hippocampal neurons have been employed to select nontoxic candidates. Solution NMR and molecular docking studies have been performed to clarify the interaction mechanism of Aβ42 with the synthesized polyphenol derivatives, and highlight the sterical and chemical requirements important for their antiaggregating activity. NMR results indicated that the selected polyphenolic compounds target Aβ42 oligomeric species. Combined NMR and docking studies indicated that the Aβ42 central hydrophobic core, namely, the 17-31 region, is the main interaction site. The length of the peptidomimetic scaffold and the presence of a guaiacol moiety were identified as important requirements for the antiaggregating activity. In vivo experiments on an Aβ42 oligomer-induced acute mouse model highlighted that the most promising polyphenolic derivative (PP04) inhibits detrimental effects of Aβ42 oligomers on memory and glial cell activation. NMR kinetic studies showed that PP04 is endowed with the chemical features of true inhibitors, strongly affecting both the Aβ42 nucleation and growth rates, thus representing a promising candidate to be further developed into an effective drug against neurodegenerative diseases of the amyloid type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Tomaselli
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Pietro La Vitola
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Katiuscia Pagano
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Edoardo Brandi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Giulia Santamaria
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Denise Galante
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Genoa 16149, Italy
| | - Cristina D’Arrigo
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Genoa 16149, Italy
| | - Lisa Moni
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Università di Genova, Genova 16146, Italy
| | - Chiara Lambruschini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Università di Genova, Genova 16146, Italy
| | - Luca Banfi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Università di Genova, Genova 16146, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lucchetti
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Claudia Fracasso
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Henriette Molinari
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Claudia Balducci
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Laura Ragona
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Milan 20133, Italy
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15
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Galante D, Banfi L, Baruzzo G, Basso A, D'Arrigo C, Lunaccio D, Moni L, Riva R, Lambruschini C. Multicomponent Synthesis of Polyphenols and their in vitro Evaluation as Potential β-Amyloid Aggregation Inhibitors. Molecules 2019; 24:E2636. [PMID: 31331116 PMCID: PMC6680962 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24142636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While plant polyphenols possess a variety of biological properties, exploration of chemical diversity around them is still problematic. Here, an example of application of the Ugi multicomponent reaction to the combinatorial assembly of artificial, yet "natural-like", polyphenols is presented. The synthesized compounds represent a second-generation library directed to the inhibition of β-amyloid protein aggregation. Chiral enantiopure compounds, and polyphenol-β-lactam hybrids have been prepared too. The biochemical assays have highlighted the importance of the key pharmacophores in these compounds. A lead for inhibition of aggregation of truncated protein AβpE3-42 was selected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Galante
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Banfi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Giulia Baruzzo
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Basso
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina D'Arrigo
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Dario Lunaccio
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Lisa Moni
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Renata Riva
- Department of Pharmacy, Università di Genova, viale Cembrano 4, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Lambruschini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy.
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16
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Xie Q, Zhao WJ, Ou GY, Xue WK. An Overview of Experimental and Clinical Spinal Cord Findings in Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E168. [PMID: 31319495 PMCID: PMC6681410 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9070168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that occurs mainly in the elderly and presenile life stages. It is estimated that by the year 2050, 135 million people will be affected by AD worldwide, representing a huge burden to society. The pathological hallmarks of AD mainly include intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) caused by hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, formation of extracellular amyloid plaques, and massive neural cell death in the affected nervous system. The pathogenesis of AD is very complicated, and recent scientific research on AD is mainly concentrated on the cortex and hippocampus. Although the spinal cord is a pivotal part of the central nervous system, there are a limited number of studies focusing on the spinal cord. As an extension of the brain, the spinal cord functions as the bridge between the brain and various parts of the body. However, pathological changes in the spinal cord in AD have not been comprehensively and systematically studied at present. We here review the existing progress on the pathological features of AD in the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xie
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xin Ling Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Wei-Jiang Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xin Ling Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China.
| | - Guan-Yong Ou
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xin Ling Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
| | - Wei-Kang Xue
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xin Ling Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China
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17
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Fulop T, Witkowski JM, Larbi A, Khalil A, Herbein G, Frost EH. Does HIV infection contribute to increased beta-amyloid synthesis and plaque formation leading to neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease? J Neurovirol 2019; 25:634-647. [PMID: 30868421 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-019-00732-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
HIV infection in the combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) era has become a chronic disease with a life expectancy almost identical to those free from this infection. Concomitantly, chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases have emerged as serious clinical problems. HIV-induced cognitive changes, although clinically very diverse are collectively called HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). HAND, which until the introduction of cART manifested clinically as a subcortical disorder, is now considered primarily cognitive disorder, which makes it similar to diseases like Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The pathogenesis involves either the direct effects of the virus or the effect of viral proteins such as Tat, Ggp120, and Nef. These proteins are either capable of destroying neurons directly by inducing neurotoxic mediators or by initiating neuroinflammation by microglia and astrocytes. Recently, it has become recognized that HIV infection is associated with increased production of the beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) which is a characteristic of AD. Moreover, amyloid plaques have also been demonstrated in the brains of patients suffering from HAND. Thus, the question arises whether this production of Aβ indicates that HAND may lead to AD or it is a form of AD or this increase in Aβ production is only a bystander effect. It has also been discovered that APP in HIV and its metabolic product Aβ in AD manifest antiviral innate immune peptide characteristics. This review attempts to bring together studies linking amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Aβ production in HIV infection and their possible impact on the course of HAND and AD. These data indicate that human defense mechanisms in HAND and AD are trying to contain microorganisms by antimicrobial peptides, however by employing different means. Future studies will, no doubt, uncover the relationship between HAND and AD and, hopefully, reveal novel treatment possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Fulop
- Research Center on Aging, Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada.
| | - Jacek M Witkowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anis Larbi
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Immunos Building, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Abdelouahed Khalil
- Research Center on Aging, Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, 3001, 12th Avenue North, Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Georges Herbein
- Department Pathogens & Inflammation-EPILAB, UPRES EA4266, Université of Franche-Comté (UFC), University of Bourgogne France-Comté (UBFC), F-25030, Besançon, France.,Department of Virology, CHRU Besancon, F-25030, Besancon, France
| | - Eric H Frost
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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18
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Hao X, Zheng J, Sun Y, Dong X. Seeding and Cross-Seeding Aggregations of Aβ 40 and Its N-Terminal-Truncated Peptide Aβ 11-40. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:2821-2831. [PMID: 30681866 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b03599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In the amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, a large number of N-terminal-truncated amyloid β (Aβ) peptides such as Aβ11-40 have been identified in addition to the full-length Aβ peptides. However, little is known about the roles of the N-terminal-truncated peptides in AD pathological process. Herein, seeding and cross-seeding aggregations of Aβ40 and its N-terminal-truncated Aβ11-40 were investigated in the solution and on the surfaces of chips with immobilized seeds by extensive biophysical and biological analyses. The results showed that Aβ40 and Aβ11-40 aggregates could seed both homologous and heterologous aggregations of the two monomers. However, the capability and characteristics of the seeding (homologous aggregation) and cross-seeding (heterologous aggregation) were significantly different. Aβ40 seeds showed stronger acceleration effects on the aggregations than Aβ11-40 seeds and induced β-sheet-rich fibrous aggregates of similar cytotoxicities for the two monomers. This indicates that Aβ40 and Aβ11-40 had similar aggregation pathways in the seeding and cross-seeding on Aβ40 seeds. By contrast, Aβ11-40 seeds led to different aggregation pathways of Aβ40 and Aβ11-40. Pure Aβ11-40 aggregates had higher toxicity than Aβ40 aggregates, and as seeds, Aβ11-40 seeds induced Aβ40 to form aggregates of higher cytotoxicity. However, homologous Aβ11-40 aggregates induced by Aβ11-40 seeds showed lower cytotoxicity than pure Aβ11-40 aggregates. The results suggest that Aβ11-40 plays an important role in the pathological process of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuping Hao
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology , Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072 , China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , The University of Akron , Akron , Ohio 44325 , United States
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology , Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072 , China
| | - Xiaoyan Dong
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology , Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072 , China
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19
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Fulop T, Witkowski JM, Bourgade K, Khalil A, Zerif E, Larbi A, Hirokawa K, Pawelec G, Bocti C, Lacombe G, Dupuis G, Frost EH. Can an Infection Hypothesis Explain the Beta Amyloid Hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease? Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:224. [PMID: 30087609 PMCID: PMC6066504 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent type of dementia. The pathological hallmarks of the disease are extracellular senile plaques composed of beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of pTau. These findings led to the "beta-amyloid hypothesis" that proposes that Aβ is the major cause of AD. Clinical trials targeting Aβ in the brain have mostly failed, whether they attempted to decrease Aβ production by BACE inhibitors or by antibodies. These failures suggest a need to find new hypotheses to explain AD pathogenesis and generate new targets for intervention to prevent and treat the disease. Many years ago, the "infection hypothesis" was proposed, but received little attention. However, the recent discovery that Aβ is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) acting against bacteria, fungi, and viruses gives increased credence to an infection hypothesis in the etiology of AD. We and others have shown that microbial infection increases the synthesis of this AMP. Here, we propose that the production of Aβ as an AMP will be beneficial on first microbial challenge but will become progressively detrimental as the infection becomes chronic and reactivates from time to time. Furthermore, we propose that host measures to remove excess Aβ decrease over time due to microglial senescence and microbial biofilm formation. We propose that this biofilm aggregates with Aβ to form the plaques in the brain of AD patients. In this review, we will develop this connection between Infection - Aβ - AD and discuss future possible treatments based on this paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Fulop
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Jacek M. Witkowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Karine Bourgade
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Abdelouahed Khalil
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Echarki Zerif
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Anis Larbi
- Singapore Immunology Network, ASTAR, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Katsuiku Hirokawa
- Department of Pathology, Nitobe Memorial Nakano General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Graham Pawelec
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Center for Medical Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Health Sciences North Research Institute, Greater Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - Christian Bocti
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Guy Lacombe
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Research Center on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Gilles Dupuis
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate Programme of Immunology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Eric H. Frost
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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20
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Pagano K, Galante D, D'Arrigo C, Corsaro A, Nizzari M, Florio T, Molinari H, Tomaselli S, Ragona L. Effects of Prion Protein on Aβ42 and Pyroglutamate-Modified AβpΕ3-42 Oligomerization and Toxicity. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:1957-1971. [PMID: 29981054 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1202-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Soluble Aβ oligomers are widely recognized as the toxic forms responsible for triggering AD, and Aβ receptors are hypothesized to represent the first step in a neuronal cascade leading to dementia. Cellular prion protein (PrP) has been reported as a high-affinity binder of Aβ oligomers. The interactions of PrP with both Aβ42 and the highly toxic N-truncated pyroglutamylated species (AβpE3-42) are here investigated, at a molecular level, by means of ThT fluorescence, NMR and TEM. We demonstrate that soluble PrP binds both Aβ42 and AβpE3-42, preferentially interacting with oligomeric species and delaying fibril formation. Residue level analysis of Aβ42 oligomerization process reveals, for the first time, that PrP is able to differently interact with the forming oligomers, depending on the aggregation state of the starting Aβ42 sample. A distinct behavior is observed for Aβ42 1-30 region and C-terminal residues, suggesting that PrP protects Aβ42 N-tail from entangling on the mature NMR-invisible fibril, consistent with the hypothesis that Aβ42 N-tail is the locus of interaction with PrP. PrP/AβpE3-42 interactions are here reported for the first time. All interaction data are validated and complemented by cellular tests performed on Wt and PrP-silenced neuronal cell lines, clearly showing PrP dependent Aβ oligomer cell internalization and toxicity. The ability of soluble PrP to compete with membrane-anchored PrP for binding to Aβ oligomers bears relevance for studies of druggable pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katiuscia Pagano
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Nizzari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Simona Tomaselli
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Ragona
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC), CNR, Milan, Italy.
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21
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Vitale RM, Rispoli V, Desiderio D, Sgammato R, Thellung S, Canale C, Vassalli M, Carbone M, Ciavatta ML, Mollo E, Felicità V, Arcone R, Gavagnin Capoggiani M, Masullo M, Florio T, Amodeo P. In Silico Identification and Experimental Validation of Novel Anti-Alzheimer's Multitargeted Ligands from a Marine Source Featuring a "2-Aminoimidazole plus Aromatic Group" Scaffold. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:1290-1303. [PMID: 29473731 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multitargeting or polypharmacological approaches, looking for single chemical entities retaining the ability to bind two or more molecular targets, are a potentially powerful strategy to fight complex, multifactorial pathologies. Unfortunately, the search for multiligand agents is challenging because only a small subset of molecules contained in molecular databases are bioactive and even fewer are active on a preselected set of multiple targets. However, collections of natural compounds feature a significantly higher fraction of bioactive molecules than synthetic ones. In this view, we searched our library of 1175 natural compounds from marine sources for molecules including a 2-aminoimidazole+aromatic group motif, found in known compounds active on single relevant targets for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This identified two molecules, a pseudozoanthoxanthin (1) and a bromo-pyrrole alkaloid (2), which were predicted by a computational approach to possess interesting multitarget profiles on AD target proteins. Biochemical assays experimentally confirmed their biological activities. The two compounds inhibit acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and β-secretase enzymes in high- to sub-micromolar range. They are also able to prevent and revert β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation of both Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 peptides, with 1 being more active than 2. Preliminary in vivo studies suggest that compound 1 is able to restore cholinergic cortico-hippocampal functional connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Vitale
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Comprensorio Olivetti, Ed.70, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Vincenzo Rispoli
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Building of Biosciences, University Campus “Salvatore Venuta”, Viale Europa, I-88100 Catanzaro (CZ), Italy
| | - Doriana Desiderio
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, I-80133 Naples (NA), Italy
| | - Roberta Sgammato
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, I-80133 Naples (NA), Italy
| | - Stefano Thellung
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 2, I-16132 Genoa (GE), Italy
| | - Claudio Canale
- Department of Physics, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, I-16146 Genoa (GE), Italy
| | - Massimo Vassalli
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via De Marini, 10, I-16149 Genoa (GE), Italy
| | - Marianna Carbone
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Comprensorio Olivetti, Ed.70, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Ciavatta
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Comprensorio Olivetti, Ed.70, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Ernesto Mollo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Comprensorio Olivetti, Ed.70, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Vera Felicità
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Comprensorio Olivetti, Ed.70, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Building of Biosciences, University Campus “Salvatore Venuta”, Viale Europa, I-88100 Catanzaro (CZ), Italy
| | - Rosaria Arcone
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, I-80133 Naples (NA), Italy
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies s.c.a r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore, 486, I-80145 Naples (NA), Italy
| | - Margherita Gavagnin Capoggiani
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Comprensorio Olivetti, Ed.70, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Mariorosario Masullo
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, I-80133 Naples (NA), Italy
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies s.c.a r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore, 486, I-80145 Naples (NA), Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 2, I-16132 Genoa (GE), Italy
| | - Pietro Amodeo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry (ICB), National Research Council (CNR), Comprensorio Olivetti, Ed.70, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
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22
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Galante D, Cavallo E, Perico A, D'Arrigo C. Effect of ferric citrate on amyloid-beta peptides behavior. Biopolymers 2018; 109:e23224. [PMID: 29897618 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation and oxidative stress are two of the central events in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Both these phenomena can be caused by the interaction of Aβ with metal ions. In the last years the interaction between ZnII , CuII , and Aβ was much studied, but between iron and Aβ it is still little known. In this work we determine how three Aβ peptides, present in AD, interact with FeIII -citrate. The three Aβ peptides are: full length Aβ1-42, an isoform truncated at Glutamic acid in position three, Aβ3-42, and its pyroglutamated form AβpE3-42. Conformation and morphology of the three peptides, aggregated with and without FeIII -citrate were studied. Besides, we have determined the strength of the interactions Aβ/FeIII -citrate studying the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as chelator. Results reported here demonstrate that FeIII -citrate promotes the aggregation in all the three peptides. Moreover, Aspartic acid 1, Glutamic acid 3, and Tyrosine 10 have an important role in the coordination with iron, generating a more stable complex for Aβ1-42 compared to that for the truncated peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Galante
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, Genova, 16149, Italy
| | - E Cavallo
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, Genova, 16149, Italy.,Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, Genova, 16146, Italy
| | - A Perico
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, Genova, 16149, Italy
| | - C D'Arrigo
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, Genova, 16149, Italy
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23
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Tsuda L, Omata Y, Yamasaki Y, Minami R, Lim YM. Pyroglutamate-amyloid-β peptide expression in Drosophila leads to caspase-dependent and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related progressive neurodegeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:4642-4656. [PMID: 28973191 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder among the elderly. During the progression of AD, massive neuronal degeneration occurs in the late stage of the disease; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this neuronal loss remain unknown. AβpE3-42 (an N-terminal-truncated amyloid-β peptide that begins with pyroglutamate at the third position) is produced during late-stage AD. It also aggregates more rapidly in vitro and exhibits greater toxicity in neurons than full-length Aβ1-42. In the present study, we established a Drosophila melanogaster model that expresses Aβ3-42E3Q, which effectively produces AβpE3-42, and investigated the function of AβpE3-42 using the photoreceptor neurons of Drosophila. AβpE3-42 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis and caused progressive degeneration in photoreceptor neurons. Mutations in ER stress response genes or the administration of an inhibitor of the ER stress response markedly suppressed the degeneration phenotype, suggesting that the ER stress response plays an important role in neurodegeneration caused by AβpE3-42. We also confirmed that human Tau-dependent apoptotic induction was strongly enhanced by AβpE3-42. Thus, AβpE3-42 expression system in the fly may be a promising new tool for studying late-onset neurodegeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Tsuda
- Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia (CAMD), National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG), Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Omata
- Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia (CAMD), National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG), Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Yasutoyo Yamasaki
- Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia (CAMD), National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG), Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Minami
- Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia (CAMD), National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG), Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Young-Mi Lim
- Center for Development of Advanced Medicine for Dementia (CAMD), National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG), Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
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24
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Role of the peripheral innate immune system in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Exp Gerontol 2017; 107:59-66. [PMID: 29275160 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most devastating neurodegenerative diseases. The exact cause of the disease is still not known although many scientists believe in the beta amyloid hypothesis which states that the accumulation of the amyloid peptide beta (Aβ) in brain is the initial cause which consequently leads to pathological neuroinflammation. However, it was recently shown that Aβ may have an important role in defending the brain against infections. Thus, the balance between positive and negative impact of Aβ may determine disease progression. Microglia in the brain are innate immune cells, and brain-initiated inflammatory responses reflected in the periphery suggests that Alzheimer's disease is to some extent also a systemic inflammatory disease. Greater permeability of the blood brain barrier facilitates the transport of peripheral immune cells to the brain and vice versa so that a vicious circle originating on the periphery may contribute to the development of overt clinical AD. Persistent inflammatory challenges by pathogens in the periphery, increasing with age, may also contribute to the central propagation of the pathological changes seen clinically. Therefore, the activation status of peripheral innate immune cells may represent an early biomarker of the upcoming impact on the brain. The modulation of these cells may thus become a useful mechanism for modifying disease progression.
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25
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Ye S, Wang TT, Cai B, Wang Y, Li J, Zhan JX, Shen GM. Genistein protects hippocampal neurons against injury by regulating calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase IV protein levels in Alzheimer's disease model rats. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:1479-1484. [PMID: 29089994 PMCID: PMC5649469 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.215260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genistein has a neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer's disease, but its mechanism of action needs further clarification. Accumulating evidence suggests that excessive phosphorylation of tau protein causes production of neurofibrillary tangles, which is one of the main pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, and tau protein can be phosphorylated by calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4). After 7 days of pre-administration of genistein (90 mg/kg), an Alzheimer's disease rat model was established using an intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose combined with an intracerebral injection of amyloid-β peptide (25-35). The rat was then continuously administered genistein (90 mg/kg) for 42 days. The Morris water maze test, western blotting and hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that genistein significantly decreased the escape latency and increased the number of times crossing the platform, reduced p-tau, CALM, CAMKK1 and p-CAMK4 protein levels in the hippocampus, and alleviated hippocampal neuron damage. These findings indicate that genistein may play a neuroprotective role in Alzheimer's disease through regulating CAMK4 to modulate tau hyperphosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Ye
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ting-ting Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Biao Cai
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ji-xian Zhan
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Guo-ming Shen
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
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26
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Lambruschini C, Galante D, Moni L, Ferraro F, Gancia G, Riva R, Traverso A, Banfi L, D'Arrigo C. Multicomponent, fragment-based synthesis of polyphenol-containing peptidomimetics and their inhibiting activity on beta-amyloid oligomerization. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:9331-9351. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob02182h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
A new and short fragment-based approach towards artificial (but “natural-based”) complex polyphenols has been developed, exploiting the Ugi multicomponent reaction of phenol-containing simple substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Lambruschini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - Denise Galante
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
- 16149 Genova
- Italy
| | - Lisa Moni
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - Francesco Ferraro
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - Giulio Gancia
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
- 16149 Genova
- Italy
| | - Renata Riva
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - Alessia Traverso
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - Luca Banfi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry
- University of Genova
- 16146 Genova
- Italy
| | - Cristina D'Arrigo
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
- 16149 Genova
- Italy
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27
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Khodarahmi R, Ashrafi-Kooshk MR. Is there correlation between Aβ-heme peroxidase activity and the peptide aggregation state? A literature review combined with hypothesis. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 100:18-36. [PMID: 27664926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.09.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, formation of neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic loss and neuronal cell death, and is manifested clinically by progressive cognitive dysfunction and memory loss. Disease pathogenesis is mainly linked to the formation of Aβ insoluble or soluble oligomeric assemblies. Binding of heme to Aβ has been suggested as the origin of the heme deficiency, peroxidase activity, as well as some oxidative stress-mediated AD pathologies, and then differential affinity of heme for human and rodent Aβ peptide has been proposed to account for the susceptibility of humans to AD. This review highlights whether there is any dependency of peroxidase activity of heme-bound Aβ on the Aβ aggregation state or not, with focusing on emerging role of heme in neurodegeneration. Here, several lines of evidence supporting existing contradictory conjectures are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Khodarahmi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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28
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Galante D, Ruggeri FS, Dietler G, Pellistri F, Gatta E, Corsaro A, Florio T, Perico A, D'Arrigo C. A critical concentration of N-terminal pyroglutamylated amyloid beta drives the misfolding of Ab1-42 into more toxic aggregates. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 79:261-270. [PMID: 27592450 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2016.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A wide consensus based on robust experimental evidence indicates pyroglutamylated amyloid-β isoform (AβpE3-42) as one of the most neurotoxic peptides involved in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, AβpE3-42 co-oligomerized with excess of Aβ1-42, produces oligomers and aggregates that are structurally distinct and far more cytotoxic than those made from Aβ1-42 alone. Here, we investigate quantitatively the influence of AβpE3-42 on biophysical properties and biological activity of Aβ1-42. We tested different ratios of AβpE3-42/Aβ1-42 mixtures finding a correlation between the biological activity and the structural conformation and morphology of the analyzed mixtures. We find that a mixture containing 5% AβpE3-42, induces the highest disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis and the highest neuronal toxicity. These data correlate to an high content of relaxed antiparallel β-sheet structure and the coexistence of a population of big spheroidal aggregates together with short fibrils. Our experiments provide also evidence that AβpE3-42 causes template-induced misfolding of Aβ1-42 at ratios below 33%. This means that there exists a critical concentration required to have seeding on Aβ1-42 aggregation, above this threshold, the seed effect is not possible anymore and AβpE3-42 controls the total aggregation kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Galante
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, 16149 Genova, Italy; Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPLF), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, CB21EW, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Dietler
- Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPLF), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Elena Gatta
- Department of Physics, University of Genova, 16100 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Angelo Perico
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina D'Arrigo
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, 16149 Genova, Italy.
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29
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Gigoni A, Costa D, Gaetani M, Tasso R, Villa F, Florio T, Pagano A. Down-regulation of 21A Alu RNA as a tool to boost proliferation maintaining the tissue regeneration potential of progenitor cells. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:2420-30. [PMID: 27494068 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1181242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
21A is an Alu non-coding (nc) RNA transcribed by RNA polymerase (pol) III. While investigating the biological role of 21A ncRNA we documented an inverse correlation between its expression level and the rate of cell proliferation. The downregulation of this ncRNA not only caused a boost in cell proliferation, but was also associated to a transient cell dedifferentiation, suggesting a possible involvement of this RNA in cell dedifferentiation/reprogramming. In this study, we explored the possibility to enhance proliferation and dedifferentiation of cells of interest, by 21A down-regulation, using a mixture of chemically modified Anti-21A RNAs. Our results confirmed the validity of this approach that allows the amplification of specific cell populations, in a controlled manner and without inducing permanent effects. In addition to induce cell proliferation, the procedure did not decrease the tissue regeneration potential of progenitor cells in two different cell systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Gigoni
- a Dept. of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) , University of Genova , Genova , Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Gaetani
- c ISMETT, Mediterranean Institute for Transplantation and Advanced Specialized Therapies , Palermo , Italy.,d Ri.MED Foundation , Palermo , Italy
| | - Roberta Tasso
- a Dept. of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) , University of Genova , Genova , Italy.,b IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST , Genova , Italy
| | - Federico Villa
- a Dept. of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) , University of Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- e Sect. of Pharmacology, Dept. of Internal Medicine (DiMI) and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova , Genova , Italy
| | - Aldo Pagano
- a Dept. of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) , University of Genova , Genova , Italy.,b IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST , Genova , Italy
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30
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Dean DN, Pate KM, Moss MA, Rangachari V. Conformational Dynamics of Specific Aβ Oligomers Govern Their Ability To Replicate and Induce Neuronal Apoptosis. Biochemistry 2016; 55:2238-50. [PMID: 27013020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Oligomers of amyloid-β (Aβ) have emerged as the primary toxic agents responsible for early synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Characterization of oligomers is an important step in the progress toward delineating the complex molecular mechanisms involved in AD pathogenesis. In our previous reports, we established that a distinct 12-24mer neurotoxic oligomer of Aβ42, called Large Fatty Acid derived Oligomers (LFAOs), exhibits a unique property of replication in which LFAOs directly duplicate to quantitatively larger amounts upon interacting with monomers. This self-propagative process of replication is somewhat reminiscent of prion propagation. In this report, we sought to investigate the concentration-dependent conformational dynamics LFAOs undergo and how such transitions manifest in their ability to replicate and induce neuronal apoptosis. The results indicate that LFAOs undergo a concentration-dependent transition between 12mers and disperse 12-24mers with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.1 μM. The two species differ in their respective tertiary/quaternary structures but not their secondary structures. This conformational dynamics of LFAOs correlates with their ability to replicate and to induce apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, with 12mers being more neurotoxic and prone to replication than 12-24mers. The latter result implicates the replication process dominates at low physiological concentrations. The observations made in this report may have profound significance in deciphering the elusive roles of Aβ oligomer phenotypes and in determining their prion-type behavior in AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter N Dean
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
| | | | | | - Vijayaraghavan Rangachari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Southern Mississippi , Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, United States
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31
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Gunn AP, Wong BX, Johanssen T, Griffith JC, Masters CL, Bush AI, Barnham KJ, Duce JA, Cherny RA. Amyloid-β Peptide Aβ3pE-42 Induces Lipid Peroxidation, Membrane Permeabilization, and Calcium Influx in Neurons. J Biol Chem 2015; 291:6134-45. [PMID: 26697885 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.655183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyroglutamate-modified amyloid-β (pE-Aβ) is a highly neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) isoform and is enriched in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer disease compared with healthy aged controls. Pyroglutamate formation increases the rate of Aβ oligomerization and alters the interactions of Aβ with Cu(2+) and lipids; however, a link between these properties and the toxicity of pE-Aβ peptides has not been established. We report here that Aβ3pE-42 has an enhanced capacity to cause lipid peroxidation in primary cortical mouse neurons compared with the full-length isoform (Aβ(1-42)). In contrast, Aβ(1-42) caused a significant elevation in cytosolic reactive oxygen species, whereas Aβ3pE-42 did not. We also report that Aβ3pE-42 preferentially associates with neuronal membranes and triggers Ca(2+) influx that can be partially blocked by the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801. Aβ3pE-42 further caused a loss of plasma membrane integrity and remained bound to neurons at significantly higher levels than Aβ(1-42) over extended incubations. Pyroglutamate formation was additionally found to increase the relative efficiency of Aβ-dityrosine oligomer formation mediated by copper-redox cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Gunn
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
| | - Bruce X Wong
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
| | | | - James C Griffith
- Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne 3010, Australia and
| | | | - Ashley I Bush
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Departments of Pathology and
| | - Kevin J Barnham
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and
| | - James A Duce
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Departments of Pathology and the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Robert A Cherny
- From the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health,
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32
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Poloni C, Stuart MCA, van der Meulen P, Szymanski W, Feringa BL. Light and heat control over secondary structure and amyloid-like fiber formation in an overcrowded-alkene-modified Trp zipper. Chem Sci 2015; 6:7311-7318. [PMID: 28757990 PMCID: PMC5512536 DOI: 10.1039/c5sc02735g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The external photocontrol over peptide folding, by the incorporation of molecular photoswitches into their structure, provides a powerful tool to study biological processes. However, it is limited so far to switches that exhibit only a rather limited geometrical change upon photoisomerization and that show thermal instability of the photoisomer. Here we describe the use of an overcrowded alkene photoswitch to control a model β-hairpin peptide. This photoresponsive unit undergoes a large conformational change and has two thermally stable isomers which has major influence on the secondary structure and the aggregation of the peptide, permitting the phototriggered formation of amyloid-like fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Poloni
- Centre for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , 9747AG Groningen , The Netherlands . ;
| | - Marc C A Stuart
- Centre for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , 9747AG Groningen , The Netherlands . ;
| | - Pieter van der Meulen
- Centre for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , 9747AG Groningen , The Netherlands . ;
| | - Wiktor Szymanski
- Centre for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , 9747AG Groningen , The Netherlands . ;
- Department of Radiology , University of Groningen , University Medical Center Groningen , Hanzeplein 1 , 9713 GZ , Groningen , The Netherlands
| | - Ben L Feringa
- Centre for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4 , 9747AG Groningen , The Netherlands . ;
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33
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Szczepankiewicz O, Linse B, Meisl G, Thulin E, Frohm B, Frigerio CS, Colvin MT, Jacavone AC, Griffin RG, Knowles T, Walsh DM, Linse S. N-Terminal Extensions Retard Aβ42 Fibril Formation but Allow Cross-Seeding and Coaggregation with Aβ42. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:14673-85. [PMID: 26535489 PMCID: PMC5412961 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b07849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) sequence length variants with varying aggregation propensity coexist in vivo, where coaggregation and cross-catalysis phenomena may affect the aggregation process. Until recently, naturally occurring amyloid β-protein (Aβ) variants were believed to begin at or after the canonical β-secretase cleavage site within the amyloid β-protein precursor. However, N-terminally extended forms of Aβ (NTE-Aβ) were recently discovered and may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Here, we have used thioflavin T fluorescence to study the aggregation kinetics of Aβ42 variants with N-terminal extensions of 5-40 residues, and transmission electron microscopy to analyze the end states. We find that all variants form amyloid fibrils of similar morphology as Aβ42, but the half-time of aggregation (t1/2) increases exponentially with extension length. Monte Carlo simulations of model peptides suggest that the retardation is due to an underlying general physicochemical effect involving reduced frequency of productive molecular encounters. Indeed, global kinetic analyses reveal that NTE-Aβ42s form fibrils via the same mechanism as Aβ42, but all microscopic rate constants (primary and secondary nucleation, elongation) are reduced for the N-terminally extended variants. Still, Aβ42 and NTE-Aβ42 coaggregate to form mixed fibrils and fibrils of either Aβ42 or NTE-Aβ42 catalyze aggregation of all monomers. NTE-Aβ42 monomers display reduced aggregation rate with all kinds of seeds implying that extended termini interfere with the ability of monomers to nucleate or elongate. Cross-seeding or coaggregation may therefore represent an important contribution in the in vivo formation of assemblies believed to be important in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Szczepankiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, P O Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Linse
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, P O Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Georg Meisl
- Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Thulin
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, P O Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Frohm
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, P O Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Carlo Sala Frigerio
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Michael T. Colvin
- Department of Chemistry and Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Angela C. Jacavone
- Department of Chemistry and Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Robert G. Griffin
- Department of Chemistry and Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Tuomas Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic M. Walsh
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Sara Linse
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, P O Box 124, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
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Khodarahmi R, Ashrafi-Kooshk MR, Khodarahmi S, Ghadami SA, Mostafaie A. Possible peroxidase active site environment in amyloidogenic proteins: Native monomer or misfolded-oligomer; which one is susceptible to the enzymatic activity, with contribution of heme? Int J Biol Macromol 2015; 80:293-301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Marinova Z, Walitza S, Grünblatt E. Real-time impedance-based cell analyzer as a tool to delineate molecular pathways involved in neurotoxicity and neuroprotection in a neuronal cell line. J Vis Exp 2014:e51748. [PMID: 25146163 DOI: 10.3791/51748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Many brain-related disorders have neuronal cell death involved in their pathophysiology. Improved in vitro models to study neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects of drugs and downstream pathways involved would help gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection/neurotoxicity and could potentially facilitate drug development. However, many existing in vitro toxicity assays have major limitations - most assess neurotoxicity and neuroprotection at a single time point, not allowing to observe the time-course and kinetics of the effect. Furthermore, the opportunity to collect information about downstream signaling pathways involved in neuroprotection in real-time would be of great importance. In the current protocol we describe the use of a real-time impedance-based cell analyzer to determine neuroprotective effects of serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor agonists in a neuronal cell line under label-free and real-time conditions using impedance measurements. Furthermore, we demonstrate that inhibitors of second messenger pathways can be used to delineate downstream molecules involved in the neuroprotective effect. We also describe the utility of this technique to determine whether an effect on cell proliferation contributes to an observed neuroprotective effect. The system utilizes special microelectronic plates referred to as E-Plates which contain alternating gold microelectrode arrays on the bottom surface of the wells, serving as cell sensors. The impedance readout is modified by the number of adherent cells, cell viability, morphology, and adhesion. A dimensionless parameter called Cell Index is derived from the electrical impedance measurements and is used to represent the cell status. Overall, the real-time impedance-based cell analyzer allows for real-time, label-free assessment of neuroprotection and neurotoxicity, and the evaluation of second messenger pathways involvement, contributing to more detailed and high-throughput assessment of potential neuroprotective compounds in vitro, for selecting therapeutic candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Marinova
- University Clinics for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zürich;
| | - Susanne Walitza
- University Clinics for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zürich
| | - Edna Grünblatt
- University Clinics for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zürich
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Costa D, Gigoni A, Würth R, Cancedda R, Florio T, Pagano A. Metformin inhibition of neuroblastoma cell proliferation is differently modulated by cell differentiation induced by retinoic acid or overexpression of NDM29 non-coding RNA. Cancer Cell Int 2014; 14:59. [PMID: 25120382 PMCID: PMC4128937 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-14-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin is a widely used oral hypoglycemizing agent recently proposed as potential anti-cancer drug. In this study we report the antiproliferative effect of metformin treatment in a high risk neuroblastoma cell model, focusing on possible effects associated to different levels of differentiation and/or tumor initiating potential. METHODS Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of metformin were tested in human SKNBE2 and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines and in SKNBE2 cells in which differentiation is induced by retinoic acid treatment or stable overexpression of NDM29 non-coding RNA, both conditions characterized by a neuron-like differentiated phenotype. RESULTS We found that metformin significantly inhibits the proliferation of NB cells, an effect that correlates with the inhibition of Akt, while AMPK activity resulted unchanged. Notably, metformin effects were modulated in a different ways by differentiating stimuli, being abolished after retinoic acid treatment but potentiated by overexpression of NDM29. CONCLUSION These data suggest the efficacy of metformin as neuroblastoma anticancer agent, and support the requirement of further studies on the possible role of the differentiation status on the antiproliferative effects of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delfina Costa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy ; IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Arianna Gigoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy ; IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Würth
- Internal Medicine (DIMI), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Ranieri Cancedda
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy ; IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Internal Medicine (DIMI), University of Genova, Genova, Italy ; Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Aldo Pagano
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy ; IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
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Matos JO, Goldblatt G, Jeon J, Chen B, Tatulian SA. Pyroglutamylated amyloid-β peptide reverses cross β-sheets by a prion-like mechanism. J Phys Chem B 2014; 118:5637-43. [PMID: 24802697 PMCID: PMC4216196 DOI: 10.1021/jp412743s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The amyloid hypothesis causatively
relates the fibrillar deposits
of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) to Alzheimer’s disease
(AD). More recent data, however, identify the soluble oligomers as
the major cytotoxic entities. Pyroglutamylated Aβ (pE-Aβ)
is present in AD brains and exerts augmented neurotoxicity, which
is believed to result from its higher β-sheet propensity and
faster fibrillization. While this concept is based on a set of experimental
results, others have reported similar β-sheet contents in unmodified
and pyroglutamylated Aβ, and slower aggregation of pE-Aβ
as compared to unmodified Aβ, leaving the issue unresolved.
Here, we assess the structural differences between Aβ and pE-Aβ
peptides that may underlie their distinct cytotoxicities. Transmission
electron microscopy identifies a larger number of prefibrillar aggregates
of pE-Aβ at early stages of aggregation and suggests that pE-Aβ
affects the fibrillogenesis even at low molar fractions. Circular
dichroism and FTIR data indicate that while the unmodified Aβ
readily forms β-sheet fibrils in aqueous media, pE-Aβ
displays increased α-helical and decreased β-sheet propensity.
Moreover, isotope-edited FTIR spectroscopy shows that pE-Aβ
reverses β-sheet formation and hence fibrillogenesis of the
unmodified Aβ peptide via a prion-like mechanism. These data
provide a novel structural mechanism for pE-Aβ hypertoxicity;
pE-Aβ undergoes faster formation of prefibrillar aggregates
due to its increased hydrophobicity, thus shifting the initial stages
of fibrillogenesis toward smaller, hypertoxic oligomers of partial
α-helical structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason O Matos
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, University of Central Florida , 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32816, United States
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Cannabinoid effects on β amyloid fibril and aggregate formation, neuronal and microglial-activated neurotoxicity in vitro. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2013; 34:31-42. [PMID: 24030360 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-013-9984-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid (CB) ligands have demonstrated neuroprotective properties. In this study we compared the effects of a diverse set of CB ligands against β amyloid-mediated neuronal toxicity and activated microglial-conditioned media-based neurotoxicity in vitro, and compared this with a capacity to directly alter β amyloid (Aβ) fibril or aggregate formation. Neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells were exposed to Aβ1-42 directly or microglial (BV-2 cells) conditioned media activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of the CB1 receptor-selective agonist ACEA, CB2 receptor-selective agonist JWH-015, phytocannabinoids Δ(9)-THC and cannabidiol (CBD), the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide or putative GPR18/GPR55 ligands O-1602 and abnormal-cannabidiol (Abn-CBD). TNF-α and nitrite production was measured in BV-2 cells to compare activation via LPS or albumin with Aβ1-42. Aβ1-42 evoked a concentration-dependent loss of cell viability in SH-SY5Y cells but negligible TNF-α and nitrite production in BV-2 cells compared to albumin or LPS. Both albumin and LPS-activated BV-2 conditioned media significantly reduced neuronal cell viability but were directly innocuous to SH-SY5Y cells. Of those CB ligands tested, only 2-AG and CBD were directly protective against Aβ-evoked SH-SY5Y cell viability, whereas JWH-015, THC, CBD, Abn-CBD and O-1602 all protected SH-SY5Y cells from BV-2 conditioned media activated via LPS. While CB ligands variably altered the morphology of Aβ fibrils and aggregates, there was no clear correlation between effects on Aβ morphology and neuroprotective actions. These findings indicate a neuroprotective action of CB ligands via actions at microglial and neuronal cells.
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5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonist DOI alleviates cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells: role of the ERK pathway. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 44:64-72. [PMID: 23380172 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Revised: 01/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Disturbances of serotonergic signaling, including the serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor, have been implicated in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of the present study was to characterize the effect of a 5-HT2A receptor agonist on cytotoxicity in a neuronal cell line and address the involved mechanism. HTR2A mRNA and protein expression in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells was confirmed. Cells were subjected to serum deprivation and cell viability was monitored continuously with xCELLigence. In a dose-response study the 5-HT2A agonist (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride (DOI) (25 nM to 5 μM) protected against serum deprivation cytotoxicity. The selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL 11,939, the general protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway MEK inhibitor U0126, all attenuated DOI's protective effect. An antibody array suggested that 1 μM DOI affected phosphorylation of several tyrosine kinases. Western blot further confirmed that DOI transiently increased ERK phosphorylation, indicating its activation. Finally, protective concentrations of DOI increased cellular mitochondrial mass, an effect prevented by pretreatment with U0126. In conclusion, our results suggest that DOI protects SK-N-SH cells against serum deprivation through ERK pathway activation. They imply 5-HT2A receptor modulation as a potential target for neuroprotection.
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Edaravone Ameliorates Oxidative Damage Associated with Aβ25-35 Treatment in PC12 Cells. J Mol Neurosci 2013; 50:494-503. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-013-9973-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Griner SE, Joshi JP, Nahta R. Growth differentiation factor 15 stimulates rapamycin-sensitive ovarian cancer cell growth and invasion. Biochem Pharmacol 2012; 85:46-58. [PMID: 23085437 PMCID: PMC4329765 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Identification of novel molecular markers and therapeutic targets may improve survival rates for patients with ovarian cancer. In the current study, immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of two human ovarian tumor tissue arrays showed high staining for GDF15 in a majority of tissues. Exogenous stimulation of ovarian cancer cell lines with recombinant human GDF15 (rhGDF15) or stable overexpression of a GDF15 expression plasmid promoted anchorage-independent growth, increased invasion, and up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). MMP inhibition suppressed GDF15-mediated invasion. In addition, IHC analysis of human ovarian tumor tissue arrays indicated that GDF15 expression correlated significantly with high MMP2 and MMP9 expression. Exogenous and endogenous GDF15 over-expression stimulated phosphorylation of p38, Erk1/2, and Akt. Pharmacologic inhibition of p38, MEK, or PI3K suppressed GDF15-stimulated growth. Further, proliferation, growth, and invasion of GDF15 stable clones were blocked by rapamycin. IHC analysis demonstrated significant correlation between GDF15 expression and phosphorylation of mTOR. Finally, knockdown of endogenous GDF15 or neutralization of secreted GDF15 suppressed invasion and growth of a GDF15-over-expressing ovarian cancer cell line. These data indicate that GDF15 over-expression, which occurred in a majority of human ovarian cancers, promoted rapamycin-sensitive invasion and growth of ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of mTOR may be an effective therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancers that over-express GDF15. Future studies should examine GDF15 as a novel molecular target for blocking ovarian cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Griner
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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