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Staderini M, Vanni S, Baldeschi AC, Giachin G, Zattoni M, Celauro L, Ferracin C, Bistaffa E, Moda F, Pérez DI, Martínez A, Martín MA, Martín-Cámara O, Cores Á, Bianchini G, Kammerer R, Menéndez JC, Legname G, Bolognesi ML. Bifunctional carbazole derivatives for simultaneous therapy and fluorescence imaging in prion disease murine cell models. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 245:114923. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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2
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Daude N, Lau A, Vanni I, Kang SG, Castle AR, Wohlgemuth S, Dorosh L, Wille H, Stepanova M, Westaway D. Prion protein with a mutant N-terminal octarepeat region undergoes cobalamin-dependent assembly into high-molecular weight complexes. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101770. [PMID: 35271850 PMCID: PMC9010764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) has a C-terminal globular domain and a disordered N-terminal region encompassing five octarepeats (ORs). Encounters between Cu(II) ions and four OR sites produce interchangeable binding geometries; however, the significance of Cu(II) binding to ORs in different combinations is unclear. To understand the impact of specific binding geometries, OR variants were designed that interact with multiple or single Cu(II) ions in specific locked coordinations. Unexpectedly, we found that one mutant produced detergent-insoluble, protease-resistant species in cells in the absence of exposure to the infectious prion protein isoform, scrapie-associated prion protein (PrPSc). Formation of these assemblies, visible as puncta, was reversible and dependent upon medium formulation. Cobalamin (Cbl), a dietary cofactor containing a corrin ring that coordinates a Co3+ ion, was identified as a key medium component, and its effect was validated by reconstitution experiments. Although we failed to find evidence that Cbl interacts with Cu-binding OR regions, we instead noted interactions of Cbl with the PrPC C-terminal domain. We found that some interactions occurred at a binding site of planar tetrapyrrole compounds on the isolated globular domain, but others did not, and N-terminal sequences additionally had a marked effect on their presence and position. Our studies define a conditional effect of Cbl wherein a mutant OR region can act in cis to destabilize a globular domain with a wild type sequence. The unexpected intersection between the properties of PrPSc's disordered region, Cbl, and conformational remodeling events may have implications for understanding sporadic prion disease that does not involve exposure to PrPSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Daude
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Agnes Lau
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Ilaria Vanni
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sang-Gyun Kang
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrew R Castle
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Serene Wohlgemuth
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Lyudmyla Dorosh
- Faculty of Engineering - Electrical & Computer Engineering Dept, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Holger Wille
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Maria Stepanova
- Faculty of Engineering - Electrical & Computer Engineering Dept, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - David Westaway
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada.
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Mustazza C, Sbriccoli M, Minosi P, Raggi C. Small Molecules with Anti-Prion Activity. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:5446-5479. [PMID: 31560283 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190927121744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Prion pathologies are fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by the misfolding of the physiological Prion Protein (PrPC) into a β-structure-rich isoform called PrPSc. To date, there is no available cure for prion diseases and just a few clinical trials have been carried out. The initial approach in the search of anti-prion agents had PrPSc as a target, but the existence of different prion strains arising from alternative conformations of PrPSc, limited the efficacy of the ligands to a straindependent ability. That has shifted research to PrPC ligands, which either act as chaperones, by stabilizing the native conformation, or inhibit its interaction with PrPSc. The role of transition-metal mediated oxidation processes in prion misfolding has also been investigated. Another promising approach is the indirect action via other cellular targets, like membrane domains or the Protein- Folding Activity of Ribosomes (PFAR). Also, new prion-specific high throughput screening techniques have been developed. However, so far no substance has been found to be able to extend satisfactorily survival time in animal models of prion diseases. This review describes the main features of the Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) of the various chemical classes of anti-prion agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Mustazza
- National Centre for Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Sbriccoli
- Department of Neurosciences, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Minosi
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Raggi
- National Centre for Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Mays CE, Armijo E, Morales R, Kramm C, Flores A, Tiwari A, Bian J, Telling GC, Pandita TK, Hunt CR, Soto C. Prion disease is accelerated in mice lacking stress-induced heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). J Biol Chem 2019; 294:13619-13628. [PMID: 31320473 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of incurable neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and animals via infection with proteinaceous particles called prions. Prions are composed of PrPSc, a misfolded version of the cellular prion protein (PrPC). During disease progression, PrPSc replicates by interacting with PrPC and inducing its conversion to PrPSc As PrPSc accumulates, cellular stress mechanisms are activated to maintain cellular proteostasis, including increased protein chaperone levels. However, the exact roles of several of these chaperones remain unclear. Here, using various methodologies to monitor prion replication (i.e. protein misfolding cyclic amplification and cellular and animal infectivity bioassays), we studied the potential role of the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in prion replication in vitro and in vivo Our results indicated that pharmacological induction of the heat shock response in cells chronically infected with prions significantly decreased PrPSc accumulation. We also found that HSP70 alters prion replication in vitro More importantly, prion infection of mice lacking the genes encoding stress-induced HSP70 exhibited accelerated prion disease progression compared with WT mice. In parallel with HSP70 being known to respond to endogenous and exogenous stressors such as heat, infection, toxicants, and ischemia, our results indicate that HSP70 may also play an important role in suppressing or delaying prion disease progression, opening opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Mays
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Enrique Armijo
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030.,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Av. San Carlos de Apoquindo, 2200 Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Morales
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Carlos Kramm
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030.,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Av. San Carlos de Apoquindo, 2200 Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Flores
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Anjana Tiwari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Jifeng Bian
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
| | - Tej K Pandita
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Clayton R Hunt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Claudio Soto
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030 .,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Av. San Carlos de Apoquindo, 2200 Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
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5
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Moreno JA, Telling GC. Molecular Mechanisms of Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Propagation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2018; 8:cshperspect.a024448. [PMID: 28193766 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a024448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Prion disease epidemics, which have been unpredictable recurrences, are of significant concern for animal and human health. Examples include kuru, once the leading cause of death among the Fore people in Papua New Guinea and caused by mortuary feasting; bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and its subsequent transmission to humans in the form of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), and repeated examples of large-scale prion disease epidemics in animals caused by contaminated vaccines. The etiology of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a relatively new and burgeoning prion epidemic in deer, elk, and moose (members of the cervid family), is more enigmatic. The disease was first described in captive and later in wild mule deer and subsequently in free-ranging as well as captive Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, and most recently moose. It is therefore the only recognized prion disorder of both wild and captive animals. In addition to its expanding range of hosts, CWD continues to spread to new geographical areas, including recent cases in Norway. The unparalleled efficiency of the contagious transmission of the disease combined with high densities of deer in certain areas of North America complicates strategies for controlling CWD and raises concerns about its potential spread to new species. Because there is a high prevalence of CWD in deer and elk, which are commonly hunted and consumed by humans, the possibility of zoonotic transmission is particularly concerning. Here, we review the current status of naturally occurring CWD and describe advances in our understanding of its molecular pathogenesis, as shown by studies of CWD prions in novel in vivo and in vitro systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Moreno
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
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7
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Kumar V, Sami N, Kashav T, Islam A, Ahmad F, Hassan MI. Protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases: From theory to therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 124:1105-1120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Stocki P, Sawicki M, Mays CE, Hong SJ, Chapman DC, Westaway D, Williams DB. Inhibition of the FKBP family of peptidyl prolyl isomerases induces abortive translocation and degradation of the cellular prion protein. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:757-67. [PMID: 26764098 PMCID: PMC4803302 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e15-10-0729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders for which there is no effective treatment. Because the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is required for propagation of the infectious scrapie form of the protein, one therapeutic strategy is to reduce PrP(C) expression. Recently FK506, an inhibitor of the FKBP family of peptidyl prolyl isomerases, was shown to increase survival in animal models of prion disease, with proposed mechanisms including calcineurin inhibition, induction of autophagy, and reduced PrP(C) expression. We show that FK506 treatment results in a profound reduction in PrP(C) expression due to a defect in the translocation of PrP(C) into the endoplasmic reticulum with subsequent degradation by the proteasome. These phenotypes could be bypassed by replacing the PrP(C) signal sequence with that of prolactin or osteopontin. In mouse cells, depletion of ER luminal FKBP10 was almost as potent as FK506 in attenuating expression of PrP(C). However, this occurred at a later stage, after translocation of PrP(C) into the ER. Both FK506 treatment and FKBP10 depletion were effective in reducing PrP(Sc) propagation in cell models. These findings show the involvement of FKBP proteins at different stages of PrP(C) biogenesis and identify FKBP10 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Stocki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Maxime Sawicki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Charles E Mays
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M8, Canada
| | - Seo Jung Hong
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Daniel C Chapman
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - David Westaway
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M8, Canada Division of Neurology and Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M8, Canada
| | - David B Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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9
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Salunkhe V, van der Meer PF, de Korte D, Seghatchian J, Gutiérrez L. Development of blood transfusion product pathogen reduction treatments: A review of methods, current applications and demands. Transfus Apher Sci 2015; 52:19-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2014.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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10
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de Moraes MC, Santos JB, Dos Anjos DM, Rangel LP, Vieira TCRG, Moaddel R, da Silva JL. Prion protein-coated magnetic beads: synthesis, characterization and development of a new ligands screening method. J Chromatogr A 2014; 1379:1-8. [PMID: 25576041 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterized by protein aggregation and neurodegeneration. Conversion of the native prion protein (PrP(C)) into the abnormal scrapie PrP isoform (PrP(Sc)), which undergoes aggregation and can eventually form amyloid fibrils, is a critical step leading to the characteristic path morphological hallmark of these diseases. However, the mechanism of conversion remains unclear. It is known that ligands can act as cofactors or inhibitors in the conversion mechanism of PrP(C) into PrP(Sc). Within this context, herein, we describe the immobilization of PrP(C) onto the surface of magnetic beads and the morphological characterization of PrP(C)-coated beads by fluorescence confocal microscopy. PrP(C)-coated magnetic beads were used to identify ligands from a mixture of compounds, which were monitored by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. This affinity-based method allowed the isolation of the anti-prion compound quinacrine, an inhibitor of PrP aggregation. The results indicate that this approach can be applied to not only "fish" for anti-prion compounds from complex matrixes, but also to screening for and identify possible cellular cofactors involved in the deflagration of prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Cristina de Moraes
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Orgânica, 24210-141 Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Bosco Santos
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Daniel Meira Dos Anjos
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luciana Pereira Rangel
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tuane Cristine Ramos Gonçalves Vieira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ruin Moaddel
- Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jerson Lima da Silva
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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11
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Quinacrine promotes replication and conformational mutation of chronic wasting disease prions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:6028-33. [PMID: 24711410 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1322377111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Quinacrine's ability to reduce levels of pathogenic prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in mouse cells infected with experimentally adapted prions led to several unsuccessful clinical studies in patients with prion diseases, a 10-y investment to understand its mechanism of action, and the production of related compounds with expectations of greater efficacy. We show here, in stark contrast to this reported inhibitory effect, that quinacrine enhances deer and elk PrP(Sc) accumulation and promotes propagation of prions causing chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal, transmissible, neurodegenerative disorder of cervids of uncertain zoonotic potential. Surprisingly, despite increased prion titers in quinacrine-treated cells, transmission of the resulting prions produced prolonged incubation times and altered PrP(Sc) deposition patterns in the brains of diseased transgenic mice. This unexpected outcome is consistent with quinacrine affecting the intrinsic properties of the CWD prion. Accordingly, quinacrine-treated CWD prions were comprised of an altered PrP(Sc) conformation. Our findings provide convincing evidence for drug-induced conformational mutation of prions without the prerequisite of generating drug-resistant variants of the original strain. More specifically, they show that a drug capable of restraining prions in one species/strain setting, and consequently used to treat human prion diseases, improves replicative ability in another and therefore force reconsideration of current strategies to screen antiprion compounds.
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12
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Leidel F, Eiden M, Geissen M, Hirschberger T, Tavan P, Giese A, Kretzschmar HA, Schätzl H, Groschup MH. Piperazine derivatives inhibit PrP/PrP(res) propagation in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 445:23-9. [PMID: 24502948 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.01.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders, which are not curable and no effective treatment exists so far. The major neuropathological change in diseased brains is the conversion of the normal cellular form of the prion protein PrPc(C) into a disease-associated isoform PrP(Sc). PrP(Sc) accumulates into multimeres and fibrillar aggregates, which leads to the formation of amyloid plaques. Increasing evidence indicates a fundamental role of PrP(Sc) species and its aggregation in the pathogenesis of prion diseases, which initiates the pathological cascade and leads to neurodegeneration accompanied by spongiform changes. In search of compounds that have the potential to interfere with PrP(Sc) formation and propagation, we used a cell based assay for the screening of potential aggregation inhibitors. The assay deals with a permanently prion infected cell line that was adapted for a high-throughput screening of a compound library composed of 10,000 compounds (DIVERset 2, ChemBridge). We could detect six different classes of highly potent inhibitors of PrP(Sc) propagation in vitro and identified piperazine derivatives as a new inhibitory lead structure, which increased incubation time of scrapie infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Leidel
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Markus Geissen
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Hirschberger
- Theoretische Biophysik, Lehrstuhl für Biomolekulare Optik, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Paul Tavan
- Theoretische Biophysik, Lehrstuhl für Biomolekulare Optik, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Armin Giese
- Institut für Neuropathologie, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Hans A Kretzschmar
- Institut für Neuropathologie, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Hermann Schätzl
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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13
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Ferreira NC, Marques IA, Conceição WA, Macedo B, Machado CS, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, Nunes RJ, Hughson AG, Raymond LD, Pascutti PG, Caughey B, Cordeiro Y. Anti-prion activity of a panel of aromatic chemical compounds: in vitro and in silico approaches. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84531. [PMID: 24400098 PMCID: PMC3882252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prion protein (PrP) is implicated in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), which comprise a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and other mammals. Conversion of cellular PrP (PrP(C)) into the scrapie form (PrP(Sc)) is the hallmark of TSEs. Once formed, PrP(Sc) aggregates and catalyzes PrP(C) misfolding into new PrP(Sc) molecules. Although many compounds have been shown to inhibit the conversion process, so far there is no effective therapy for TSEs. Besides, most of the previously evaluated compounds failed in vivo due to poor pharmacokinetic profiles. In this work we propose a combined in vitro/in silico approach to screen for active anti-prion compounds presenting acceptable drugability and pharmacokinetic parameters. A diverse panel of aromatic compounds was screened in neuroblastoma cells persistently infected with PrP(Sc) (ScN2a) for their ability to inhibit PK-resistant PrP (PrP(Res)) accumulation. From ∼200 compounds, 47 were effective in decreasing the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells. Pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties were predicted in silico, allowing us to obtain estimates of relative blood brain barrier permeation and mutagenicity. MTT reduction assays showed that most of the active compounds were non cytotoxic. Compounds that cleared PrP(Res) from ScN2a cells, were non-toxic in the MTT assay, and presented a good pharmacokinetic profile were investigated for their ability to inhibit aggregation of an amyloidogenic PrP peptide fragment (PrP(109-149)). Molecular docking results provided structural models and binding affinities for the interaction between PrP and the most promising compounds. In summary, using this combined in vitro/in silico approach we have identified new small organic anti-scrapie compounds that decrease the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells, inhibit the aggregation of a PrP peptide, and possess pharmacokinetic characteristics that support their drugability. These compounds are attractive candidates for prion disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia C. Ferreira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Icaro A. Marques
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wesley A. Conceição
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Macedo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Clarice S. Machado
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Mascarello
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Rosendo Augusto Yunes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José Nunes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Andrew G. Hughson
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Lynne D. Raymond
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Pedro G. Pascutti
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Byron Caughey
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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14
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Wrench AP, Gardner CL, Gonzalez CF, Lorca GL. Identification of a small molecule that modifies MglA/SspA interaction and impairs intramacrophage survival of Francisella tularensis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54498. [PMID: 23372736 PMCID: PMC3553074 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factors MglA and SspA of Francisella tularensis form a heterodimer complex and interact with the RNA polymerase to regulate the expression of the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) genes. These genes are essential for this pathogen’s virulence and survival within host cells. In this study, we used a small molecule screening to identify quinacrine as a thermal stabilizing compound for F. tularensis SCHU S4 MglA and SspA. A bacterial two-hybrid system was used to analyze the in vivo effect of quinacrine on the heterodimer complex. The results show that quinacrine affects the interaction between MglA and SspA, indicated by decreased β-galactosidase activity. Further in vitro analyses, using size exclusion chromatography, indicated that quinacrine does not disrupt the heterodimer formation, however, changes in the alpha helix content were confirmed by circular dichroism. Structure-guided site-directed mutagenesis experiments indicated that quinacrine makes contact with amino acid residues Y63 in MglA, and K97 in SspA, both located in the “cleft” of the interacting surfaces. In F. tularensis subsp. novicida, quinacrine decreased the transcription of the FPI genes, iglA, iglD, pdpD and pdpA. As a consequence, the intramacrophage survival capabilities of the bacteria were affected. These results support use of the MglA/SspA interacting surface, and quinacrine’s chemical scaffold, for the design of high affinity molecules that will function as therapeutics for the treatment of Tularemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Algevis P Wrench
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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