1
|
Chu D, Yang X, Wang J, Zhou Y, Gu JH, Miao J, Wu F, Liu F. Tau truncation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: a narrative review. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1221-1232. [PMID: 37905868 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Alzheimer's disease is characterized by two major neuropathological hallmarks-the extracellular β-amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles consisting of aggregated and hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. Recent studies suggest that dysregulation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau, especially specific proteolysis, could be a driving force for Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration. Tau physiologically promotes the assembly and stabilization of microtubules, whereas specific truncated fragments are sufficient to induce abnormal hyperphosphorylation and aggregate into toxic oligomers, resulting in them gaining prion-like characteristics. In addition, Tau truncations cause extensive impairments to neural and glial cell functions and animal cognition and behavior in a fragment-dependent manner. This review summarizes over 60 proteolytic cleavage sites and their corresponding truncated fragments, investigates the role of specific truncations in physiological and pathological states of Alzheimer's disease, and summarizes the latest applications of strategies targeting Tau fragments in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Chu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xingyue Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jin-Hua Gu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jin Miao
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng Z, Han T, Yao J, Wang K, Dong X, Yu F, Huang H, Han M, Liao Q, He S, Lyu W, Li Q. Targeting glycogen synthase kinase-3β for Alzheimer's disease: Recent advances and future Prospects. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116065. [PMID: 38160617 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Senile plaques induced by β-amyloid (Aβ) abnormal aggregation and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) caused by tau hyperphosphorylation are important pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a conserved kinase; one member GSK-3β is highly expressed in the AD brain and involved in the formation of NFT. Hence, pharmacologically inhibiting GSK-3β activity and expression is a good approach to treat AD. As summarized in this article, multiple GSK-3β inhibitors has been comprehensively summarized over recent five years. However, only lithium carbonate and Tideglusib have been studied in clinical trials of AD. Besides ATP-competitive and non-ATP-competitive inhibitors, peptide inhibitors, allosteric inhibitors and other types of inhibitors have gradually attracted more interest. Moreover, considering the close relationship between GSK-3β and other targets involved in cholinergic hypothesis, Aβ aggregation hypothesis, tau hyperphosphorylation hypothesis, oxidative stress hypothesis, neuro-inflammation hypothesis, etc., diverse multifunctional molecules and multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) have also been disclosed. We hope that these recent advances and critical perspectives will facilitate the discovery of safe and effective GSK-3β inhibitors for AD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Cheng
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyue Han
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingtong Yao
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaixuan Wang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Dong
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yu
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Menglin Han
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinghong Liao
- Shandong Kangqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266033, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu He
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiping Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ahn S, Suh JS, Jang YK, Kim H, Han K, Lee Y, Choi G, Kim TJ. TAUCON and TAUCOM: A novel biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer for detecting tau hyperphosphorylation-associated cellular pathologies. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 237:115533. [PMID: 37517333 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by abnormal conformational changes in tau protein. Early hyperphosphorylation-induced conformational changes are considered a hallmark of tauopathy, but real-time tracking methods are lacking. Here, we present two novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based tau biosensors that detect such changes with high spatiotemporal resolution at the single-cell level. The TAUCON biosensor measures instantaneous conformational changes in hyperphosphorylated tau within 20 min, while the TAUCOM biosensor detects changes in the paper-clip structure of microtubule-associated tau. Our biosensors provide faster and more precise detection than conventional methods and can serve as valuable tools for investigating the initial causes, mechanisms, progression, and treatment of tauopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanghyun Ahn
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Soo Suh
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Kwan Jang
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Heonsu Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiseok Han
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yerim Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyuho Choi
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea; Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea; Institute of System Biology, Pusan National University, Pusan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li Q, Qi S, Liang J, Tian Y, He S, Liao Q, Xing S, Han L, Chen X. Review of triazole scaffolds for treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110623. [PMID: 37451665 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Triazole scaffolds, a series of 5-membered heterocycles, are well known for their high efficacy, low toxicity, and superior pharmacokinetics. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the first neurodegenerative disorder with complex pathological mechanisms. Triazole, as an aromatic group with three nitrogen atoms, forms polar and non-polar interactions with diverse key residues in the receptor-ligand binding procedure, and has been widely used in the molecular design in the development of anti-AD agents. Moreover, considering the simple synthesis approaches, triazole scaffolds are commonly used to link two pharmacodynamic groups in one chemical molecule, forming multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs). Furthermore, the click reaction between azide- and cyano-modified enzyme and ligand provides feasibility for the new modulator discovery, compound tissue distribution evaluation, enzyme localization, and pharmacological mechanism study, promoting the diagnosis of AD course.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Shulei Qi
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Jinxin Liang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yuqing Tian
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Siyu He
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Qinghong Liao
- Shandong Junrong Technology Transfer Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shuaishuai Xing
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Lingfei Han
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xuehong Chen
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The Involvement of Post-Translational Modifications in Regulating the Development and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3617-3632. [PMID: 36877359 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03277-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been recently reported to be involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In detail, PTMs include phosphorylation, glycation, acetylation, sumoylation, ubiquitination, methylation, nitration, and truncation, which are associated with pathological functions of AD-related proteins, such as β-amyloid (Aβ), β-site APP-cleavage enzyme 1 (BACE1), and tau protein. In particular, the roles of aberrant PTMs in the trafficking, cleavage, and degradation of AD-associated proteins, leading to the cognitive decline of the disease, are summarized under AD conditions. By summarizing these research progress, the gaps will be filled between PMTs and AD, which will facilitate the discovery of potential biomarkers, leading to the establishment of novel clinical intervention methods against AD.
Collapse
|
6
|
Horta-López PH, Mendoza-Franco G, Rodríguez-Cruz F, Torres-Cruz FM, Hernández-Echeagaray E, Jarero-Basulto JJ, Rícny J, Garduño BF, Garcia-Sierra F. Association of α-1-Antichymotrypsin Expression with the Development of Conformational Changes of Tau Protein in Alzheimer's Disease Brain. Neuroscience 2022; 518:83-100. [PMID: 35007692 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.01.002] [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: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), two mutually exclusive amino-terminal-dependent conformations have been reported to occur during the aggregation of Tau protein into neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). An early conformation of full-length Tau, involving the bending of the amino terminus over the third repeated domain, is recognized by the Alz-50 antibody, followed by a second conformation recognized by Tau-66 antibody that depends on the folding of the proline-rich region over the third repeated domain in a molecule partially truncated at the amino- and carboxyl-termini. α-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) is an acute phase serum glycoprotein that accumulates abnormally in the brain of AD patients, and since it is considered to promote the in vitro and in vivo aggregation of amyloid-β, we here seek further evidence that ACT may also contribute to the abnormal aggregation of Tau in AD. By analyzing brain samples from a population of AD cases under immunofluorescence and high-resolution confocal microscopy, we demonstrate here the abundant expression of ACT in hippocampal neurons, visualized as a granular diffuse accumulation, frequently reaching the nuclear compartment. In a significant number of these neurons, intracellular NFTs composed of abnormally phosphorylated and truncated Tau at Asp421 were also observed to coexist in separated regions of the cytoplasm. However, we found strong colocalization between ACT and diffuse aggregates of Tau-66-positive granules, which was not observed with Alz-50 antibody. These results suggest that ACT may play a role during the development of Tau conformational changes facilitating its aggregation during the formation of the neurofibrillary pathology in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Perla H Horta-López
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neurosciences, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Graciela Mendoza-Franco
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fanny Rodríguez-Cruz
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Francisco M Torres-Cruz
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología del Desarrollo y la Neurodegeneración, UBIMED, FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Elizabeth Hernández-Echeagaray
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología del Desarrollo y la Neurodegeneración, UBIMED, FES-Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jose J Jarero-Basulto
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, Cell and Molecular Biology Department, CUCBA, University of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
| | - Jan Rícny
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Benjamín Florán Garduño
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neurosciences, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Francisco Garcia-Sierra
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lyu W, Li Q, Li Q, Chen Y, Wang Y, Tang T, Feng F, Chi H, Li Y, Liu W, Sun H. Design, Bio-evaluation and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Novel GSK-3β Inhibitors. Mol Inform 2021; 40:e2060031. [PMID: 34323388 DOI: 10.1002/minf.202060031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) is considered as a promising drug target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, two compound libraries were selected for virtual screening based on pharmacophore models of GSK-3β to discover new inhibitors. Nine potential hits were retained for biological investigation and four of these compounds showed GSK-3β inhibitory activity (with the IC50 values in sub-micromolar range on GSK-3β). Compounds 6 and 9 have good safety. They do not have any significant in vitro cytotoxicity against PC12 and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells at concentrations up to 90 μM. Based on the inhibitory activity and druggability properties, compound 8 is the preferred molecule, and it is a promising lead for the development of the GSK-3β inhibitors for reducing the abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and relieving AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Lyu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Qihang Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingming Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongzhong Tang
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Feng
- Institute of Food and Pharmaceuticals Research, Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceuticals Science College, Huaian, 223003, People's Republic of China.,Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Chi
- Food and Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceuticals Science College, Huaian, 223003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceuticals Science College, Huaian, 223005, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.,Zhejiang Center for Safety Study of Drug Substances (Industrial Technology Innovation Platform), Hangzhou, 310018
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tau Is Truncated in Five Regions of the Normal Adult Human Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073521. [PMID: 33805376 PMCID: PMC8036332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The truncation of Tau is thought to be important in promoting aggregation, with this feature characterising the pathology of dementias such as Alzheimer disease. Antibodies to the C-terminal and N-terminal regions of Tau were employed to examine Tau cleavage in five human brain regions: the entorhinal cortex, prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These were obtained from normal subjects ranging in age from 18 to 104 years. Tau fragments of approximately 40 kDa and 45 kDa with an intact N-terminus retained were found in soluble and insoluble brain fractions. In addition, smaller C-terminal Tau fragments ranging in mass from 17 kDa to 25 kDa were also detected. These findings are consistent with significant Tau cleavage taking place in brain regions from 18 years onwards. It appears that site-specific cleavage of Tau is widespread in the normal human brain, and that large Tau fragments that contain the N-terminus, as well as shorter C-terminal Tau fragments, are present in brain cells across the age range.
Collapse
|