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Wang Y, Sun S, Zhai J, Liu Y, Song C, Sun C, Li Q, Liu J, Jiang H, Liu Y. scAAV9-VEGF alleviates symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice through regulating aromatase. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:2817-2827. [PMID: 37882882 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06721-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset, chronic, progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive atrophy and weakness of the muscles throughout the body. Herein, we found that the intrathecal injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-delivered VEGF in SOD1-G93A transgenic mice, as well as ALS mice, could significantly delay disease onset and preserve motor functions and neurological functions, thus prolonging the survival of mice models. Moreover, we found that VEGF treatment could induce the elevated expression of aromatase, which is a key enzyme in estrogen synthesis, in neurons but not in astrocytes. On the other hand, the changes in the expression of oxidative stress-related factors HO-1 and GCLM and autophagy-related proteins p62 and LC3II upon the administration of VEGF revealed the involvement of oxidative stress and autophagy underlying the downstream of the VEGF-induced mitigation of ALS. In conclusion, this study proved the protective effects of VEGF in the onset and development of ALS and revealed the involvement of estrogen, oxidative stress and autophagy in the VEGF-induced alleviation of ALS. Our results highlighted the potential of VEGF as a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuo Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingxu Zhai
- The Third Department of Pediatrics, Xingtai People's Hospital, 16 Hongxing Street, Xingtai, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- General practice department, Cangzhou Central Hospital, 16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoyuan Song
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuimei Sun
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Li
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianqiang Liu
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Jiang
- West Department of Neurology, Zibo Central Hospital, No. 54 Gongqingtuan West Road, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 215 West Heping Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Ghosh D. Structures and Functions of Human Placental Aromatase and Steroid Sulfatase, Two Key Enzymes in Estrogen Biosynthesis. Steroids 2023; 196:109249. [PMID: 37207843 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2023.109249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 aromatase (AROM) and steroid sulfatase (STS) are the two key enzymes for the biosynthesis of estrogens in human, and maintenance of the critical balance between androgens and estrogens. Human AROM, an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily. It is the only enzyme to catalyze the conversion of androgens with non-aromatic A-rings to estrogens characterized by the aromatic A-ring. Human STS, also an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, is a Ca2+-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sulfate esters of estrone and dehydroepiandrosterone to the unconjugated steroids, the precursors of the most potent forms of estrogens and androgens, namely, 17β-estradiol, 16α,17β-estriol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Expression of these steroidogenic enzymes locally within organs and tissues of the endocrine, reproductive, and central nervous systems is the key for maintaining high levels of the reproductive steroids. The enzymes have been drug targets for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with steroid hormone excesses, especially in breast, endometrial and prostate malignancies. Both enzymes have been the subjects of vigorous research for the past six decades. In this article, we review the important findings on their structure-function relationships, specifically, the work that began with unravelling of the closely guarded secrets, namely, the 3-D structures, active sites, mechanisms of action, origins of substrate specificity and the basis of membrane integration. Remarkably, these studies were conducted on the enzymes purified in their pristine forms from human placenta, the discarded and their most abundant source. The purification, assay, crystallization, and structure determination methodologies are described. Also reviewed are their functional quaternary organizations, post-translational modifications and the advancements made in the structure-guided inhibitor design efforts. Outstanding questions that still remain open are summarized in closing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debashis Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210.
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3
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Abstract
Aromatase CYP19A1 catalyzes the synthesis of estrogens in endocrine, reproductive and central nervous systems. Higher levels of 17β-estradiol (E2) are associated with malignancies and diseases of the breast, ovary and endometrium, while low E2 levels increase the risk for osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and cognitive disorders. E2, the transcriptional activator of the estrogen receptors, is also known to be involved in non-genomic signaling as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator, with recent evidence for rapid estrogen synthesis (RES) within the synaptic terminal. Although regulation of brain aromatase activity by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation has been suggested, it remains obscure in the endocrine and reproductive systems. RES and overabundance of estrogens could stimulate the genomic and non-genomic signaling pathways, and genotoxic effects of estrogen metabolites. Here, by utilizing biochemical, cellular, mass spectrometric, and structural data we unequivocally demonstrate phosphorylation of human placental aromatase and regulation of its activity. We report that human aromatase has multiple phosphorylation sites, some of which are consistently detectable. Phosphorylation of the residue Y361 at the reductase-coupling interface significantly elevates aromatase activity. Other sites include the active site residue S478 and several at the membrane interface. We present the evidence that two histidine residues are phosphorylated. Furthermore, oxidation of two proline residues near the active site may have implications in regulation. Taken together, the results demonstrate that aromatase activity is regulated by phosphorylation and possibly other post-translational modifications. Protein level regulation of aromatase activity not only represents a paradigm shift in estrogen-mediated biology, it could also explain unresolved clinical questions such as aromatase inhibitor resistance.
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4
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Vegeto E, Villa A, Della Torre S, Crippa V, Rusmini P, Cristofani R, Galbiati M, Maggi A, Poletti A. The Role of Sex and Sex Hormones in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Endocr Rev 2020; 41:5572525. [PMID: 31544208 PMCID: PMC7156855 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnz005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a wide class of disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology. Several factors were hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases, including genetic and environmental factors. Many of these diseases show a sex prevalence and sex steroids were shown to have a role in the progression of specific forms of neurodegeneration. Estrogens were reported to be neuroprotective through their action on cognate nuclear and membrane receptors, while adverse effects of male hormones have been described on neuronal cells, although some data also suggest neuroprotective activities. The response of the CNS to sex steroids is a complex and integrated process that depends on (i) the type and amount of the cognate steroid receptor and (ii) the target cell type-either neurons, glia, or microglia. Moreover, the levels of sex steroids in the CNS fluctuate due to gonadal activities and to local metabolism and synthesis. Importantly, biochemical processes involved in the pathogenesis of NDs are increasingly being recognized as different between the two sexes and as influenced by sex steroids. The aim of this review is to present current state-of-the-art understanding on the potential role of sex steroids and their receptors on the onset and progression of major neurodegenerative disorders, namely, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the peculiar motoneuron disease spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, in which hormonal therapy is potentially useful as disease modifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Vegeto
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Villa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute (DiSS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cristofani
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche (DiSFarm), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Eccellenza di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari (DiSFeB), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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5
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Yan L, Qi W, Liu Y, Zhou F, Wang Y, Bai L, Zhou X, Sun C, Nie X, Duan S, Ran J, Chen J, Ji Y, Liu Y, Li Z, Li Y, Wang Q. The Protective Effect of Aromatase on NSC-34 Cells with Stably Expressed hSOD1-G93A. Neuroscience 2019; 411:37-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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6
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Brocca ME, Garcia-Segura LM. Non-reproductive Functions of Aromatase in the Central Nervous System Under Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:473-481. [PMID: 30084008 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-018-0607-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The modulation of brain function and behavior by steroid hormones was classically associated with their secretion by peripheral endocrine glands. The discovery that the brain expresses the enzyme aromatase, which produces estradiol from testosterone, expanded this traditional concept. One of the best-studied roles of brain estradiol synthesis is the control of reproductive behavior. In addition, there is increasing evidence that estradiol from neural origin is also involved in a variety of non-reproductive functions. These include the regulation of neurogenesis, neuronal development, synaptic transmission, and plasticity in brain regions not directly related with the control of reproduction. Central aromatase is also involved in the modulation of cognition, mood, and non-reproductive behaviors. Furthermore, under pathological conditions aromatase is upregulated in the central nervous system. This upregulation represents a neuroprotective and likely also a reparative response by increasing local estradiol levels in order to maintain the homeostasis of the neural tissue. In this paper, we review the non-reproductive functions of neural aromatase and neural-derived estradiol under physiological and pathological conditions. We also consider the existence of sex differences in the role of the enzyme in both contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elvira Brocca
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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7
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Wang T, Cheng J, Wang S, Wang X, Jiang H, Yang Y, Wang Y, Zhang C, Liang W, Feng H. α-Lipoic acid attenuates oxidative stress and neurotoxicity via the ERK/Akt-dependent pathway in the mutant hSOD1 related Drosophila model and the NSC34 cell line of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Res Bull 2018; 140:299-310. [PMID: 29842900 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease with a progressive loss of motor neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). However, there are unsolved problems with the therapies for this disease. α-Lipoic acid (LA) is a natural, universal antioxidant capable of scavenging hydroxyl radicals as well as regenerating a series of antioxidant enzymes that has been widely used in clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of LA in ALS cell and Drosophila models with mutant G85R and G93A hSOD1 genes. The biological effects of LA and the protein levels of several antioxidant factors were examined, as were those of phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK. Furthermore, specific inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways were used to analyze their effects on LA-induced antioxidant expression in vivo and in vitro. Evidences showed that the mutant hSOD1 resulted in the increased oxidative stress, abnormal antioxidant signaling and pathological behaviors in motor performance and survival compared with non-mutant hSOD1 models, treatment with LA improved motor activity and survival in transgenic flies, prevented NSC34 cells from mutant hSOD1 or H2O2 induced decreased antioxidant enzymes as well as increased ROS levels. In addition, LA regulated the expression levels of antioxidant proteins in a dose- and periodical time-dependent manner, which might be mediated by ERK/Akt pathway activation and independent from the mutant hSOD1 gene. Our observations suggest that LA exerts strong and positive antioxidant and neuroprotective effects through the activation of the ERK-Akt pathway in hSOD1 ALS models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhang Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Jiling Cheng
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Shuyu Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Hongquan Jiang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Yueqing Yang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Weiwei Liang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China
| | - Honglin Feng
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, PR China.
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8
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Choi HS, Lee MJ, Choi SR, Smeester BA, Beitz AJ, Lee JH. Spinal Sigma-1 Receptor-mediated Dephosphorylation of Astrocytic Aromatase Plays a Key Role in Formalin-induced Inflammatory Nociception. Neuroscience 2018; 372:181-191. [PMID: 29289721 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Aromatase is a key enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of estrogen from testosterone. Although recent evidence indicates that spinal cord aromatase participates in nociceptive processing, the mechanisms underlying its regulation and its involvement in nociception remain unclear. The present study focuses on the potential role of astrocyte aromatase in formalin-induced acute pain and begins to uncover one mechanism by which spinal aromatase activation is controlled. Following intraplantar formalin injection, nociceptive responses were quantified and immunohistochemistry/co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the changes in spinal Fos expression and the phospho-serine levels of spinal aromatase. Intrathecal (i.t.) injection of letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) mitigated both the late phase formalin-induced nociceptive responses and formalin-induced spinal Fos expression. Furthermore, formalin-injected mice showed significantly reduced phospho-serine levels of aromatase, which is associated with the rapid activation of this enzyme. However, sigma-1 receptor inhibition with i.t. BD1047 blocked the dephosphorylation of aromatase and potentiated the pharmacological effect of letrozole on formalin-induced nociceptive responses. In addition, i.t. administration of a sub-effective dose of BD1047 potentiated the pharmacological effect of cyclosporin A (a calcineurin inhibitor) on both the formalin-induced reduction in phospho-serine levels of aromatase and nociceptive behavior. These results suggest that dephosphorylation is an important regulatory mechanism involved in the rapid activation of aromatase and that spinal sigma-1 receptors mediate this dephosphorylation of aromatase through an intrinsic calcineurin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoon-Seong Choi
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Ji Lee
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sheu-Ran Choi
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Branden A Smeester
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
| | - Alvin J Beitz
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
| | - Jang-Hern Lee
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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