1
|
Cristofani R, Crippa V, Cicardi ME, Tedesco B, Ferrari V, Chierichetti M, Casarotto E, Piccolella M, Messi E, Galbiati M, Rusmini P, Poletti A. A Crucial Role for the Protein Quality Control System in Motor Neuron Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:191. [PMID: 32792938 PMCID: PMC7385251 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are fatal diseases characterized by loss of motor neurons in the brain cortex, in the bulbar region, and/or in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. While generally sporadic, inherited forms linked to mutant genes encoding altered RNA/protein products have also been described. Several different mechanisms have been found altered or dysfunctional in MNDs, like the protein quality control (PQC) system. In this review, we will discuss how the PQC system is affected in two MNDs—spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—and how this affects the clearance of aberrantly folded proteins, which accumulate in motor neurons, inducing dysfunctions and their death. In addition, we will discuss how the PQC system can be targeted to restore proper cell function, enhancing the survival of affected cells in MNDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Cristofani
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Cicardi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Barbara Tedesco
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrari
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Chierichetti
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Piccolella
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elio Messi
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariarita Galbiati
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Rusmini
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Poletti
- Laboratorio di Biologia Applicata, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2018-2022, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEND), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gonadal hormone modulation of intracellular calcium as a mechanism of neuroprotection. Front Neuroendocrinol 2016; 42:40-52. [PMID: 26930421 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hormones have wide-ranging effects throughout the nervous system, including the ability interact with and modulate many aspects of intracellular calcium regulation and calcium signaling. Indeed, these interactions specifically may help to explain the often opposing or paradoxical effects of hormones, such as their ability to both promote and prevent neuronal cell death during development, as well as reduce or exacerbate damage following an insult or injury in adulthood. Here, we review the basic mechanisms underlying intracellular calcium regulation-perhaps the most dynamic and flexible of all signaling molecules-and discuss how gonadal hormones might manipulate these mechanisms to coordinate diverse cellular responses and achieve disparate outcomes. Additional future research that specifically addresses questions of sex and hormone effects on calcium signaling at different ages will be critical to understanding hormone-mediated neuroprotection.
Collapse
|
3
|
The Role of the Protein Quality Control System in SBMA. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:348-64. [PMID: 26572535 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0675-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) or Kennedy's disease is an X-linked disease associated with the expansion of the CAG triplet repeat present in exon 1 of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. This results in the production of a mutant AR containing an elongated polyglutamine tract (polyQ) in its N-terminus. Interestingly, the ARpolyQ becomes toxic only after its activation by the natural androgenic ligands, possibly because of aberrant androgen-induced conformational changes of the ARpolyQ, which generate misfolded species. These misfolded ARpolyQ species must be cleared from motoneurons and muscle cells, and this process is mediated by the protein quality control (PQC) system. Experimental evidence suggested that failure of the PQC pathways occurs in disease, leading to ARpolyQ accumulation and toxicity in the target cells. In this review, we summarized the overall impact of mutant and misfolded ARpolyQ on the PQC system and described how molecular chaperones and the degradative pathways (ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), and the unfolded protein response (UPR), which activates the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD)) are differentially affected in SBMA. We also extensively and critically reviewed several molecular and pharmacological approaches proposed to restore a global intracellular activity of the PQC system. Collectively, these data suggest that the fine and delicate equilibrium existing among the different players of the PQC system could be restored in a therapeutic perspective by the synergic/additive activities of compounds designed to tackle sequential or alternative steps of the intracellular defense mechanisms triggered against proteotoxic misfolded species.
Collapse
|
4
|
Zup SL, Edwards NS, McCarthy MM. Sex- and age-dependent effects of androgens on glutamate-induced cell death and intracellular calcium regulation in the developing hippocampus. Neuroscience 2014; 281:77-87. [PMID: 25264034 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 08/31/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal neurons must maintain control over cytosolic calcium levels, especially during development, as excitation and calcium flux are necessary for proper growth and function. But excessive calcium can lead to excitotoxic cell death. Previous work suggests that neonatal male and female hippocampal neurons regulate cytosolic calcium differently, thereby leading to differential susceptibility to excitotoxic damage. Hippocampal neurons are also exposed to gonadal hormones during development and express high levels of androgen receptors. Androgens have both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects in adults and developing animals. The present study sought to examine the effect of androgen on cell survival after an excitatory stimulus in the developing hippocampus, and whether androgen-mediated calcium regulation was the governing mechanism. We observed that glutamate did not induce robust or sexually dimorphic apoptosis in cultured hippocampal neurons at an early neonatal time point, but did 5days later - only in males. Further, pretreatment with the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) protected males from apoptosis during this time, but had no effect on females. Calcium imaging of sex-specific cultures revealed that DHT decreased the peak of intracellular calcium induced by glutamate, but only in males. To determine a possible mechanism for this androgen neuroprotection and calcium regulation, we quantified three calcium regulatory proteins, plasma membrane calcium ATPase1 (PMCA1), sodium/calcium exchanger1 (NCX1), and the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2 (SERCA2). Surprisingly, there was no sex difference in the level of any of the three proteins. Treatment with DHT significantly decreased PMCA1 and NCX1, but increased SERCA2 protein levels in very young animals but not at a later timepoint. Taken together, these data suggest a complex interaction of sex, hormones, calcium regulation and developmental age; however androgens acting during the first week of life are implicated in regulation of hippocampal cell death and may be an underlying mechanism for sexually dimorphic apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S L Zup
- Program in Developmental and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, United States.
| | - N S Edwards
- Department of Pharmacology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| | - M M McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Montague K, Malik B, Gray AL, La Spada AR, Hanna MG, Szabadkai G, Greensmith L. Endoplasmic reticulum stress in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy: a potential target for therapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 137:1894-906. [PMID: 24898351 PMCID: PMC4065020 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awu114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is a degenerative motor neuron disease caused by CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor gene. Montague et al. reveal an early increase in endoplasmic reticulum stress in a mouse model, and suggest that this pathway may be a therapeutic target for polyglutamine diseases. Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is an X-linked degenerative motor neuron disease caused by an abnormal expansion in the polyglutamine encoding CAG repeat of the androgen receptor gene. There is evidence implicating endoplasmic reticulum stress in the development and progression of neurodegenerative disease, including polyglutamine disorders such as Huntington’s disease and in motor neuron disease, where cellular stress disrupts functioning of the endoplasmic reticulum, leading to induction of the unfolded protein response. We examined whether endoplasmic reticulum stress is also involved in the pathogenesis of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy mice that carry 100 pathogenic polyglutamine repeats in the androgen receptor, and develop a late-onset neuromuscular phenotype with motor neuron degeneration, were studied. We observed a disturbance in endoplasmic reticulum-associated calcium homeostasis in cultured embryonic motor neurons from spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy mice, which was accompanied by increased endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress reduced the endoplasmic reticulum-associated cell death pathway. Examination of spinal cord motor neurons of pathogenic mice at different disease stages revealed elevated expression of markers for endoplasmic reticulum stress, confirming an increase in this stress response in vivo. Importantly, the most significant increase was detected presymptomatically, suggesting that endoplasmic reticulum stress may play an early and possibly causal role in disease pathogenesis. Our results therefore indicate that the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway could potentially be a therapeutic target for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy and related polyglutamine diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karli Montague
- 1 Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK2 MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Bilal Malik
- 1 Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK2 MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Anna L Gray
- 1 Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK2 MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Albert R La Spada
- 3 Department of Paediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA4 Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine and Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA5 Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA6 Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA7 Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA8 Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Michael G Hanna
- 2 MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK9 Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Gyorgy Szabadkai
- 10 Cell and Developmental Biology Department, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK11 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua and CNR Neuroscience Institute, Padua, Italy
| | - Linda Greensmith
- 1 Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK2 MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, UCL, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ottem EN, Bailey DJ, Jordan CL, Breedlove SM. With a little help from my friends: androgens tap BDNF signaling pathways to alter neural circuits. Neuroscience 2012; 239:124-38. [PMID: 23262234 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Revised: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Gonadal androgens are critical for the development and maintenance of sexually dimorphic regions of the male nervous system, which is critical for male-specific behavior and physiological functioning. In rodents, the motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) provide a useful example of a neural system dependent on androgen. Unless rescued by perinatal androgens, the SNB motoneurons will undergo apoptotic cell death. In adulthood, SNB motoneurons remain dependent on androgen, as castration leads to somal atrophy and dendritic retraction. In a second vertebrate model, the zebra finch, androgens are critical for the development of several brain nuclei involved in song production in males. Androgen deprivation during a critical period during postnatal development disrupts song acquisition and dimorphic size-associated nuclei. Mechanisms by which androgens exert masculinizing effects in each model system remain elusive. Recent studies suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a role in androgen-dependent masculinization and maintenance of both SNB motoneurons and song nuclei of birds. This review aims to summarize studies demonstrating that BDNF signaling via its tyrosine receptor kinase (TrkB) receptor may work cooperatively with androgens to maintain somal and dendritic morphology of SNB motoneurons. We further describe studies that suggest the cellular origin of BDNF is of particular importance in androgen-dependent regulation of SNB motoneurons. We review evidence that androgens and BDNF may synergistically influence song development and plasticity in bird species. Finally, we provide hypothetical models of mechanisms that may underlie androgen- and BDNF-dependent signaling pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E N Ottem
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI 49855, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|