1
|
Masone A, Zucchelli C, Caruso E, Lavigna G, Eraña H, Giachin G, Tapella L, Comerio L, Restelli E, Raimondi I, Elezgarai SR, De Leo F, Quilici G, Taiarol L, Oldrati M, Lorenzo NL, García-Martínez S, Cagnotto A, Lucchetti J, Gobbi M, Vanni I, Nonno R, Di Bari MA, Tully MD, Cecatiello V, Ciossani G, Pasqualato S, Van Anken E, Salmona M, Castilla J, Requena JR, Banfi S, Musco G, Chiesa R. A tetracationic porphyrin with dual anti-prion activity. iScience 2023; 26:107480. [PMID: 37636075 PMCID: PMC10448035 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107480] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Prions are deadly infectious agents made of PrPSc, a misfolded variant of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) which self-propagates by inducing misfolding of native PrPC. PrPSc can adopt different pathogenic conformations (prion strains), which can be resistant to potential drugs, or acquire drug resistance, hampering the development of effective therapies. We identified Zn(II)-BnPyP, a tetracationic porphyrin that binds to distinct domains of native PrPC, eliciting a dual anti-prion effect. Zn(II)-BnPyP binding to a C-terminal pocket destabilizes the native PrPC fold, hindering conversion to PrPSc; Zn(II)-BnPyP binding to the flexible N-terminal tail disrupts N- to C-terminal interactions, triggering PrPC endocytosis and lysosomal degradation, thus reducing the substrate for PrPSc generation. Zn(II)-BnPyP inhibits propagation of different prion strains in vitro, in neuronal cells and organotypic brain cultures. These results identify a PrPC-targeting compound with an unprecedented dual mechanism of action which might be exploited to achieve anti-prion effects without engendering drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Masone
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Zucchelli
- Biomolecular NMR Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Caruso
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Giada Lavigna
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Hasier Eraña
- Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biociencias (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III National Health Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriele Giachin
- Department of Chemical Sciences (DiSC), University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Tapella
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Liliana Comerio
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Restelli
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Raimondi
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Saioa R. Elezgarai
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica De Leo
- Biomolecular NMR Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Quilici
- Biomolecular NMR Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Taiarol
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Marvin Oldrati
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Nuria L. Lorenzo
- CIMUS Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Sandra García-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biociencias (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Alfredo Cagnotto
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lucchetti
- Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Laboratory of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vanni
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele A. Di Bari
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mark D. Tully
- Structural Biology Group, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Valentina Cecatiello
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ciossani
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Pasqualato
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Eelco Van Anken
- Protein Transport and Secretion Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Salmona
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- Centro de Investigación Cooperativa en Biociencias (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III National Health Institute, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jesús R. Requena
- CIMUS Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Stefano Banfi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Giovanna Musco
- Biomolecular NMR Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Chiesa
- Laboratory of Prion Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gielnik M, Szymańska A, Dong X, Jarvet J, Svedružić ŽM, Gräslund A, Kozak M, Wärmländer SKTS. Prion Protein Octarepeat Domain Forms Transient β-Sheet Structures upon Residue-Specific Binding to Cu(II) and Zn(II) Ions. Biochemistry 2023. [PMID: 37163663 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) is associated with the development of fatal neurodegenerative diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Metal ions appear to play a crucial role in PrPC misfolding. PrPC is a combined Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal-binding protein, where the main metal-binding site is located in the octarepeat (OR) region. Thus, the biological function of PrPC may involve the transport of divalent metal ions across membranes or buffering concentrations of divalent metal ions in the synaptic cleft. Recent studies have shown that an excess of Cu(II) ions can result in PrPC instability, oligomerization, and/or neuroinflammation. Here, we have used biophysical methods to characterize Cu(II) and Zn(II) binding to the isolated OR region of PrPC. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy data suggest that the OR domain binds up to four Cu(II) ions or two Zn(II) ions. Binding of the first metal ion results in a structural transition from the polyproline II helix to the β-turn structure, while the binding of additional metal ions induces the formation of β-sheet structures. Fluorescence spectroscopy data indicate that the OR region can bind both Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions at neutral pH, but under acidic conditions, it binds only Cu(II) ions. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that binding of either metal ion to the OR region results in the formation of β-hairpin structures. As the formation of β-sheet structures can be a first step toward amyloid formation, we propose that high concentrations of either Cu(II) or Zn(II) ions may have a pro-amyloid effect in TSE diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Gielnik
- Department of Macromolecular Physics, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, PL 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Aneta Szymańska
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University, PL 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Xiaolin Dong
- Chemistry Section, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Chemistry Section, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- The National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Željko M Svedružić
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, HR 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Chemistry Section, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maciej Kozak
- Department of Macromolecular Physics, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, PL 61-614 Poznań, Poland
- National Synchrotron Radiation Centre SOLARIS, Jagiellonian University, PL 30-392 Kraków, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pentosan polysulfate induces low-level persistent prion infection keeping measurable seeding activity without PrP-res detection in Fukuoka-1 infected cell cultures. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7923. [PMID: 35562591 PMCID: PMC9106670 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12049-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Each prion strain has its own characteristics and the efficacy of anti-prion drugs varies. Screening of prion disease therapeutics is typically evaluated by measuring amounts of protease-resistant prion protein (PrP-res). However, it remains unclear whether such measurements correlate with seeding activity, which is evaluated by real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC). In this study, the effects of anti-prion compounds pentosan polysulfate (PPS), Congo red, and alprenolol were measured in N2a58 cells infected with Fukuoka-1 (FK1) or 22L strain. The compounds abolished PrP-res and seeding activity, except for N2a58/FK1 treated with PPS. Interestingly, the seeding activity of N2a58/FK1, which was reduced in the presence of PPS, was not lost and remained at low levels. However, upon removal of PPS, both were gradually restored to their original levels. These results indicate that low-level persistent prion infection keeping measurable seeding activity is induced by PPS in a strain-dependent manner. Furthermore, for protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), the anti-prion effect of PPS decreased in FK1 compared to 22L, suggesting that the differences occur at the level of the direct conversion. Our findings demonstrate that the advantages of RT-QuIC and PMCA can be exploited for more accurate assessment of therapeutic drug screening, reflecting strain differences.
Collapse
|
4
|
do Amaral MJ, Freire MHO, Almeida MS, Pinheiro AS, Cordeiro Y. Phase separation of the mammalian prion protein: physiological and pathological perspectives. J Neurochem 2022. [PMID: 35149997 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15586] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal phase transitions have been implicated in the occurrence of proteinopathies. Disordered proteins with nucleic acid binding ability drive the formation of reversible micron-sized condensates capable of controlling nucleic acid processing/transport. This mechanism, achieved via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), underlies the formation of long-studied membraneless organelles (e.g., nucleolus) and various transient condensates formed by driver proteins. The prion protein (PrP) is not a classical nucleic acid-binding protein. However, it binds nucleic acids with high affinity, undergoes nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, contains a long intrinsically disordered region rich in glycines and evenly spaced aromatic residues, among other biochemical/biophysical properties of bona fide drivers of phase transitions. Because of this, our group and others have characterized LLPS of recombinant PrP. In vitro phase separation of PrP is modulated by nucleic acid aptamers, and, depending on the aptamer conformation, the liquid droplets evolve to solid-like species. Herein we discuss recent studies and previous evidence supporting PrP phase transitions. We focus on the central role of LLPS related to PrP physiology and pathology, with a special emphasis on the interaction of PrP with different ligands, such as proteins and nucleic acids, which can play a role in prion disease pathogenesis. Finally, we comment on therapeutic strategies directed at the nonfunctional phase separation that could potentially tackle prion diseases or other protein misfolding disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana J do Amaral
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | - Anderson S Pinheiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Unfolded and intermediate states of PrP play a key role in the mechanism of action of an antiprion chaperone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2010213118. [PMID: 33619087 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010213118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion and prion-like diseases involve the propagation of misfolded protein conformers. Small-molecule pharmacological chaperones can inhibit propagated misfolding, but how they interact with disease-related proteins to prevent misfolding is often unclear. We investigated how pentosan polysulfate (PPS), a polyanion with antiprion activity in vitro and in vivo, interacts with mammalian prion protein (PrP) to alter its folding. Calorimetry showed that PPS binds two sites on natively folded PrP, but one PPS molecule can bind multiple PrP molecules. Force spectroscopy measurements of single PrP molecules showed PPS stabilizes not only the native fold of PrP but also many different partially folded intermediates that are not observed in the absence of PPS. PPS also bound tightly to unfolded segments of PrP, delaying refolding. These observations imply that PPS can act through multiple possible modes, inhibiting misfolding not only by stabilizing the native fold or sequestering natively folded PrP into aggregates, as proposed previously, but also by binding to partially or fully unfolded states that play key roles in mediating misfolding. These results underline the likely importance of unfolded states as critical intermediates on the prion conversion pathway.
Collapse
|
6
|
Prado MB, Melo Escobar MI, Alves RN, Coelho BP, Fernandes CFDL, Boccacino JM, Iglesia RP, Lopes MH. Prion Protein at the Leading Edge: Its Role in Cell Motility. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6677. [PMID: 32932634 PMCID: PMC7555277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell motility is a central process involved in fundamental biological phenomena during embryonic development, wound healing, immune surveillance, and cancer spreading. Cell movement is complex and dynamic and requires the coordinated activity of cytoskeletal, membrane, adhesion and extracellular proteins. Cellular prion protein (PrPC) has been implicated in distinct aspects of cell motility, including axonal growth, transendothelial migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, formation of lamellipodia, and tumor migration and invasion. The preferential location of PrPC on cell membrane favors its function as a pivotal molecule in cell motile phenotype, being able to serve as a scaffold protein for extracellular matrix proteins, cell surface receptors, and cytoskeletal multiprotein complexes to modulate their activities in cellular movement. Evidence points to PrPC mediating interactions of multiple key elements of cell motility at the intra- and extracellular levels, such as integrins and matrix proteins, also regulating cell adhesion molecule stability and cell adhesion cytoskeleton dynamics. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern cell motility is critical for tissue homeostasis, since uncontrolled cell movement results in pathological conditions such as developmental diseases and tumor dissemination. In this review, we discuss the relevant contribution of PrPC in several aspects of cell motility, unveiling new insights into both PrPC function and mechanism in a multifaceted manner either in physiological or pathological contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marilene Hohmuth Lopes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (M.B.P.); (M.I.M.E.); (R.N.A.); (B.P.C.); (C.F.d.L.F.); (J.M.B.); (R.P.I.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
ODiNPred: comprehensive prediction of protein order and disorder. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14780. [PMID: 32901090 PMCID: PMC7479119 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71716-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural disorder is widespread in eukaryotic proteins and is vital for their function in diverse biological processes. It is therefore highly desirable to be able to predict the degree of order and disorder from amino acid sequence. It is, however, notoriously difficult to predict the degree of local flexibility within structured domains and the presence and nuances of localized rigidity within intrinsically disordered regions. To identify such instances, we used the CheZOD database, which encompasses accurate, balanced, and continuous-valued quantification of protein (dis)order at amino acid resolution based on NMR chemical shifts. To computationally forecast the spectrum of protein disorder in the most comprehensive manner possible, we constructed the sequence-based protein order/disorder predictor ODiNPred, trained on an expanded version of CheZOD. ODiNPred applies a deep neural network comprising 157 unique sequence features to 1325 protein sequences together with the experimental NMR chemical shift data. Cross-validation for 117 protein sequences shows that ODiNPred better predicts the continuous variation in order along the protein sequence, suggesting that contemporary predictors are limited by the quality of training data. The inclusion of evolutionary features reduces the performance gap between ODiNPred and its peers, but analysis shows that it retains greater accuracy for the more challenging prediction of intermediate disorder.
Collapse
|
8
|
Hara H, Sakaguchi S. N-Terminal Regions of Prion Protein: Functions and Roles in Prion Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176233. [PMID: 32872280 PMCID: PMC7504422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The normal cellular isoform of prion protein, designated PrPC, is constitutively converted to the abnormally folded, amyloidogenic isoform, PrPSc, in prion diseases, which include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans and scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy in animals. PrPC is a membrane glycoprotein consisting of the non-structural N-terminal domain and the globular C-terminal domain. During conversion of PrPC to PrPSc, its 2/3 C-terminal region undergoes marked structural changes, forming a protease-resistant structure. In contrast, the N-terminal region remains protease-sensitive in PrPSc. Reverse genetic studies using reconstituted PrPC-knockout mice with various mutant PrP molecules have revealed that the N-terminal domain has an important role in the normal function of PrPC and the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc. The N-terminal domain includes various characteristic regions, such as the positively charged residue-rich polybasic region, the octapeptide repeat (OR) region consisting of five repeats of an octapeptide sequence, and the post-OR region with another positively charged residue-rich polybasic region followed by a stretch of hydrophobic residues. We discuss the normal functions of PrPC, the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc, and the neurotoxicity of PrPSc by focusing on the roles of the N-terminal regions in these topics.
Collapse
|
9
|
Development and structural determination of an anti-PrP C aptamer that blocks pathological conformational conversion of prion protein. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4934. [PMID: 32188933 PMCID: PMC7080826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases comprise a fatal neuropathy caused by the conversion of prion protein from a cellular (PrPC) to a pathological (PrPSc) isoform. Previously, we obtained an RNA aptamer, r(GGAGGAGGAGGA) (R12), that folds into a unique G-quadruplex. The R12 homodimer binds to a PrPC molecule, inhibiting PrPC-to-PrPSc conversion. Here, we developed a new RNA aptamer, r(GGAGGAGGAGGAGGAGGAGGAGGA) (R24), where two R12s are tandemly connected. The 50% inhibitory concentration for the formation of PrPSc (IC50) of R24 in scrapie-infected cell lines was ca. 100 nM, i.e., much lower than that of R12 by two orders. Except for some antibodies, R24 exhibited the lowest recorded IC50 and the highest anti-prion activity. We also developed a related aptamer, r(GGAGGAGGAGGA-A-GGAGGAGGAGGA) (R12-A-R12), IC50 being ca. 500 nM. The structure of a single R12-A-R12 molecule determined by NMR resembled that of the R12 homodimer. The quadruplex structure of either R24 or R12-A-R12 is unimolecular, and therefore the structure could be stably formed when they are administered to a prion-infected cell culture. This may be the reason they can exert high anti-prion activity.
Collapse
|
10
|
The N-Terminal Polybasic Region of Prion Protein Is Crucial in Prion Pathogenesis Independently of the Octapeptide Repeat Region. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 57:1203-1216. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01804-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
11
|
Crowley EL, Rafferty SP. Review of lactose-driven auto-induction expression of isotope-labelled proteins. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 157:70-85. [PMID: 30708035 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
NMR is an important method in the structural and functional characterization of proteins, but such experiments typically require isotopic labelling because of the low natural abundance of the nuclei of interest. Isotope-labelled protein for NMR experiments is typically obtained from IPTG-inducible bacterial expression systems in a minimal media that contains labelled carbon or nitrogen sources. Optimization of expression conditions is crucial yet challenging; large amounts of labelled protein are desired, yet protein yields are lower in minimal media, while the labelled precursors are expensive. Faced with these challenges there is a growing body of literature that apply innovative methods of induction to optimize the yield of isotope-labelled protein. A promising technique is lactose-driven auto-induction as it mitigates user intervention and can lead to higher protein yields. This review assesses the current advances and limitations surrounding the ability of researchers to isotope label proteins using auto-induction, and it identifies key components for optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika L Crowley
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 0G2, Canada.
| | - Steven P Rafferty
- Department of Chemistry, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 0G2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The cellular prion protein, PrPC, is a small, cell surface glycoprotein with a function that is currently somewhat ill defined. It is also the key molecule involved in the family of neurodegenerative disorders called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, which are also known as prion diseases. The misfolding of PrPC to a conformationally altered isoform, designated PrPTSE, is the main molecular process involved in pathogenesis and appears to precede many other pathologic and clinical manifestations of disease, including neuronal loss, astrogliosis, and cognitive loss. PrPTSE is also believed to be the major component of the infectious "prion," the agent responsible for disease transmission, and preparations of this protein can cause prion disease when inoculated into a naïve host. Thus, understanding the biochemical and biophysical properties of both PrPC and PrPTSE, and ultimately the mechanisms of their interconversion, is critical if we are to understand prion disease biology. Although entire books could be devoted to research pertaining to the protein, herein we briefly review the state of knowledge of prion biochemistry, including consideration of prion protein structure, function, misfolding, and dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Gill
- School of Chemistry, Joseph Banks Laboratories, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom; Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew R Castle
- Division of Neurobiology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Castle AR, Gill AC. Physiological Functions of the Cellular Prion Protein. Front Mol Biosci 2017; 4:19. [PMID: 28428956 PMCID: PMC5382174 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2017.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The prion protein, PrPC, is a small, cell-surface glycoprotein notable primarily for its critical role in pathogenesis of the neurodegenerative disorders known as prion diseases. A hallmark of prion diseases is the conversion of PrPC into an abnormally folded isoform, which provides a template for further pathogenic conversion of PrPC, allowing disease to spread from cell to cell and, in some circumstances, to transfer to a new host. In addition to the putative neurotoxicity caused by the misfolded form(s), loss of normal PrPC function could be an integral part of the neurodegenerative processes and, consequently, significant research efforts have been directed toward determining the physiological functions of PrPC. In this review, we first summarise important aspects of the biochemistry of PrPC before moving on to address the current understanding of the various proposed functions of the protein, including details of the underlying molecular mechanisms potentially involved in these functions. Over years of study, PrPC has been associated with a wide array of different cellular processes and many interacting partners have been suggested. However, recent studies have cast doubt on the previously well-established links between PrPC and processes such as stress-protection, copper homeostasis and neuronal excitability. Instead, the functions best-supported by the current literature include regulation of myelin maintenance and of processes linked to cellular differentiation, including proliferation, adhesion, and control of cell morphology. Intriguing connections have also been made between PrPC and the modulation of circadian rhythm, glucose homeostasis, immune function and cellular iron uptake, all of which warrant further investigation.
Collapse
|
14
|
Das NR, Miyata H, Hara H, Uchiyama K, Chida J, Yano M, Watanabe H, Kondoh G, Sakaguchi S. Effects of prion protein devoid of the N-terminal residues 25-50 on prion pathogenesis in mice. Arch Virol 2017; 162:1867-1876. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-017-3295-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
15
|
Melanin or a Melanin-Like Substance Interacts with the N-Terminal Portion of Prion Protein and Inhibits Abnormal Prion Protein Formation in Prion-Infected Cells. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01862-16. [PMID: 28077650 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01862-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are progressive fatal neurodegenerative illnesses caused by the accumulation of transmissible abnormal prion protein (PrP). To find treatments for prion diseases, we searched for substances from natural resources that inhibit abnormal PrP formation in prion-infected cells. We found that high-molecular-weight components from insect cuticle extracts reduced abnormal PrP levels. The chemical nature of these components was consistent with that of melanin. In fact, synthetic melanin produced from tyrosine or 3-hydroxy-l-tyrosine inhibited abnormal PrP formation. Melanin did not modify cellular or cell surface PrP levels, nor did it modify lipid raft or cellular cholesterol levels. Neither did it enhance autophagy or lysosomal function. Melanin was capable of interacting with PrP at two N-terminal domains. Specifically, it strongly interacted with the PrP region of amino acids 23 to 50 including a positively charged amino acid cluster and weakly interacted with the PrP octarepeat peptide region of residues 51 to 90. However, the in vitro and in vivo data were inconsistent with those of prion-infected cells. Abnormal PrP formation in protein misfolding cyclic amplification was not inhibited by melanin. Survival after prion infection was not significantly altered in albino mice or exogenously melanin-injected mice compared with that of control mice. These data suggest that melanin, a main determinant of skin color, is not likely to modify prion disease pathogenesis, even though racial differences in the incidence of human prion diseases have been reported. Thus, the findings identify an interaction between melanin and the N terminus of PrP, but the pathophysiological roles of the PrP-melanin interaction remain unclear.IMPORTANCE The N-terminal region of PrP is reportedly important for neuroprotection, neurotoxicity, and abnormal PrP formation, as this region is bound by many factors, such as metal ions, lipids, nucleic acids, antiprion compounds, and several proteins, including abnormal PrP in prion disease and the Aβ oligomer in Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, melanin, a main determinant of skin color, was newly found to interact with this N-terminal region and inhibits abnormal PrP formation in prion-infected cells. However, the data for prion infection in mice lacking melanin production suggest that melanin is not associated with the prion disease mechanism, although the incidence of prion disease is reportedly much higher in white people than in black people. Thus, the roles of the PrP-melanin interaction remain to be further elucidated, but melanin might be a useful competitive tool for evaluating the functions of other ligands at the N-terminal region.
Collapse
|
16
|
Structural Modeling of Human Prion Protein's Point Mutations. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 150:105-122. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
17
|
Imamura M, Tabeta N, Kato N, Matsuura Y, Iwamaru Y, Yokoyama T, Murayama Y. Heparan Sulfate and Heparin Promote Faithful Prion Replication in Vitro by Binding to Normal and Abnormal Prion Proteins in Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:26478-26486. [PMID: 27821590 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.745851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The precise mechanism underlying the conversion of normal prion protein (PrPC) into abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) remains unclear. Protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), an in vitro technique used for amplifying PrPSc, results in PrPSc replication that preserves the strain-specific characteristics of the input PrPSc; thus, PMCA mimics the process of in vivo PrPSc replication. Previous work has demonstrated that in PMCA, nucleic acids are critical for PrPSc amplification, but little information has been reported on glycosaminoglycan (GAG) participation in PrPSc replication in vitro Here, we investigated whether GAGs play a role in the faithful replication of PrPSc by using a modified PMCA performed with baculovirus-derived recombinant PrP (Bac-PrP) as a substrate. The addition of heparan sulfate (HS) or its analog heparin (HP) restored the conversion efficiency in PMCA that was inhibited through nucleic acid depletion. Moreover, the PMCA products obtained under these conditions were infectious and preserved the properties of the input PrPSc These data suggest that HS and HP play the same role as nucleic acids in facilitating faithful replication of prions in PMCA. Furthermore, we showed that HP binds to both Bac-PrP and Bac-PrPSc through the sulfated groups present on HP and that the N-terminal domain of Bac-PrPSc might potentially not be involved in the binding to HP. These results suggest that the interaction of GAGs such as HS and HP with PrPC and/or PrPSc through their sulfate groups is critical for the faithful replication of prions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morikazu Imamura
- From the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Naoko Tabeta
- From the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Nobuko Kato
- From the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Yuichi Matsuura
- From the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Iwamaru
- From the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Takashi Yokoyama
- From the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| | - Yuichi Murayama
- From the National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Slapšak U, Salzano G, Amin L, Abskharon RNN, Ilc G, Zupančič B, Biljan I, Plavec J, Giachin G, Legname G. The N Terminus of the Prion Protein Mediates Functional Interactions with the Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) Fibronectin Domain. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:21857-21868. [PMID: 27535221 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.743435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) is a highly conserved glycoprotein mostly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems by different cell types in mammals. A misfolded, pathogenic isoform, denoted as prion, is related to a class of neurodegenerative diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. PrPC function has not been unequivocally clarified, and it is rather defined as a pleiotropic protein likely acting as a dynamic cell surface scaffolding protein for the assembly of different signaling modules. Among the variety of PrPC protein interactors, the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been studied in vivo, but the structural basis of this functional interaction is still a matter of debate. Here we focused on the structural determinants responsible for human PrPC (HuPrP) and NCAM interaction using stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy, SPR, and NMR spectroscopy approaches. PrPC co-localizes with NCAM in mouse hippocampal neurons, and this interaction is mainly mediated by the intrinsically disordered PrPC N-terminal tail, which binds with high affinity to the NCAM fibronectin type-3 domain. NMR structural investigations revealed surface-interacting epitopes governing the interaction between HuPrP N terminus and the second module of the NCAM fibronectin type-3 domain. Our data provided molecular details about the interaction between HuPrP and the NCAM fibronectin domain, and revealed a new role of PrPC N terminus as a dynamic and functional element responsible for protein-protein interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Urška Slapšak
- From the Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Giulia Salzano
- the Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, Trieste I-34136, Italy
| | - Ladan Amin
- the Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, Trieste I-34136, Italy
| | - Romany N N Abskharon
- the Structural Biology Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VIB, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium, the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), 11516 Cairo, Egypt, and the Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
| | - Gregor Ilc
- From the Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, the EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Dunajska 156, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaž Zupančič
- From the Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivana Biljan
- the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, Zagreb HR-10000, Croatia
| | - Janez Plavec
- From the Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, the EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Dunajska 156, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,
| | - Gabriele Giachin
- the Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, Trieste I-34136, Italy, the Structural Biology Group, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000-Grenoble, France
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- the Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, Trieste I-34136, Italy,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
da Luz MHM, Glezer I, Xavier AM, da Silva MAP, Pino JMV, Zamith TP, Vieira TF, Antonio BB, Antunes HKM, Martins VR, Lee KS. Expression of Tyrosine Hydroxylase is Negatively Regulated Via Prion Protein. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:1691-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-1885-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
20
|
Complex folding and misfolding effects of deer-specific amino acid substitutions in the β2-α2 loop of murine prion protein. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15528. [PMID: 26490404 PMCID: PMC4614821 DOI: 10.1038/srep15528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The β2-α2 loop of PrP(C) is a key modulator of disease-associated prion protein misfolding. Amino acids that differentiate mouse (Ser169, Asn173) and deer (Asn169, Thr173) PrP(C) appear to confer dramatically different structural properties in this region and it has been suggested that amino acid sequences associated with structural rigidity of the loop also confer susceptibility to prion disease. Using mouse recombinant PrP, we show that mutating residue 173 from Asn to Thr alters protein stability and misfolding only subtly, whilst changing Ser to Asn at codon 169 causes instability in the protein, promotes oligomer formation and dramatically potentiates fibril formation. The doubly mutated protein exhibits more complex folding and misfolding behaviour than either single mutant, suggestive of differential effects of the β2-α2 loop sequence on both protein stability and on specific misfolding pathways. Molecular dynamics simulation of protein structure suggests a key role for the solvent accessibility of Tyr168 in promoting molecular interactions that may lead to prion protein misfolding. Thus, we conclude that 'rigidity' in the β2-α2 loop region of the normal conformer of PrP has less effect on misfolding than other sequence-related effects in this region.
Collapse
|
21
|
Lau A, McDonald A, Daude N, Mays CE, Walter ED, Aglietti R, Mercer RCC, Wohlgemuth S, van der Merwe J, Yang J, Gapeshina H, Kim C, Grams J, Shi B, Wille H, Balachandran A, Schmitt-Ulms G, Safar JG, Millhauser GL, Westaway D. Octarepeat region flexibility impacts prion function, endoproteolysis and disease manifestation. EMBO Mol Med 2015; 7:339-56. [PMID: 25661904 PMCID: PMC4364950 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201404588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 12/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) comprises a natively unstructured N-terminal domain, including a metal-binding octarepeat region (OR) and a linker, followed by a C-terminal domain that misfolds to form PrP(S) (c) in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. PrP(C) β-endoproteolysis to the C2 fragment allows PrP(S) (c) formation, while α-endoproteolysis blocks production. To examine the OR, we used structure-directed design to make novel alleles, 'S1' and 'S3', locking this region in extended or compact conformations, respectively. S1 and S3 PrP resembled WT PrP in supporting peripheral nerve myelination. Prion-infected S1 and S3 transgenic mice both accumulated similar low levels of PrP(S) (c) and infectious prion particles, but differed in their clinical presentation. Unexpectedly, S3 PrP overproduced C2 fragment in the brain by a mechanism distinct from metal-catalysed hydrolysis reported previously. OR flexibility is concluded to impact diverse biological endpoints; it is a salient variable in infectious disease paradigms and modulates how the levels of PrP(S) (c) and infectivity can either uncouple or engage to drive the onset of clinical disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Lau
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alex McDonald
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Nathalie Daude
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Charles E Mays
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Eric D Walter
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Robin Aglietti
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Robert C C Mercer
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Serene Wohlgemuth
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jacques van der Merwe
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jing Yang
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Hristina Gapeshina
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Chae Kim
- National Prion Disease Surveillance Center, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jennifer Grams
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Beipei Shi
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Holger Wille
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Gerold Schmitt-Ulms
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jiri G Safar
- National Prion Disease Surveillance Center, Departments of Pathology and Neurology, School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Glenn L Millhauser
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - David Westaway
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ellett LJ, Coleman BM, Shambrook MC, Johanssen VA, Collins SJ, Masters CL, Hill AF, Lawson VA. Glycosaminoglycan sulfation determines the biochemical properties of prion protein aggregates. Glycobiology 2015; 25:745-55. [PMID: 25701659 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwv014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are transmissible neurodegenerative disorders associated with the conversion of the cellular prion protein, PrP(C), to a misfolded isoform called PrP(Sc). Although PrP(Sc) is a necessary component of the infectious prion, additional factors, or cofactors, have been shown to contribute to the efficient formation of transmissible PrP(Sc). Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are attractive cofactor candidates as they can be found associated with PrP(Sc) deposits, have been shown to enhance PrP misfolding in vitro, are found in the same cellular compartments as PrP(C) and have been shown to be disease modifying in vivo. Here we investigated the effects of the sulfated GAGs, heparin and heparan sulfate (HS), on disease associated misfolding of full-length recombinant PrP. More specifically, the degree of sulfation of these molecules was investigated for its role in modulating the disease-associated characteristics of PrP. Both heparin and HS induced a β-sheet conformation in recombinant PrP that was associated with the formation of aggregated species; however, the biochemical properties of the aggregates formed in the presence of heparin or HS varied in solubility and protease resistance. Furthermore, these properties could be modified by changes in GAG sulfation, indicating that subtle changes in the properties of prion disease cofactors could initiate disease associated misfolding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bradley M Coleman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
| | - Mitch C Shambrook
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
| | | | | | - Colin L Masters
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University Of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew F Hill
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pushie MJ, Nienaber KH, McDonald A, Millhauser GL, George GN. Combined EXAFS and DFT structure calculations provide structural insights into the 1:1 multi-histidine complexes of Cu(II) , Cu(I) , and Zn(II) with the tandem octarepeats of the mammalian prion protein. Chemistry 2014; 20:9770-83. [PMID: 25042361 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201304201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 04/06/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The metal-coordinating properties of the prion protein (PrP) have been the subject of intense focus and debate since the first reports of its interaction with copper just before the turn of the century. The picture of metal coordination to PrP has been improved and refined over the past decade, but structural details of the various metal coordination modes have not been fully elucidated in some cases. In the present study, we have employed X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy as well as extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to structurally characterize the dominant 1:1 coordination modes for Cu(II) , Cu(I) , and Zn(II) with an N-terminal fragment of PrP. The PrP fragment corresponds to four tandem repeats representative of the mammalian octarepeat domain, designated as OR4 , which is also the most studied PrP fragment for metal interactions, making our findings applicable to a large body of previous work. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have provided additional structural and thermodynamic data, and candidate structures have been used to inform EXAFS data analysis. The optimized geometries from DFT calculations have been used to identify potential coordination complexes for multi-histidine coordination of Cu(II) , Cu(I) , and Zn(II) in an aqueous medium, modelled using 4-methylimidazole to represent the histidine side chain. Through a combination of in silico coordination chemistry as well as rigorous EXAFS curve-fitting, using full multiple scattering on candidate structures derived from DFT calculations, we have characterized the predominant coordination modes for the 1:1 complexes of Cu(II) , Cu(I) , and Zn(II) with the OR4 peptide at pH 7.4 at atomic resolution, which are best represented as square-planar [Cu(II) (His)4 ](2+) , digonal [Cu(I) (His)2 ](+) , and tetrahedral [Zn(II) (His)3 (OH2 )](2+) , respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Jake Pushie
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2 (Canada), Fax: (+1) 306-966-8593.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Cong X, Casiraghi N, Rossetti G, Mohanty S, Giachin G, Legname G, Carloni P. Role of Prion Disease-Linked Mutations in the Intrinsically Disordered N-Terminal Domain of the Prion Protein. J Chem Theory Comput 2013; 9:5158-67. [DOI: 10.1021/ct400534k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Cong
- Laboratory
of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
- Laboratory
for Computational Biophysics, German Research School for Simulation Sciences (GRS), Forschungszentrum Jülich−RWTH Aachen, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational
Biomedicine Section (IAS-5), Institute of Advanced Simulation (IAS), 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Nicola Casiraghi
- Laboratory
for Computational Biophysics, German Research School for Simulation Sciences (GRS), Forschungszentrum Jülich−RWTH Aachen, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Department
of Biology, University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Computational
Biomedicine Section (IAS-5), Institute of Advanced Simulation (IAS), 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Laboratory
for Computational Biophysics, German Research School for Simulation Sciences (GRS), Forschungszentrum Jülich−RWTH Aachen, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational
Biomedicine Section (IAS-5), Institute of Advanced Simulation (IAS), 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine and Barcelona Supercomputing Center Joint Research Program on Computational Biology, Barcelona Science Park, Baldiri I Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandipan Mohanty
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Gabriele Giachin
- Laboratory
of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory
of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
- ELETTRA Laboratory, Sincrotrone
Trieste S.C.p.A., 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Carloni
- Laboratory
for Computational Biophysics, German Research School for Simulation Sciences (GRS), Forschungszentrum Jülich−RWTH Aachen, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Computational
Biomedicine Section (IAS-5), Institute of Advanced Simulation (IAS), 52425 Jülich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhou Z, Xiao G. Conformational conversion of prion protein in prion diseases. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2013; 45:465-76. [PMID: 23580591 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmt027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of infectious fatal neurodegenerative diseases. The conformational conversion of a cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into an abnormal misfolded isoform (PrP(Sc)) is the key event in prion diseases pathology. Under normal conditions, the high-energy barrier separates PrP(C) from PrP(Sc) isoform. However, pathogenic mutations, modifications as well as some cofactors, such as glycosaminoglycans, nucleic acids, and lipids, could modulate the conformational conversion process. Understanding the mechanism of conformational conversion of prion protein is essential for the biomedical research and the treatment of prion diseases. Particularly, the characterization of cofactors interacting with prion protein might provide new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Polyproline-II Helix in Proteins: Structure and Function. J Mol Biol 2013; 425:2100-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2013.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 363] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
27
|
Tian C, Dong X. The structure of prion: is it enough for interpreting the diverse phenotypes of prion diseases? Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2013; 45:429-34. [PMID: 23459557 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmt021] [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] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are neurodegenerative diseases, which affect human and many species of animals with 100% fatality rate. The most accepted etiology for prion disease is 'prion', which arises from the conversion from cellular PrP(C) to the pathological PrP(Sc). This review discussed the characteristic structure of PrP, including PRNP gene, PrP(C), PrP(Sc), PrP amyloid, and prion strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chan Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Swayampakula M, Baral PK, Aguzzi A, Kav NNV, James MNG. The crystal structure of an octapeptide repeat of the prion protein in complex with a Fab fragment of the POM2 antibody. Protein Sci 2013; 22:893-903. [PMID: 23629842 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are progressive, infectious neurodegenerative disorders caused primarily by the misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) into an insoluble, protease-resistant, aggregated isoform termed PrP(sc). In native conditions, PrP(c) has a structured C-terminal domain and a highly flexible N-terminal domain. A part of this N-terminal domain consists of 4-5 repeats of an unusual glycine-rich, eight amino acids long peptide known as the octapeptide repeat (OR) domain. In this article, we successfully report the first crystal structure of an OR of PrP(c) bound to the Fab fragment of the POM2 antibody. The structure was solved at a resolution of 2.3 Å by molecular replacement. Although several studies have previously predicted a β-turn-like structure of the unbound ORs, our structure shows an extended conformation of the OR when bound to a molecule of the POM2 Fab indicating that the bound Fab disrupts any putative native β turn conformation of the ORs. Encouraging results from several recent studies have shown that administering small molecule ligands or antibodies targeting the OR domain of PrP result in arresting the progress of peripheral prion infections both in ex vivo and in in vivo models. This makes the structural study of the interactions of POM2 Fab with the OR domain very important as it would help us to design smaller and tighter binding OR ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mridula Swayampakula
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2H7, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mashima T, Nishikawa F, Kamatari YO, Fujiwara H, Saimura M, Nagata T, Kodaki T, Nishikawa S, Kuwata K, Katahira M. Anti-prion activity of an RNA aptamer and its structural basis. Nucleic Acids Res 2012. [PMID: 23180780 PMCID: PMC3553944 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks1132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion proteins (PrPs) cause prion diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The conversion of a normal cellular form (PrPC) of PrP into an abnormal form (PrPSc) is thought to be associated with the pathogenesis. An RNA aptamer that tightly binds to and stabilizes PrPC is expected to block this conversion and to thereby prevent prion diseases. Here, we show that an RNA aptamer comprising only 12 residues, r(GGAGGAGGAGGA) (R12), reduces the PrPSc level in mouse neuronal cells persistently infected with the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agent. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that R12, folded into a unique quadruplex structure, forms a dimer and that each monomer simultaneously binds to two portions of the N-terminal half of PrPC, resulting in tight binding. Electrostatic and stacking interactions contribute to the affinity of each portion. Our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of an RNA aptamer as to prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Mashima
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
The N-terminal, polybasic region of PrP(C) dictates the efficiency of prion propagation by binding to PrP(Sc). J Neurosci 2012; 32:8817-30. [PMID: 22745483 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1103-12.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion propagation involves a templating reaction in which the infectious form of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)) binds to the cellular form (PrP(C)), generating additional molecules of PrP(Sc). While several regions of the PrP(C) molecule have been suggested to play a role in PrP(Sc) formation based on in vitro studies, the contribution of these regions in vivo is unclear. Here, we report that mice expressing PrP deleted for a short, polybasic region at the N terminus (residues 23-31) display a dramatically reduced susceptibility to prion infection and accumulate greatly reduced levels of PrP(Sc). These results, in combination with biochemical data, demonstrate that residues 23-31 represent a critical site on PrP(C) that binds to PrP(Sc) and is essential for efficient prion propagation. It may be possible to specifically target this region for treatment of prion diseases as well as other neurodegenerative disorders due to β-sheet-rich oligomers that bind to PrP(C).
Collapse
|
31
|
Copper(II) complexation to 1-octarepeat peptide from a prion protein: insights from theoretical and experimental UV-visible studies. J Inorg Biochem 2012; 114:1-7. [PMID: 22687559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2012.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The octarepeat domain in cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) has attracted much attention over the last 10 years because of its importance in the complexation of copper with PrP(C). The aim of this research was to study the UV-vis spectra of a peptide similar to the 1-repeat of the octarepeat region in PrP(C) using experimental and theoretical approaches and to gain insight into the complexation of the PrP(C) octarepeat domain with copper(II) ions in solution. We found that the copper atom was responsible for the peptide conformation, which allows for charge transfers between its two terminal residues.
Collapse
|
32
|
Linden R, Cordeiro Y, Lima LMTR. Allosteric function and dysfunction of the prion protein. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:1105-24. [PMID: 21984610 PMCID: PMC11114699 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0847-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are neurodegenerative diseases associated with progressive oligo- and multimerization of the prion protein (PrP(C)), its conformational conversion, aggregation and precipitation. We recently proposed that PrP(C) serves as a cell surface scaffold protein for a variety of signaling modules, the effects of which translate into wide-range functional consequences. Here we review evidence for allosteric functions of PrP(C), which constitute a common property of scaffold proteins. The available data suggest that allosteric effects among PrP(C) and its partners are involved in the assembly of multi-component signaling modules at the cell surface, impose upon both physiological and pathological conformational responses of PrP(C), and that allosteric dysfunction of PrP(C) has the potential to entail progressive signal corruption. These properties may be germane both to physiological roles of PrP(C), as well as to the pathogenesis of the TSEs and other degenerative/non-communicable diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Linden
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, CCS, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Transgenic mice expressing prion protein (PrP) molecules with several different internal deletions display spontaneous neurodegenerative phenotypes that can be dose-dependently suppressed by coexpression of wild-type PrP. Each of these deletions, including the largest one (Δ32-134), retains 9 aa immediately following the signal peptide cleavage site (residues 23-31; KKRPKPGGW). These residues have been implicated in several biological functions of PrP, including endocytic trafficking and binding of glycosaminoglycans. We report here on our experiments to test the role of this domain in the toxicity of deleted forms of PrP. We find that transgenic mice expressing Δ23-134 PrP display no clinical symptoms or neuropathology, in contrast to mice expressing Δ32-134 PrP, suggesting that residues 23-31 are essential for the toxic phenotype. Using a newly developed cell culture assay, we narrow the essential region to amino acids 23-26, and we show that mutant PrP toxicity is not related to the role of the N-terminal residues in endocytosis or binding to endogenous glycosaminoglycans. However, we find that mutant PrP toxicity is potently inhibited by application of exogenous glycosaminoglycans, suggesting that the latter molecules block an essential interaction between the N terminus of PrP and a membrane-associated target site. Our results demonstrate that a short segment containing positively charged amino acids at the N terminus of PrP plays an essential role in mediating PrP-related neurotoxicity. This finding identifies a protein domain that may serve as a drug target for amelioration of prion neurotoxicity.
Collapse
|
34
|
Turnbaugh JA, Westergard L, Unterberger U, Biasini E, Harris DA. The N-terminal, polybasic region is critical for prion protein neuroprotective activity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25675. [PMID: 21980526 PMCID: PMC3183058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that the normal form of the prion protein, PrP(C), exerts a neuroprotective activity against cellular stress or toxicity. One of the clearest examples of such activity is the ability of wild-type PrP(C) to suppress the spontaneous neurodegenerative phenotype of transgenic mice expressing a deleted form of PrP (Δ32-134, called F35). To define domains of PrP involved in its neuroprotective activity, we have analyzed the ability of several deletion mutants of PrP (Δ23-31, Δ23-111, and Δ23-134) to rescue the phenotype of Tg(F35) mice. Surprisingly, all of these mutants displayed greatly diminished rescue activity, although Δ23-31 PrP partially suppressed neuronal loss when expressed at very high levels. Our results pinpoint the N-terminal, polybasic domain as a critical determinant of PrP(C) neuroprotective activity, and suggest that identification of molecules interacting with this region will provide important clues regarding the normal function of the protein. Small molecule ligands targeting this region may also represent useful therapeutic agents for treatment of prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessie A. Turnbaugh
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Laura Westergard
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ursula Unterberger
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emiliano Biasini
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David A. Harris
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Guest WC, Plotkin SS, Cashman NR. Toward a mechanism of prion misfolding and structural models of PrP(Sc): current knowledge and future directions. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2011; 74:154-160. [PMID: 21218344 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2011.529065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive investigation, many features of prion protein misfolding remain enigmatic. Physicochemical variables known to influence misfolding are reviewed to help elucidate the mechanism of prionogenesis and identify salient features of PrP(Sc), the misfolded conformer of the prion protein. Prospective work on refinement of candidate PrP(Sc) models based on thermodynamic considerations will help to complete atomic-scale structural details missing from experimental studies and may explain the basis for the templating activity of PrP(Sc) in disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Will C Guest
- Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Prion protein and its conformational conversion: a structural perspective. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2011; 305:135-67. [PMID: 21630136 DOI: 10.1007/128_2011_165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The key molecular event in the pathogenesis of prion diseases is the conformational conversion of a cellular prion protein, PrP(C), into a misfolded form, PrP(Sc). In contrast to PrP(C) that is monomeric and α-helical, PrP(Sc) is oligomeric in nature and rich in β-sheet structure. According to the "protein-only" model, PrP(Sc) itself represents the infectious prion agent responsible for transmissibility of prion disorders. While this model is supported by rapidly growing experimental data, detailed mechanistic and structural aspects of prion protein conversion remain enigmatic. In this chapter we describe recent advances in understanding biophysical and biochemical aspects of prion diseases, with a special focus on structural underpinnings of prion protein conversion, the structural basis of prion strains, and generation of prion infectivity in vitro from bacterially-expressed recombinant PrP.
Collapse
|
37
|
Vieira TCRG, Reynaldo DP, Gomes MPB, Almeida MS, Cordeiro Y, Silva JL. Heparin Binding by Murine Recombinant Prion Protein Leads to Transient Aggregation and Formation of RNA-Resistant Species. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 133:334-44. [DOI: 10.1021/ja106725p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tuane C. R. G. Vieira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 21491-902
| | - Daniel P. Reynaldo
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 21491-902
| | - Mariana P. B. Gomes
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 21491-902
| | - Marcius S. Almeida
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 21491-902
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 21491-902
| | - Jerson L. Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem and Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 21491-902
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Silva JL, Vieira TCRG, Gomes MPB, Rangel LP, Scapin SMN, Cordeiro Y. Experimental approaches to the interaction of the prion protein with nucleic acids and glycosaminoglycans: Modulators of the pathogenic conversion. Methods 2010; 53:306-17. [PMID: 21145399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2010.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept that transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are caused only by proteins has changed the traditional paradigm that disease transmission is due solely to an agent that carries genetic information. The central hypothesis for prion diseases proposes that the conversion of a cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into a misfolded, β-sheet-rich isoform (PrP(Sc)) accounts for the development of (TSE). There is substantial evidence that the infectious material consists chiefly of a protein, PrP(Sc), with no genomic coding material, unlike a virus particle, which has both. However, prions seem to have other partners that chaperone their activities in converting the PrP(C) into the disease-causing isoform. Nucleic acids (NAs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are the most probable accomplices of prion conversion. Here, we review the recent experimental approaches that have been employed to characterize the interaction of prion proteins with nucleic acids and glycosaminoglycans. A PrP recognizes many nucleic acids and GAGs with high affinities, and this seems to be related to a pathophysiological role for this interaction. A PrP binds nucleic acids and GAGs with structural selectivity, and some PrP:NA complexes can become proteinase K-resistant, undergoing amyloid oligomerization and conversion to a β-sheet-rich structure. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that endogenous polyanions (such as NAs and GAGs) may accelerate the rate of prion disease progression by acting as scaffolds or lattices that mediate the interaction between PrP(C) and PrP(Sc) molecules. In addition to a still-possible hypothesis that nucleic acids and GAGs, especially those from the host, may modulate the conversion, the recent structural characterization of the complexes has raised the possibility of developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerson L Silva
- Centro Nacional de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Jiri Jonas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Di Natale G, Pappalardo G, Milardi D, Sciacca MFM, Attanasio F, La Mendola D, Rizzarelli E. Membrane Interactions and Conformational Preferences of Human and Avian Prion N-Terminal Tandem Repeats: The Role of Copper(II) Ions, pH, and Membrane Mimicking Environments. J Phys Chem B 2010; 114:13830-8. [DOI: 10.1021/jp1033036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Natale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pappalardo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Danilo Milardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Michele F. M. Sciacca
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Attanasio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Enrico Rizzarelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy, and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - Catania, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lawson VA, Lumicisi B, Welton J, Machalek D, Gouramanis K, Klemm HM, Stewart JD, Masters CL, Hoke DE, Collins SJ, Hill AF. Glycosaminoglycan sulphation affects the seeded misfolding of a mutant prion protein. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12351. [PMID: 20808809 PMCID: PMC2925953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The accumulation of protease resistant conformers of the prion protein (PrPres) is a key pathological feature of prion diseases. Polyanions, including RNA and glycosaminoglycans have been identified as factors that contribute to the propagation, transmission and pathogenesis of prion disease. Recent studies have suggested that the contribution of these cofactors to prion propagation may be species specific. Methodology/Principal Finding In this study a cell-free assay was used to investigate the molecular basis of polyanion stimulated PrPres formation using brain tissue or cell line derived murine PrP. Enzymatic depletion of endogenous nucleic acids or heparan sulphate (HS) from the PrPC substrate was found to specifically prevent PrPres formation seeded by mouse derived PrPSc. Modification of the negative charge afforded by the sulphation of glycosaminoglycans increased the ability of a familial PrP mutant to act as a substrate for PrPres formation, while having no effect on PrPres formed by wildtype PrP. This difference may be due to the observed differences in the binding of wild type and mutant PrP for glycosaminoglycans. Conclusions/Significance Cofactor requirements for PrPres formation are host species and prion strain specific and affected by disease associated mutations of the prion protein. This may explain both species and strain dependent propagation characteristics and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of familial prion disease. It further highlights the challenge of designing effective therapeutics against a disease which effects a range of mammalian species, caused by range of aetiologies and prion strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A. Lawson
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (VAL); (AFH)
| | - Brooke Lumicisi
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeremy Welton
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dorothy Machalek
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina Gouramanis
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen M. Klemm
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - James D. Stewart
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Colin L. Masters
- The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David E. Hoke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven J. Collins
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew F. Hill
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (VAL); (AFH)
| |
Collapse
|