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Ovsepian SV, O'Leary VB, Martinez S. Selective vulnerability of motor neuron types and functional groups to degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: review of the neurobiological mechanisms and functional correlates. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:1-14. [PMID: 37999738 PMCID: PMC10827929 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02728-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition characterised by a progressive loss of motor neurons controlling voluntary muscle activity. The disease manifests through a variety of motor dysfunctions related to the extent of damage and loss of neurons at different anatomical locations. Despite extensive research, it remains unclear why some motor neurons are especially susceptible to the disease, while others are affected less or even spared. In this article, we review the neurobiological mechanisms, neurochemical profiles, and morpho-functional characteristics of various motor neuron groups and types of motor units implicated in their differential exposure to degeneration. We discuss specific cell-autonomous (intrinsic) and extrinsic factors influencing the vulnerability gradient of motor units and motor neuron types to ALS, with their impact on disease manifestation, course, and prognosis, as revealed in preclinical and clinical studies. We consider the outstanding challenges and emerging opportunities for interpreting the phenotypic and mechanistic variability of the disease to identify targets for clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saak V Ovsepian
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK.
| | - Valerie B O'Leary
- Department of Medical Genetics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, 10000, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Salvador Martinez
- Instituto de Neurociencias UMH-CSIC, Avda. Ramon y Cajal, 03550, San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
- Center of Biomedical Network Research on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Ergen PH, Shorter S, Ntziachristos V, Ovsepian SV. Neurotoxin-Derived Optical Probes for Biological and Medical Imaging. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:799-814. [PMID: 37468801 PMCID: PMC10598172 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01838-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The superb specificity and potency of biological toxins targeting various ion channels and receptors are of major interest for the delivery of therapeutics to distinct cell types and subcellular compartments. Fused with reporter proteins or labelled with fluorophores and nanocomposites, animal toxins and their detoxified variants also offer expanding opportunities for visualisation of a range of molecular processes and functions in preclinical models, as well as clinical studies. This article presents state-of-the-art optical probes derived from neurotoxins targeting ion channels, with discussions of their applications in basic and translational biomedical research. It describes the design and production of probes and reviews their applications with advantages and limitations, with prospects for future improvements. Given the advances in imaging tools and expanding research areas benefiting from the use of optical probes, described here resources should assist the discovery process and facilitate high-precision interrogation and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Helin Ergen
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Shorter
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis Ntziachristos
- Chair of Biological Imaging at the Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum München (GmbH), 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), Technical University of Munich, 80992, Munich, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Saak Victor Ovsepian
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, United Kingdom.
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3
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Dremencov E, Jezova D, Barak S, Gaburjakova J, Gaburjakova M, Kutna V, Ovsepian SV. Trophic factors as potential therapies for treatment of major mental disorders. Neurosci Lett 2021; 764:136194. [PMID: 34433100 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Notwithstanding major advances in psychotherapeutics, their efficacy and specificity remain limited. The slow onset of beneficial outcomes and numerous adverse effects of widely used medications remain of chief concern, warranting in-depth studies. The majority of frontline therapies are thought to enhance the endogenous monoaminergic drive, to initiate a cascade of molecular events leading to lasting functional and structural plasticity. They also involve alterations in trophic factor signalling, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), VGF (non-acronymic), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and others. In several major mental disorders, emerging data suggest protective and restorative effects of trophic factors in preclinical models, when applied on their own. Antidepressant outcomes of VGF and FGF2, for instance, were shown in experimental animals, while BDNF and GDNF prove useful in the treatment of addiction, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders. The main challenge with the effective translation of these and other findings in the clinic is the knowledge gap in action mechanisms with potential risks, as well as the lack of effective platforms for validation under clinical settings. Herein, we review the state-of-the-art and advances in the therapeutic use of trophic factors in several major neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliyahu Dremencov
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Center of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Daniela Jezova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Segev Barak
- School of Psychological Sciences and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jana Gaburjakova
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Center of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marta Gaburjakova
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Center of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viera Kutna
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Saak V Ovsepian
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
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Amin A, Perera ND, Beart PM, Turner BJ, Shabanpoor F. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Autophagy: Dysfunction and Therapeutic Targeting. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112413. [PMID: 33158177 PMCID: PMC7694295 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, there has been a drastically increased understanding of the genetic basis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Despite the identification of more than 40 different ALS-causing mutations, the accumulation of neurotoxic misfolded proteins, inclusions, and aggregates within motor neurons is the main pathological hallmark in all cases of ALS. These protein aggregates are proposed to disrupt cellular processes and ultimately result in neurodegeneration. One of the main reasons implicated in the accumulation of protein aggregates may be defective autophagy, a highly conserved intracellular “clearance” system delivering misfolded proteins, aggregates, and damaged organelles to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy is one of the primary stress response mechanisms activated in highly sensitive and specialised neurons following insult to ensure their survival. The upregulation of autophagy through pharmacological autophagy-inducing agents has largely been shown to reduce intracellular protein aggregate levels and disease phenotypes in different in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we explore the intriguing interface between ALS and autophagy, provide a most comprehensive summary of autophagy-targeted drugs that have been examined or are being developed as potential treatments for ALS to date, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies for targeting autophagy in ALS.
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Intramuscular Injection of BOTOX® Boosts Learning and Memory in Adult Mice in Association with Enriched Circulation of Platelets and Enhanced Density of Pyramidal Neurons in the Hippocampus. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:2856-2867. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03133-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Zakyrjanova GF, Gilmutdinov AI, Tsentsevitsky AN, Petrov AM. Olesoxime, a cholesterol-like neuroprotectant restrains synaptic vesicle exocytosis in the mice motor nerve terminals: Possible role of VDACs. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2020; 1865:158739. [PMID: 32428575 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Olesoxime is a cholesterol-like neuroprotective compound that targets to mitochondrial voltage dependent anion channels (VDACs). VDACs were also found in the plasma membrane and highly expressed in the presynaptic compartment. Here, we studied the effects of olesoxime and VDAC inhibitors on neurotransmission in the mouse neuromuscular junction. Electrophysiological analysis revealed that olesoxime suppressed selectively evoked neurotransmitter release in response to a single stimulus and 20 Hz activity. Also olesoxime decreased the rate of FM1-43 dye loss (an indicator of synaptic vesicle exocytosis) at low frequency stimulation and 20 Hz. Furthermore, an increase in extracellular Cl- enhanced the action of olesoxime on the exocytosis and olesoxime increased intracellular Cl- levels. The effects of olesoxime on the evoked synaptic vesicle exocytosis and [Cl-]i were blocked by membrane-permeable and impermeable VDAC inhibitors. Immunofluorescent labeling pointed on the presence of VDACs on the synaptic membranes. Rotenone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction perturbed the exocytotic release of FM1-43 and cell-permeable VDAC inhibitor (but not olesoxime or impermeable VDAC inhibitor) partially mitigated the rotenone-driven alterations in the FM1-43 unloading and mitochondrial superoxide production. Thus, olesoxime restrains neurotransmission by acting on plasmalemmal VDACs whose activation can limit synaptic vesicle exocytosis probably via increasing anion flux into the nerve terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guzalia F Zakyrjanova
- Laboratory of Biophysics of Synaptic Processes, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Kazan Scientific Center of RAS", 2/31 Lobachevsky Street, box 30, Kazan 420111, Russia; Institute of Neuroscience, Kazan State Medial University, 49 Butlerova Street, Kazan 420012, Russia
| | - Amir I Gilmutdinov
- Laboratory of Biophysics of Synaptic Processes, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Kazan Scientific Center of RAS", 2/31 Lobachevsky Street, box 30, Kazan 420111, Russia
| | - Andrey N Tsentsevitsky
- Laboratory of Biophysics of Synaptic Processes, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Kazan Scientific Center of RAS", 2/31 Lobachevsky Street, box 30, Kazan 420111, Russia
| | - Alexey M Petrov
- Laboratory of Biophysics of Synaptic Processes, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Federal Research Center "Kazan Scientific Center of RAS", 2/31 Lobachevsky Street, box 30, Kazan 420111, Russia; Institute of Neuroscience, Kazan State Medial University, 49 Butlerova Street, Kazan 420012, Russia.
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Leese C, Bresnahan R, Doran C, Simsek D, Fellows AD, Restani L, Caleo M, Schiavo G, Mavlyutov T, Henke T, Binz T, Davletov B. Duplication of clostridial binding domains for enhanced macromolecular delivery into neurons. Toxicon X 2020; 5:100019. [PMID: 32140681 PMCID: PMC7043326 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2019.100019] [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: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases constitute a quarter of global disease burden and are expected to rise worldwide with the ageing of human populations. There is an increasing need to develop new molecular systems which can deliver drugs specifically into neurons, non-dividing cells meant to last a human lifetime. Neuronal drug delivery must rely on agents which can recognise neurons with high specificity and affinity. Here we used a recently introduced ‘stapling’ system to prepare macromolecules carrying duplicated binding domains from the clostridial family of neurotoxins. We engineered individual parts of clostridial neurotoxins separately and combined them using a strong alpha-helical bundle. We show that combining two identical binding domains of tetanus and botulinum type D neurotoxins, in a sterically defined way by protein stapling, allows enhanced intracellular delivery of molecules into neurons. We also engineered a botulinum neurotoxin type C variant with a duplicated binding domain which increased enzymatic delivery compared to the native type C toxin. We conclude that duplication of the binding parts of tetanus or botulinum neurotoxins will allow production of high avidity agents which could deliver imaging reagents and large therapeutic enzymes into neurons with superior efficiency. Macromolecules carrying duplicated clostridial binding domains (Hc) were produced. Double tetanus Hc increased protein delivery into cultured rodent neurones. Double tetanus Hc increased enzyme delivery into rodent spinal cord and brain area. Double BoNT/D Hc increased enzyme delivery into rat and human neurones in culture. Recombinant double-Hc BoNT/C was engineered, increasing delivery in cell cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Leese
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Rebecca Bresnahan
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ciara Doran
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Deniz Simsek
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Alexander D Fellows
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Laura Restani
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, 1-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Caleo
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, 1-56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Timur Mavlyutov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Tina Henke
- Institute of Cellular Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Thomas Binz
- Institute of Cellular Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Bazbek Davletov
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
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Effectiveness of Fragment C Domain of Tetanus Toxin and Pramipexole in an Animal Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Neurotox Res 2019; 35:699-710. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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9
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Neurobiology and therapeutic applications of neurotoxins targeting transmitter release. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 193:135-155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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10
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O'Leary VB, O'Connell M, Antyborzec I, Ntziachristos V, Oliver Dolly J, Ovsepian SV. Alleviation of Trigeminal Nociception Using p75 Neurotrophin Receptor Targeted Lentiviral Interference Therapy. Neurotherapeutics 2018; 15:489-499. [PMID: 29427180 PMCID: PMC5935639 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-018-0608-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute and chronic trigeminal (TG) neuropathies are the cause of considerable distress, with limited treatments available at present. Nociceptive neurons enriched with the vanilloid type 1 receptor (VR1) partake in pain sensation and sensitization in the TG system. While VR1 blockers with anti-nociceptive potential are of substantial medical interest, their use remains limited due to poor selectivity and lack of cell-targeting capabilities. This study describes a methodology for the alleviation of nociception via targeted depletion of VR1 in TG sensory neurons in rats. In cultured TG ganglion neurons, VR1 expression was virtually abolished by lentiviral short hairpin RNA (LV-VR1). By decorating GFP encoding LV (LV-GFP) and LV-VR1 with IgG192 for targeting TG sensory neurons enriched with the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), transduction of a reporter GFP and VR1 depletion was achieved after injection of targeted vectors into the whisker pad. In IgG192/LV-VR1-injected rats, the behavioral response to capsaicin exposure as well as Erk 1/2 phosphorylation and VR1 current activation by capsaicin were significantly reduced. This pioneering investigation, thus, provides a proof of principle for a means of attenuating TG nociception, revealing therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie B O'Leary
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Marie O'Connell
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Inga Antyborzec
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Vasilis Ntziachristos
- Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Faculty for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Chair of Biomedical Imaging, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - J Oliver Dolly
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Saak V Ovsepian
- International Centre for Neurotherapeutics, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
- Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
- Faculty for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Chair of Biomedical Imaging, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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Pushing the Boundaries of Neuroimaging with Optoacoustics. Neuron 2017; 96:966-988. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Shaw AE, Bamburg JR. Peptide regulation of cofilin activity in the CNS: A novel therapeutic approach for treatment of multiple neurological disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 175:17-27. [PMID: 28232023 PMCID: PMC5466456 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cofilin is a ubiquitous protein which cooperates with many other actin-binding proteins in regulating actin dynamics. Cofilin has essential functions in nervous system development including neuritogenesis, neurite elongation, growth cone pathfinding, dendritic spine formation, and the regulation of neurotransmission and spine function, components of synaptic plasticity essential for learning and memory. Cofilin's phosphoregulation is a downstream target of many transmembrane signaling processes, and its misregulation in neurons has been linked in rodent models to many different neurodegenerative and neurological disorders including Alzheimer disease (AD), aggression due to neonatal isolation, autism, manic/bipolar disorder, and sleep deprivation. Cognitive and behavioral deficits of these rodent models have been largely abrogated by modulation of cofilin activity using viral-mediated, genetic, and/or small molecule or peptide therapeutic approaches. Neuropathic pain in rats from sciatic nerve compression has also been reduced by modulating the cofilin pathway within neurons of the dorsal root ganglia. Neuroinflammation, which occurs following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, but which also accompanies many other neurodegenerative syndromes, is markedly reduced by peptides targeting specific chemokine receptors, which also modulate cofilin activity. Thus, peptide therapeutics offer potential for cost-effective treatment of a wide variety of neurological disorders. Here we discuss some recent results from rodent models using therapeutic peptides with a surprising ability to cross the rodent blood brain barrier and alter cofilin activity in brain. We also offer suggestions as to how neuronal-specific cofilin regulation might be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa E Shaw
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1870, United States
| | - James R Bamburg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1870, United States.
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Shorter J. Designer protein disaggregases to counter neurodegenerative disease. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 44:1-8. [PMID: 28208059 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation unify several devastating neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There are no effective therapeutics for these disorders and none that target the reversal of the aberrant protein misfolding and aggregation that cause disease. Here, I showcase important advances to define, engineer, and apply protein disaggregases to mitigate deleterious protein misfolding and counter neurodegeneration. I focus on two exogenous protein disaggregases, Hsp104 from yeast and gene 3 protein from bacteriophages, as well as endogenous human protein disaggregases, including: (a) Hsp110, Hsp70, Hsp40, and small heat-shock proteins; (b) HtrA1; and (c) NMNAT2 and Hsp90. I suggest that protein-disaggregase modalities can be channeled to treat numerous fatal and presently incurable neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America.
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