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Makoudjou MA, Fico E, Rosso P, Triaca V, De Simone L, Rossetti D, Cattani F, Allegretti M, Tirassa P. ProNGF processing in adult rat tissues and bioactivity of NGF prodomain peptides. FEBS Open Bio 2024; 14:643-654. [PMID: 38429912 PMCID: PMC10988682 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13768] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) and its precursor proNGF are both bioactive and exert similar or opposite actions depending on the cell target and its milieu. The balance between NGF and proNGF is crucial for cell and tissue homeostasis and it is considered an indicator of pathological conditions. Proteolytical cleavage of proNGF to the mature form results in different fragments, whose function and/or bioactivity is still unclear. The present study was conducted to investigate the distribution of proNGF fragments derived from endogenous cleavage in brain and peripheral tissues of adult rats in the healthy condition and following inflammatory lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Different anti-proNGF antibodies were tested and the presence of short peptides corresponding to the prodomain sequence (pdNGFpep) was identified. Processing of proNGF was found to be tissue-specific and accumulation of pdNGFpeps was found in inflamed tissues, mainly in testis, intestine and heart, suggesting a possible correlation between organ functions and a response to insults and/or injury. The bioactivity of pdNGFpep was also demonstrated in vitro by using primary hippocampal neurons. Our study supports a biological function for the NGF precursor prodomain and indicates that short peptides from residues 1-60, differing from the 70-110 sequence, induce apoptosis, thereby opening the way for identification of new molecular targets to study pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Anne Makoudjou
- Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of BiologyUniversity of Rome “Tor Vergata”RomeItaly
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC)National Research Council (CNR)RomeItaly
| | - Elena Fico
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC)National Research Council (CNR)RomeItaly
| | - Pamela Rosso
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC)National Research Council (CNR)RomeItaly
| | - Viviana Triaca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC)National Research Council (CNR)Campus A. Buzzati‐Traverso, MonterotondoRomeItaly
| | | | | | | | | | - Paola Tirassa
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC)National Research Council (CNR)RomeItaly
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Pathare-Ingawale P, Gogate N, Thube Y, Mansour SMA, Chavan-Gautam P, Wagh G, Joshi S. Association between proNGF receptors and apoptotic factors in human placentae. Placenta 2023; 139:43-48. [PMID: 37300939 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Earlier studies have shown higher apoptosis in the pre-term placenta as compared to term. However, the exact mechanisms triggering these are not completely understood. Studies in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues have shown that the precursor form of NGF (proNGF) triggers apoptosis through preferential activation of p75NTR and sortilin receptors. We therefore, investigated placental expression of proNGF, mature NGF, p75NTR, co-receptor sortilin and their association with apoptosis. We further compared the levels of pro-protein convertase, furin between samples having high and low proNGF: mature NGF ratio. METHODS Placenta samples were collected from women delivering at term (≥37 weeks; n = 41) and preterm (<37 weeks; n = 44). The protein levels of NGF, proNGF, p75NTR, Bax, Bcl-2 and furin were estimated by ELISA. Mean values of variables between different groups were compared using the independent sample t-test and associations were studied by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS The placental mature NGF, proNGF and p75NTR protein levels were comparable between groups. Bax: Bcl-2 ratio was higher in preterm (p < 0.05) compared to term placenta. p75NTR was positively associated with Bax levels and sortilin levels were positively associated with p75NTR in whole cohort as well as individual groups. DISCUSSION The higher Bax: Bcl-2 ratio in preterm placenta suggests the sensitivity to apoptosis. There were no differences in levels of NGF, proNGF, p75NTR, sortilin, and furin between groups. The observed associations between p75NTR, sortilin and Bax suggest that p75NTR and sortilin mediated signalling may be involved in the mechanisms leading to higher apoptosis in preterm placentae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Niharika Gogate
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Yogesh Thube
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Salma M A Mansour
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Preeti Chavan-Gautam
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India.
| | - Girija Wagh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bharati Medical College and Hospital, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
| | - Sadhana Joshi
- Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
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Wang C, Liu Y, Ma W. Nerve growth factor regulates the proliferation of cashmere goat outer root sheath cells through the activation of cAMP-binding protein. Small Rumin Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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The Structure of the Pro-domain of Mouse proNGF in Contact with the NGF Domain. Structure 2018; 27:78-89.e3. [PMID: 30393051 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important neurotrophic factor involved in the regulation of cell differentiation and survival of target neurons. Expressed as a proNGF precursor, NGF is matured by furin-mediated protease cleavage. Increasing evidence suggests that NGF and proNGF have distinct functional roles. While the structure of mature NGF is available, little is known about that of the pro-domain because of its dynamical structural features. We exploited an ad hoc hybrid strategy based on nuclear magnetic resonance and modeling validated by small-angle X-ray scattering to gain novel insights on the pro-domain, both in isolation and in the context of proNGF. We show that the isolated pro-domain is intrinsically unstructured but forms transient intramolecular contacts with mature NGF and has per se the ability to induce growth cone collapse, indicating functional independence. Our data represent an important step toward the structural and functional characterization of the properties of proNGF.
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Proprotein convertase furin/PCSK3 and atherosclerosis: New insights and potential therapeutic targets. Atherosclerosis 2017; 262:163-170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Zanin JP, Unsain N, Anastasia A. Growth factors and hormones pro-peptides: the unexpected adventures of the BDNF prodomain. J Neurochem 2017; 141:330-340. [PMID: 28218971 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Most growth factors and hormones are synthesized as pre-pro-proteins which are processed to the biologically active mature protein. The pre- and prodomains are cleaved from the precursor protein in the secretory pathway or, in some cases, extracellularly. The canonical functions of these prodomains are to assist in folding and stabilization of the mature domain, to direct intra and extracellular localization, to facilitate storage, and to regulate bioavailability of their mature counterpart. Recently, exciting evidence has revealed that prodomains of certain growth factors, after cleaved from the precursor pro-protein, can act as independent active signaling molecules. In this review, we discuss the various classical functions of prodomains, and the biological consequences of these pro-peptides acting as ligands. We will focus our attention on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor prodomain (pBDNF), which has been recently described as a novel secreted ligand influencing neuronal morphology and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Zanin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nicolás Unsain
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra, (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Agustin Anastasia
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra, (INIMEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, Argentina
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Guo J, Ji Y, Ding Y, Jiang W, Sun Y, Lu B, Nagappan G. BDNF pro-peptide regulates dendritic spines via caspase-3. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2264. [PMID: 27310873 PMCID: PMC5143394 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The precursor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (proBDNF) is enzymatically cleaved, by either intracellular (furin/PC1) or extracellular proteases (tPA/plasmin/MMP), to generate mature BDNF (mBDNF) and its pro-peptide (BDNF pro-peptide). Little is known about the function of BDNF pro-peptide. We have developed an antibody that specifically detects cleaved BDNF pro-peptide, but not proBDNF or mBDNF. Neuronal depolarization elicited a marked increase in extracellular BDNF pro-peptide, suggesting activity-dependent regulation of its extracellular levels. Exposure of BDNF pro-peptide to mature hippocampal neurons in culture dramatically reduced dendritic spine density. This effect was mediated by caspase-3, as revealed by studies with pharmacological inhibitors and genetic knockdown. BDNF pro-peptide also increased the number of ‘elongated' mitochondria and cytosolic cytochrome c, suggesting the involvement of mitochondrial-caspase-3 pathway. These results, along with BDNF pro-peptide effects recently reported on growth cones and long-term depression (LTD), suggest that BDNF pro-peptide is a negative regulator of neuronal structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Guo
- Neurodegeneration Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, R&D China, Shanghai 201203, China.,Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Y Ji
- Neurodegeneration Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, R&D China, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Y Ding
- Neurodegeneration Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, R&D China, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - W Jiang
- Neurodegeneration Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, R&D China, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Y Sun
- Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - B Lu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - G Nagappan
- Neurodegeneration Discovery Performance Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, R&D China, Shanghai 201203, China
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MicroRNAs in Hyperglycemia Induced Endothelial Cell Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:518. [PMID: 27070575 PMCID: PMC4848974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperglycemia is closely associated with prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Hyperglycemia increases the risk of vascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease and cerebro/cardiovascular diseases. Under hyperglycemic conditions, the endothelial cells become dysfunctional. In this study, we investigated the miRNA expression changes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to different glucose concentrations (5, 10, 25 and 40 mM glucose) and at various time intervals (6, 12, 24 and 48 h). miRNA microarray analyses showed that there is a correlation between hyperglycemia induced endothelial dysfunction and miRNA expression. In silico pathways analyses on the altered miRNA expression showed that the majority of the affected biological pathways appeared to be associated to endothelial cell dysfunction and apoptosis. We found the expression of ten miRNAs (miR-26a-5p, -26b-5p, 29b-3p, -29c-3p, -125b-1-3p, -130b-3p, -140-5p, -192-5p, -221-3p and -320a) to increase gradually with increasing concentration of glucose. These miRNAs were also found to be involved in endothelial dysfunction. At least seven of them, miR-29b-3p, -29c-3p, -125b-1-3p, -130b-3p, -221-3p, -320a and -192-5p, can be correlated to endothelial cell apoptosis.
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Arisi I, D'Onofrio M, Brandi R, Malerba F, Paoletti F, Storti AE, Florenzano F, Fasulo L, Cattaneo A. proNGF/NGF mixtures induce gene expression changes in PC12 cells that neither singly produces. BMC Neurosci 2014; 15:48. [PMID: 24713110 PMCID: PMC4098786 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-15-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence shows that, in vivo, the precursor of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), proNGF, displays biological activities different from those of its mature NGF counterpart, mediated by distinct, and somewhat complementary, receptor binding properties. NGF and proNGF induce distinct transcriptional signatures in target cells, highlighting their different bioactivities. In vivo, proNGF and mature NGF coexist. It was proposed that the relative proNGF/NGF ratio is important for their biological outcomes, especially in pathological conditions, since proNGF, the principal form of NGF in Central Nervous System (CNS), is increased in Alzheimer's disease brains. These observations raise a relevant question: does proNGF, in the presence of NGF, influence the NGF transcriptional response and viceversa? In order to understand the specific proNGF effect on NGF activity, depending on the relative proNGF/NGF concentration, we investigated whether proNGF affects the pattern of well-known NGF-regulated mRNAs. RESULTS To test any influence of proNGF on pure NGF expression fingerprinting, the expression level of a set of candidate genes was analysed by qReal-Time PCR in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line PC12, treated with a mixture of NGF and proNGF recombinant proteins, in different stoichiometric ratios. These candidates were selected amongst a set of genes well-known as being rapidly induced by NGF treatment. We found that, when PC12 cells are treated with proNGF/NGF mixtures, a unique pattern of gene expression, which does not overlap with that deriving from treatment with either proNGF or NGF alone, is induced. The specific effect is also dependent on the stoichiometric composition of the mixture. The proNGF/NGF equimolar mixture seems to partially neutralize the specific effects of the proNGF or NGF individual treatments, showing a weaker overall response, compared to the individual contributions of NGF and proNGF alone. CONCLUSIONS Using gene expression as a functional read-out, our data demonstrate that the relative availability of NGF and proNGF in vivo might modulate the biological outcome of these ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Neurotrophic Factors and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) "Rita Levi-Montalcini", Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Roma, Italy.
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Duan L, Chen BY, Sun XL, Luo ZJ, Rao ZR, Wang JJ, Chen LW. LPS-induced proNGF synthesis and release in the N9 and BV2 microglial cells: a new pathway underling microglial toxicity in neuroinflammation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73768. [PMID: 24040063 PMCID: PMC3767823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose While aberrant activation of microglial cells was evidently involved in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity in the neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, objective of study was to address if activated microglias deliver their effect by releasing pro-neurotrophins. Materials and methods By in vitro culture of N9 and BV2 cell lines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation model, generation and release of proNGF, proBDNF and MMP-9 was studied in the activated microglial cells by immunocytochemistry, western blotting and bioassay methods. Results Activation of microglial cells was observed with obvious increasing iba1-immunoreactivity following LPS stimulation in cell culture. Synthesis and up-regulation of proNGF protein significantly occurred in N9 and BV2 cells 12h-48h after LPS exposure, whereas no significant changes of proBDNF and MMP9 were observed in these microglial cell lines with LPS insult. More interestingly, extracellular release or secretion of proNGF molecule was also detected in culture medium of N9 cells after LPS stimulation. Finally, bioassay using MTT, Hoechst/PI and TUNEL staining in SH-SY5Y cells further confirmed that proNGF treatment could result in apoptotic cell death but it did not significantly influence cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells. Conclusions This in vitro study revealed LPS-stimulated proNGF synthesis and release in activated N9/BV2 microglial cell lines, also suggesting that proNGF may appeal a new pathway or possible mechanism underlying microglial toxicity in the neuroinflammation and a potential target for therapeutic manipulation of the neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Duan
- Institute of Neurosciences, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Bei-Yu Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiao-Long Sun
- Institute of Neurosciences, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhuo-Jing Luo
- Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhi-Ren Rao
- Institute of Neurosciences, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jing-Jie Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- * E-mail: (JW); (LC)
| | - Liang-Wei Chen
- Institute of Neurosciences, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- * E-mail: (JW); (LC)
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