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Brys R, Gibson K, Poljak T, Van Der Plas S, Amantini D. Discovery and development of ASK1 inhibitors. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2020; 59:101-179. [PMID: 32362327 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) like c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 is an event involved in the pathophysiology of numerous human diseases. The apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is an upstream target that gets activated only under pathological conditions and as such is a promising target for therapeutic intervention. In the first part of this review the molecular mechanisms leading to ASK1 activation and regulation will be described as well as the evidences supporting a pathogenic role for ASK1 in human disease. In the second part, an update on drug discovery efforts towards the discovery and development of ASK1-targeting therapies will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karl Gibson
- Sandexis Medicinal Chemistry Ltd, Innovation House Discovery ParkSandwich, Kent, United Kingdom
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Pathological role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 in human diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target for cognitive disorders. J Mol Med (Berl) 2019; 97:153-161. [DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-01739-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Guo X, Namekata K, Kimura A, Harada C, Harada T. ASK1 in neurodegeneration. Adv Biol Regul 2017; 66:63-71. [PMID: 28882588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as glaucoma, multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD) are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons, causing irreversible damage to patients. Longer lifespans may be leading to an increase in the number of people affected by NDDs worldwide. Among the pathways strongly impacting the pathogenesis of NDDs, oxidative stress, a condition that occurs because of an imbalance in oxidant and antioxidant levels, has been known to play a vital role in the pathophysiology of NDDs. One of the molecules activated by oxidative stress is apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), which has been shown to play a role in NDDs. ASK1 activation is regulated by multiple steps, including oligomerization, phosphorylation, and protein-protein interactions. In the oxidative stress state, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce the dissociation of thioredoxin, a protein regulating cellular reduction and oxidation (redox), from the N-terminal region of ASK1, and ASK1 is subsequently activated by the oligomerization and phosphorylation of a critical threonine residue, leading to cell death. Here, we review experimental evidence that links ASK1 signaling with the pathogenesis of several NDDs. We propose that ASK1 may be a new point of therapeutic intervention to prevent or treat NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Guo
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Namekata
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuko Kimura
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chikako Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Harada
- Visual Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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Lesnefsky EJ, Chen Q, Hoppel CL. Mitochondrial Metabolism in Aging Heart. Circ Res 2017; 118:1593-611. [PMID: 27174952 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.307505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Altered mitochondrial metabolism is the underlying basis for the increased sensitivity in the aged heart to stress. The aged heart exhibits impaired metabolic flexibility, with a decreased capacity to oxidize fatty acids and enhanced dependence on glucose metabolism. Aging impairs mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, with a greater role played by the mitochondria located between the myofibrils, the interfibrillar mitochondria. With aging, there is a decrease in activity of complexes III and IV, which account for the decrease in respiration. Furthermore, aging decreases mitochondrial content among the myofibrils. The end result is that in the interfibrillar area, there is ≈50% decrease in mitochondrial function, affecting all substrates. The defective mitochondria persist in the aged heart, leading to enhanced oxidant production and oxidative injury and the activation of oxidant signaling for cell death. Aging defects in mitochondria represent new therapeutic targets, whether by manipulation of the mitochondrial proteome, modulation of electron transport, activation of biogenesis or mitophagy, or the regulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion. These mechanisms provide new ways to attenuate cardiac disease in elders by preemptive treatment of age-related defects, in contrast to the treatment of disease-induced dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Lesnefsky
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Pauley Heart Center (E.J.L, Q.C.), Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology and Biophsyics (E.J.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA (E.J.L., Q.C.); Medical Service, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA (E.J.L.); and Departments of Pharmacology (C.L.H.) and Medicine (E.J.L., C.L.H.), Center for Mitochondrial Disease (C.L.H.), Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Qun Chen
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Pauley Heart Center (E.J.L, Q.C.), Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology and Biophsyics (E.J.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA (E.J.L., Q.C.); Medical Service, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA (E.J.L.); and Departments of Pharmacology (C.L.H.) and Medicine (E.J.L., C.L.H.), Center for Mitochondrial Disease (C.L.H.), Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Charles L Hoppel
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Pauley Heart Center (E.J.L, Q.C.), Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Physiology and Biophsyics (E.J.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA (E.J.L., Q.C.); Medical Service, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA (E.J.L.); and Departments of Pharmacology (C.L.H.) and Medicine (E.J.L., C.L.H.), Center for Mitochondrial Disease (C.L.H.), Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH.
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Cheon SY, Cho KJ, Kim SY, Kam EH, Lee JE, Koo BN. Blockade of Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1 Attenuates Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Activity in Brain Endothelial Cells and the Subsequent Apoptosis in Neurons after Ischemic Injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:213. [PMID: 27642277 PMCID: PMC5009117 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditions of increased oxidative stress including cerebral ischemia can lead to blood-brain barrier dysfunction via matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). It is known that MMP-9 in particular is released from brain endothelial cells is involved in the neuronal cell death that occurs after cerebral ischemia. In the intracellular signaling network, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is the main activator of the oxidative stress that is part of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia. ASK1 also promotes apoptotic cell death and brain infarction after ischemia and is associated with vascular permeability and the formation of brain edema. However, the relationship between ASK1 and MMP-9 after cerebral ischemia remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine whether blocking ASK1 would affect MMP-9 activity in the ischemic brain and cultured brain endothelial cells. Our results showed that ASK1 inhibition efficiently reduced MMP-9 activity in vivo and in vitro. In endothelial cell cultures, ASK1 inhibition upregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/nuclear factor erythroid 2 [NF-E2]-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signals and downregulated cyclooxygenase-2 signals after hypoxia/reperfusion. Additionally, in neuronal cell cultures, cell death occurred when neurons were incubated with endothelial cell-conditioned medium (EC-CM) obtained from the hypoxia/reperfusion group. However, after incubation with EC-CM and following treatment with the ASK1 inhibitor NQDI-1, neuronal cell death was efficiently decreased. We conclude that suppressing ASK1 decreases MMP-9 activity in brain endothelial cells, and leads to decreased neuronal cell death after ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Y Cheon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea; Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea
| | - Kyoung J Cho
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul South Korea
| | - So Y Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea; Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea
| | - Eun H Kam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea; Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea
| | - Jong E Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul South Korea
| | - Bon-Nyeo Koo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea; Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, SeoulSouth Korea
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Shinomol GK, Ranganayaki S, Joshi AK, Gayathri N, Gowda H, Muralidhara, Srinivas Bharath MM. Characterization of age-dependent changes in the striatum: Response to the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid. Mech Ageing Dev 2016; 161:66-82. [PMID: 27143313 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative phenomena are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and this could be exacerbated by aging. Age-dependence of mitochondrial response to toxins could help understand these mechanisms and evolve novel therapeutics. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is a mitochondrial toxin that induces neurotoxicity in the striatum via inhibition of complex II. We investigated the age-related events that contribute to 3-NPA toxicity. 3-NPA induced neuronal death, oxidative stress and altered mitochondrial structure in neuronal cells. 3-NPA injection in vivo caused motor impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage with different trend in young and adult mice. To understand the age-dependent mechanisms, we carried out proteomic analysis of the striatal protein extract from young mice (control: YC vs. 3-NPA treated: YT) and adult mice (control: AC vs. 3-NPA treated: AT). Among the 3752 identified proteins, 33 differentially expressed proteins (mitochondrial, synaptic and microsomal proteins) were unique either to YT or AT. Interestingly, comparison of the proteomic profile in AC and YC indicated that 161 proteins (linked with cytoskeletal structure, neuronal development, axogenesis, protein transport, cell adhesion and synaptic function) were down-regulated in AC compared to YC. We surmise that aging contributes to the cellular and molecular architecture in the mouse striatum with implications for neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- G K Shinomol
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India; Neurotoxicology laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - S Ranganayaki
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India; Neurotoxicology laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Apurva K Joshi
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India; Neurotoxicology laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - N Gayathri
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Harsha Gowda
- Institute of Bioinformatics (IOB), Discoverer, Industrial Technology Park Limited (ITPL), Whitefield, Bangalore 560066, Karnataka, India
| | - Muralidhara
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
| | - M M Srinivas Bharath
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India; Neurotoxicology laboratory, Neurobiology Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India.
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Boulton SJ, Birch-Machin MA. Impact of hyperpigmentation on superoxide flux and melanoma cell metabolism at mitochondrial complex II. FASEB J 2014; 29:346-53. [PMID: 25351989 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-261982] [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] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Melanogenesis is a highly conserved process of cytophotoprotection from UV radiation present in many species. Although both mitochondrial function and UV radiation insults are well-documented promoters of increased cellular stress, their individual molecular relationships with skin pigmentation have not been clearly resolved. This study provides evidence for a direct relationship between cellular melanin content, superoxide flux, and mitochondrial function at complex II. Direct and significant correlation between increased pigmentation and complex II turnover was observed in genetically different melanoma cell lines of varied basal pigmentation states (P < 0.01). The same trend was also observed when comparing genetically identical cell cultures with increasing levels of induced pigmentation (P < 0.005). The observation of increased steady-state levels of the catalytic complex II succinate dehydrogenase subunit A alongside hyperpigmentation suggested coregulation of activity and pigment production (P < 0.01). The study also presents novel evidence for a relationship between hyperpigmentation and increased superoxide-generating capacity at complex II. By amperometrically monitoring superoxide flux from differently pigmented FM55 melanocytes and their isolated mitochondria, a dynamic and responsive relationship between pigmentation, complex II function, and intracellular superoxide generation was observed (P < 0.005). The data support hyperpigmentation as a protective antioxidant mechanism in response to complex II-mediated reactive oxygen species generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jayne Boulton
- Dermatological Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Birch-Machin
- Dermatological Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Cheon SY, Cho KJ, Lee JE, Kim HW, Lee SK, Kim HJ, Kim GW. Cerebroprotective effects of red ginseng extract pretreatment against ischemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Int J Neurosci 2013; 123:269-77. [PMID: 23240589 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2012.758120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant and has beneficial effects due to pharmacological properties. Although ginseng is thought to be protective under abnormal conditions, the effects of pretreatment with red ginseng (RG) extract on ischemic stroke have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the protective effects of RG extract after focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Crude RG extract (360 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 2 weeks. Mice were then subjected to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1 hour, followed by reperfusion for 4 and 24 hours. Pretreatment with RG extract followed by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) resulted in significant reduction of oxidized hydroethidine signals in ischemic areas. At 4 and 24 hours after I/R, the number of 8-hydroxyguanosine and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)-positive cells decreased in the ischemic penumbra as seen using immunofluorescent staining. Western blotting showed that RG efficiently attenuated the protein levels of activated ASK1 in the ischemic penumbra. Consequently, DNA fragmentation and the infarct volume were reduced by RG extract pretreatment 24 hours after I/R. Also, RG extract resulted in better performance in rotarod test after I/R. Thus, RG pretreatment demonstrates a protective effect at suppressing ischemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in ischemic lesions. Pretreatment with crude RG extract may be an effective strategy for preventing brain injury after an ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Yeong Cheon
- Department of Neurology, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Junyent F, de Lemos L, Verdaguer E, Pallàs M, Folch J, Beas-Zárate C, Camins A, Auladell C. Lack of Jun-N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) does not protect against neurodegeneration induced by 3-nitropropionic acid. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2012; 38:311-21. [PMID: 21883373 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2011.01214.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) is a toxin that replicates most of the clinical and pathophysiological symptoms of Huntington's disease, inducing neurodegeneration in the striatum due to the inhibition of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. Different pathways have been implicated in the cell death induced by 3-NP in rodents. One of them is the Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, which may play a role in the neurodegenerative process in different diseases. Moreover, the lack of one isoform of JNK (JNK3) has been associated with neuroprotection in different experimental models of neurodegeneration. Therefore, in the present study the role of JNK3 in the experimental Huntington's model induced by 3-NP administration was evaluated. METHODS 3-NP was intraperitoneally administered once a day for 3 days to wild-type and Jnk3-null mice. Coronal brain sections were used to determine cell death and astrogliosis in striatum. Western blots were performed to determine the involvement of different pathways in both wild-type and Jnk3-null mice. RESULTS Although JNK activation was observed following 3-NP administration, the results indicate that the lack of JNK3 does not confer neuroprotection against 3-NP toxicity. Thus, other pathways must be involved in the neurodegeneration induced in this model. One of the possible pathways towards 3-NP-induced apoptosis could involve the calpains, as their activity was increased in wild-type and Jnk3-null mice. CONCLUSION Although JNK3 is a key protein involved in cell death in different neurodegenerative diseases, the present study demonstrates that the lack of JNK3 does not confer neuroprotection against 3-NP-induced neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Junyent
- Unitat de Farmacologia i Farmacognòsia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Institut de Biomedicina, Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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HAYAKAWA R, HAYAKAWA T, TAKEDA K, ICHIJO H. Therapeutic targets in the ASK1-dependent stress signaling pathways. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2012; 88:434-53. [PMID: 23060232 PMCID: PMC3491083 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.88.434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family that activates downstream MAP kinases (MAPKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 MAPKs, in response to various stresses, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, lipopolysaccharide, and calcium overload. Activation of the JNK and p38 pathways induces stress responses such as cell death, differentiation, and the production of inflammatory cytokines. A series of studies using ASK1-deficient mice have indicated that ASK1 plays important roles in many stress-related diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that small compounds that inhibit ASK1 activity could possibly be used for the amelioration of the development and/or progression of these diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiological roles of ASK1-dependent signaling pathways and discuss the mechanistic basis for how these could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi HAYAKAWA
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Teruyuki HAYAKAWA
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohsuke TAKEDA
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Cell Regulation, Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hidenori ICHIJO
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Túnez I, Tasset I, Pérez-De La Cruz V, Santamaría A. 3-Nitropropionic acid as a tool to study the mechanisms involved in Huntington's disease: past, present and future. Molecules 2010; 15:878-916. [PMID: 20335954 PMCID: PMC6263191 DOI: 10.3390/molecules15020878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2009] [Revised: 01/12/2010] [Accepted: 02/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inheritable autosomal-dominant disorder whose causal mechanisms remain unknown. Experimental models have begun to uncover these pathways, thus helping to understand the mechanisms implicated and allowing for the characterization of potential targets for new therapeutic strategies. 3-Nitropropionic acid is known to produce in animals behavioural, biochemical and morphologic changes similar to those occurring in HD. For this reason, this phenotypic model is gaining attention as a valuable tool to mimick this disorder and further developing new therapies. In this review, we will focus on the past and present research of this molecule, to finally bring a perspective on what will be next in this promising field of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Túnez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Maimónides de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Av. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
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Cho KJ, Lee BI, Cheon SY, Kim HW, Kim HJ, Kim GW. Inhibition of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress and nuclear huntingtin fragments in a mouse model of Huntington disease. Neuroscience 2009; 163:1128-34. [PMID: 19646509 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.07.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2009] [Revised: 07/21/2009] [Accepted: 07/21/2009] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized clinically by chorea, psychiatric disturbances, and dementia, while it is characterized pathologically by neuronal inclusions as well as striatal and cortical neurodegeneration. The neurodegeneration arises from the loss of long projection neurons in the cortex and striatum. In this study, we investigated the role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (Ask1) in the pathogenesis of HD. We analyzed the expression of Ask1 and huntingtin (htt) within the striatum and cortex and also examined the interaction of Ask1 with htt fragments in HD (R6/2) mice. Additionally, we inhibited Ask1 and analyzed the resulting changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, motor function, and striatal atrophy. Ask1 activity was blocked using an Ask1 antibody raised against the C-terminus of the Ask1 protein. The anti-Ask1 antibody was infused into the striatum of the HD mice for four weeks using a micro-osmotic pump. The levels of Ask1 protein and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were increased in HD mice. Binding of inactivated Ask1 to htt fragments was more prevalent in the cytosol than the nucleus of cortical neurons. Binding of inactivated Ask1 to htt fragments prevented translocation of the htt fragments into the nucleus, resulting in an improvement in motor dysfunction and atrophy. In the normal state, active Ask1 may help htt fragments enter the nucleus, while inactivated Ask1 hinders this translocation by binding to but not releasing fragmented htt into the nucleus. We propose that Ask1 may interact with htt fragments and subsequently induce ER stress. BDNF depletion may be prevented by targeting Ask1; this would decrease ER stress and possibly ameliorate behavioral or anatomical abnormalities that accompany HD. Therefore, regulating the amounts and activity of the Ask1 protein is a novel strategy for treatment of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Cho
- Department of Neurology, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea
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