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Souza INDO, Roychaudhuri R, de Belleroche J, Mothet JP. d-Amino acids: new clinical pathways for brain diseases. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:1014-1028. [PMID: 37770379 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Free d-amino acids (d-AAs) are emerging as a novel and important class of signaling molecules in many organs, including the brain and endocrine systems. There has been considerable progress in our understanding of the fundamental roles of these atypical messengers, with increasingly recognized implications in a wide range of neuropathologies, including schizophrenia (SCZ), epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), substance abuse, and chronic pain, among others. Research has enabled the discovery that d-serine, d-aspartate and more recently d-cysteine are essential for the healthy development and function of the central nervous system (CNS). We discuss recent progress that has profoundly transformed our vision of numerous physiological processes but has also shown how d-AAs are now offering therapeutic promise in clinical settings for several human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Nem de Oliveira Souza
- Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology Team, Laboratoire LuMIn UMR9024 Université Paris-Saclay, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupelec, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robin Roychaudhuri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Birth Defects, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jacqueline de Belleroche
- Neurogenetics Group, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jean-Pierre Mothet
- Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology Team, Laboratoire LuMIn UMR9024 Université Paris-Saclay, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupelec, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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Koulouris CR, Gardiner SE, Harris TK, Elvers KT, Mark Roe S, Gillespie JA, Ward SE, Grubisha O, Nicholls RA, Atack JR, Bax BD. Tyrosine 121 moves revealing a ligandable pocket that couples catalysis to ATP-binding in serine racemase. Commun Biol 2022; 5:346. [PMID: 35410329 PMCID: PMC9001717 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03264-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human serine racemase (hSR) catalyses racemisation of L-serine to D-serine, the latter of which is a co-agonist of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptors that are important in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. In a 'closed' hSR structure containing the allosteric activator ATP, the inhibitor malonate is enclosed between the large and small domains while ATP is distal to the active site, residing at the dimer interface with the Tyr121 hydroxyl group contacting the α-phosphate of ATP. In contrast, in 'open' hSR structures, Tyr121 sits in the core of the small domain with its hydroxyl contacting the key catalytic residue Ser84. The ability to regulate SR activity by flipping Tyr121 from the core of the small domain to the dimer interface appears to have evolved in animals with a CNS. Multiple X-ray crystallographic enzyme-fragment structures show Tyr121 flipped out of its pocket in the core of the small domain. Data suggest that this ligandable pocket could be targeted by molecules that inhibit enzyme activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe R Koulouris
- Sussex Drug Discovery Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Sian E Gardiner
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Tessa K Harris
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Karen T Elvers
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - S Mark Roe
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, UK
| | - Jason A Gillespie
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Simon E Ward
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Olivera Grubisha
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Robert A Nicholls
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Ave, CB2 0QH, Cambridge, UK
| | - John R Atack
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
| | - Benjamin D Bax
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
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Liu X, Bennison SA, Robinson L, Toyo-oka K. Responsible Genes for Neuronal Migration in the Chromosome 17p13.3: Beyond Pafah1b1(Lis1), Crk and Ywhae(14-3-3ε). Brain Sci 2021; 12:brainsci12010056. [PMID: 35053800 PMCID: PMC8774252 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The 17p13.3 chromosome region is often deleted or duplicated in humans, resulting in severe neurodevelopmental disorders such as Miller–Dieker syndrome (MDS) and 17p13.3 duplication syndrome. Lissencephaly can also be caused by gene mutations or deletions of a small piece of the 17p13.3 region, including a single gene or a few genes. PAFAH1B1 gene, coding for LIS1 protein, is a responsible gene for lissencephaly and MDS and regulates neuronal migration by controlling microtubules (MTs) and cargo transport along MTs via dynein. CRK is a downstream regulator of the reelin signaling pathways and regulates neuronal migration. YWHAE, coding for 14-3-3ε, is also responsible for MDS and regulates neuronal migration by binding to LIS1-interacting protein, NDEL1. Although these three proteins are known to be responsible for neuronal migration defects in MDS, there are 23 other genes in the MDS critical region on chromosome 17p13.3, and little is known about their functions in neurodevelopment, especially in neuronal migration. This review will summarize the recent progress on the functions of LIS1, CRK, and 14-3-3ε and describe the recent findings of other molecules in the MDS critical regions in neuronal migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA;
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
| | - Sarah A. Bennison
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
| | - Lozen Robinson
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
| | - Kazuhito Toyo-oka
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (S.A.B.); (L.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(215)-991-8288
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d-Amino Acids and pLG72 in Alzheimer's Disease and Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010917. [PMID: 34681579 PMCID: PMC8535920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies over the last several years have shown that d-amino acids, especially d-serine, have been related to brain and neurological disorders. Acknowledged neurological functions of d-amino acids include neurotransmission and learning and memory functions through modulating N-methyl-d-aspartate type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). Aberrant d-amino acids level and polymorphisms of genes related to d-amino acids metabolism are associated with neurodegenerative brain conditions. This review summarizes the roles of d-amino acids and pLG72, also known as d-amino acid oxidase activator, on two neurodegenerative disorders, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The scope includes the changes in d-amino acids levels, gene polymorphisms of G72 genomics, and the role of pLG72 on NMDARs and mitochondria in schizophrenia and AD. The clinical diagnostic value of d-amino acids and pLG72 and the therapeutic importance are also reviewed.
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Martel JC, Gatti McArthur S. Dopamine Receptor Subtypes, Physiology and Pharmacology: New Ligands and Concepts in Schizophrenia. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1003. [PMID: 32765257 PMCID: PMC7379027 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine receptors are widely distributed within the brain where they play critical modulator roles on motor functions, motivation and drive, as well as cognition. The identification of five genes coding for different dopamine receptor subtypes, pharmacologically grouped as D1- (D1 and D5) or D2-like (D2S, D2L, D3, and D4) has allowed the demonstration of differential receptor function in specific neurocircuits. Recent observation on dopamine receptor signaling point at dopamine-glutamate-NMDA neurobiology as the most relevant in schizophrenia and for the development of new therapies. Progress in the chemistry of D1- and D2-like receptor ligands (agonists, antagonists, and partial agonists) has provided more selective compounds possibly able to target the dopamine receptors homo and heterodimers and address different schizophrenia symptoms. Moreover, an extensive evaluation of the functional effect of these agents on dopamine receptor coupling and intracellular signaling highlights important differences that could also result in highly differentiated clinical pharmacology. The review summarizes the recent advances in the field, addressing the relevance of emerging new targets in schizophrenia in particular in relation to the dopamine - glutamate NMDA systems interactions.
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D-Serine, the Shape-Shifting NMDA Receptor Co-agonist. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:1344-1353. [PMID: 32189130 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03014-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Shape-shifting, a phenomenon wide-spread in folklore, refers to the ability to physically change from one identity to another, typically from an innocuous entity to a destructive one. The amino acid D-serine over the last 25 years has "shape-shifted" into several identities: a purported glial transmitter activating N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), a co-transmitter concentrated in excitatory glutamatergic neurons, an autocrine that is released at dendritic spines to prime their post-synaptic NMDARs for an instantaneous response to glutamate and an excitotoxic moiety released from inflammatory (A1) astrocytes. This article will review evidence in support of these scenarios and the artifacts that misled investigators of the true identity of D-serine.
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