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Geertsma HM, Fisk ZA, Sauline L, Prigent A, Kurgat K, Callaghan SM, Henderson MX, Rousseaux MWC. A topographical atlas of α-synuclein dosage and cell type-specific expression in adult mouse brain and peripheral organs. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:65. [PMID: 38504090 PMCID: PMC10951202 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00672-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide and presents pathologically with Lewy pathology and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Lewy pathology contains aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn), a protein encoded by the SNCA gene which is also mutated or duplicated in a subset of familial PD cases. Due to its predominant presynaptic localization, immunostaining for the protein results in a diffuse reactivity pattern, providing little insight into the types of cells expressing αSyn. As a result, insight into αSyn expression-driven cellular vulnerability has been difficult to ascertain. Using a combination of knock-in mice that target αSyn to the nucleus (SncaNLS) and in situ hybridization of Snca in wild-type mice, we systematically mapped the topography and cell types expressing αSyn in the mouse brain, spinal cord, retina, and gut. We find a high degree of correlation between αSyn protein and RNA levels and further identify cell types with low and high αSyn content. We also find high αSyn expression in neurons, particularly those involved in PD, and to a lower extent in non-neuronal cell types, notably those of oligodendrocyte lineage, which are relevant to multiple system atrophy pathogenesis. Surprisingly, we also found that αSyn is relatively absent from select neuron types, e.g., ChAT-positive motor neurons, whereas enteric neurons universally express some degree of αSyn. Together, this integrated atlas provides insight into the cellular topography of αSyn, and provides a quantitative map to test hypotheses about the role of αSyn in network vulnerability, and thus serves investigations into PD pathogenesis and other α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Geertsma
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Zoe A Fisk
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Lillian Sauline
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Alice Prigent
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Kevin Kurgat
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Steve M Callaghan
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Michael X Henderson
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H8M5, Canada.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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2
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Bigi A, Cascella R, Cecchi C. α-Synuclein oligomers and fibrils: partners in crime in synucleinopathies. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2332-2342. [PMID: 37282450 PMCID: PMC10360081 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.371345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein is the general hallmark of a group of devastating neurodegenerative pathologies referred to as synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. In such conditions, a range of different misfolded aggregates, including oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, are present both in neurons and glial cells. Growing experimental evidence supports the proposition that soluble oligomeric assemblies, formed during the early phases of the aggregation process, are the major culprits of neuronal toxicity; at the same time, fibrillar conformers appear to be the most efficient at propagating among interconnected neurons, thus contributing to the spreading of α-synuclein pathology. Moreover, α-synuclein fibrils have been recently reported to release soluble and highly toxic oligomeric species, responsible for an immediate dysfunction in the recipient neurons. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about the plethora of mechanisms of cellular dysfunction caused by α-synuclein oligomers and fibrils, both contributing to neurodegeneration in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bigi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Cascella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Cecchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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3
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Weston LJ, Bowman AM, Osterberg VR, Meshul CK, Woltjer RL, Unni VK. Aggregated Alpha-Synuclein Inclusions within the Nucleus Predict Impending Neuronal Cell Death in a Mouse Model of Parkinsonism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315294. [PMID: 36499619 PMCID: PMC9736441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is a 14 kD protein encoded by the SNCA gene that is expressed in vertebrates and normally localizes to presynaptic terminals and the nucleus. aSyn forms pathological intracellular aggregates that typify a group of important neurodegenerative diseases called synucleinopathies. Previous work in human tissue and model systems indicates that some of these aggregates can be intranuclear, but the significance of aSyn aggregation within the nucleus is not clear. We used a mouse model that develops aggregated aSyn nuclear inclusions. Using aSyn preformed fibril injections in GFP-tagged aSyn transgenic mice, we were able to induce the formation of nuclear aSyn inclusions and study their properties in fixed tissue and in vivo using multiphoton microscopy. In addition, we analyzed human synucleinopathy patient tissue to better understand this pathology. Our data demonstrate that nuclear aSyn inclusions may form through the transmission of aSyn between neurons, and these intranuclear aggregates bear the hallmarks of cytoplasmic Lewy pathology. Neuronal nuclear aSyn inclusions can form rod-like structures that do not contain actin, excluding them from being previously described nuclear actin rods. Longitudinal, in vivo multiphoton imaging indicates that certain morphologies of neuronal nuclear aSyn inclusions predict cell death within 14 days. Human multiple system atrophy cases contain neurons and glia with similar nuclear inclusions, but we were unable to detect such inclusions in Lewy body dementia cases. This study suggests that the dysregulation of a nuclear aSyn function associated with nuclear inclusion formation could play a role in the forms of neurodegeneration associated with synucleinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah J. Weston
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Anna M. Bowman
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Valerie R. Osterberg
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Charles K. Meshul
- Research Services, Neurocytology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Departments of Behavioral Neuroscience and Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Randall L. Woltjer
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Vivek K. Unni
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- OHSU Parkinson Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Correspondence:
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4
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Leupold L, Sigutova V, Gerasimova E, Regensburger M, Zundler S, Zunke F, Xiang W, Winner B, Prots I. The Quest for Anti-α-Synuclein Antibody Specificity-Lessons Learnt From Flow Cytometry Analysis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:869103. [PMID: 35911883 PMCID: PMC9334871 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.869103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is the hallmark of a group of neurodegenerative conditions termed synucleopathies. Physiological functions of aSyn, including those outside of the CNS, remain elusive. However, a reliable and reproducible evaluation of aSyn protein expression in different cell types and especially in low-expressing cells is impeded by the existence of a huge variety of poorly characterized anti-aSyn antibodies and a lack of a routinely used sensitive detection methods. Here, we developed a robust flow cytometry-based workflow for aSyn detection and antibody validation. We test our workflow using three commercially available antibodies (MJFR1, LB509, and 2A7) in a variety of human cell types, including induced pluripotent stem cells, T lymphocytes, and fibroblasts, and provide a cell- and antibody-specific map for aSyn expression. Strikingly, we demonstrate a previously unobserved unspecificity of the LB509 antibody, while the MJFR1 clone revealed specific aSyn binding however with low sensitivity. On the other hand, we identified an aSyn-specific antibody clone 2A7 with an optimal sensitivity for detecting aSyn in a range of cell types, including those with low aSyn expression. We further utilize our workflow to demonstrate the ability of the 2A7 antibody to distinguish between physiological differences in aSyn expression in neuronal and non-neuronal cells from the cortical organoids, and in neural progenitors and midbrain dopaminergic neurons from healthy controls and in patients with Parkinson's disease who have aSyn gene locus duplication. Our results provide a proof of principle for the use of high-throughput flow cytometry-based analysis of aSyn and highlight the necessity of rigorous aSyn antibody validation to facilitate the research of aSyn physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Leupold
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veronika Sigutova
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elizaveta Gerasimova
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Regensburger
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Zundler
- Department of Medicine 1, Translational Research Center (TRC), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Friederike Zunke
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beate Winner
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Iryna Prots
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Koss DJ, Erskine D, Porter A, Palmoski P, Menon H, Todd OGJ, Leite M, Attems J, Outeiro TF. Nuclear alpha-synuclein is present in the human brain and is modified in dementia with Lewy bodies. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:98. [PMID: 35794636 PMCID: PMC9258129 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01403-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is pathologically defined by the cytoplasmic accumulation of alpha-synuclein (aSyn) within neurons in the brain. Predominately pre-synaptic, aSyn has been reported in various subcellular compartments in experimental models. Indeed, nuclear alpha-synuclein (aSynNuc) is evident in many models, the dysregulation of which is associated with altered DNA integrity, transcription and nuclear homeostasis. However, the presence of aSynNuc in human brain cells remains controversial, yet the determination of human brain aSynNuc and its pathological modification is essential for understanding synucleinopathies. Here, using a multi-disciplinary approach employing immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, and mass-spectrometry (MS), we confirm aSynNuc in post-mortem brain tissue obtained from DLB and control cases. Highly dependent on antigen retrieval methods, in optimal conditions, intra-nuclear pan and phospho-S129 positive aSyn puncta were observed in cortical neurons and non-neuronal cells in fixed brain sections and in isolated nuclear preparations in all cases examined. Furthermore, an increase in nuclear phospho-S129 positive aSyn immunoreactivity was apparent in DLB cases compared to controls, in both neuronal and non-neuronal cell types. Our initial histological investigations identified that aSynNuc is affected by epitope unmasking methods but present under optimal conditions, and this presence was confirmed by isolation of nuclei and a combined approach of immunoblotting and mass spectrometry, where aSynNuc was approximately tenfold less abundant in the nucleus than cytoplasm. Notably, direct comparison of DLB cases to aged controls identified increased pS129 and higher molecular weight species in the nuclei of DLB cases, suggesting putative pathogenic modifications to aSynNuc in DLB. In summary, using multiple approaches we provide several lines of evidence supporting the presence of aSynNuc in autoptic human brain tissue and, notably, that it is subject to putative pathogenic modifications in DLB that may contribute to the disease phenotype.
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6
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Geertsma HM, Suk TR, Ricke KM, Horsthuis K, Parmasad JLA, Fisk ZA, Callaghan SM, Rousseaux MWC. Constitutive nuclear accumulation of endogenous alpha-synuclein in mice causes motor impairment and cortical dysfunction, independent of protein aggregation. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3613-3628. [PMID: 35179202 PMCID: PMC9616578 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that nuclear alpha-synuclein (αSyn) plays a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, this question has been difficult to address as controlling the localization of αSyn in experimental systems often requires protein overexpression, which affects its aggregation propensity. To overcome this, we engineered SncaNLS mice, which localize endogenous αSyn to the nucleus. We characterized these mice on a behavioral, histological and biochemical level to determine whether the increase of nuclear αSyn is sufficient to elicit PD-like phenotypes. SncaNLS mice exhibit age-dependent motor deficits and altered gastrointestinal function. We found that these phenotypes were not linked to αSyn aggregation or phosphorylation. Through histological analyses, we observed motor cortex atrophy in the absence of midbrain dopaminergic neurodegeneration. We sampled cortical proteomes of SncaNLS mice and controls to determine the molecular underpinnings of these pathologies. Interestingly, we found several dysregulated proteins involved in dopaminergic signaling, including Darpp32, Pde10a and Gng7, which we further confirmed was decreased in cortical samples of the SncaNLS mice compared with controls. These results suggest that chronic endogenous nuclear αSyn can elicit toxic phenotypes in mice, independent of its aggregation. This model raises key questions related to the mechanism of αSyn toxicity in PD and provides a new model to study an underappreciated aspect of PD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Geertsma
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Terry R Suk
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Konrad M Ricke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Kyra Horsthuis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Jean-Louis A Parmasad
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Zoe A Fisk
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Steve M Callaghan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H8M5, Canada
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, K1H8M5, Canada. Tel: +1 6138625800 ext. 8611;
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7
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Liu W, Zhang Q, Xing H, Gao G, Liu J, Huang Y, Yang H. Characterization of a Novel Monoclonal Antibody for Serine-129 Phosphorylated α-Synuclein: A Potential Application for Clinical and Basic Research. Front Neurol 2022; 13:821792. [PMID: 35250825 PMCID: PMC8893957 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.821792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Lewy bodies (LBs) are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). More than 90% of α-synuclein (α-syn) within LBs is phosphorylated at the serine-129 residue [pSer129 α-syn (p-α-syn)]. Although various studies have revealed that this abnormally elevated p-α-syn acts as a pathological biomarker and is involved in the pathogenic process of PD, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of p-α-syn are still not fully understood. Therefore, the development of specific and reliable tools for p-α-syn detection is important. In this study, we generated a novel p-α-syn mouse monoclonal antibody (C140S) using hybridoma technology. To further identify the characteristics of C140S, we performed several in vitro assays using recombinant proteins, along with ex vivo assays utilizing the brains of Thy1-SNCA transgenic (Tg) mice, the preformed fibril (PFF)-treated neurons, and the brain sections of patients with PD. Our C140S specifically recognized human and mouse p-α-syn proteins both in vitro and ex vivo, and similar to commercial p-α-syn antibodies, the C140S detected higher levels of p-α-syn in the midbrain of the Tg mice. Using immunogold electron microscopy, these p-α-syn particles were partly deposited in the cytoplasm and colocalized with the outer mitochondrial membrane. In addition, the C140S recognized p-α-syn pathologies in the PFF-treated neurons and the amygdala of patients with PD. Overall, the C140S antibody was a specific and potential research tool in the detection and mechanistic studies of pathogenic p-α-syn in PD and related synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijin Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Qidi Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Xing
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Huang
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory on Parkinson's Disease, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hui Yang
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8
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Bohush A, Góral A, Sierant M, Nawrot B, Leśniak W, Filipek A. Sgt1 Regulates α-Synuclein Subcellular Localization and Expression of Parkinson's Disease Related Genes, PINK1 and PARK9. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1675. [PMID: 34827672 PMCID: PMC8615725 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The SGT1 protein is highly expressed in the mammalian brain, particularly in neurons of the hippocampus and cortex, and in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. There are literature data indicating that the protein may be involved in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present work we have found that SGT1 protected cells from the toxicity of rotenone, an agent that evokes behavioral and histopathological symptoms of PD. To gain more insight into the possible mechanism underlying the protective action of SGT1 we looked at α-synuclein subcellular distribution in HEK293 cells with an altered SGT1 level. By immunofluorescent staining we have found that in HEK293 cells overexpressing SGT1 α-synuclein was mainly localized in the cytoplasm while in control cells it was present in the nucleus. Accordingly, when SGT1 expression was silenced, α-synuclein was predominantly present in the nucleus. These results were then confirmed by subcellular fractionation and Western blot analysis. Moreover, we have found that altered level of SGT1 in HEK293 cells influenced the expression of PD related genes, PINK1 and PARK9. Altogether, our results point to SGT1 as an important factor that might be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Bohush
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (A.G.); (W.L.)
| | - Agnieszka Góral
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (A.G.); (W.L.)
| | - Małgorzata Sierant
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (B.N.)
| | - Barbara Nawrot
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, 90-363 Lodz, Poland; (M.S.); (B.N.)
| | - Wiesława Leśniak
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (A.G.); (W.L.)
| | - Anna Filipek
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.B.); (A.G.); (W.L.)
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9
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Elfarrash S, Jensen NM, Ferreira N, Schmidt SI, Gregersen E, Vestergaard MV, Nabavi S, Meyer M, Jensen PH. Polo-like kinase 2 inhibition reduces serine-129 phosphorylation of physiological nuclear alpha-synuclein but not of the aggregated alpha-synuclein. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252635. [PMID: 34613964 PMCID: PMC8494365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is believed to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. As a key constituent of Lewy pathology, more than 90% of α-syn in Lewy bodies is phosphorylated at serine-129 (pS129) and hence, it is used extensively as a marker for α-syn pathology. However, the exact role of pS129 remains controversial and the kinase(s) responsible for the phosphorylation have yet to be determined. In this study, we investigated the effect of Polo-like kinase 2 (PLK2) inhibition on formation of pS129 using an ex vivo organotypic brain slice model of synucleinopathy. Our data demonstrated that PLK2 inhibition has no effect on α-syn aggregation, pS129 or inter-neuronal spreading of the aggregated α-syn seen in the organotypic slices. Instead, PLK2 inhibition reduced the soluble pS129 level in the nuclei. The same finding was replicated in an in vivo mouse model of templated α-syn aggregation and in human dopaminergic neurons, suggesting that PLK2 is more likely to be involved in S129-phosphorylation of the soluble physiological fraction of α-syn. We also demonstrated that reduction of nuclear pS129 following PLK2 inhibition for a short time before sample collection improves the signal-to-noise ratio when quantifying pS129 aggregate pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Elfarrash
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- MERC–Medical Experimental Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- * E-mail: (SE); (PHJ)
| | - Nanna Møller Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nelson Ferreira
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sissel Ida Schmidt
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Emil Gregersen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie Vibeke Vestergaard
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sadegh Nabavi
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Morten Meyer
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, BRIDGE–Brain Research Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail: (SE); (PHJ)
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10
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Amadeo A, Pizzi S, Comincini A, Modena D, Calogero AM, Madaschi L, Faustini G, Rolando C, Bellucci A, Pezzoli G, Mazzetti S, Cappelletti G. The Association between α-Synuclein and α-Tubulin in Brain Synapses. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179153. [PMID: 34502063 PMCID: PMC8430732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-synuclein is a small protein that is mainly expressed in the synaptic terminals of nervous tissue. Although its implication in neurodegeneration is well established, the physiological role of α-synuclein remains elusive. Given its involvement in the modulation of synaptic transmission and the emerging role of microtubules at the synapse, the current study aimed at investigating whether α-synuclein becomes involved with this cytoskeletal component at the presynapse. We first analyzed the expression of α-synuclein and its colocalization with α-tubulin in murine brain. Differences were found between cortical and striatal/midbrain areas, with substantia nigra pars compacta and corpus striatum showing the lowest levels of colocalization. Using a proximity ligation assay, we revealed the direct interaction of α-synuclein with α-tubulin in murine and in human brain. Finally, the previously unexplored interaction of the two proteins in vivo at the synapse was disclosed in murine striatal presynaptic boutons through multiple approaches, from confocal spinning disk to electron microscopy. Collectively, our data strongly suggest that the association with tubulin/microtubules might actually be an important physiological function for α-synuclein in the synapse, thus suggesting its potential role in a neuropathological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida Amadeo
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-025-031-4885 (A.A.); +39-025-031-4752 (G.C.)
| | - Sara Pizzi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Alessandro Comincini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Debora Modena
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Alessandra Maria Calogero
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Laura Madaschi
- UNITECH NOLIMITS, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Chiara Rolando
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Via Zuretti 35, 20125 Milano, Italy;
| | - Samanta Mazzetti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson, Via Zuretti 35, 20125 Milano, Italy;
| | - Graziella Cappelletti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy; (S.P.); (A.C.); (D.M.); (A.M.C.); (C.R.); (S.M.)
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (G.C.); Tel.: +39-025-031-4885 (A.A.); +39-025-031-4752 (G.C.)
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11
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Roles for α-Synuclein in Gene Expression. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081166. [PMID: 34440340 PMCID: PMC8393936 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a small cytosolic protein associated with a range of cellular compartments, including synaptic vesicles, the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. In addition to its physiological role in regulating presynaptic function, the protein plays a central role in both sporadic and familial Parkinson’s disease (PD) via a gain-of-function mechanism. Because of this, several recent strategies propose to decrease α-Syn levels in PD patients. While these therapies may offer breakthroughs in PD management, the normal functions of α-Syn and potential side effects of its depletion require careful evaluation. Here, we review recent evidence on physiological and pathological roles of α-Syn in regulating activity-dependent signal transduction and gene expression pathways that play fundamental role in synaptic plasticity.
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12
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Mavroeidi P, Xilouri M. Neurons and Glia Interplay in α-Synucleinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4994. [PMID: 34066733 PMCID: PMC8125822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of the neuronal presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein within proteinaceous inclusions represents the key histophathological hallmark of a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, referred to by the umbrella term a-synucleinopathies. Even though alpha-synuclein is expressed predominantly in neurons, pathological aggregates of the protein are also found in the glial cells of the brain. In Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, alpha-synuclein accumulates mainly in neurons forming the Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, whereas in multiple system atrophy, the protein aggregates mostly in the glial cytoplasmic inclusions within oligodendrocytes. In addition, astrogliosis and microgliosis are found in the synucleinopathy brains, whereas both astrocytes and microglia internalize alpha-synuclein and contribute to the spread of pathology. The mechanisms underlying the pathological accumulation of alpha-synuclein in glial cells that under physiological conditions express low to non-detectable levels of the protein are an area of intense research. Undoubtedly, the presence of aggregated alpha-synuclein can disrupt glial function in general and can contribute to neurodegeneration through numerous pathways. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of alpha-synuclein in both neurons and glia, highlighting the contribution of the neuron-glia connectome in the disease initiation and progression, which may represent potential therapeutic target for a-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Xilouri
- Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
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13
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Generation of monoclonal antibodies against phosphorylated α-Synuclein at serine 129: Research tools for synucleinopathies. Neurosci Lett 2020; 725:134899. [PMID: 32156613 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The majority of α-synuclein (α-syn) within Lewy bodies (LBs) has been reported to be phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129-α-syn), suggesting a central role for phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. Various studies have investigated the effect of α-syn phosphorylation but have failed to reach a consensus as to whether this modification accelerates or inhibits α-syn aggregation. Nevertheless, pS129-α-syn is a reliable marker of α-syn aggregates and is widely evaluated in biomarkers and post-mortem studies. While several antibodies specific for pS129-α-syn exist, their reactivity with non-specific antigens appears to be a common challenge. To gain valuable insights into the role of α-syn phosphorylation in disease pathogenesis, antibodies that are highly specific to pS129-α-syn are necessary. In this study, we describe the generation of three mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; 5B9, 6H5 and 9G1) using hybridoma technology. These were thoroughly characterized and validated in combination with our previously generated mAb (PS129), and the commercial ab51253 (Abcam). We demonstrated that our mAbs are highly specific for pS129-α-syn and do not cross react with wild-type α-syn. Results from staining of post-mortem human brain tissue showed that our mAbs detect pS129-α-syn pathology in patients with synucleinopathies. This study highlights three new antibodies as excellent and highly specific research tools to explore the role of pS129-α-syn inclusions in synucleinopathies.
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14
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Vasquez V, Mitra J, Wang H, Hegde PM, Rao KS, Hegde ML. A multi-faceted genotoxic network of alpha-synuclein in the nucleus and mitochondria of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease: Emerging concepts and challenges. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 185:101729. [PMID: 31863801 PMCID: PMC7098698 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2019.101729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a hallmark amyloidogenic protein component of the Lewy bodies (LBs) present in dopaminergic neurons affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite an enormous increase in emerging knowledge, the mechanism(s) of α-synuclein neurobiology and crosstalk among pathological events that are critical for PD progression remains enigmatic, creating a roadblock for effective intervention strategies. One confounding question is about the potential link between α-synuclein toxicity and genome instability in PD. We previously reported that pro-oxidant metal ions, together with reactive oxygen species (ROS), act as a "double whammy" in dopaminergic neurons by not only inducing genome damage but also inhibiting their repair. Our recent studies identified a direct role for chromatin-bound, oxidized α-synuclein in the induction of DNA strand breaks, which raised the question of a paradoxical role for α-synuclein's DNA binding in neuroprotection versus neurotoxicity. Furthermore, recent advances in our understanding of α-synuclein mediated mitochondrial dysfunction warrants revisiting the topics of α-synuclein pathophysiology in order to devise and assess the efficacy of α-synuclein-targeted interventions. In this review article, we discuss the multi-faceted neurotoxic role of α-synuclein in the nucleus and mitochondria with a particular emphasis on the role of α-synuclein in DNA damage/repair defects. We utilized a protein-DNA binding simulation to identify potential residues in α-synuclein that could mediate its binding to DNA and may be critical for its genotoxic functions. These emerging insights and paradigms may guide new drug targets and therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velmarini Vasquez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Centre for Neuroscience, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, City of Knowledge, Panama
| | - Joy Mitra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Haibo Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Methodist Neurological Institute, Institute of Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pavana M Hegde
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - K S Rao
- Centre for Neuroscience, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología, City of Knowledge, Panama
| | - Muralidhar L Hegde
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Methodist Neurological Institute, Institute of Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, 10065, USA.
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15
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Schaser AJ, Osterberg VR, Dent SE, Stackhouse TL, Wakeham CM, Boutros SW, Weston LJ, Owen N, Weissman TA, Luna E, Raber J, Luk KC, McCullough AK, Woltjer RL, Unni VK. Alpha-synuclein is a DNA binding protein that modulates DNA repair with implications for Lewy body disorders. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10919. [PMID: 31358782 PMCID: PMC6662836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein is a presynaptic protein that forms abnormal cytoplasmic aggregates in Lewy body disorders. Although nuclear alpha-synuclein localization has been described, its function in the nucleus is not well understood. We demonstrate that alpha-synuclein modulates DNA repair. First, alpha-synuclein colocalizes with DNA damage response components within discrete foci in human cells and mouse brain. Removal of alpha-synuclein in human cells leads to increased DNA double-strand break (DSB) levels after bleomycin treatment and a reduced ability to repair these DSBs. Similarly, alpha-synuclein knock-out mice show increased neuronal DSBs that can be rescued by transgenic reintroduction of human alpha-synuclein. Alpha-synuclein binds double-stranded DNA and helps to facilitate the non-homologous end-joining reaction. Using a new, in vivo imaging approach that we developed, we find that serine-129-phosphorylated alpha-synuclein is rapidly recruited to DNA damage sites in living mouse cortex. We find that Lewy inclusion-containing neurons in both mouse model and human-derived patient tissue demonstrate increased DSB levels. Based on these data, we propose a model whereby cytoplasmic aggregation of alpha-synuclein reduces its nuclear levels, increases DSBs, and may contribute to programmed cell death via nuclear loss-of-function. This model could inform development of new treatments for Lewy body disorders by targeting alpha-synuclein-mediated DNA repair mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Schaser
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Valerie R Osterberg
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Sydney E Dent
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Teresa L Stackhouse
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Colin M Wakeham
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Sydney W Boutros
- Departments of Behavioral Neuroscience, Neurology, and Radiation Medicine and Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA
| | - Leah J Weston
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Nichole Owen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Tamily A Weissman
- Department of Biology, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, 97219, USA
| | - Esteban Luna
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jacob Raber
- Departments of Behavioral Neuroscience, Neurology, and Radiation Medicine and Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA
| | - Kelvin C Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Amanda K McCullough
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Randall L Woltjer
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Vivek K Unni
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
- OHSU Parkinson Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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16
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Pinho R, Paiva I, Jercic KG, Fonseca-Ornelas L, Gerhardt E, Fahlbusch C, Garcia-Esparcia P, Kerimoglu C, Pavlou MAS, Villar-Piqué A, Szego É, Lopes da Fonseca T, Odoardi F, Soeroes S, Rego AC, Fischle W, Schwamborn JC, Meyer T, Kügler S, Ferrer I, Attems J, Fischer A, Becker S, Zweckstetter M, Borovecki F, Outeiro TF. Nuclear localization and phosphorylation modulate pathological effects of alpha-synuclein. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:31-50. [PMID: 30219847 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is a central player in Parkinson's disease (PD) but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity remain unclear. It has recently been suggested that nuclear aSyn may modulate gene expression, possibly via interactions with DNA. However, the biological behavior of aSyn in the nucleus and the factors affecting its transcriptional role are not known. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying aSyn-mediated transcription deregulation by assessing its effects in the nucleus and the impact of phosphorylation in these dynamics. We found that aSyn induced severe transcriptional deregulation, including the downregulation of important cell cycle-related genes. Importantly, transcriptional deregulation was concomitant with reduced binding of aSyn to DNA. By forcing the nuclear presence of aSyn in the nucleus (aSyn-NLS), we found the accumulation of high molecular weight aSyn species altered gene expression and reduced toxicity when compared with the wild-type or exclusively cytosolic protein. Interestingly, nuclear localization of aSyn, and the effect on gene expression and cytotoxicity, was also modulated by phosphorylation on serine 129. Thus, we hypothesize that the role of aSyn on gene expression and, ultimately, toxicity, may be modulated by the phosphorylation status and nuclear presence of different aSyn species. Our findings shed new light onto the subcellular dynamics of aSyn and unveil an intricate interplay between subcellular location, phosphorylation and toxicity, opening novel avenues for the design of future strategies for therapeutic intervention in PD and other synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Pinho
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Paiva
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kristina Gotovac Jercic
- Department for Functional Genomics, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Ellen Gerhardt
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Fahlbusch
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Paula Garcia-Esparcia
- Institute of Neuropathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Hospitalet de Llobregat; Biomedical Research Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cemil Kerimoglu
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maria A S Pavlou
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anna Villar-Piqué
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Éva Szego
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tomás Lopes da Fonseca
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Francesca Odoardi
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Institute for Multiple Sclerosis Research, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Szabolcs Soeroes
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Oxford Nanopore Technologies LTD, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Cristina Rego
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Wolfgang Fischle
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jens C Schwamborn
- Development and Cellular Biology, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kügler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Institute of Neuropathology, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Hospitalet de Llobregat; Biomedical Research Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johannes Attems
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - André Fischer
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Epigenetics and Systems Medicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Göttingen Germany
| | - Stefan Becker
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Structural Biology in Dementia, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Fran Borovecki
- Department for Functional Genomics, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Chronic Disease Research Center, NOVA Medical School, Lisboa, Portugal.,Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
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17
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Lehtonen Š, Sonninen TM, Wojciechowski S, Goldsteins G, Koistinaho J. Dysfunction of Cellular Proteostasis in Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:457. [PMID: 31133790 PMCID: PMC6524622 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, current therapeutic interventions for Parkinson’s disease (PD) are insufficient as they fail to modify disease progression by ameliorating the underlying pathology. Cellular proteostasis (protein homeostasis) is an essential factor in maintaining a persistent environment for neuronal activity. Proteostasis is ensured by mechanisms including regulation of protein translation, chaperone-assisted protein folding and protein degradation pathways. It is generally accepted that deficits in proteostasis are linked to various neurodegenerative diseases including PD. While the proteasome fails to degrade large protein aggregates, particularly alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) in PD, drug-induced activation of autophagy can efficiently remove aggregates and prevent degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Therefore, maintenance of these mechanisms is essential to preserve all cellular functions relying on a correctly folded proteome. The correlations between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) that aims to restore proteostasis within the secretory pathway are well-established. However, while mild insults increase the activity of chaperones, prolonged cell stress, or insufficient adaptive response causes cell death. Modulating the activity of molecular chaperones, such as protein disulfide isomerase which assists refolding and contributes to the removal of unfolded proteins, and their associated pathways may offer a new approach for disease-modifying treatment. Here, we summarize some of the key concepts and emerging ideas on the relation of protein aggregation and imbalanced proteostasis with an emphasis on PD as our area of main expertise. Furthermore, we discuss recent insights into the strategies for reducing the toxic effects of protein unfolding in PD by targeting the ER UPR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Šárka Lehtonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuuli-Maria Sonninen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sara Wojciechowski
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Gundars Goldsteins
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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18
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Oueslati A. Implication of Alpha-Synuclein Phosphorylation at S129 in Synucleinopathies: What Have We Learned in the Last Decade? JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2017; 6:39-51. [PMID: 27003784 PMCID: PMC4927808 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-160779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal accumulation of proteinaceous intraneuronal inclusions called Lewy bodies (LBs) is the neurpathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. These inclusions are mainly constituted of a presynaptic protein, α-synuclein (α-syn). Over the past decade, growing amounts of studies reported an aberrant accumulation of phosphorylated α-syn at the residue S129 (pS129) in the brain of patients suffering from PD, as well as in transgenic animal models of synucleinopathies. Whereas only a small fraction of α-syn (<4%) is phosphorylated in healthy brains, a dramatic accumulation of pS129 (>90%) has been observed within LBs, suggesting that this post-translational modification may play an important role in the regulation of α-syn aggregation, LBs formation and neuronal degeneration. However, whether phosphorylation at S129 suppresses or enhances α-syn aggregation and toxicity in vivo remains a subject of active debate. The answer to this question has important implications for understanding the role of phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies and determining if targeting kinases or phosphatases could be a viable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these devastating neurological disorders. In the present review, we explore recent findings from in vitro, cell-based assays and in vivo studies describing the potential implications of pS129 in the regulation of α-syn physiological functions, as well as its implication in synucleinopathies pathogenesis and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Oueslati
- Correspondence to: Abid Oueslati, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neuroscience et Départe-ment de Médecine Moléculaire de l’Université Laval, Québec G1V4G2, Canada. Tel.: +1 4185254444/Ext 49119; Fax: +1 4186542125; E-mail:
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Kleinknecht A, Popova B, Lázaro DF, Pinho R, Valerius O, Outeiro TF, Braus GH. C-Terminal Tyrosine Residue Modifications Modulate the Protective Phosphorylation of Serine 129 of α-Synuclein in a Yeast Model of Parkinson's Disease. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006098. [PMID: 27341336 PMCID: PMC4920419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson´s disease (PD) is characterized by the presence of proteinaceous inclusions called Lewy bodies that are mainly composed of α-synuclein (αSyn). Elevated levels of oxidative or nitrative stresses have been implicated in αSyn related toxicity. Phosphorylation of αSyn on serine 129 (S129) modulates autophagic clearance of inclusions and is prominently found in Lewy bodies. The neighboring tyrosine residues Y125, Y133 and Y136 are phosphorylation and nitration sites. Using a yeast model of PD, we found that Y133 is required for protective S129 phosphorylation and for S129-independent proteasome clearance. αSyn can be nitrated and form stable covalent dimers originating from covalent crosslinking of two tyrosine residues. Nitrated tyrosine residues, but not di-tyrosine-crosslinked dimers, contributed to αSyn cytotoxicity and aggregation. Analysis of tyrosine residues involved in nitration and crosslinking revealed that the C-terminus, rather than the N-terminus of αSyn, is modified by nitration and di-tyrosine formation. The nitration level of wild-type αSyn was higher compared to that of A30P mutant that is non-toxic in yeast. A30P formed more dimers than wild-type αSyn, suggesting that dimer formation represents a cellular detoxification pathway in yeast. Deletion of the yeast flavohemoglobin gene YHB1 resulted in an increase of cellular nitrative stress and cytotoxicity leading to enhanced aggregation of A30P αSyn. Yhb1 protected yeast from A30P-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and peroxynitrite-induced nitrative stress. Strikingly, overexpression of neuroglobin, the human homolog of YHB1, protected against αSyn inclusion formation in mammalian cells. In total, our data suggest that C-terminal Y133 plays a major role in αSyn aggregate clearance by supporting the protective S129 phosphorylation for autophagy and by promoting proteasome clearance. C-terminal tyrosine nitration increases pathogenicity and can only be partially detoxified by αSyn di-tyrosine dimers. Our findings uncover a complex interplay between S129 phosphorylation and C-terminal tyrosine modifications of αSyn that likely participates in PD pathology. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in midbrain and the presence of αSyn protein inclusions. Human αSyn mimics the disease pathology in yeast resulting in cytotoxicity and aggregate formation. αSyn is abundantly phosphorylated at serine S129 and possesses four tyrosines (Y39, Y125, Y133, and Y136) that can be posttranslationally modified by nitration or phosphorylation. The consequence of each of these possible modifications is still unclear. Nitration as consequence of oxidative stress is a hallmark for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we addressed the molecular mechanism, how tyrosine posttranslational modifications affect αSyn cytotoxicity. Tyrosine nitration can contribute to αSyn toxicity or can be part of a cellular salvage pathway when di-tyrosine-crosslinked dimers are formed. The Y133 residue, which can be either phosphorylated or nitrated, determines whether S129 is protectively phosphorylated and αSyn inclusions are cleared. This interplay with S129 phosphorylation demonstrates a dual role for C-terminal tyrosine residues. Yeast flavohemoglobin Yhb1 and its human counterpart neuroglobin NGB protect cells against cytotoxicity and aggregate formation. These novel insights into the molecular pathways responsible for αSyn cytotoxicity indicate NGB as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kleinknecht
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Blagovesta Popova
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Diana F. Lázaro
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, University of Göttingen Medical School, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Raquel Pinho
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, University of Göttingen Medical School, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Oliver Valerius
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tiago F. Outeiro
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, University of Göttingen Medical School, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerhard H. Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics and Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences (GZMB), Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Villar-Piqué A, Lopes da Fonseca T, Outeiro TF. Structure, function and toxicity of alpha-synuclein: the Bermuda triangle in synucleinopathies. J Neurochem 2015; 139 Suppl 1:240-255. [PMID: 26190401 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of currently incurable neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the misfolding and accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates that are commonly known as synucleinopathies. Clinically, synucleinopathies are heterogeneous, reflecting the somewhat selective neuronal vulnerability characteristic of each disease. The precise molecular underpinnings of synucleinopathies remain unclear, but the process of aggregation of alpha-synuclein appears as a central event. However, there is still no consensus with respect to the toxic forms of alpha-synuclein, hampering our ability to use the protein as a target for therapeutic intervention. To decipher the molecular bases of synucleinopathies, it is essential to understand the complex triangle formed between the structure, function and toxicity of alpha-synuclein. Recently, important steps have been undertaken to elucidate the role of the protein in both physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings in the field of alpha-synuclein research, and put forward a new perspective over paradigms that persist in the field. Establishing whether alpha-synuclein has a causative role in all synucleinopathies will enable the identification of targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this devastating group of disorders. Alpha-synuclein is the speculated cornerstone of several neurodegenerative disorders known as Synucleinopathies. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenic effects of this protein remain unknown. Here, we review the recent findings in the three corners of alpha-synuclein biology - structure, function and toxicity - and discuss the enigmatic roads that have accompanied alpha-synuclein from the beginning. This article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Villar-Piqué
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tomás Lopes da Fonseca
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Instituto de Fisiologia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. .,Instituto de Fisiologia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal. .,CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Intracellular Dynamics of Synucleins: "Here, There and Everywhere". INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 320:103-69. [PMID: 26614873 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2015.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Synucleins are small, soluble proteins expressed primarily in neural tissue and in certain tumors. The synuclein family consists of three members: α-, β-, and γ-synucleins present only in vertebrates. Members of the synuclein family have high sequence identity, especially in the N-terminal regions. The synuclein gene family came into the spotlight, when one of its members, α-synuclein, was found to be associated with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, whereas γ-synuclein was linked to several forms of cancer. There are a lot of controversy and exciting debates concerning members of the synuclein family, including their normal functions, toxicity, role in pathology, transmission between cells and intracellular localization. Important findings which remain undisputable for many years are synuclein localization in synapses and their role in the regulation of synaptic vesicle trafficking, whereas their presence and function in mitochondria and nucleus is a debated topic. In this review, we present the data on the localization of synucleins in two intracellular organelles: the nucleus and mitochondria.
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Mbefo MK, Fares MB, Paleologou K, Oueslati A, Yin G, Tenreiro S, Pinto M, Outeiro T, Zweckstetter M, Masliah E, Lashuel HA. Parkinson disease mutant E46K enhances α-synuclein phosphorylation in mammalian cell lines, in yeast, and in vivo. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:9412-27. [PMID: 25657004 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.610774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although α-synuclein (α-syn) phosphorylation has been considered as a hallmark of sporadic and familial Parkinson disease (PD), little is known about the effect of PD-linked mutations on α-syn phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated the effects of the A30P, E46K, and A53T PD-linked mutations on α-syn phosphorylation at residues Ser-87 and Ser-129. Although the A30P and A53T mutants slightly affected Ser(P)-129 levels compared with WT α-syn, the E46K mutation significantly enhanced Ser-129 phosphorylation in yeast and mammalian cell lines. This effect was not due to the E46K mutant being a better kinase substrate nor due to alterations in endogenous kinase levels, but was mostly linked with enhanced nuclear and endoplasmic reticulum accumulation. Importantly, lentivirus-mediated overexpression in mice also showed enhanced Ser-129 phosphorylation of the E46K mutant compared to WT α-syn, thus providing in vivo validation of our findings. Altogether, our findings suggest that the different PD-linked mutations may contribute to PD pathogenesis via different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martial Kamdem Mbefo
- From the Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Station 15, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed-Bilal Fares
- From the Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Station 15, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katerina Paleologou
- From the Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Station 15, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Abid Oueslati
- From the Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Station 15, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Guowei Yin
- the Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sandra Tenreiro
- the Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, and
| | - Madalena Pinto
- the Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, and
| | - Tiago Outeiro
- the Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, and Instituto de Fisiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, the Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, University Medical Center Goettingen and
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- the Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany, and
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- the Departments of Pathology and Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California 92103
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- From the Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Station 15, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland,
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Snead D, Eliezer D. Alpha-synuclein function and dysfunction on cellular membranes. Exp Neurobiol 2014; 23:292-313. [PMID: 25548530 PMCID: PMC4276801 DOI: 10.5607/en.2014.23.4.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein is a small neuronal protein that is closely associated with the etiology of Parkinson's disease. Mutations in and alterations in expression levels of alpha-synuclein cause autosomal dominant early onset heredity forms of Parkinson's disease, and sporadic Parkinson's disease is defined in part by the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites that are composed primarily of alpha-synuclein deposited in an aggregated amyloid fibril state. The normal function of alpha-synuclein is poorly understood, and the precise mechanisms by which it leads to toxicity and cell death are also unclear. Although alpha-synuclein is a highly soluble, cytoplasmic protein, it binds to a variety of cellular membranes of different properties and compositions. These interactions are considered critical for at least some normal functions of alpha-synuclein, and may well play critical roles in both the aggregation of the protein and its mechanisms of toxicity. Here we review the known features of alpha-synuclein membrane interactions in the context of both the putative functions of the protein and of its pathological roles in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Snead
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David Eliezer
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Plum S, Steinbach S, Abel L, Marcus K, Helling S, May C. Proteomics in neurodegenerative diseases: Methods for obtaining a closer look at the neuronal proteome. Proteomics Clin Appl 2014; 9:848-71. [DOI: 10.1002/prca.201400030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Plum
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center; Funktionelle Proteomik; Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Bochum Germany
| | - Simone Steinbach
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center; Medical Proteomics/Bioanalytics; Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Bochum Germany
| | - Laura Abel
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center; Medical Proteomics/Bioanalytics; Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Bochum Germany
| | - Katrin Marcus
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center; Funktionelle Proteomik; Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Bochum Germany
| | - Stefan Helling
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center; Funktionelle Proteomik; Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Bochum Germany
| | - Caroline May
- Medizinisches Proteom-Center; Medical Proteomics/Bioanalytics; Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Bochum Germany
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Fares MB, Ait-Bouziad N, Dikiy I, Mbefo MK, Jovičić A, Kiely A, Holton JL, Lee SJ, Gitler AD, Eliezer D, Lashuel HA. The novel Parkinson's disease linked mutation G51D attenuates in vitro aggregation and membrane binding of α-synuclein, and enhances its secretion and nuclear localization in cells. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:4491-509. [PMID: 24728187 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel mutation in the α-Synuclein (α-Syn) gene "G51D" was recently identified in two familial cases exhibiting features of Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). In this study, we explored the impact of this novel mutation on the aggregation, cellular and biophysical properties of α-Syn, in an attempt to unravel how this mutant contributes to PD/MSA. Our results show that the G51D mutation significantly attenuates α-Syn aggregation in vitro. Moreover, it disrupts local helix formation in the presence of SDS, decreases binding to lipid vesicles C-terminal to the site of mutation and severely inhibits helical folding in the presence of acidic vesicles. When expressed in yeast, α-Syn(G51D) behaves similarly to α-Syn(A30P), as both exhibit impaired membrane association, form few inclusions and are non-toxic. In contrast, enhanced secreted and nuclear levels of the G51D mutant were observed in mammalian cells, as well as in primary neurons, where α-Syn(G51D) was enriched in the nuclear compartment, was hyper-phosphorylated at S129 and exacerbated α-Syn-induced mitochondrial fragmentation. Finally, post-mortem human brain tissues of α-Syn(G51D) cases were examined, and revealed only partial colocalization with nuclear membrane markers, probably due to post-mortem tissue delay and fixation. These findings suggest that the PD-linked mutations may cause neurodegeneration via different mechanisms, some of which may be independent of α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed-Bilal Fares
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 19, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Ait-Bouziad
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 19, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Igor Dikiy
- Department of Biochemistry and Program in Structural Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Martial K Mbefo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 19, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ana Jovičić
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Aoife Kiely
- Queen Square Brain Bank, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Janice L Holton
- Queen Square Brain Bank, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Seung-Jae Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David Eliezer
- Department of Biochemistry and Program in Structural Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 19, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Games D, Seubert P, Rockenstein E, Patrick C, Trejo M, Ubhi K, Ettle B, Ghassemiam M, Barbour R, Schenk D, Nuber S, Masliah E. Axonopathy in an α-synuclein transgenic model of Lewy body disease is associated with extensive accumulation of C-terminal-truncated α-synuclein. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 182:940-53. [PMID: 23313024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Progressive accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in limbic and striatonigral systems is associated with the neurodegenerative processes in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The murine Thy-1 (mThy1)-α-syn transgenic (tg) model recapitulates aspects of degenerative processes associated with α-syn accumulation in these disorders. Given that axonal and synaptic pathologies are important features of DLB and PD, we sought to investigate the extent and characteristics of these alterations in mThy1-α-syn tg mice and to determine the contribution of α-syn c-terminally cleaved at amino acid 122 (CT α-syn) to these abnormalities. We generated a novel polyclonal antibody (SYN105) against the c-terminally truncated sequence (amino acids 121 to 123) of α-syn (CT α-syn) and performed immunocytochemical and ultrastructural analyses in mThy1-α-syn tg mice. We found abundant clusters of dystrophic neurites in layers 2 to 3 of the neocortex, the stratum lacunosum, the dentate gyrus, and cornu ammonis 3 of the hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, midbrain, and pons. Dystrophic neurites displayed intense immunoreactivity detected with the SYN105 antibody. Double-labeling studies with antibodies to phosphorylated neurofilaments confirmed the axonal location of full-length and CT α-syn. α-Syn immunoreactive dystrophic neurites contained numerous electrodense laminated structures. These results show that neuritic dystrophy is a prominent pathologic feature of the mThy1-α-syn tg model and suggest that CT α-syn might play an important role in the process of axonal damage in these mice as well as in DLB and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Games
- Neotope Biosciences, South San Francisco, California, USA
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