Dopamine down-regulation of protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase is dependent on reactive oxygen species in SH-SY5Y cells

PCMT1 confirmed as a pan-cancer immune biomarker and a contributor to breast cancer metastasis

Protein L-isoaspartyl (D-aspartyl) methyltransferase (PIMT, gene name PCMT1) is an enzyme that repairs proteins with altered aspartate residues by methylation, restoring their normal structure and function. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of PCMT1 in pan-cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas, Human Protein Atlas website, and the Genotype-Tissue Expression were utilized in analysis of PCMT1 expression. We examined the association between PCMT1 expression and various factors, including gene modifications, DNA methylation, immune cell infiltration, immunological checkpoints, drug susceptibility, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). Enrichment analyses determined the potential biological roles and pathways involving PCMT1. Our focus then shifted to the role of PCMT1 in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA). We found that PCMT1 expression was aberrant in many tumors and significantly influenced the prognosis across several cancer types. Gene alterations in PCMT1 predominantly involved deep deletions and amplifications. A negative correlation was observed between DNA methylation and PCMT1 expression across all studied cancer types except thyroid carcinoma PCMT1 exhibited positive correlations with common lymphoid progenitor and CD4(+) T helper 2 cells, whereas it was inversely correlated with central and effector memory T cells, memory CD8(+) T cells, and CD4(+) T helper 1 cells. In many cancer types, PCMT1 expression closely correlated with immunological checkpoint inhibitors, TMB, and MSI. It was also significantly linked to pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), highlighting its role in cancer metastasis. PCMT1 emerged as a significant predictor of breast cancer progression. In vitro experiments demonstrated that reducing PCMT1 expression decreased BRCA cell migration and invasiveness. Additionally, animal studies confirmed that inhibition of PCMT1 slowed tumor growth.

Differential expression of microRNAs associated with neurodegenerative diseases and diabetic nephropathy in protein l-isoaspartyl methyltransferase-deficient mice

Protein l-isoaspartyl methyltransferase (PIMT/PCMT1), an enzyme repairing isoaspartate residues in peptides and proteins that result from the spontaneous decomposition of normal l-aspartyl and l-asparaginyl residues during aging, has been revealed to be involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms for a putative association of PIMT dysfunction with these diseases have not been clarified. Our study aimed to identify differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in the brain and kidneys of PIMT-deficient mice and uncover the epigenetic mechanism of PIMT-involved NDDs and diabetic nephropathy (DN). Differentially expressed miRNAs by sequencing underwent target prediction and enrichment analysis in the brain and kidney of PIMT knockout (KO) mice and age-matched wild-type (WT) littermates. Sequence analysis revealed 40 differentially expressed miRNAs in the PIMT KO mouse brain including 25 upregulated miRNAs and 15 downregulated miRNAs. In the PIMT KO mouse kidney, there were 80 differentially expressed miRNAs including 40 upregulated miRNAs and 40 downregulated miRNAs. Enrichment analysis and a systematic literature review of differentially expressed miRNAs indicated the involvement of PIMT deficiency in the pathogenesis in NDDs and DN. Some overlapped differentially expressed miRNAs between the brain and kidney were quantitatively assessed in the brain, kidney, and serum-derived exosomes, respectively. Despite being preliminary, these results may aid in investigating the pathological hallmarks and identify the potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for PIMT dysfunction-related NDDs and DN.

Natural Approaches for Neurological Disorders-The Neuroprotective Potential of Codium tomentosum

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and is characterized by a progressive degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantianigra. Although not completely understood, several abnormal cellular events are known to be related with PD progression, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Codium tomentosum enriched fractions in a neurotoxicity model mediated by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on SH-SY5Y human cells, and the disclosure of their mechanisms of action. Additionally, a preliminary chemical screening of the most promising bioactive fractions of C. tomentosum was carried out by GC-MS analysis. Among the tested fractions, four samples exhibited the capacity to revert the neurotoxicity induced by 6-OHDA to values higher or similar to the vitamin E (90.11 ± 3.74% of viable cells). The neuroprotective effects were mediated by the mitigation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial dysfunctions and DNA damage, together with the reduction of Caspase-3 activity. Compounds belonging to different chemical classes, such as terpenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, esters, ketones, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons were tentatively identified by GC-MS. The results show that C. tomentosum is a relevant source of neuroprotective agents, with particular interest for preventive therapeutics.

Systematic metabolic analysis of potential target, therapeutic drug, diagnostic method and animal model applicability in three neurodegenerative diseases

Considerable evidence suggests that metabolic abnormalities are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to conduct a systematic metabolic analysis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Huntington’s disease (HD). Human and mouse model microarray datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The metabolic genes and pathways were collected from the Recon 3D human metabolic model. Drug and target information was obtained from the DrugBank database. This study identified ATP1A1, ATP6V1G2, GOT1, HPRT1, MAP2K1, PCMT1 and PLK2 as key metabolic genes that were downregulated in AD, PD and HD. We screened 57 drugs that target these genes, such as digoxin, ouabain and diazoxide. This study constructed multigene diagnostic models for AD, PD and HD by using metabolic gene expression profiles in blood, all models showed high accuracy (AUC > 0.8) both in the experimental and validation sets. Furthermore, analysis of animal models showed that there was almost no consistency among the metabolic changes between mouse models and human diseases. This study systematically revealed the metabolic damage among AD, PD, and HD and uncovered the differences between animal models and human diseases. This information may be helpful for understanding the metabolic mechanisms and drug development for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neuroprotective Effects of CGP3466B on Apoptosis Are Modulated by Protein-L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase/Mst1 Pathways after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Neuronal apoptosis chiefly contributes to the cell loss following traumatic brain injury (TBI). CGP3466B is a compound related to the anti-Parkinsonism drug R-(−)-deprenyl. Previous studies have illuminated anti-apoptosis effects of CGP3466B in different cell lines, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Mammalian sterile 20 (STE20)-like kinase1 (Mst1) is a core component of the Hippo signaling pathway. Protein-L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase (PCMT1) is an enzyme that repairs damaged L-isoaspartyl residues in proteins. The present study was performed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of CGP3466B and to determine a potential PCMT1/Mst1 neuronal anti-apoptotic pathway after TBI. Double immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that PCMT1 and Mst1 are co-located in neurons. Administration of CGP3466B improved neurological function, downregulated the ROS level and alleviated brain edema at 24 h after TBI. CGP3466B alleviates neuronal apoptosis by increasing PCMT1 expression and subsequently inhibiting MST1 activation, resulting in changing the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and active-caspase3. The TUNEL staining results also support the anti-apoptosis effects of CGP3466B. The anti-apoptotic effects of CGP3466B were abolished by chelerythrine, an Mst1 activator, without changing PCMT1 levels. In conclusion, our findings suggest CGP3466B may have a promising therapeutic potential by modulating PCMT1/Mst1 signaling pathway after TBI injury.

Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Sarains on H2O2-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Sarains are diamide alkaloids isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Haliclona (Rhizoniera) sarai that have previously shown antibacterial, insecticidal and anti-fouling activities. In this study, we examined for the first time the neuroprotective effects of sarains 1, 2 and A against oxidative stress in a human neuronal model. SH-SY5Y cells were co-incubated with sarains at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10 μM, and the well-known oxidant hydrogen peroxide at 150 μM for 6 h and the protective effects of the compounds were evaluated. Among the sarains tested, sarain A was the most promising compound, improving mitochondrial function and decreasing reactive oxygen species levels in human neuroblastoma cells treated with the compound at 0.01, 0.1 and 1 μM. This compound was also able to increase the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutases by inducing the translocation of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the nucleus at the lower concentrations tested (0.01 and 0.1 μM). Moreover, sarain A at 0.1 and 1 μM blocked the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening through cyclophilin D inhibition. These results suggest that the protective effects produced by the treatment with sarain A are related with its ability to block the mPTP and to enhance the Nrf2 pathway, indicating that sarain A may be a candidate compound for further studies in neurodegenerative diseases.

Nesfatin-1 protects dopaminergic neurons against MPP+/MPTP-induced neurotoxicity through the C-Raf-ERK1/2-dependent anti-apoptotic pathway

Several brain-gut peptides have been reported to have a close relationship with the central dopaminergic system; one such brain-gut peptide is nesfatin-1. Nesfatin-1 is a satiety peptide that is predominantly secreted by X/A-like endocrine cells in the gastric glands, where ghrelin is also secreted. We previously reported that ghrelin exerted neuroprotective effects on nigral dopaminergic neurons, which implied a role for ghrelin in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, we aim to clarify whether nesfatin-1 has similar effects on dopaminergic neurons both in vivo and in vitro. We show that nesfatin-1 attenuates the loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD. In addition, nesfatin-1 antagonized 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridillium ion (MPP⁺)-induced toxicity by restoring mitochondrial function, inhibiting cytochrome C release and preventing caspase-3 activation in MPP⁺-treated MES23.5 dopaminergic cells. These neuroprotective effects could be abolished by selective inhibition of C-Raf and the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Our data suggest that C-Raf-ERK1/2, which is involved in an anti-apoptotic pathway, is responsible for the neuroprotective effects of nesfatin-1 in the context of MPTP-induced toxicity. These results imply that nesfatin-1 might have therapeutic potential for PD.

The protective role of protein L-isoaspartyl (D-aspartate) O-methyltransferase for maintenance of mitochondrial morphology in A549 cell

PURPOSE

The increasing amounts of evidence with abnormal aging process have been involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Mice with deficient protein L-isoaspartate (D-aspartate) O-methyl transferase 1 (PCMT1) expression reveal acceleration of aging and result in the increased proportion of D-aspartate (D-Asp) residues and dysfunction in proteins. Furthermore, mitochondrial morphology and functions are associated with COPD and IPF pathogenesis. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the role of PCMT1 on mitochondrial morphology using A549 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated PCMT1, prohibitin1 (PHB1), mitochondrial membrane proteins expression, mitochondrial morphology, and the proportion of D-Asp residues in PHB1 in A549 cells with (PCMT1-KD) and without the context of decreased PCMT1 expression (PCMT1-Cont) using electron microscopy, fluorescence staining, Western blot analysis, and the ATP content per cells. To investigate the effects of the PCMT1-KD cells, we developed double-transfected cell lines containing either the cytosolic or the endoplasmic isoform of PCMT1.

RESULTS

We found a significantly higher proportion of D-Asp residues in PHB1 in PCMT1-KD cells than that in PCMT1-Cont cells. The PCMT1-KD cells without cigarette smoke extract exposure were characterized by a significantly increased proportion of the D-Asp residues in PHB1, damaged mitochondrial ultrastructure, and a tendency toward the fission direction of the mitochondrial dynamics followed by a significant decrease in the cellular ATP content.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased proportion of the D-Asp residues may contribute to COPD pathogenesis, via irreversible protein conformational changes, followed by mitochondrial dysfunction.

β-Ecdysterone Protects SH-SY5Y Cells Against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Apoptosis via Mitochondria-Dependent Mechanism: Involvement of p38(MAPK)-p53 Signaling Pathway

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder pathologically characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. No curative therapy is available for PD. We recently found that phytoestrogen β-ecdysterone (β-Ecd) is able to reduce MPP(+)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. This study investigated the potential of β-Ecd to protect against SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis induced by the PD-related neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the underlying mechanism for this cytoprotection. In the present study, pretreatment with β-Ecd significantly reduced 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells by a mitochondria-dependent pathway, as indicated by downregulation of Bax and PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis) expression, suppressing ΔΨm loss, inhibiting cytochrome c release, and attenuating caspase-9 activation. Furthermore, we showed that the inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38(MAPK))-dependent p53 promoter activity contributed to the protection of SH-SY5Y cells from apoptosis, which was validated by the use of SB203580 or p38β dominant negative (DN) mutants. Additionally, knock-down apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) by specific shRNA and blockade reactive oxygen species (ROS) by pharmacological inhibitor competently prevented β-Ecd-mediated inhibition of p38(MAPK) and ASK1 phosphorylation, respectively. These data provide the first evidence that β-Ecd protects SH-SY5Y cells against 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis, possibly through mitochondria protection and p53 modulation via ROS-dependent ASK1-p38(MAPK) pathways. The neuroprotective effects of β-Ecd make it a promising candidate as a therapeutic agent for PD.

Differential Co-Expression between α-Synuclein and IFN-γ Signaling Genes across Development and in Parkinson's Disease

Expression patterns of the alpha-synuclein gene (SNCA) were studied across anatomy, development, and disease to better characterize its role in the brain. In this postmortem study, negative spatial co-expression between SNCA and 73 interferon-γ (IFN-γ) signaling genes was observed across many brain regions. Recent animal studies have demonstrated that IFN-γ induces loss of dopamine neurons and nigrostriatal degeneration. This opposing pattern between SNCA and IFN-γ signaling genes increases with age (rho = −0.78). In contrast, a meta-analysis of four microarray experiments representing 126 substantia nigra samples reveals a switch to positive co-expression in Parkinson’s disease (p<0.005). Use of genome-wide testing demonstrates this relationship is specific to SNCA (p<0.002). This change in co-expression suggests an immunomodulatory role of SNCA that may provide insight into neurodegeneration. Genes showing similar co-expression patterns have been previously linked to Alzheimer’s (ANK1) and Parkinson’s disease (UBE2E2, PCMT1, HPRT1 and RIT2).

Eryptosis as a marker of Parkinson's disease

A major trend in recent Parkinson's disease (PD) research is the investigation of biological markers that could help in identifying at-risk individuals or to track disease progression and response to therapies. Central to this is the knowledge that inflammation is a known hallmark of PD and of many other degenerative diseases. In the current work, we focus on inflammatory signalling in PD, using a systems approach that allows us to look at the disease in a more holistic way. We discuss cyclooxygenases, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and also iron in PD. These particular signalling molecules are involved in PD pathophysiology, but are also very important in an aberrant coagulation/hematology system. We present and discuss a hypothesis regarding the possible interaction of these aberrant signalling molecules implicated in PD, and suggest that these molecules may affect the erythrocytes of PD patients. This would be observable as changes in the morphology of the RBCs and of PD patients relative to healthy controls. We then show that the RBCs of PD patients are indeed rather dramatically deranged in their morphology, exhibiting eryptosis (a kind of programmed cell death). This morphological indicator may have useful diagnostic and prognostic significance.