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Marshall Moscon S, Neely E, Proctor E, Connor J. A common variant in the iron regulatory gene (Hfe) alters the metabolic and transcriptional landscape in brain regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 39072788 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The role of iron dyshomeostasis in neurodegenerative disease has implicated the involvement of genes that regulate brain iron. The homeostatic iron regulatory gene (HFE) has been at the forefront of these studies given the role of the H63D variant (H67D in mice) in increasing brain iron load. Despite iron's role in oxidative stress production, H67D mice have shown robust protection against neurotoxins and improved recovery from intracerebral hemorrhage. Previous data support the notion that H67D mice adapt to the increased brain iron concentrations and hence develop a neuroprotective environment. This adaptation is particularly evident in the lumbar spinal cord (LSC) and ventral midbrain (VM), both relevant to neurodegeneration. We studied C57BL6/129 mice with homozygous H67D compared to WT HFE. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze dopaminergic (in the VM) and motor (in the LSC) neuron population maturation in the first 3 months. Immunoblotting was used to measure protein carbonyl content and the expression of oxidative phosphorylation complexes. Seahorse assay was used to analyze metabolism of mitochondria isolated from the LSC and VM. Finally, a Nanostring transcriptomic analysis of genes relevant to neurodegeneration within these regions was performed. Compared to WT mice, we found no difference in the viability of motor neurons in the LSC, but the dopaminergic neurons in H67D mice experienced significant decline before 3 months of age. Both regions in H67D mice had alterations in oxidative phosphorylation complex expression indicative of stress adaptation. Mitochondria from both regions of H67D mice demonstrated metabolic differences compared to WT. Transcriptional differences in these regions of H67D mice were related to cell structure and adhesion as well as cell signaling. Overall, we found that the LSC and VM undergo significant and distinct metabolic and transcriptional changes in adaptation to iron-related stress induced by the H67D HFE gene variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah Marshall Moscon
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth Neely
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth Proctor
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James Connor
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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Wang X, Li H, Sheng Y, He B, Liu Z, Li W, Yu S, Wang J, Zhang Y, Chen J, Qin L, Meng X. The function of sphingolipids in different pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: A comprehensive review. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116071. [PMID: 38183741 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SPLs) represent a highly diverse and structurally complex lipid class. The discussion of SPL metabolism-related issues is of importance in understanding the neuropathological progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular deposits of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and intraneuronal aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Critical roles of Aβ oligomer deposited and ganglioside GM1 could be formed as "seed" from insoluble GAβ polymer in initiating the pathogenic process, while tau might also mediate SPLs and their toxicity. The interaction between ceramide and α-Synuclein (α-Syn) accelerates the aggregation of ferroptosis and exacerbates the pathogenesis of AD. For instance, reducing the levels of SPLs can mitigate α-Syn accumulation and inhibit AD progression. Meanwhile, loss of SPLs may inhibit the expression of APOE4 and confer protection against AD, while the loss of APOE4 expression also disrupts SPLs homeostasis. Moreover, the heightened activation of sphingomyelinase promotes the ferroptosis signaling pathway, leading to exacerbated AD symptoms. Ferroptosis plays a vital role in the pathological progression of AD by influencing Aβ, tau, APOE, and α-Syn. Conversely, the development of AD also exacerbates the manifestation of ferroptosis and SPLs. We are compiling the emerging techniques (Derivatization and IM-MS) of sphingolipidomics, to overcome the challenges of AD diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we examined the intricate neuro-mechanistic interactions between SPLs and Aβ, tau, α-Syn, APOE, and ferroptosis, mediating the onset of AD. Furthermore, our findings highlight the potential of targeting SPLs as underexplored avenue for devising innovative therapeutic strategies against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Huaqiang Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Yunjie Sheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Bingqian He
- Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Zeying Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Wanli Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Shujie Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jiajing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jianyu Chen
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, PR China.
| | - Luping Qin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
| | - Xiongyu Meng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 548 Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
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Bhushan B, Singh NK. Role of Astrogliosis in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease: Insights into Astrocytic Nrf2 Pathway as a Potential Therapeutic Target. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:1015-1029. [PMID: 37817521 DOI: 10.2174/0118715273270473231002104610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Recently, Parkinson's disease (PD) has become a remarkable burden on families and society with an acceleration of population aging having several pathological hallmarks such as dopaminergic neuronal loss of the substantia nigra pars compacta, α-synucleinopathy, neuroinflammation, autophagy, last but not the least astrogliosis. Astrocyte, star-shaped glial cells perform notable physiological functions in the brain through several molecular and cellular mechanisms including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. It has been well established that the downregulation of the astrocytic Nrf2 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PD because it is a master regulator of cellular defense mechanism along with a regulator of numerous detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes gene expression. Fascinatingly, upregulation of the astrocytic Nrf2 signaling pathway attenuates the degeneration of nigrostriatal neurons, restores neuronal proliferation, rejuvenates astrocytic functions, and exhibits neuroprotective effects via numerous cellular and molecular mechanisms in the PD-like brain of the experimental animal. Here, we discuss the numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies that evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the astrocytic Nrf2 signaling pathway against experimentally-induced PD-like manifestation. In conclusion, based on available preclinical reports, it can be assumed that the astrocytic Nrf2 signaling pathway could be an alternative target in the drug discovery process for the prevention, management, and treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Bhushan
- Division of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, NH-19, Mathura-Delhi Road, Chaumuhan, Mathura 281406, U.P. India
| | - Niraj Kumar Singh
- Division of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, NH-19, Mathura-Delhi Road, Chaumuhan, Mathura 281406, U.P. India
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Cui B, Liu L, Shi T, Yin M, Feng X, Shan Y. The Ethanolic Extract of Lycium ruthenicum Ameliorates Age-Related Physiological Damage in Mice. Molecules 2023; 28:7615. [PMID: 38005337 PMCID: PMC10673502 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28227615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging and age-related diseases are important study topics due to their associations with progressive physiological damage to genes, cells, tissues, and the entire organism, which ultimately affects the functional efficiency of organs. Lycium ruthenicum Murr. is a functional food that is known for its high contents of anthocyanins and spermidines, both of which have been demonstrated to have positive effects on anti-aging activity and anti-oxidation. In this study, we used HPLC-MS to analyze the constituents of L. ruthenicum Murr. Extract (LRM) and investigated their potential mechanism for exerting antioxidative effects in D-galactose (D-Gal) aging model mice. LRM (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) improved cognitive function in D-Gal-treated mice, as shown by reduced escape latencies and increased platform crossings in behavioral tests. We measured the contents of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the enzyme activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mice serum and brain after 6 weeks of D-Gal treatment. LRM decreased the contents of LPO and MDA and increased the enzyme activities of SOD and GSH-Px, indicating the protection effect of LRM against D-Gal-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, LRM can inhibit oxidative stress in cells by reducing intracellular ROS levels and restoring mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby inhibiting paraquat (PQ)-induced cellular senescence and delaying cell aging. Therefore, LRM has the potential to be a healthcare product for the treatment of age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boya Cui
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen, Nanjing 210014, China; (B.C.); (T.S.); (M.Y.); (X.F.)
| | - Lanying Liu
- National Wolfberry Engineering Research Center, Institute of Wolfberry Engineering Technology, Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, China;
| | - Tao Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen, Nanjing 210014, China; (B.C.); (T.S.); (M.Y.); (X.F.)
| | - Min Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen, Nanjing 210014, China; (B.C.); (T.S.); (M.Y.); (X.F.)
| | - Xu Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen, Nanjing 210014, China; (B.C.); (T.S.); (M.Y.); (X.F.)
| | - Yu Shan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Botanical Garden, Memorial Sun Yat-Sen, Nanjing 210014, China; (B.C.); (T.S.); (M.Y.); (X.F.)
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Helmuth TB, Kumari R, Palsa K, Neely EB, Slagle-Webb B, Simon SD, Connor JR. Common Mutation in the HFE Gene Modifies Recovery After Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Stroke 2023; 54:2886-2894. [PMID: 37750297 PMCID: PMC10996156 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.043799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is characterized by bleeding into the brain parenchyma. During an ICH, iron released from the breakdown of hemoglobin creates a cytotoxic environment in the brain through increased oxidative stress. Interestingly, the loss of iron homeostasis is associated with the pathological process of other neurological diseases. However, we have previously shown that the H63D mutation in the homeostatic iron regulatory (HFE) gene, prevalent in 28% of the White population in the United States, acts as a disease modifier by limiting oxidative stress. The following study aims to examine the effects of the murine homolog, H67D HFE, on ICH. METHODS An autologous blood infusion model was utilized to create an ICH in the right striatum of H67D and wild-type mice. The motor recovery of each animal was assessed by rotarod. Neurodegeneration was measured using fluorojade-B and mitochondrial damage was assessed by immunofluorescent numbers of CytC+ (cytochrome C) neurons and CytC+ astrocytes. Finally, the molecular antioxidant response to ICH was quantified by measuring Nrf2 (nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor), GPX4 (glutathione peroxidase 4), and FTH1 (H-ferritin) levels in the ICH-affected and nonaffected hemispheres via immunoblotting. RESULTS At 3 days post-ICH, H67D mice demonstrated enhanced performance on rotarod compared with wild-type animals despite no differences in lesion size. Additionally, H67D mice displayed higher levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and FTH1 in the ICH-affected hemisphere; however, these levels were not different in the contralateral, non-ICH-affected hemisphere. Furthermore, H67D mice showed decreased degenerated neurons, CytC+ Neurons, and CytC+ astrocytes in the perihematomal area. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the H67D mutation induces a robust antioxidant response 3 days following ICH through Nrf2, GPX4, and FTH1 activation. This activation could explain the decrease in degenerated neurons, CytC+ neurons, and CytC+ astrocytes in the perihematomal region, leading to the improved motor recovery. Based on this study, further investigation into the mechanisms of this neuroprotective response and the effects of the H63D HFE mutation in a population of patients with ICH is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy B Helmuth
- Department of Neurosurgery (T.B.H., K.P., E.B.N., B.S.-W., S.D.S., J.R.C.), Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Rashmi Kumari
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences (R.K.), Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Kondaiah Palsa
- Department of Neurosurgery (T.B.H., K.P., E.B.N., B.S.-W., S.D.S., J.R.C.), Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Elizabeth B Neely
- Department of Neurosurgery (T.B.H., K.P., E.B.N., B.S.-W., S.D.S., J.R.C.), Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Becky Slagle-Webb
- Department of Neurosurgery (T.B.H., K.P., E.B.N., B.S.-W., S.D.S., J.R.C.), Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Scott D Simon
- Department of Neurosurgery (T.B.H., K.P., E.B.N., B.S.-W., S.D.S., J.R.C.), Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - James R Connor
- Department of Neurosurgery (T.B.H., K.P., E.B.N., B.S.-W., S.D.S., J.R.C.), Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
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Sharma A, Singh AK. Molecular mechanism of caloric restriction mimetics-mediated neuroprotection of age-related neurodegenerative diseases: an emerging therapeutic approach. Biogerontology 2023; 24:679-708. [PMID: 37428308 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10045-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Aging-induced neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are significantly increasing health problem worldwide. It has been well documented that oxidative stress is one of the potential causes of aging and age-related NDs. There are no drugs for the treatment of NDs, therefore there is an immediate necessity for the development of strategies/treatments either to prevent or cure age-related NDs. Caloric restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting have been considered as effective strategies in increasing the healthspan and lifespan, but it is difficult to adhere to these routines strictly, which has led to the development of calorie restriction mimetics (CRMs). CRMs are natural compounds that provide similar molecular and biochemical effects of CR, and activate autophagy process. CRMs have been reported to regulate redox signaling by enhancing the antioxidant defense systems through activation of the Nrf2 pathway, and inhibiting ROS generation through attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, CRMs also regulate redox-sensitive signaling pathways such as the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways to promote neuronal cell survival. Here, we discuss the neuroprotective effects of various CRMs at molecular and cellular levels during aging of the brain. The CRMs are envisaged to become a cornerstone of the pharmaceutical arsenal against aging and age-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apoorv Sharma
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, 201313, India
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, 201313, India.
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Wang C, Yang T, Liang M, Xie J, Song N. Astrocyte dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: from the perspectives of transmitted α-synuclein and genetic modulation. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:39. [PMID: 34657636 PMCID: PMC8522040 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the elderly. While the etiology of PD is likely multifactorial with the involvement of genetic, environmental, aging and other factors, α-synuclein (α-syn) pathology is a pivotal mechanism underlying the development of PD. In recent years, astrocytes have attracted considerable attention in the field. Although astrocytes perform a variety of physiological functions in the brain, they are pivotal mediators of α-syn toxicity since they internalize α-syn released from damaged neurons, and this triggers an inflammatory response, protein degradation dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Astrocytes are indispensable coordinators in the background of several genetic mutations, including PARK7, GBA1, LRRK2, ATP13A2, PINK1, PRKN and PLA2G6. As the most abundant glial cells in the brain, functional astrocytes can be replenished and even converted to functional neurons. In this review, we discuss astrocyte dysfunction in PD with an emphasis on α-syn toxicity and genetic modulation and conclude that astrocyte replenishment is a valuable therapeutic approach in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjing Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Tongtong Yang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Meiyu Liang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Junxia Xie
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Ning Song
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Wang EW, Trojano ML, Lewis MM, Du G, Chen H, Brown GL, Jellen LC, Song I, Neely E, Kong L, Connor JR, Huang X. HFE H63D Limits Nigral Vulnerability to Paraquat in Agricultural Workers. Toxicol Sci 2021; 181:47-57. [PMID: 33739421 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Paraquat is an herbicide whose use is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder marked by neuron loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). We recently observed that the murine homolog to the human H63D variant of the homeostatic iron regulator (HFE) may decrease paraquat-associated nigral neurotoxicity in mice. The present study examined the potential influence of H63D on paraquat-associated neurotoxicity in humans. Twenty-eight paraquat-exposed workers were identified from exposure histories and compared with 41 unexposed controls. HFE genotypes, and serum iron and transferrin were measured from blood samples. MRI was used to assess the SNc transverse relaxation rate (R2*), a marker for iron, and diffusion tensor imaging scalars of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity, markers of microstructural integrity. Twenty-seven subjects (9 exposed and 18 controls) were H63D heterozygous. After adjusting for age and use of other PD-associated pesticides and solvents, serum iron and transferrin were higher in exposed H63D carriers than in unexposed carriers and HFE wildtypes. SNc R2* was lower in exposed H63D carriers than in unexposed carriers, whereas SNc FA was lower in exposed HFE wildtypes than in either unexposed HFE wildtypes or exposed H63D carriers. Serum iron and SNc FA measures correlated positively among exposed, but not unexposed, subjects. These data suggest that H63D heterozygosity is associated with lower neurotoxicity presumptively linked to paraquat. Future studies with larger cohorts are warranted to replicate these findings and examine potential underlying mechanisms, especially given the high prevalence of the H63D allele in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest W Wang
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Max L Trojano
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Mechelle M Lewis
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Guangwei Du
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Hairong Chen
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Gregory L Brown
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Leslie C Jellen
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Insung Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Elizabeth Neely
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Lan Kong
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - James R Connor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
| | - Xuemei Huang
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.,Department of Radiology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.,Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State Health-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA
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Sarkar S, Feany MB. Precision Medicine on the Fly: Using Drosophila to Decipher Gene-Environment Interactions in Parkinson's Disease. Toxicol Sci 2021; 182:159-167. [PMID: 34076689 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Big data approaches have profoundly influenced state-of-the-art in many fields of research, with toxicology being no exception. Here, we use Parkinson's disease as a window through which to explore the challenges of a dual explosion of metabolomic data addressing the myriad environmental exposures individuals experience and genetic analyses implicating many different loci as risk factors for disease. We argue that new experimental approaches are needed to convert the growing body of omics data into molecular mechanisms of disease that can be therapeutically targeted in specific patients. We outline one attractive strategy, which capitalizes on the rapid generation time and advanced molecular tools available in the fruit fly, Drosophila, to provide a platform for mechanistic dissection and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvarish Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Iron-responsive-like elements and neurodegenerative ferroptosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:395-413. [PMID: 32817306 PMCID: PMC7433652 DOI: 10.1101/lm.052282.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A set of common-acting iron-responsive 5′untranslated region (5′UTR) motifs can fold into RNA stem loops that appear significant to the biology of cognitive declines of Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), Lewy body dementia (LDD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurodegenerative diseases exhibit perturbations of iron homeostasis in defined brain subregions over characteristic time intervals of progression. While misfolding of Aβ from the amyloid-precursor-protein (APP), alpha-synuclein, prion protein (PrP) each cause neuropathic protein inclusions in the brain subregions, iron-responsive-like element (IRE-like) RNA stem–loops reside in their transcripts. APP and αsyn have a role in iron transport while gene duplications elevate the expression of their products to cause rare familial cases of AD and PDD. Of note, IRE-like sequences are responsive to excesses of brain iron in a potential feedback loop to accelerate neuronal ferroptosis and cognitive declines as well as amyloidosis. This pathogenic feedback is consistent with the translational control of the iron storage protein ferritin. We discuss how the IRE-like RNA motifs in the 5′UTRs of APP, alpha-synuclein and PrP mRNAs represent uniquely folded drug targets for therapies to prevent perturbed iron homeostasis that accelerates AD, PD, PD dementia (PDD) and Lewy body dementia, thus preventing cognitive deficits. Inhibition of alpha-synuclein translation is an option to block manganese toxicity associated with early childhood cognitive problems and manganism while Pb toxicity is epigenetically associated with attention deficit and later-stage AD. Pathologies of heavy metal toxicity centered on an embargo of iron export may be treated with activators of APP and ferritin and inhibitors of alpha-synuclein translation.
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