1
|
Fuller JL, Shi K, Pockes S, Finzel BC, Ashe KH, Walters MA. Reengineering of Circularly Permuted Caspase-2 to Enhance Enzyme Stability and Enable Crystallographic Studies. ACS Chem Biol 2025; 20:845-857. [PMID: 40117490 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2025]
Abstract
Caspase activation has been linked to several diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and inflammatory conditions, generating interest in targeting this family of proteases for drug development. Caspase-2 (Casp2) in particular has been implicated in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by cleaving tau protein into fragment Δtau314, which reversibly impairs cognitive and synaptic function. Thus, Casp2 inhibition could be a useful strategy for therapeutic treatment of AD. To that end, we have previously synthesized and characterized various series of peptide and peptidomimetic inhibitors that demonstrate potency and selectivity for Casp2 over caspase-3 (Casp3). Despite promising developments in the design of selective Casp2 inhibitors, low expression yields of Casp2 hinder crystallographic experiments and make structure-based design challenging. The design of circularly permuted (cp) Casp2 increased protein yields considerably; however, this protein could not be crystallized. This article describes the characterization of ten novel cpCasp2 mutants, designed with the goal of increasing stability and facilitating crystallization. Gratifyingly, engineered mutant JF1cpCasp2 displayed high relative stability and was readily crystallizable with the canonical Casp2 inhibitor AcVDVAD-CHO, leading to what we believe to be the first crystal structures of any reverse caspase in the PDB. Moreover, we have reported the structure of JF1cpCasp2 with our recently described Casp2-selective inhibitor MUR-65, which revealed a unique interaction with Arg417 in the binding pocket. Overall, JF1cpCasp2 has proven valuable for structure-based design and expanding understanding of Casp2 inhibition, with potential implications for drug discovery and the development of more selective compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Fuller
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Ke Shi
- College of Biological Sciences at University of Minnesota, Nanoliter Crystallization Facility, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Barry C Finzel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Karen H Ashe
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Michael A Walters
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bhatia V, Vikram V, Chandel A, Rattan A. Interplay between PI3k/AKT signaling and caspase pathway in Alzheimer disease: mechanism and therapeutic implications. Inflammopharmacology 2025; 33:1785-1802. [PMID: 40088370 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-025-01715-z] [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: 02/11/2025] [Accepted: 02/21/2025] [Indexed: 03/17/2025]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by cognitive impairment, neuronal loss, and synaptic dysfunction. The interplay between the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway and the caspase-mediated apoptotic cascade plays a pivotal role in its progression. The signaling pathway responsible for neuronal survival also regulates synaptic plasticity and resistance to oxidative stress, whereas caspase activation accelerates neurodegeneration by triggering cell death and inflammation. Dysregulation of these pathways leads to amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, creating a negative feedback loop and accelerating disease progression. Emerging treatment methods that target PI3K/AKT activation and caspase inhibition have showed promise in preclinical models, preventing neuronal apoptosis while retaining cognitive function. This review investigates the molecular processes driving PI3K/AKT and caspase crosstalk, their significance in Alzheimer's disease, and prospective therapeutic strategies aiming at regulating these pathways to improve disease outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Bhatia
- Department of Pharmacology, CT University Ludhiana, Ludhiana, Punjab, 142024, India.
| | - Vir Vikram
- Department of Pharmacology, CT University Ludhiana, Ludhiana, Punjab, 142024, India
| | - Anjali Chandel
- Department of Pharmacology, Laureate Institute of Pharmacy Kathog, Kangra, 177101, India
| | - Aditya Rattan
- Department of Pharmacology, Laureate Institute of Pharmacy Kathog, Kangra, 177101, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Almutary AG, Begum MY, Kyada AK, Gupta S, Jyothi SR, Chaudhary K, Sharma S, Sinha A, Abomughaid MM, Imran M, Lakhanpal S, Babalghith AO, Abu-Seer EA, Avinash D, Alzahrani HA, Alhindi AA, Iqbal D, Kumar S, Jha NK, Alghamdi S. Inflammatory signaling pathways in Alzheimer's disease: Mechanistic insights and possible therapeutic interventions. Ageing Res Rev 2025; 104:102548. [PMID: 39419399 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102548] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 10/09/2024] [Accepted: 10/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
The complex pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses challenges for the development of therapies. Recently, neuroinflammation has been identified as a key pathogenic mechanism underlying AD, while inflammation has emerged as a possible target for the management and prevention of AD. Several prior studies have demonstrated that medications modulating neuroinflammation might lessen AD symptoms, mostly by controlling neuroinflammatory signaling pathways such as the NF-κB, MAPK, NLRP3, etc, and their respective signaling cascade. Moreover, targeting these inflammatory modalities with inhibitors, natural products, and metabolites has been the subject of intensive research because of their anti-inflammatory characteristics, with many studies demonstrating noteworthy pharmacological capabilities and potential clinical applications. Therefore, targeting inflammation is considered a promising strategy for treating AD. This review comprehensively elucidates the neuroinflammatory mechanisms underlying AD progression and the beneficial effects of inhibitors, natural products, and metabolites in AD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulmajeed G Almutary
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, P.O. Box 59911, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - M Yasmin Begum
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashish Kumar Kyada
- Marwadi University Research Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Marwadi University, Rajkot, Gujarat 360003, India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S Renuka Jyothi
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetics, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Kamlesh Chaudhary
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Medical Sciences, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | - Swati Sharma
- Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Jhanjeri, Mohali, Punjab 140307, India
| | - Aashna Sinha
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
| | - Mosleh Mohammad Abomughaid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia; Center for Health Research, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sorabh Lakhanpal
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Ahmad O Babalghith
- Medical Genetics Department, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Adnan Abu-Seer
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistic, Faculty of Public Health and Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - D Avinash
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, India
| | - Hassan A Alzahrani
- Department of Respiratory Care, Medical Cities at the Minister of Interior, MCMOl, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Danish Iqbal
- Department of Health Information Management, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Buraydah Private Colleges, Buraydah 51418, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- School of Pharmacy, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India; DST-FIST Laboratory, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biosciences and Technology (SBT), Galgotias University, Greater Noida, India; Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India.
| | - Saad Alghamdi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guo D, Liu Z, Zhou J, Ke C, Li D. Significance of Programmed Cell Death Pathways in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9947. [PMID: 39337436 PMCID: PMC11432010 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25189947] [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: 07/27/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) is a form of cell death distinct from accidental cell death (ACD) and is also referred to as regulated cell death (RCD). Typically, PCD signaling events are precisely regulated by various biomolecules in both spatial and temporal contexts to promote neuronal development, establish neural architecture, and shape the central nervous system (CNS), although the role of PCD extends beyond the CNS. Abnormalities in PCD signaling cascades contribute to the irreversible loss of neuronal cells and function, leading to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we summarize the molecular processes and features of different modalities of PCD, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and other novel forms of PCD, and their effects on the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. Additionally, we examine the key factors involved in these PCD signaling pathways and discuss the potential for their development as therapeutic targets and strategies. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting the inhibition or facilitation of PCD signaling pathways offer a promising approach for clinical applications in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Guo
- College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Zhihao Liu
- College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Jinglin Zhou
- College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Chongrong Ke
- College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Daliang Li
- College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Liu E, Zhang Y, Wang JZ. Updates in Alzheimer's disease: from basic research to diagnosis and therapies. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:45. [PMID: 39232848 PMCID: PMC11373277 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-024-00432-x] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized pathologically by extracellular deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) into senile plaques and intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) as neurofibrillary tangles. Clinically, AD patients show memory deterioration with varying cognitive dysfunctions. The exact molecular mechanisms underlying AD are still not fully understood, and there are no efficient drugs to stop or reverse the disease progression. In this review, we first provide an update on how the risk factors, including APOE variants, infections and inflammation, contribute to AD; how Aβ and tau become abnormally accumulated and how this accumulation plays a role in AD neurodegeneration. Then we summarize the commonly used experimental models, diagnostic and prediction strategies, and advances in periphery biomarkers from high-risk populations for AD. Finally, we introduce current status of development of disease-modifying drugs, including the newly officially approved Aβ vaccines, as well as novel and promising strategies to target the abnormal pTau. Together, this paper was aimed to update AD research progress from fundamental mechanisms to the clinical diagnosis and therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enjie Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Endocrine, Liyuan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430077, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rizzi L, Grinberg LT. Exploring the significance of caspase-cleaved tau in tauopathies and as a complementary pathology to phospho-tau in Alzheimer's disease: implications for biomarker development and therapeutic targeting. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:36. [PMID: 38419122 PMCID: PMC10900669 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01744-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases that typically require postmortem examination for a definitive diagnosis. Detecting neurotoxic tau fragments in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum provides an opportunity for in vivo diagnosis and disease monitoring. Current assays primarily focus on total tau or phospho-tau, overlooking other post-translational modifications (PTMs). Caspase-cleaved tau is a significant component of AD neuropathological lesions, and experimental studies confirm the high neurotoxicity of these tau species. Recent evidence indicates that certain caspase-cleaved tau species, such as D13 and D402, are abundant in AD brain neurons and only show a modest degree of co-occurrence with phospho-tau, meaning caspase-truncated tau pathology is partially distinct and complementary to phospho-tau pathology. Furthermore, these caspase-cleaved tau species are nearly absent in 4-repeat tauopathies. In this review, we will discuss the significance of caspase-cleaved tau in the development of tauopathies, specifically emphasizing its role in AD. In addition, we will explore the potential of caspase-cleaved tau as a biomarker and the advantages for drug development targeting caspase-6. Developing specific and sensitive assays for caspase-cleaved tau in biofluids holds promise for improving the diagnosis and monitoring of tauopathies, providing valuable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liara Rizzi
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Sandler Neurosciences Center, University of California San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Lea T Grinberg
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Sandler Neurosciences Center, University of California San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- Department of Pathology, LIM-22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|