1
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Guan J, Jakob U. The Protein Scaffolding Functions of Polyphosphate. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168504. [PMID: 38423453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168504] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), one of the first high-energy compound on earth, defies its extreme compositional and structural simplicity with an astoundingly wide array of biological activities across all domains of life. However, the underlying mechanism of such functional pleiotropy remains largely elusive. In this review, we will summarize recent studies demonstrating that this simple polyanion stabilizes protein folding intermediates and scaffolds select native proteins. These functions allow polyP to act as molecular chaperone that protects cells against protein aggregation, as pro-amyloidogenic factor that accelerates both physiological and disease-associated amyloid formation, and as a modulator of liquid-liquid phase separation processes. These activities help to explain polyP's known roles in bacterial stress responses and pathogenicity, provide the mechanistic foundation for its potential role in human neurodegenerative diseases, and open a new direction regarding its influence on gene expression through condensate formation. We will highlight critical unanswered questions and point out potential directions that will help to further understand the pleiotropic functions of this ancient and ubiquitous biopolymer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Guan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ursula Jakob
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Biological Chemistry Department, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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2
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Peña-Díaz S, Olsen WP, Wang H, Otzen DE. Functional Amyloids: The Biomaterials of Tomorrow? ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312823. [PMID: 38308110 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Functional amyloid (FAs), particularly the bacterial proteins CsgA and FapC, have many useful properties as biomaterials: high stability, efficient, and controllable formation of a single type of amyloid, easy availability as extracellular material in bacterial biofilm and flexible engineering to introduce new properties. CsgA in particular has already demonstrated its worth in hydrogels for stable gastrointestinal colonization and regenerative tissue engineering, cell-specific drug release, water-purification filters, and different biosensors. It also holds promise as catalytic amyloid; existing weak and unspecific activity can undoubtedly be improved by targeted engineering and benefit from the repetitive display of active sites on a surface. Unfortunately, FapC remains largely unexplored and no application is described so far. Since FapC shares many common features with CsgA, this opens the window to its development as a functional scaffold. The multiple imperfect repeats in CsgA and FapC form a platform to introduce novel properties, e.g., in connecting linkers of variable lengths. While exploitation of this potential is still at an early stage, particularly for FapC, a thorough understanding of their molecular properties will pave the way for multifunctional fibrils which can contribute toward solving many different societal challenges, ranging from CO2 fixation to hydrolysis of plastic nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Peña-Díaz
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - William Pallisgaard Olsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
| | - Huabing Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Clinical Laboratory Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Shuangyong Road 6, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, DK - 8000, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 81, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
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3
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Strunge K, Burgin T, Golbek TW, Roeters SJ, Pfaendtner J, Weidner T. Umbrella-like Helical Structure of α-Synuclein at the Air-Water Interface Observed with Experimental and Theoretical Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:11030-11035. [PMID: 38047768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02543] [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: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The misfolding of α-synuclein (αS) into amyloid aggregates is catalyzed by hydrophobic surfaces and associated with severe brain disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. Despite the important role of interfaces, the three-dimensional structure of αS at the interfaces is still not clear. We report interface-specific sum frequency generation (SFG) experiments of monomeric αS binding to the air-water interface, a model system for the important hydrophobic surfaces. We combine the SFG spectra with calculations of theoretical spectra based on molecular dynamics simulations to show that αS, which is an intrinsically disordered protein in solution, folds into a defined, mostly helical secondary structure at the air-water interface. The binding pose resembles an umbrella shape, where the C-terminus protrudes into the water phase, while the N-terminus and the NAC region span the canopy at the interface. In this binding pose, αS is prone to aggregate, which could explain the catalytic effect of hydrophobic interfaces and air bubbles on αS fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Strunge
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Tucker Burgin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Benson Hall 1750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
| | - Thaddeus W Golbek
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Steven J Roeters
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Vrije University, Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jim Pfaendtner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Benson Hall 1750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
| | - Tobias Weidner
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Benson Hall 1750, Seattle, Washington 98195-1750, United States
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4
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Ramirez J, Pancoe SX, Rhoades E, Petersson EJ. The Effects of Lipids on α-Synuclein Aggregation In Vitro. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1476. [PMID: 37892158 PMCID: PMC10604467 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101476] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The small neuronal protein α-synuclein (αS) is found in pre-synaptic terminals and plays a role in vesicle recycling and neurotransmission. Fibrillar aggregates of αS are the hallmark of Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. In both health and disease, interactions with lipids influence αS's structure and function, prompting much study of the effects of lipids on αS aggregation. A comprehensive collection (126 examples) of aggregation rate data for various αS/lipid combinations was presented, including combinations of lipid variations and mutations or post-translational modifications of αS. These data were interpreted in terms of lipid structure to identify general trends. These tabulated data serve as a resource for the community to help in the interpretation of aggregation experiments with lipids and to be potentially used as inputs for computational models of lipid effects on aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Ramirez
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Samantha X. Pancoe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rhoades
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - E. James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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5
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Kihal N, Côté-Cyr M, Nazemi A, Bourgault S. Semiconductive and Biocompatible Nanofibrils from the Self-Assembly of Amyloid π-Conjugated Peptides. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1417-1431. [PMID: 36847776 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Owing to their capacity to self-assemble into organized nanostructures, amyloid polypeptides can serve as scaffolds for the design of biocompatible semiconductive materials. Herein, symmetric and asymmetric amyloid π-conjugated peptides were prepared through condensation of perylene diimide (PDI) with a natural amyloidogenic sequence derived from the islet amyloid polypeptide. These PDI-bioconjugates assembled into long and linear nanofilaments in aqueous solution, which were characterized by a cross-β-sheet quaternary organization. Current-voltage curves exhibited a clear signature of semiconductors, whereas the cellular assays revealed cytocompatibility and potential application in fluorescence microscopy. Although the incorporation of a single amyloid peptide appeared sufficient to drive the self-assembly into organized fibrils, the incorporation of two peptide sequences at the PDI's imide positions significantly enhanced the conductivity of nanofibril-based films. Overall, this study exposes a novel strategy based on amyloidogenic peptide to guide the self-assembly of π-conjugated systems into robust, biocompatible, and optoelectronic nanofilaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadjib Kihal
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications (PROTEO), Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
- Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials, QCAM, Montreal H1A 0A1, Canada
| | - Mélanie Côté-Cyr
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications (PROTEO), Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Ali Nazemi
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials, QCAM, Montreal H1A 0A1, Canada
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications (PROTEO), Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
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6
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Bloch DN, Sandre M, Ben Zichri S, Masato A, Kolusheva S, Bubacco L, Jelinek R. Scavenging neurotoxic aldehydes using lysine carbon dots. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:1356-1367. [PMID: 36866263 PMCID: PMC9972859 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00804a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Reactive aldehydes generated in cells and tissues are associated with adverse physiological effects. Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), the biogenic aldehyde enzymatically produced from dopamine, is cytotoxic, generates reactive oxygen species, and triggers aggregation of proteins such as α-synuclein implicated in Parkinson's disease. Here, we demonstrate that carbon dots (C-dots) prepared from lysine as the carbonaceous precursor bind DOPAL molecules through interactions between the aldehyde units and amine residues on the C-dot surface. A set of biophysical and in vitro experiments attests to attenuation of the adverse biological activity of DOPAL. In particular, we show that the lysine-C-dots inhibit DOPAL-induced α-synuclein oligomerization and cytotoxicity. This work underlines the potential of lysine-C-dots as an effective therapeutic vehicle for aldehyde scavenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Nir Bloch
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev Israel
| | - Michele Sandre
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova Italy
- Centro Studi per la Neurodegenerazione (CESNE), University of Padova Italy
| | - Shani Ben Zichri
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev Israel
| | - Anna Masato
- Centro Studi per la Neurodegenerazione (CESNE), University of Padova Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Padova Italy
| | - Sofiya Kolusheva
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben Gurion University of the Negev Israel
| | - Luigi Bubacco
- Centro Studi per la Neurodegenerazione (CESNE), University of Padova Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Padova Italy
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Department of Chemistry, Ben Gurion University of the Negev Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (IKI), Ben Gurion University of the Negev Israel
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7
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Pancoe SX, Wang YJ, Shimogawa M, Perez RM, Giannakoulias S, Petersson EJ. Effects of Mutations and Post-Translational Modifications on α-Synuclein In Vitro Aggregation. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167859. [PMID: 36270580 PMCID: PMC9922159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Fibrillar aggregates of the α-synuclein (αS) protein are the hallmark of Parkinson's Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. Characterization of the effects of mutations and post-translational modifications (PTMs) on the αS aggregation rate can provide insight into the mechanism of fibril formation, which remains elusive in spite of intense study. A comprehensive collection (375 examples) of mutant and PTM aggregation rate data measured using the fluorescent probe thioflavin T is presented, as well as a summary of the effects of fluorescent labeling on αS aggregation (20 examples). A curated set of 131 single mutant de novo aggregation experiments are normalized to wild type controls and analyzed in terms of structural data for the monomer and fibrillar forms of αS. These tabulated data serve as a resource to the community to help in interpretation of aggregation experiments and to potentially be used as inputs for computational models of aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha X Pancoe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yanxin J Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marie Shimogawa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ryann M Perez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sam Giannakoulias
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - E James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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8
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Pirhaghi M, Frank SA, Alam P, Nielsen J, Sereikaite V, Gupta A, Strømgaard K, Andreasen M, Sharma D, Saboury AA, Otzen DE. A penetratin-derived peptide reduces the membrane permeabilization and cell toxicity of α-synuclein oligomers. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102688. [PMID: 36370848 PMCID: PMC9791135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder associated with the intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). Cytotoxicity is mainly associated with the oligomeric species (αSOs) formed at early stages in α-syn aggregation. Consequently, there is an intense focus on the discovery of novel inhibitors such as peptides to inhibit oligomer formation and toxicity. Here, using peptide arrays, we identified nine peptides with high specificity and affinity for αSOs. Of these, peptides p194, p235, and p249 diverted α-syn aggregation from fibrils to amorphous aggregates with reduced β-structures and increased random coil content. However, they did not reduce αSO cytotoxicity and permeabilization of large anionic unilamellar vesicles. In parallel, we identified a non-self-aggregating peptide (p216), derived from the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin, which showed 12-fold higher binding affinity to αSOs than to α-syn monomers (Kdapp 2.7 and 31.2 μM, respectively). p216 reduced αSOs-induced large anionic unilamellar vesicle membrane permeability at 10-1 to 10-3 mg/ml by almost 100%, was not toxic to SH-SY5Y cells, and reduced αSOs cytotoxicity by about 20%. We conclude that p216 is a promising starting point from which to develop peptides targeting toxic αSOs in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Pirhaghi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Signe Andrea Frank
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Parvez Alam
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Arpit Gupta
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India; G.N. Ramachandran Protein Centre, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Chennai, India
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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9
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Single residue modulators of amyloid formation in the N-terminal P1-region of α-synuclein. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4986. [PMID: 36008493 PMCID: PMC9411612 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) is a protein involved in neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease. Amyloid formation of αSyn can be modulated by the ‘P1 region’ (residues 36-42). Here, mutational studies of P1 reveal that Y39A and S42A extend the lag-phase of αSyn amyloid formation in vitro and rescue amyloid-associated cytotoxicity in C. elegans. Additionally, L38I αSyn forms amyloid fibrils more rapidly than WT, L38A has no effect, but L38M does not form amyloid fibrils in vitro and protects from proteotoxicity. Swapping the sequence of the two residues that differ in the P1 region of the paralogue γSyn to those of αSyn did not enhance fibril formation for γSyn. Peptide binding experiments using NMR showed that P1 synergises with residues in the NAC and C-terminal regions to initiate aggregation. The remarkable specificity of the interactions that control αSyn amyloid formation, identifies this region as a potential target for therapeutics, despite their weak and transient nature. The authors of this work characterize the effect of amino acid substitution on α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation. Residues 38 and 42 (in addition to 39) within the P1 region of α-Syn affect amyloid formation. The effect of substitution at position 38 is dependent on the amino-acid introduced, suggesting that specific interactions control α -Syn aggregation.
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10
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Akbey Ü, Andreasen M. Functional amyloids from bacterial biofilms - structural properties and interaction partners. Chem Sci 2022; 13:6457-6477. [PMID: 35756505 PMCID: PMC9172111 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc00645f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation and amyloid formation have historically been linked with various diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, but recently functional amyloids have gained a great deal of interest in not causing a disease and having a distinct function in vivo. Functional bacterial amyloids form the structural scaffold in bacterial biofilms and provide a survival strategy for the bacteria along with antibiotic resistance. The formation of functional amyloids happens extracellularly which differs from most disease related amyloids. Studies of functional amyloids have revealed several distinctions compared to disease related amyloids including primary structures designed to optimize amyloid formation while still retaining a controlled assembly of the individual subunits into classical cross-β-sheet structures, along with a unique cross-α-sheet amyloid fold. Studies have revealed that functional amyloids interact with components found in the extracellular matrix space such as lipids from membranes and polymers from the biofilm. Intriguingly, a level of complexity is added as functional amyloids also interact with several disease related amyloids and a causative link has even been established between functional amyloids and neurodegenerative diseases. It is hence becoming increasingly clear that functional amyloids are not inert protein structures found in bacterial biofilms but interact with many different components including human proteins related to pathology. Gaining a clear understanding of the factors governing the interactions will lead to improved strategies to combat biofilm associated infections and the correlated antibiotic resistance. In the current review we summarize the current state of the art knowledge on this exciting and fast growing research field of biofilm forming bacterial functional amyloids, their structural features and interaction partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ümit Akbey
- Department of Structural Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA 15261 USA
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University Wilhelm Meyers Allé 3 8000 Aarhus Denmark
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11
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Mao H, Ye Y, Sun X, Qian C, Wang B, Xie L, Zhang S. Quiescent Elongation of α-Synuclein Pre-form Fibrils Under Different Solution Conditions. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:902077. [PMID: 35692426 PMCID: PMC9175570 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.902077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein in neurons/glia is considered to be a key step in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathy [including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), multiple system atrophy (MSA), etc.]. Increasing evidence indicates that the initial pathological α-synuclein aggregates can replicate themselves and propagate in a “seeding” manner to multiple areas of the brain and even to peripheral tissue, which makes it the most important biomarker for the diagnosis of synucleinopathies in recent years. The amplification and propagation capabilities of α-synuclein aggregates are very similar to those of prion-like diseases, which are based on the inherent self-recruitment capabilities of existing misfolded proteins. In vitro, the rapid recruitment process can be reproduced in a simplified model by adding a small amount of α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils to the monomer solution as fibril seeds, which may partially reveal the properties of α-synuclein aggregates. In this study, we explored the elongation rate of α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils under a quiescent incubation condition (rather than shaking/agitating). By using the ThT fluorescence assay, we compared and quantified the elongation fluorescence curves to explore the factors that affect fibril elongation. These factors include proteins’ concentration, temperature, NaCl strength, SDS, temperature pretreatment, and so on. Our work further describes the elongation of α-synuclein fibrils under quiescent incubation conditions. This may have important implications for the in vitro amplification and preservation of α-synuclein aggregates to further understand the prion-like transmission mechanism of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengxu Mao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyi Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Qian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoyan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linghai Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shizhong Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shizhong Zhang,
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12
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Production of Recombinant Alpha-Synuclein: Still No Standardized Protocol in Sight. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020324. [PMID: 35204823 PMCID: PMC8869614 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by the abnormal accumulation of the protein alpha-synuclein (aSyn). aSyn is an intrinsically disordered protein that can adopt different aggregation states, some of which may be associated with disease. Therefore, understanding the transitions between such aggregation states may be essential for deciphering the molecular underpinnings underlying synucleinopathies. Recombinant aSyn is routinely produced and purified from E. coli in many laboratories, and in vitro preparations of aSyn aggregated species became central for modeling neurodegeneration in cell and animal models. Thus, reproducibility and reliability of such studies largely depends on the purity and homogeneity of aSyn preparations across batches and between laboratories. A variety of different methods are in use to produce and purify aSyn, which we review in this commentary. We also show how extraction buffer composition can affect aSyn aggregation, emphasizing the importance of standardizing protocols to ensure reproducibility between different laboratories and studies, which are essential for advancing the field.
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13
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Mehringer J, Navarro JA, Touraud D, Schneuwly S, Kunz W. Phosphorylated resveratrol as a protein aggregation suppressor in vitro and in vivo. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:250-260. [PMID: 35360889 PMCID: PMC8826510 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00220a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The stability of proteins in solution poses a great challenge for both technical applications and molecular biology, including neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, a phosphorylated resveratrol material was examined for its anti-aggregation properties in vitro and in vivo. Here, an anti-fibrillation effect could be measured for amyloid beta and human insulin in vitro and general anti-aggregation properties for crude chicken egg white in solution. Using a drosophila fly model for the overexpression of amyloid beta protein, changes in physiological protein aggregation and improved locomotor abilities could be observed in the presence of dietary phosphorylated resveratrol. Phosphorylated resveratrol can prevent the aggregation of globular and intrinsically disordered proteins in vitro and in vivo.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Mehringer
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Didier Touraud
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Werner Kunz
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Germany
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14
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Sawner AS, Ray S, Yadav P, Mukherjee S, Panigrahi R, Poudyal M, Patel K, Ghosh D, Kummerant E, Kumar A, Riek R, Maji SK. Modulating α-Synuclein Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation. Biochemistry 2021; 60:3676-3696. [PMID: 34431665 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a crucial phenomenon for the formation of functional membraneless organelles. However, LLPS is also responsible for protein aggregation in various neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, several reports, including ours, have shown that α-synuclein (α-Syn) undergoes LLPS and a subsequent liquid-to-solid phase transition, which leads to amyloid fibril formation. However, how the environmental (and experimental) parameters modulate the α-Syn LLPS remains elusive. Here, we show that in vitro α-Syn LLPS is strongly dependent on the presence of salts, which allows charge neutralization at both terminal segments of protein and therefore promotes hydrophobic interactions supportive for LLPS. Using various purification methods and experimental conditions, we showed, depending upon conditions, α-Syn undergoes either spontaneous (instantaneous) or delayed LLPS. Furthermore, we delineate that the kinetics of liquid droplet formation (i.e., the critical concentration and critical time) is relative and can be modulated by the salt/counterion concentration, pH, presence of surface, PD-associated multivalent cations, and N-terminal acetylation, which are all known to regulate α-Syn aggregation in vitro. Together, our observations suggest that α-Syn LLPS and subsequent liquid-to-solid phase transition could be pathological, which can be triggered only under disease-associated conditions (high critical concentration and/or conditions promoting α-Syn self-assembly). This study will significantly improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of α-Syn LLPS and the liquid-to-solid transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Singh Sawner
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Soumik Ray
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Preeti Yadav
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Semanti Mukherjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Rajlaxmi Panigrahi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Manisha Poudyal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Komal Patel
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Dhiman Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eric Kummerant
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Roland Riek
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
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15
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Loureiro JA, Andrade S, Goderis L, Gomez-Gutierrez R, Soto C, Morales R, Pereira MC. (De)stabilization of Alpha-Synuclein Fibrillary Aggregation by Charged and Uncharged Surfactants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212509. [PMID: 34830391 PMCID: PMC8624236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. An important hallmark of PD involves the pathological aggregation of proteins in structures known as Lewy bodies. The major component of these proteinaceous inclusions is alpha (α)-synuclein. In different conditions, α-synuclein can assume conformations rich in either α-helix or β-sheets. The mechanisms of α-synuclein misfolding, aggregation, and fibrillation remain unknown, but it is thought that β-sheet conformation of α-synuclein is responsible for its associated toxic mechanisms. To gain fundamental insights into the process of α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation, the secondary structure of this protein in the presence of charged and non-charged surfactant solutions was characterized. The selected surfactants were (anionic) sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), (cationic) cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), and (uncharged) octyl β-D-glucopyranoside (OG). The effect of surfactants in α-synuclein misfolding was assessed by ultra-structural analyses, in vitro aggregation assays, and secondary structure analyses. The α-synuclein aggregation in the presence of negatively charged SDS suggests that SDS-monomer complexes stimulate the aggregation process. A reduction in the electrostatic repulsion between N- and C-terminal and in the hydrophobic interactions between the NAC (non-amyloid beta component) region and the C-terminal seems to be important to undergo aggregation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements show that β-sheet structures comprise the assembly of the fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Angélica Loureiro
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (J.A.L.); (M.C.P.)
| | - Stéphanie Andrade
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Lies Goderis
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Ruben Gomez-Gutierrez
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.G.-G.); (C.S.); (R.M.)
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Claudio Soto
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.G.-G.); (C.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Rodrigo Morales
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.G.-G.); (C.S.); (R.M.)
- CIBQA, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 1497, Chile
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (J.A.L.); (M.C.P.)
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16
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Ziaunys M, Sakalauskas A, Mikalauskaite K, Smirnovas V. Polymorphism of Alpha-Synuclein Amyloid Fibrils Depends on Ionic Strength and Protein Concentration. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12382. [PMID: 34830264 PMCID: PMC8621411 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregate formation is linked with multiple amyloidoses, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Currently, the understanding of such fibrillar structure formation and propagation is still not sufficient, the outcome of which is a lack of potent, anti-amyloid drugs. The environmental conditions used during in vitro protein aggregation assays play an important role in determining both the aggregation kinetic parameters, as well as resulting fibril structure. In the case of alpha-synuclein, ionic strength has been shown as a crucial factor in its amyloid aggregation. In this work, we examine a large sample size of alpha-synuclein aggregation reactions under thirty different ionic strength and protein concentration combinations and determine the resulting fibril structural variations using their dye-binding properties, secondary structure and morphology. We show that both ionic strength and protein concentration determine the structural variability of alpha-synuclein amyloid fibrils and that sometimes even identical conditions can result in up to four distinct types of aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mantas Ziaunys
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania; (A.S.); (K.M.); (V.S.)
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17
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S100A9 Alters the Pathway of Alpha-Synuclein Amyloid Aggregation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157972. [PMID: 34360737 PMCID: PMC8348003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of amyloid fibril plaques in the brain creates inflammation and neuron death. This process is observed in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Alpha-synuclein is the main protein found in neuronal inclusions of patients who have suffered from Parkinson's disease. S100A9 is a calcium-binding, pro-inflammation protein, which is also found in such amyloid plaques. To understand the influence of S100A9 on the aggregation of α-synuclein, we analyzed their co-aggregation kinetics and the resulting amyloid fibril structure by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. We found that the presence of S100A9 alters the aggregation kinetics of α-synuclein and stabilizes the formation of a particular amyloid fibril structure. We also show that the solution's ionic strength influences the interplay between S100A9 and α-synuclein, stabilizing a different structure of α-synuclein fibrils.
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18
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Potent inhibitors of toxic alpha-synuclein identified via cellular time-resolved FRET biosensors. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:52. [PMID: 34183676 PMCID: PMC8238948 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a high-throughput drug discovery platform, measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with fluorescent alpha-synuclein (αSN) biosensors, to detect spontaneous pre-fibrillar oligomers in living cells. Our two αSN FRET biosensors provide complementary insight into αSN oligomerization and conformation in order to improve the success of drug discovery campaigns for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. We measure FRET by fluorescence lifetime, rather than traditional fluorescence intensity, providing a structural readout with greater resolution and precision. This facilitates identification of compounds that cause subtle but significant conformational changes in the ensemble of oligomeric states that are easily missed using intensity-based FRET. We screened a 1280-compound small-molecule library and identified 21 compounds that changed the lifetime by >5 SD. Two of these compounds have nanomolar potency in protecting SH-SY5Y cells from αSN-induced death, providing a nearly tenfold improvement over known inhibitors. We tested the efficacy of several compounds in a primary mouse neuron assay of αSN pathology (phosphorylation of mouse αSN pre-formed fibrils) and show rescue of pathology for two of them. These hits were further characterized with biophysical and biochemical assays to explore potential mechanisms of action. In vitro αSN oligomerization, single-molecule FRET, and protein-observed fluorine NMR experiments demonstrate that these compounds modulate αSN oligomers but not monomers. Subsequent aggregation assays further show that these compounds also deter or block αSN fibril assembly.
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19
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Jiang K, Rocha S, Kumar R, Westerlund F, Wittung-Stafshede P. C-terminal truncation of α-synuclein alters DNA structure from extension to compaction. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 568:43-47. [PMID: 34175689 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.06.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is linked to aggregation of the protein α-synuclein (aS) into amyloid fibers. aS is proposed to regulate synaptic activity and may also play a role in gene regulation via interaction with DNA in the cell nucleus. Here, we address the role of the negatively-charged C-terminus in the interaction between aS and DNA using single-molecule techniques. Using nanofluidic channels, we demonstrate that truncation of the C-terminus of aS induces differential effects on DNA depending on the extent of the truncation. The DNA extension increases for full-length aS and the (1-119)aS variant, but decreases about 25% upon binding to the (1-97)aS variant. Atomic force microscopy imaging showed full protein coverage of the DNA at high aS concentration. The characterization of biophysical properties of DNA when in complex with aS variants may provide important insights into the role of such interactions in PD, especially since C-terminal aS truncations have been found in clinical samples from PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Jiang
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sandra Rocha
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Westerlund
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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20
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Marvastizadeh N, Dabirmanesh B, Sajedi RH, Khajeh K. Anti-amyloidogenic effect of artemin on α-synuclein. Biol Chem 2021; 401:1143-1151. [PMID: 32673279 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein fibrillation is now regarded as a major pathogenic process in Parkinson's disease and its proteinaceous deposits are also detected in other neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Therefore anti-amyloidegenic compounds may delay or prevent the progression of synucleinopathies disease. Molecular chaperones are group of proteins which mediate correct folding of proteins by preventing unsuitable interactions which may lead to aggregation. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-amyloidogenic effect of molecular chaperone artemin on α-synuclein. As the concentration of artemin was increased up to 4 μg/ml, a decrease in fibril formation of α-synuclein was observed using thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence and congo red (CR) assay. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images also demonstrated a reduction in fibrils in the presence of artemin. The secondary structure of α-synuclein was similar to its native form prior to fibrillation when incubated with artemin. A cell-based assay has shown that artemin inhibits α-synuclein aggregation and reduce cytotoxicity, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our results revealed that artemin has efficient chaperon activity for preventing α-synuclein fibril formation and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Marvastizadeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-175, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Dabirmanesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-175, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza H Sajedi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-175, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-175, Tehran, Iran
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21
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A multimethod approach for analyzing FapC fibrillation and determining mass per length. Biophys J 2021; 120:2262-2275. [PMID: 33812849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid proteins are found in a wide range of organisms owing to the high stability of the β-sheet core of the amyloid fibrils. There are both pathological amyloids involved in various diseases and functional amyloids that play a beneficial role for the organism. The aggregation process is complex and often involves many different species. Full understanding of this process requires parallel acquisition of data by complementary techniques monitoring the time course of aggregation. This is not an easy task, given the often-stochastic nature of aggregation, which can lead to significant variations in lag time. Here, we investigate the aggregation process of the functional amyloid FapC by simultaneous use of four different techniques, namely dynamic light scattering, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), circular dichroism, and Thioflavin T fluorescence. All these approaches are applied to the same FapC sample just after desalting. Our data allow us to construct a master time-course graph showing the same time-course of aggregation by all techniques. This allows us to integrate insights from approaches that report on different structural and length scales. During the lag phase, loosely aggregated oligomers with random-coil structure are formed, which subsequently transform to fibrils without accumulation of additional significant species. Subsequently, the loosely associated protofilaments/subfilaments, which form side by side, mature to more compact fibrils. Furthermore, we determine the mass per length of the mature fibrils, obtaining very similar results by SAXS (33 kDa/nm) and tilted-beam transmission electron microscopy (31 kDa/nm). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the fibrils consist of primarily two protofilaments and similar dimensions of the cross section of the fibrils as revealed by SAXS modeling when the number of protofilaments per fibril was taken into account. Mass per length information underscores the general usefulness of SAXS in fibrillation analysis and provides an important constraint for further modeling the fibril structures.
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22
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Wang Y, Guo Z, Tan T, Ji Y, Hu J, Zhang Y. The effects of nanobubbles on the assembly of glucagon amyloid fibrils. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:3486-3493. [PMID: 33657201 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm02279a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Some recent studies have shown that the surface and interface play an important role in the assembly and aggregation of amyloid proteins. However, it is unclear how the gas-liquid interface affects the protein assembly at the nanometer scale although the presence of gas-liquid interfaces is very common in in vitro experiments. Nanobubbles have a large specific surface area, which provides a stage for interactions with various proteins and peptides on the nanometer scale. In this work, nanobubbles produced in solution were employed for studying the effects of the gas-liquid interface on the assembly of glucagon proteins. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies showed that nanobubble-treated glucagon solution formed fibrils with an apparent height of 4.02 ± 0.71 nm, in contrast to the fibrils formed with a height of 2.14 ± 0.53 nm in the control. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results also showed that nanobubbles promoted the assembly of glucagon to form more fibrils. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses indicated that the nanobubbles induced the change of the glucagon conformation to a β-sheet structure. A mechanism that explains how nanobubbles affect the assembly of glucagon amyloid fibrils was proposed based on the above-mentioned experimental results. Given the fact that there are a considerable amount of nanobubbles existing in protein solutions, our results indicate that nanobubbles should be considered for fully understanding the protein aggregation events in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
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23
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Stephens AD, Matak-Vinkovic D, Fernandez-Villegas A, Kaminski Schierle GS. Purification of Recombinant α-synuclein: A Comparison of Commonly Used Protocols. Biochemistry 2020; 59:4563-4572. [PMID: 33237763 PMCID: PMC7818547 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The initial state of the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein (aSyn), e.g., the presence of oligomers and degradation products, or the presence of contaminants and adducts can greatly influence the aggregation kinetics and toxicity of the protein. Here, we compare four commonly used protocols for the isolation of recombinant aSyn from Escherichia coli: boiling, acid precipitation, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and periplasmic lysis followed by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. We identified, using nondenaturing electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, that aSyn isolated by acid precipitation and periplasmic lysis was the purest and yielded the highest percentage of monomeric protein, 100% and 96.5%, respectively. We then show that aSyn purified by the different protocols exerts different metabolic stresses in cells, with the more multimeric/degraded and least pure samples leading to a larger increase in cell vitality. However, the percentage of monomeric protein and the purity of the samples did not correlate with aSyn aggregation propensity. This study highlights the importance of characterizing monomeric aSyn after purification, as the choice of purification method can significantly influence the outcome of a subsequent study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amberley D. Stephens
- Chemical
Engineering and Biotechnology, University
of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K.,
| | - Dijana Matak-Vinkovic
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Ana Fernandez-Villegas
- Chemical
Engineering and Biotechnology, University
of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K.
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24
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D’Onofrio M, Munari F, Assfalg M. Alpha-Synuclein-Nanoparticle Interactions: Understanding, Controlling and Exploiting Conformational Plasticity. Molecules 2020; 25:E5625. [PMID: 33260436 PMCID: PMC7731430 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αS) is an extensively studied protein due to its involvement in a group of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, and its documented ability to undergo aberrant self-aggregation resulting in the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. In dilute solution, the protein is intrinsically disordered but can adopt multiple alternative conformations under given conditions, such as upon adsorption to nanoscale surfaces. The study of αS-nanoparticle interactions allows us to better understand the behavior of the protein and provides the basis for developing systems capable of mitigating the formation of toxic aggregates as well as for designing hybrid nanomaterials with novel functionalities for applications in various research areas. In this review, we summarize current progress on αS-nanoparticle interactions with an emphasis on the conformational plasticity of the biomolecule.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael Assfalg
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (M.D.); (F.M.)
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25
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Camino JD, Gracia P, Chen SW, Sot J, de la Arada I, Sebastián V, Arrondo JLR, Goñi FM, Dobson CM, Cremades N. The extent of protein hydration dictates the preference for heterogeneous or homogeneous nucleation generating either parallel or antiparallel β-sheet α-synuclein aggregates. Chem Sci 2020; 11:11902-11914. [PMID: 33520152 PMCID: PMC7816767 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc05297c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein amyloid self-assembly is the hallmark of a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, although there is still very limited understanding about the factors and mechanisms that trigger this process. Primary nucleation has been observed to be initiated in vitro at hydrophobic/hydrophilic interfaces by heterogeneous nucleation generating parallel β-sheet aggregates, although no such interfaces have yet been identified in vivo. In this work, we have discovered that α-synuclein can self-assemble into amyloid aggregates by homogeneous nucleation, without the need of an active surface, and with a preference for an antiparallel β-sheet arrangement. This particular structure has been previously proposed to be distinctive of stable toxic oligomers and we here demonstrate that it indeed represents the most stable structure of the preferred amyloid pathway triggered by homogeneous nucleation under limited hydration conditions, including those encountered inside α-synuclein droplets generated by liquid-liquid phase separation. In addition, our results highlight the key role that water plays not only in modulating the transition free energy of amyloid nucleation, and thus governing the initiation of the process, but also in dictating the type of preferred primary nucleation and the type of amyloid polymorph generated depending on the extent of protein hydration. These findings are particularly relevant in the context of in vivo α-synuclein aggregation where the protein can encounter a variety of hydration conditions in different cellular microenvironments, including the vicinity of lipid membranes or the interior of membraneless compartments, which could lead to the formation of remarkably different amyloid polymorphs by either heterogeneous or homogeneous nucleation.
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Affiliation(s)
- José D Camino
- Biocomputation and Complex Systems Physics Institute (BIFI)-Joint Unit BIFI-IQFR (CSIC) , University of Zaragoza , 50018 Zaragoza , Spain .
| | - Pablo Gracia
- Biocomputation and Complex Systems Physics Institute (BIFI)-Joint Unit BIFI-IQFR (CSIC) , University of Zaragoza , 50018 Zaragoza , Spain .
| | - Serene W Chen
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases , Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW , UK
| | - Jesús Sot
- Biofisika Institute (CSIC, UPV/EHU) , University of the Basque Country , Campus Universitario, B. Sarriena , 48940 Leioa , Spain
| | - Igor de la Arada
- Biofisika Institute (CSIC, UPV/EHU) , University of the Basque Country , Campus Universitario, B. Sarriena , 48940 Leioa , Spain
| | - Víctor Sebastián
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragon (INMA) , CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza , 50009 Zaragoza , Spain
- Department of Chemical and Enviromental Engineering , Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon) , University of Zaragoza , 50018 Zaragoza , Spain
- Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine , CIBER-BBN , 28029 Madrid , Spain
| | - José L R Arrondo
- Biofisika Institute (CSIC, UPV/EHU) , University of the Basque Country , Campus Universitario, B. Sarriena , 48940 Leioa , Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of the Basque Country , Campus Universitario, B. Sarriena , 48940 Leioa , Spain
| | - Félix M Goñi
- Biofisika Institute (CSIC, UPV/EHU) , University of the Basque Country , Campus Universitario, B. Sarriena , 48940 Leioa , Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of the Basque Country , Campus Universitario, B. Sarriena , 48940 Leioa , Spain
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases , Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW , UK
| | - Nunilo Cremades
- Biocomputation and Complex Systems Physics Institute (BIFI)-Joint Unit BIFI-IQFR (CSIC) , University of Zaragoza , 50018 Zaragoza , Spain .
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26
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Ye S, Zhang H, Fei J, Wolstenholme CH, Zhang X. A General Strategy to Control Viscosity Sensitivity of Molecular Rotor-Based Fluorophores. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 60:1339-1346. [PMID: 32991766 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Molecular rotor-based fluorophores (RBFs) have been widely used in many fields. However, the lack of control of their viscosity sensitivity limits their application. Herein, this problem is resolved by chemically installing extended π-rich alternating carbon-carbon linkages between the rotational electron donors and acceptors of RBFs. The data reveal that the length of the linkage strongly influences the viscosity sensitivity, likely resulting from varying height of the energy barriers between the fluorescent planar and the dark twisted configurations. Three RBF derivatives that span a wide range of viscosity sensitivities were designed. These RBFs demonstrated, through a dual-color imaging strategy, that they can differentiate misfolded protein oligomers and insoluble aggregates, both in test tubes and live cells. Beyond RBFs, it is envisioned that this chemical mechanism might be generally applicable to a wide range of photoisomerizable and aggregation-induced emission fluorophores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songtao Ye
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jinyu Fei
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | | | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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27
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Ye S, Zhang H, Fei J, Wolstenholme CH, Zhang X. A General Strategy to Control Viscosity Sensitivity of Molecular Rotor‐Based Fluorophores. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202011108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Songtao Ye
- Department of Chemistry Pennsylvania State University University Park PA 16802 USA
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Chemistry Pennsylvania State University University Park PA 16802 USA
| | - Jinyu Fei
- Department of Chemistry Pennsylvania State University University Park PA 16802 USA
| | | | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry Pennsylvania State University University Park PA 16802 USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Pennsylvania State University University Park PA 16802 USA
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28
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Tira R, De Cecco E, Rigamonti V, Santambrogio C, Barracchia CG, Munari F, Romeo A, Legname G, Prosperi D, Grandori R, Assfalg M. Dynamic molecular exchange and conformational transitions of alpha-synuclein at the nano-bio interface. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 154:206-216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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29
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Perrino G, Wilson C, Santorelli M, di Bernardo D. Quantitative Characterization of α-Synuclein Aggregation in Living Cells through Automated Microfluidics Feedback Control. Cell Rep 2020; 27:916-927.e5. [PMID: 30995486 PMCID: PMC6484782 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of α-synuclein and formation of inclusions are hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Aggregate formation is affected by cellular environment, but it has been studied almost exclusively in cell-free systems. We quantitatively analyzed α-synuclein inclusion formation and clearance in a yeast cell model of PD expressing either wild-type (WT) α-synuclein or the disease-associated A53T mutant from the galactose (Gal)-inducible promoter. A computer-controlled microfluidics device regulated α-synuclein in cells by means of closed-loop feedback control. We demonstrated that inclusion formation is strictly concentration dependent and that the aggregation threshold of the A53T mutant is about half of the WT α-synuclein (56%). We chemically modulated the proteasomal and autophagic pathways and demonstrated that autophagy is the main determinant of A53T α-synuclein inclusions’ clearance. In addition to proposing a technology to overcome current limitations in dynamically regulating protein expression levels, our results contribute to the biology of PD and have relevance for therapeutic applications. In silico feedback control enables regulation of α-synuclein expression in yeast α-Synuclein inclusion formation is strictly concentration, but not time, dependent The aggregation threshold of the α-synuclein A53T mutant is 56% of the wild-type Autophagy induction speeds up inclusion clearance in the A53T α-synuclein strain
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Affiliation(s)
- Giansimone Perrino
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Cathal Wilson
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Marco Santorelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Diego di Bernardo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
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30
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Lorentzon E, Kumar R, Horvath I, Wittung-Stafshede P. Differential effects of Cu 2+ and Fe 3+ ions on in vitro amyloid formation of biologically-relevant α-synuclein variants. Biometals 2020; 33:97-106. [PMID: 32170541 PMCID: PMC7295844 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-020-00234-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in metal ion homeostasis appear coupled to neurodegenerative disorders but mechanisms are unknown. Amyloid formation of the protein α-synuclein in brain cells is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. α-Synuclein can bind several metal ions in vitro and such interactions may affect the assembly process. Here we used biophysical methods to study the effects of micromolar concentrations of Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions on amyloid formation of selected α-synuclein variants (wild-type and A53T α-synuclein, in normal and N-terminally acetylated forms). As shown previously, Cu2+ speeds up aggregation of normal wild-type α-synuclein, but not the acetylated form. However, Cu2+ has a minimal effect on (the faster) aggregation of normal A53T α-synuclein, despite that Cu2+ binds to this variant. Like Cu2+, Fe3+ speeds up aggregation of non-acetylated wild-type α-synuclein, but with acetylation, Fe3+ instead slows down aggregation. In contrast, for A53T α-synuclein, regardless of acetylation, Fe3+ slows down aggregation with the effect being most dramatic for acetylated A53T α-synuclein. The results presented here suggest a correlation between metal-ion modulation effect and intrinsic aggregation speed of the various α-synuclein variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lorentzon
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Istvan Horvath
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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31
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Saffari B, Amininasab M, Sheikhi S, Davoodi J. An efficient method for recombinant production of human alpha synuclein in Escherichia coli using thioredoxin as a fusion partner. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2020; 50:723-734. [PMID: 32129160 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2020.1734938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we describe a simple and efficient approach to produce recombinant human α-synuclein (hAS) with high purity from Escherichia coli (E. coli). The cDNA for hAS was inserted into plasmid pET32a and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) with an N-terminal tag containing E. coli thioredoxin (trx), followed by a histidine hexapeptide, and a tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease cleavage site (trx-6His-TEV). The fusion protein, trx-hAS, was initially released by osmotic shock treatment from the host cells and subsequently purified using a nickel affinity chromatography. A TEV protease cleavage step was performed to liberate the target protein, hAS, from the fusion partner, trx. Finally, an additional nickel affinity chromatography was performed to further purify the digested product. The yield of this method is ∼25 mg of tag-less protein (with ∼99% purity) per liter of culture volume. Reverse phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry confirmed the purity and authenticity of the purified protein. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy demonstrated that the purified proteins form fibrils. Our protocol not only provides a convenient procedure for preparing highly pure hAS, but also requires very little specialized laboratory techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Saffari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehriar Amininasab
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Sheikhi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Davoodi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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32
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Gisonno RA, Prieto ED, Gorgojo JP, Curto LM, Rodriguez ME, Rosú SA, Gaddi GM, Finarelli GS, Cortez MF, Schinella GR, Tricerri MA, Ramella NA. Fibrillar conformation of an apolipoprotein A-I variant involved in amyloidosis and atherosclerosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129515. [PMID: 31904503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different protein conformations may be involved in the development of clinical manifestations associated with human amyloidosis. Although a fibrillar conformation is usually the signature of damage in the tissues of patients, it is not clear whether this species is per se the cause or the consequence of the disease. Hereditary amyloidosis due to variants of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) with a substitution of a single amino acid is characterized by the presence of fibrillar protein within the lesions. Thus mutations result in increased protein aggregation. Here we set up to characterize the folding of a natural variant with a mutation leading to a deletion at position 107 (apoA-I Lys107-0). Patients carrying this variant show amyloidosis and severe atherosclerosis. METHODS We oxidized this variant under controlled concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and analyzed the structure obtained after 30-day incubation by fluorescence, circular dichroism and microscopy approaches. Neutrophils activation was characterized by confocal microscopy. RESULTS We obtained a high yield of well-defined stable fibrillar structures of apoA-I Lys107-0. In an in vitro neutrophils system, we were able to detect the induction of Neutrophils Extracellular Traps (NETs) when we incubated with oxidized apoA-I variants. This effect was exacerbated by the fibrillar structure of oxidized Lys 107-0. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that a pro-inflammatory microenvironment could result in the formation of aggregation-prone species, which, in addition may induce a positive feed-back in the activation of an inflammatory response. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE These events may explain a close association between amyloidosis due to apoA-I Lys107-0 and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina A Gisonno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Eduardo D Prieto
- Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan P Gorgojo
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales (CINDEFI), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Lucrecia M Curto
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas "Profesor Alejandro C. Paladini" (IQUIFIB) y Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - M Eugenia Rodriguez
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales (CINDEFI), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Silvana A Rosú
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Gisela M Gaddi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, La Plata, Argentina
| | | | - M Fernanda Cortez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Argentina
| | - Guillermo R Schinella
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, La Plata, Argentina
| | - M Alejandra Tricerri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Nahuel A Ramella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, La Plata, Argentina.
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33
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Rocha S, Kumar R, Horvath I, Wittung-Stafshede P. Synaptic vesicle mimics affect the aggregation of wild-type and A53T α-synuclein variants differently albeit similar membrane affinity. Protein Eng Des Sel 2019; 32:59-66. [PMID: 31566224 PMCID: PMC6908820 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzz021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein misfolding results in the accumulation of amyloid fibrils in Parkinson's disease. Missense protein mutations (e.g. A53T) have been linked to early onset disease. Although α-synuclein interacts with synaptic vesicles in the brain, it is not clear what role they play in the protein aggregation process. Here, we compare the effect of small unilamellar vesicles (lipid composition similar to synaptic vesicles) on wild-type (WT) and A53T α-synuclein aggregation. Using biophysical techniques, we reveal that binding affinity to the vesicles is similar for the two proteins, and both interact with the helix long axis parallel to the membrane surface. Still, the vesicles affect the aggregation of the variants differently: effects on secondary processes such as fragmentation dominate for WT, whereas for A53T, fibril elongation is mostly affected. We speculate that vesicle interactions with aggregate intermediate species, in addition to monomer binding, vary between WT and A53T, resulting in different consequences for amyloid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Rocha
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Istvan Horvath
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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34
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Jia L, Wang Y, Sang J, Cui W, Zhao W, Wei W, Chen B, Lu F, Liu F. Dihydromyricetin Inhibits α-Synuclein Aggregation, Disrupts Preformed Fibrils, and Protects Neuronal Cells in Culture against Amyloid-Induced Cytotoxicity. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:3946-3955. [PMID: 30900456 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b00922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fibrillogenesis of α-synuclein (αSN) is associated with the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a natural flavonoid compound extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata, has proven antioxidative, antineuroinflammatory, and neuroprotective effects in dementia. However, it remains unclear if DHM can impede αSN fibrillogenesis and attenuate the corresponding cytotoxicity. Herein, we found that DHM could inhibit αSN fibrillogenesis and destabilize mature αSN fibrils in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, DHM protected against αSN-induced cytotoxicity by improving the cell viability by 34.73 ± 3.68% at a 1:1 molar ratio of αSN to DHM. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that DHM interacts with the αSN trimer mainly via nonpolar mechanisms. The key residues by which αSN interacts with DHM were hydrophobic, and their side chains and main chains showed a synergistic effect via hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. These findings suggest that DHM possesses great potential to be developed into a new aggregation inhibitor for αSN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longgang Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
| | - Jingcheng Sang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Cui
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , People's Republic of China
| | - Wenping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
| | - Beibei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
| | - Fuping Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Microbial Metabolism and Fermentation Process Control , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
| | - Fufeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, College of Biotechnology , Tianjin University of Science & Technology , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Microbial Metabolism and Fermentation Process Control , Tianjin 300457 , People's Republic of China
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van Diggelen F, Hrle D, Apetri M, Christiansen G, Rammes G, Tepper A, Otzen DE. Two conformationally distinct α-synuclein oligomers share common epitopes and the ability to impair long-term potentiation. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213663. [PMID: 30901378 PMCID: PMC6430514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease for which there currently is no cure. Aggregation of the pre-synaptic protein α-synuclein (aSN) into oligomers (αSOs) is believed to play a key role in PD pathology, but little is known about αSO formation in vivo and how they induce neurodegeneration. Both the naturally occurring polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), strongly upregulated during ROS conditions, stimulate the formation of αSOs, highlighting a potential role in PD. Yet, insight into αSOs structure and biological effects is still limited as most oligomer preparations studied to date are heterogeneous in composition. Here we have aggregated aSN in the presence of HNE and DHA and purified the αSOs using size exclusion chromatography. Both compounds stimulate formation of spherical αSOs containing anti-parallel β-sheet structure which have the same shape as unmodified αSOs though ca. 2-fold larger. Furthermore, the yield and stabilities of these oligomers are significantly higher than for unmodified aSN. Both modified and unmodified αSOs permeabilize synthetic vesicles, show high co-localisation with glutamatergic synapses and decrease Long Term Potentiation (LTP), in line with the reported synaptotoxic effects of αSOs. We conclude that DHA- and HNE-αSOs are convenient models for pathogenic disease-associated αSOs in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke van Diggelen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Crossbeta Biosciences BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dean Hrle
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Gerhard Rammes
- Klinik für Anaesthesiologie der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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Javed H, Nagoor Meeran MF, Azimullah S, Adem A, Sadek B, Ojha SK. Plant Extracts and Phytochemicals Targeting α-Synuclein Aggregation in Parkinson's Disease Models. Front Pharmacol 2019; 9:1555. [PMID: 30941047 PMCID: PMC6433754 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic protein that regulates the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles in the brain. α-Syn aggregates, including Lewy bodies, are features of both sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). These aggregates undergo several key stages of fibrillation, oligomerization, and aggregation. Therapeutic benefits of drugs decline with disease progression and offer only symptomatic treatment. Novel therapeutic strategies are required which can either prevent or delay the progression of the disease. The link between α-syn and the etiopathogenesis and progression of PD are well-established in the literature. Studies indicate that α-syn is an important therapeutic target and inhibition of α-syn aggregation, oligomerization, and fibrillation are an important disease modification strategy. However, recent studies have shown that plant extracts and phytochemicals have neuroprotective effects on α-syn oligomerization and fibrillation by targeting different key stages of its formation. Although many reviews on the antioxidant-mediated, neuroprotective effect of plant extracts and phytochemicals on PD symptoms have been well-highlighted, the antioxidant mechanisms show limited success for translation to clinical studies. The identification of specific plant extracts and phytochemicals that target α-syn aggregation will provide selective molecules to develop new drugs for PD. The present review provides an overview of plant extracts and phytochemicals that target α-syn in PD and summarizes the observed effects and the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide a synopsis of current experimental models and techniques used to evaluate plant extracts and phytochemicals. Plant extracts and phytochemicals were found to inhibit the aggregation or fibril formation of oligomers. These also appear to direct α-syn oligomer formation into its unstructured form or promote non-toxic pathways and suggested to be valuable drug candidates for PD and related synucleinopathy. Current evidences from in vitro studies require confirmation in the in vivo studies. Further studies are needed to ascertain their potential effects and safety in preclinical studies for pharmaceutical/nutritional development of these phytochemicals or dietary inclusion of the plant extracts in PD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayate Javed
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Fizur Nagoor Meeran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sheikh Azimullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdu Adem
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shreesh Kumar Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Conservation of the Amyloid Interactome Across Diverse Fibrillar Structures. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3863. [PMID: 30846764 PMCID: PMC6405930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40483-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Several human proteins cause disease by misfolding and aggregating into amyloid fibril deposits affecting the surrounding tissues. Multiple other proteins co-associate with the diseased deposits but little is known about how this association is influenced by the nature of the amyloid aggregate and the properties of the amyloid-forming protein. In this study, we investigated the co-aggregation of plasma and cerebrospinal proteins in the presence of pre-formed amyloid fibrils. We evaluated the fibril-associated proteome across multiple amyloid fibril types that differ in their amino acid sequences, ultrastructural morphologies, and recognition by amyloid-binding dyes. The fibril types included aggregates formed by Amyloid β, α-synuclein, and FAS4 that are associated with pathological disorders, and aggregates formed by the glucagon and C-36 peptides, currently not linked to any human disease. Our results highlighted a highly similar response to the amyloid fold within the body fluid of interest. Fibrils with diverse primary sequences and ultrastructural morphologies only differed slightly in the composition of the co-aggregated proteins but were clearly distinct from less fibrillar and amorphous aggregates. The type of body fluid greatly affected the resulting amyloid interactome, underlining the role of the in vivo environment. We conclude that protein fibrils lead to a specific response in protein co-aggregation and discuss the effects hereof in the context of amyloid deposition.
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38
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Lima VDA, do Nascimento LA, Eliezer D, Follmer C. Role of Parkinson's Disease-Linked Mutations and N-Terminal Acetylation on the Oligomerization of α-Synuclein Induced by 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:690-703. [PMID: 30352158 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the mechanisms by which the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (aSyn) is associated with neurodegeneration of dopamine neurons is a major priority in the Parkinson's disease (PD) field. Studies indicate that DOPAL (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde), an aldehyde generated from the enzymatic oxidation of dopamine, may convert aSyn monomer into a neurotoxin via formation of covalently stabilized toxic oligomers. Herein we investigated the role of N-terminal acetylation and familial aSyn mutations (A30P, A53T, E46K, G51D, and H50Q) on DOPAL-induced oligomerization of the protein. Our results indicate that the wild-type (WT) N-terminally acetylated aSyn (Ac-aSyn) is less prone to form oligomers upon incubation with DOPAL than the non-N-terminally acetylated protein. On the other hand, familial mutants from Ac-aSyn, particularly A53T, E46K, and H50Q increased the formation of DOPAL-derived aSyn oligomers, especially large oligomers. Binding of aSyn to synaptic-like small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) protected distinctive aSyn variants against the effects of DOPAL. While N-terminal acetylation increased the protective action of SUVs against DOPAL-induced aSyn oligomerization, A53T, A30P, and H50Q mutations in Ac-aSyn had an opposite effect. This means that PD-linked mutations may not only perturb the affinity of aSyn for membranes but also influence the formation of DOPAL-mediated oligomers. Overall, our findings provide important evidence for the existence of a connection between familial mutations of aSyn, their distinct affinity to lipid membranes, and the formation of potentially toxic oligomers of the protein mediated by DOPAL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanderlei de Araújo Lima
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - Lucas Alex do Nascimento
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
| | - David Eliezer
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Cristian Follmer
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
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Wang Y, Shen Z, Guo Z, Hu J, Zhang Y. Effects of nanobubbles on peptide self-assembly. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:20007-20012. [PMID: 30351325 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr06142d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
It is believed that the aggregation of amyloid proteins or peptides is promoted by the presence of an air-water interface, and substantial evidence suggests that the characteristics of the air-water interface play critical roles in foam-induced protein aggregation during foam fractionation. However, the effects of the air-water interface on the self-assembly of amyloid-like peptides have not yet been elucidated clearly at the nanometer scale. In this work, air nanobubbles produced in water solution were employed for studying interfacial effects on the self-assembly of a model amyloid peptide termed P11. An atomic force microscopy study showed that the air nanobubbles induced the formation of peptide fibrils with a 9-13 nm helix structure in the P11 solution. Thioflavin T fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic analysis indicated that the nanobubbles induced the change of the peptide conformation to a β-sheet structure. Based on these observations, we have proposed a mechanism to explain how the nanobubbles affect the self-assembly of the P11 peptide at the nanometer scale. Since air nanobubbles are present in water solutions in addition to an air-water interface in normal experiments in vitro, our results indicate that nanobubbles must be taken into account to achieve a complete understanding of protein aggregation events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
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40
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Yoo WK, Ryu BH, Kim KR, Wang Y, Le LTHL, Lee JH, Kim KK, Toth G, Ahn DR, Doohun Kim T. Modulating α-synuclein fibril formation using DNA tetrahedron nanostructures. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1863:73-81. [PMID: 30278239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The small presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) is involved in the etiology of Parkinson's disease owing to its abnormal misfolding. To date, little information is known on the role of DNA nanostructures in the formation of α-syn amyloid fibrils. Here, the effects of DNA tetrahedrons on the formation of α-syn amyloid fibrils were investigated using various biochemical and biophysical methods such as thioflavin T fluorescence assay, atomic force microscopy, light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and cell-based cytotoxicity assay. It has been shown that DNA tetrahedrons decreased the level of oligomers and increased the level of amyloid fibrils, which corresponded to decreased cellular toxicity. The ability of DNA tetrahedron to facilitate the formation of α-syn amyloid fibrils demonstrated that structured nucleic acids such as DNA tetrahedrons could modulate the process of amyloid fibril formation. Our study suggests that DNA tetrahedrons could be used as an important facilitator toward amyloid fibril formation of α-synuclein, which may be of significance in finding therapeutic approaches to Parkinson's disease and related synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Ki Yoo
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Bum Han Ryu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ran Kim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Ly Thi Huong Luu Le
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyuck Lee
- Unit of Polar Genomics, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Gergely Toth
- Molecular Imaging Chemistry Laboratory, Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Dae-Ro Ahn
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
| | - T Doohun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea.
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41
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Jarand CW, Reed WF. On the Reproducibility of Early-Stage Thermally Induced and Contact-Stir-Induced Protein Aggregation. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:9361-9372. [PMID: 30226382 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b07820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Is aggregation kinetics for a protein under given conditions reproducible? Is aggregation inherently deterministic, stochastic, or even chaotic? Because protein aggregation in ex vivo formulations is complex, with many origins and manifestations, the question of aggregation reproducibility for a given protein, formulation, and stressor is of both fundamental and practical significance. This work concerns temperature-induced and contact-stir-induced aggregation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and a monoclonal antibody (mAbX). It assesses reproducibility via early-stage aggregation rates (ARs) from light scattering. "Global stressors" affect the entire protein population, for example, temperature. "Local stressors" affect only a partial population at a given instant, for example, stirring. The instrumental error distribution (IED) allows stochasticity to be identified for AR distributions (ARDs) broader than IED. For ARD at the limit of the IED, the behavior is "minimally stochastic" or "operationally deterministic." A stochastic index is defined in terms of the ratio of the standard deviation (SD) of log(AR) data and the SD of IED. Thermal aggregation was operationally deterministic for BSA and mAbX, although significant lot-to-lot variations for BSA were found. ARD from contact-stir-stress was stochastic for BSA and mAb. Despite this, log(AR) decreases logarithmically with rpm. These trends may hold for other global and local stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis W Jarand
- Physics Department , Tulane University , New Orleans , Louisiana 70118 , United States
| | - Wayne F Reed
- Physics Department , Tulane University , New Orleans , Louisiana 70118 , United States
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Identification and nanomechanical characterization of the fundamental single-strand protofilaments of amyloid α-synuclein fibrils. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:7230-7235. [PMID: 29941606 PMCID: PMC6048494 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1721220115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation and spreading of amyloid aggregates from the presynaptic protein α-synuclein in the brain play central roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Here, we use high-resolution atomic force microscopy to investigate the early oligomerization events of α-synuclein with single monomer angstrom resolution. We identify, visualize, and characterize directly the smallest elementary unit in the hierarchical assembly of amyloid fibrils, termed here single-strand protofilaments. We show that protofilaments form from the direct molecular assembly of unfolded monomeric α-synuclein polypeptide chains. To unravel protofilaments' internal structure and elastic properties, we manipulated nanomechanically these species by atomic force spectroscopy. The single-molecule scale identification and characterization of the fundamental unit of amyloid assemblies provide insights into early events underlying their formation and shed light on opportunities for therapeutic intervention at the early stages of aberrant protein self-assembly.
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Stephens A, Nespovitaya N, Zacharopoulou M, Kaminski CF, Phillips JJ, Kaminski Schierle GS. Different Structural Conformers of Monomeric α-Synuclein Identified after Lyophilizing and Freezing. Anal Chem 2018; 90:6975-6983. [PMID: 29750859 PMCID: PMC6047843 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b01264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms behind amyloid protein aggregation in diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, is often hampered by the reproducibility of in vitro assays. Yet, understanding the basic mechanisms of protein misfolding is essential for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. We show here, that for the amyloid protein α-synuclein (aSyn), a protein involved in Parkinson's disease (PD), chromatographic buffers and storage conditions can significantly interfere with the overall structure of the protein and thus affect protein aggregation kinetics. We apply several biophysical and biochemical methods, including size exclusion chromatography (SEC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), to characterize the high molecular weight conformers formed during protein purification and storage. We further apply hydrogen/deuterium-exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to characterize the monomeric form of aSyn and reveal a thus far unknown structural component of aSyn at the C-terminus of the protein. Furthermore, lyophilizing the protein greatly affected the overall structure of this monomeric conformer. We conclude from this study that structural polymorphism may occur under different storage conditions, but knowing the structure of the majority of the protein at the start of each experiment, as well as the factors that may influence it, may pave the way to an improved understanding of the mechanism leading to aSyn pathology in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amberley
D. Stephens
- Departmtent
of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, U.K.
| | - Nadezhda Nespovitaya
- Departmtent
of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, U.K.
| | - Maria Zacharopoulou
- Departmtent
of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, U.K.
| | - Clemens F. Kaminski
- Departmtent
of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, U.K.
| | - Jonathan J. Phillips
- Living
Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Gabriele S. Kaminski Schierle
- Departmtent
of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, U.K.
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Sarr M, Kronqvist N, Chen G, Aleksis R, Purhonen P, Hebert H, Jaudzems K, Rising A, Johansson J. A spidroin-derived solubility tag enables controlled aggregation of a designed amyloid protein. FEBS J 2018; 285:1873-1885. [PMID: 29604175 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Amyloidogenesis is associated with more than 30 diseases, but the molecular mechanisms involved in cell toxicity and fibril formation remain largely unknown. The inherent tendency of amyloid-forming proteins to aggregate renders expression, purification, and experimental studies challenging. NT* is a solubility tag derived from a spider silk protein that was recently introduced for the production of several aggregation-prone peptides and proteins at high yields. Herein, we investigate whether fusion to NT* can prevent amyloid fibril formation and enable controlled aggregation for experimental studies. As an example of an amyloidogenic protein, we chose the de novo-designed polypeptide β17. The fusion protein NT*-β17 was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli to produce high amounts of soluble and mostly monomeric protein. Structural analysis showed that β17 is kept in a largely unstructured conformation in fusion with NT*. After proteolytic release, β17 adopts a β-sheet conformation in a pH- and salt-dependent manner and assembles into amyloid-like fibrils. The ability of NT* to prevent premature aggregation and to enable structural studies of prefibrillar states may facilitate investigation of proteins involved in amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Médoune Sarr
- Division for Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Division for Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Gefei Chen
- Division for Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Rihards Aleksis
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Pasi Purhonen
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, and School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Hans Hebert
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, and School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Anna Rising
- Division for Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Division for Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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45
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Andersen KK, Vad BS, Kjær L, Tolker‐Nielsen T, Christiansen G, Otzen DE. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
rhamnolipid induces fibrillation of human α‐synuclein and modulates its effect on biofilm formation. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:1484-1496. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kell K. Andersen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Aarhus University Denmark
| | - Brian S. Vad
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Aarhus University Denmark
| | - Lars Kjær
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Aarhus University Denmark
| | - Tim Tolker‐Nielsen
- Costerton Biofilm Center Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Copenhagen Denmark
| | | | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Aarhus University Denmark
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46
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Unravelling the inhibitory activity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii sulfated polysaccharides against α-Synuclein fibrillation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5692. [PMID: 29632314 PMCID: PMC5890252 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24079-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is an intrinsically disordered presynaptic protein, whose aggregation is critically involved in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Many of the currently available drugs for the treatment of PD are not sufficiently effective in preventing progress of the disease and have multiple side-effects. With this background, efficient drug candidates, sulfated polysaccharides from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Cr-SPs) were isolated and investigated for their effect on inhibition of α-Syn fibrillation and dissolution of preformed α-Syn fibrillar structures through a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The kinetics of α-Syn fibrillation demonstrates that Cr-SPs are very effective in inhibiting α-Syn fibrillation. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gel-image shows presence of soluble protein in the presence of Cr-SPs after completion of the fibrillation process. The morphological changes associated with fibrillation monitored by transmission electron microscopy showed that Cr-SPs efficiently bind with α-Syn and delay the conversion of α-helical intermediate into β-sheet rich structures. Cr-SPs are also effective even if onset of α-Syn fibrillation has already started and they also have the ability to dissolve pre-formed fibrils. Thus, the current work has substantial therapeutic implications towards unlocking the immense potential of algal products to function as alternative therapeutic agents against PD and other protein aggregation related disorders.
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47
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Zapadka KL, Becher FJ, Gomes Dos Santos AL, Jackson SE. Factors affecting the physical stability (aggregation) of peptide therapeutics. Interface Focus 2017; 7:20170030. [PMID: 29147559 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2017.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of biological therapeutic agents in the clinic and development pipeline has increased dramatically over the last decade and the number will undoubtedly continue to increase in the coming years. Despite this fact, there are considerable challenges in the development, production and formulation of such biologics particularly with respect to their physical stabilities. There are many cases where self-association to form either amorphous aggregates or highly structured fibrillar species limits their use. Here, we review the numerous factors that influence the physical stability of peptides including both intrinsic and external factors, wherever possible illustrating these with examples that are of therapeutic interest. The effects of sequence, concentration, pH, net charge, excipients, chemical degradation and modification, surfaces and interfaces, and impurities are all discussed. In addition, the effects of physical parameters such as pressure, temperature, agitation and lyophilization are described. We provide an overview of the structures of aggregates formed, as well as our current knowledge of the mechanisms for their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frederik J Becher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | | | - Sophie E Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
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48
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Bickle L, Hopwood JJ, Karageorgos L. Analysis of sheep α-synuclein provides a molecular strategy for the reduction of fibrillation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1865:261-273. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2016.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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49
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Gade Malmos K, Blancas-Mejia LM, Weber B, Buchner J, Ramirez-Alvarado M, Naiki H, Otzen D. ThT 101: a primer on the use of thioflavin T to investigate amyloid formation. Amyloid 2017; 24:1-16. [PMID: 28393556 DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2017.1304905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Thioflavin T (ThT) has been widely used to investigate amyloid formation since 1989. While concerns have recently been raised about its use as a probe specific for amyloid, ThT still continues to be a very valuable tool for studying kinetic aspects of fibrillation and associated inhibition mechanisms. This review aims to provide a conceptual instruction manual, covering appropriate considerations and pitfalls related to the use of ThT. We start by giving a brief introduction to amyloid formation with focus on the morphology of different aggregate species, followed by a discussion of the quality of protein needed to obtain reliable fibrillation data. After an overview of the photochemical basis for ThT's amyloid binding properties and artifacts that may arise from this, we describe how to plan and analyze ThT assays. We conclude with recommendations for complementary techniques to address shortcomings in the ThT assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Gade Malmos
- a Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Center for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN) , Aarhus University , Aarhus C , Denmark.,b Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics , Aarhus University , Aarhus C , Denmark
| | - Luis M Blancas-Mejia
- c Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Benedikt Weber
- d Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department Chemie , Technische Universität München , Garching , Germany
| | - Johannes Buchner
- d Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at the Department Chemie , Technische Universität München , Garching , Germany
| | | | - Hironobu Naiki
- e Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Fukui , Fukui , Japan
| | - Daniel Otzen
- a Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Center for Insoluble Protein Structures (inSPIN) , Aarhus University , Aarhus C , Denmark
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50
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Structural Analysis of Multi-component Amyloid Systems by Chemometric SAXS Data Decomposition. Structure 2017; 25:5-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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