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Nikolić L, Ferracin C, Legname G. Recent advances in cellular models for discovering prion disease therapeutics. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:985-996. [PMID: 35983689 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2113773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prion diseases are a group of rare and lethal rapidly progressive neurodegenerative diseases arising due to conversion of the physiological cellular prion protein into its pathological counterparts, denoted as "prions". These agents are resistant to inactivation by standard decontamination procedures and can be transmitted between individuals, consequently driving the irreversible brain damage typical of the diseases. AREAS COVERED Since its infancy, prion research has mainly depended on animal models for untangling the pathogenesis of the disease as well as for the drug development studies. With the advent of prion-infected cell lines, relevant animal models have been complemented by a variety of cell-based models presenting a much faster, ethically acceptable alternative. EXPERT OPINION To date, there are still either no effective prophylactic regimens or therapies for human prion diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more relevant cellular models that best approximate in vivo models. Each cellular model presented and discussed in detail in this review has its own benefits and limitations. Once embarking in a drug screening campaign for the identification of molecules that could interfere with prion conversion and replication, one should carefully consider the ideal cellular model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Nikolić
- PhD Student in Functional and Structural Genomics, Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy,
| | - Chiara Ferracin
- PhD Student in Functional and Structural Genomics, Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- D.Phil., Full Professor of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
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Volatile Anesthetic Sevoflurane Precursor 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-Propanol (HFIP) Exerts an Anti-Prion Activity in Prion-Infected Culture Cells. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2056-2065. [PMID: 34043140 PMCID: PMC8254714 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03344-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Prion disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with progressive neurologic symptoms and accelerated cognitive decline. The causative protein of prion disease is the prion protein (PrP), and structural transition of PrP from the normal helix rich form (PrPC) to the abnormal β-sheet rich form (PrPSc) occurs in prion disease. While so far numerous therapeutic agents for prion diseases have been developed, none of them are still useful. A fluorinated alcohol, hexafluoro isopropanol (HFIP), is a precursor to the inhalational anesthetic sevoflurane and its metabolites. HFIP is also known as a robust α-helix inducer and is widely used as a solvent for highly aggregated peptides. Here we show that the α-helix-inducing activity of HFIP caused the conformational transformation of the fibrous structure of PrP into amorphous aggregates in vitro. HFIP added to the ScN2a cell medium, which continuously expresses PrPSc, reduced PrPSc protease resistance after 24-h incubation. It was also clarified that ScN2a cells are more susceptible to HFIP than any of the cells being compared. Based on these findings, HFIP is expected to develop as a therapeutic agent for prion disease.
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Murugesan C, Manivannan P, Gangatharan M. Pros and cons in prion diseases abatement: Insights from nanomedicine and transmissibility patterns. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 145:21-27. [PMID: 31866542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ample research progress with nanotechnology applications in health and medicine implies precision and accuracy in the scenario of neurodegenerative disorders, for which impending research in ultimate and complete cure has been the vision worldwide. The complexity of prion disease has been unravelled by scientists and demarcated for efficient abatement protocols, but which are still under research and clinical trials. Drug delivery strategies combating prion diseases across the blood brain barrier, the efficacy of drugs and biocompatibility remain a serious question to be thoroughly studied for effective diagnosis and treatment. The present review compiles comprehensively the current treatment modalities against prion diseases and future prospects of nanotechnology addressing diagnosis and treatment of prion diseases with a special emphasis on transmissibility. Further, approaches for anti-prion technology, immunotherapy, and hindrances in vaccine development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrasekaran Murugesan
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea.
| | - Paramasivan Manivannan
- Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 24, Tamilnadu, India
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Li L, Zhu Y, Zhou S, An X, Zhang Y, Bai Q, He YX, Liu H, Yao X. Experimental and Theoretical Insights into the Inhibition Mechanism of Prion Fibrillation by Resveratrol and its Derivatives. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2698-2707. [PMID: 28817252 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol and its derivatives have been shown to display beneficial effects to neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanism of resveratrol and its derivatives on prion conformational conversion is poorly understood. In this work, the interaction mechanism between prion and resveratrol as well as its derivatives was investigated using steady-state fluorescence quenching, Thioflavin T binding assay, Western blotting, and molecular dynamics simulation. Protein fluorescence quenching method and Thioflavin T assay revealed that resveratrol and its derivatives could interact with prion and interrupt prion fibril formation. Molecular dynamics simulation results indicated that resveratrol can stabilize the PrP127-147 peptide mainly through π-π stacking interactions between resveratrol and Tyr128. The hydrogen bonds interactions between resveratrol and the PrP127-147 peptide could further reduce the flexibility and the propensity to aggregate. The results of this study not only can provide useful information about the interaction mechanism between resveratrol and prion, but also can provide useful clues for further design of new inhibitors inhibiting prion aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yongchang Zhu
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Shuangyan Zhou
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli An
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Qifeng Bai
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Xing He
- School
of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- State
Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute
for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, P. R. China
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Binyamin O, Keller G, Frid K, Larush L, Magdassi S, Gabizon R. Continues administration of Nano-PSO significantly increased survival of genetic CJD mice. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 108:140-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Therapeutic Approaches to Prion Diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 150:433-453. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Cordeiro Y. Virtual drug screening for prion diseases: A valuable step? EBioMedicine 2016; 9:15-16. [PMID: 27377625 PMCID: PMC4972553 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Figueiredo CP, Ferreira NC, Passos GF, Costa RD, Neves FS, Machado CSC, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Neuenfeldt PD, Nunes RJ, Cordeiro Y. Toxicological Evaluation of Anti-Scrapie Trimethoxychalcones and Oxadiazoles. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2015; 87:1421-34. [PMID: 26247149 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201520140712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
An altered form of the cellular prion protein, the PrPScor PrPRes, is implicated in the occurrence of the still untreatable transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. We have previously synthesized and characterized aromatic compounds that inhibit protease-resistant prion protein (PrPRes) accumulation in scrapie-infected cells. These compounds belong to different chemical classes, including acylhydrazones, chalcones and oxadiazoles. Some of the active compounds were non-toxic to neuroblastoma cells in culture and seem to possess drugable properties, since they are in agreement with the Lipinski´s rule of 5 and present desirable pharmacokinetic profiles as predicted in silico. Before the evaluation of the in vivo efficacy of the aromatic compounds in scrapie-infected mice, safety assessment in healthy mice is needed. Here we used Swiss mice to evaluate the acute toxicity profile of the six most promising anti-prionic compounds, the 2,4,5-trimethoxychalcones (J1, J8, J20 and J35) and the 1,3,4-oxadiazoles (Y13 and Y17). One single oral administration (300 mg/kg) of J1, J8, J20, J35, Y13 and Y17 or repeated intraperitoneal administration (10 mg/kg, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks) of J1, J8 and J35, did not elicit toxicity in mice. We strongly believe that the investigated trimethoxychalcones and oxadiazoles are interesting compounds to be further analyzed in vivo against prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia P Figueiredo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Natalia C Ferreira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Giselle F Passos
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Robson da Costa
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Fernanda S Neves
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Clarice S C Machado
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
| | - Alessandra Mascarello
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, BR
| | | | - Patrícia D Neuenfeldt
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, BR
| | - Ricardo J Nunes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, BR
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
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The standard scrapie cell assay: development, utility and prospects. Viruses 2015; 7:180-98. [PMID: 25602372 PMCID: PMC4306833 DOI: 10.3390/v7010180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a family of fatal neurodegenerative diseases that involve the misfolding of a host protein, PrPC. Measuring prion infectivity is necessary for determining efficacy of a treatment or infectivity of a prion purification procedure; animal bioassays are, however, very expensive and time consuming. The Standard Scrapie Cell Assay (SSCA) provides an alternative approach. The SSCA facilitates quantitative in vitro analysis of prion strains, titres and biological properties. Given its robust nature and potential for high throughput, the SSCA has substantial utility for in vitro characterization of prions and can be deployed in a number of settings. Here we provide an overview on establishing the SSCA, its use in studies of disease dissemination and pathogenesis, potential pitfalls and a number of remaining challenges.
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Leidel F, Eiden M, Geissen M, Hirschberger T, Tavan P, Giese A, Kretzschmar HA, Schätzl H, Groschup MH. Piperazine derivatives inhibit PrP/PrP(res) propagation in vitro and in vivo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 445:23-9. [PMID: 24502948 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.01.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders, which are not curable and no effective treatment exists so far. The major neuropathological change in diseased brains is the conversion of the normal cellular form of the prion protein PrPc(C) into a disease-associated isoform PrP(Sc). PrP(Sc) accumulates into multimeres and fibrillar aggregates, which leads to the formation of amyloid plaques. Increasing evidence indicates a fundamental role of PrP(Sc) species and its aggregation in the pathogenesis of prion diseases, which initiates the pathological cascade and leads to neurodegeneration accompanied by spongiform changes. In search of compounds that have the potential to interfere with PrP(Sc) formation and propagation, we used a cell based assay for the screening of potential aggregation inhibitors. The assay deals with a permanently prion infected cell line that was adapted for a high-throughput screening of a compound library composed of 10,000 compounds (DIVERset 2, ChemBridge). We could detect six different classes of highly potent inhibitors of PrP(Sc) propagation in vitro and identified piperazine derivatives as a new inhibitory lead structure, which increased incubation time of scrapie infected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Leidel
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Markus Geissen
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Hirschberger
- Theoretische Biophysik, Lehrstuhl für Biomolekulare Optik, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Paul Tavan
- Theoretische Biophysik, Lehrstuhl für Biomolekulare Optik, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Armin Giese
- Institut für Neuropathologie, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Hans A Kretzschmar
- Institut für Neuropathologie, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany
| | - Hermann Schätzl
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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11
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Ferreira NC, Marques IA, Conceição WA, Macedo B, Machado CS, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, Nunes RJ, Hughson AG, Raymond LD, Pascutti PG, Caughey B, Cordeiro Y. Anti-prion activity of a panel of aromatic chemical compounds: in vitro and in silico approaches. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84531. [PMID: 24400098 PMCID: PMC3882252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prion protein (PrP) is implicated in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), which comprise a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and other mammals. Conversion of cellular PrP (PrP(C)) into the scrapie form (PrP(Sc)) is the hallmark of TSEs. Once formed, PrP(Sc) aggregates and catalyzes PrP(C) misfolding into new PrP(Sc) molecules. Although many compounds have been shown to inhibit the conversion process, so far there is no effective therapy for TSEs. Besides, most of the previously evaluated compounds failed in vivo due to poor pharmacokinetic profiles. In this work we propose a combined in vitro/in silico approach to screen for active anti-prion compounds presenting acceptable drugability and pharmacokinetic parameters. A diverse panel of aromatic compounds was screened in neuroblastoma cells persistently infected with PrP(Sc) (ScN2a) for their ability to inhibit PK-resistant PrP (PrP(Res)) accumulation. From ∼200 compounds, 47 were effective in decreasing the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells. Pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties were predicted in silico, allowing us to obtain estimates of relative blood brain barrier permeation and mutagenicity. MTT reduction assays showed that most of the active compounds were non cytotoxic. Compounds that cleared PrP(Res) from ScN2a cells, were non-toxic in the MTT assay, and presented a good pharmacokinetic profile were investigated for their ability to inhibit aggregation of an amyloidogenic PrP peptide fragment (PrP(109-149)). Molecular docking results provided structural models and binding affinities for the interaction between PrP and the most promising compounds. In summary, using this combined in vitro/in silico approach we have identified new small organic anti-scrapie compounds that decrease the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells, inhibit the aggregation of a PrP peptide, and possess pharmacokinetic characteristics that support their drugability. These compounds are attractive candidates for prion disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia C. Ferreira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Icaro A. Marques
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wesley A. Conceição
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Macedo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Clarice S. Machado
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Mascarello
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Rosendo Augusto Yunes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José Nunes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Andrew G. Hughson
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Lynne D. Raymond
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Pedro G. Pascutti
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Byron Caughey
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Molecular dynamics studies on the NMR and X-ray structures of rabbit prion proteins. J Theor Biol 2013; 342:70-82. [PMID: 24184221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Revised: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases, traditionally referred to as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are invariably fatal and highly infectious neurodegenerative diseases that affect a wide variety of mammalian species, manifesting as scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad-cow disease) in cattle, chronic wasting disease in deer and elk, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome, fatal familial insomnia, and kulu in humans, etc. These neurodegenerative diseases are caused by the conversion from a soluble normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into insoluble abnormally folded infectious prions (PrP(Sc)), and the conversion of PrP(C) to PrP(Sc) is believed to involve conformational change from a predominantly α-helical protein to one rich in β-sheet structure. Such a conformational change may be amenable to study by molecular dynamics (MD) techniques. For rabbits, classical studies show that they have a low susceptibility to be infected by PrP(Sc), but recently it was reported that rabbit prions can be generated through saPMCA (serial automated Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification) in vitro and the rabbit prion is infectious and transmissible. In this paper, we first do a detailed survey on the research advances of rabbit prion protein (RaPrP) and then we perform MD simulations on the NMR and X-ray molecular structures of rabbit prion protein wild-type and mutants. The survey shows to us that rabbits were not challenged directly in vivo with other known prion strains and the saPMCA result did not pass the test of the known BSE strain of cattle. Thus, we might still look rabbits as a prion resistant species. MD results indicate that the three α-helices of the wild-type are stable under the neutral pH environment (but under low pH environment the three α-helices have been unfolded into β-sheets), and the three α-helices of the mutants (I214V and S173N) are unfolded into rich β-sheet structures under the same pH environment. In addition, we found an interesting result that the salt bridges such as ASP201-ARG155, ASP177-ARG163 contribute greatly to the structural stability of RaPrP.
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Cellular aspects of prion replication in vitro. Viruses 2013; 5:374-405. [PMID: 23340381 PMCID: PMC3564126 DOI: 10.3390/v5010374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders in mammals that are caused by unconventional agents predominantly composed of aggregated misfolded prion protein (PrP). Prions self-propagate by recruitment of host-encoded PrP into highly ordered β-sheet rich aggregates. Prion strains differ in their clinical, pathological and biochemical characteristics and are likely to be the consequence of distinct abnormal prion protein conformers that stably replicate their alternate states in the host cell. Understanding prion cell biology is fundamental for identifying potential drug targets for disease intervention. The development of permissive cell culture models has greatly enhanced our knowledge on entry, propagation and dissemination of TSE agents. However, despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of prion infection and potential strain effects remain enigmatic. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the cell biology and propagation of prions derived from cell culture experiments. We discuss recent findings on the trafficking of cellular and pathologic PrP, the potential sites of abnormal prion protein synthesis and potential co-factors involved in prion entry and propagation.
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Hosokawa-Muto J, Kimura T, Kuwata K. Respiratory and cardiovascular toxicity studies of a novel antiprion compound, GN8, in rats and dogs. Drug Chem Toxicol 2011; 35:264-71. [DOI: 10.3109/01480545.2011.598533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Cervenakova L, Akimov S, Vasilyeva I, Yakovleva O, McKenzie C, Cervenak J, Piccardo P, Asher DM. Fukuoka-1 strain of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agent infects murine bone marrow-derived cells with features of mesenchymal stem cells. Transfusion 2011; 51:1755-68. [PMID: 21303371 DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2010.03041.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The possible risk of iatrogenic transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs, prion diseases) from transplantation of marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is uncertain. While most cell lines resist infection, a few propagate TSE agents. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We generated MSC-like (MSC-L) cell cultures from bone marrow (BM) of mice inoculated with the human-derived Fukuoka-1 (Fu) strain of TSE agent. Cultured cells were characterized for various markers and cellular prion protein (PrP(C) ) by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and for PrP(C) and its pathologic TSE-associated form (PrP(TSE) ) by Western blotting (WB). Cell cultures were tested for their susceptibility to infection with Fu in vitro. The infectivity of one Fu-infected cell culture was assayed in mice. RESULTS BM cells from Fu-infected mice expressed neither PrP(C) nor PrP(TSE) after 3 days in culture as demonstrated by WB. Cells adherent to plastic and maintained under two different culture conditions became spontaneously immortalized and began to express PrP(C) at about the same time. One culture became transformed shortly after exposure to Fu in vitro and remained persistently infected, continuously generating PrP(TSE) through multiple passages; the infectivity of cultured cells was confirmed by intracerebral inoculation of lysates into mice. Both persistently TSE-infected and uninfected cells expressed a number of typical MSC markers. CONCLUSION BM-derived MSC-L cells of mice became persistently infected with the Fu agent under certain conditions in culture-conditions that differ substantially from those currently used to develop investigational human stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa Cervenakova
- Transmissible Diseases Department, American Red Cross Holland Laboratory, Rockville, MD 20855, USA.
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16
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Delmouly K, Belondrade M, Casanova D, Milhavet O, Lehmann S. HEPES inhibits the conversion of prion protein in cell culture. J Gen Virol 2011; 92:1244-1250. [PMID: 21289158 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.027334-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
HEPES is a well-known buffering reagent used in cell-culture medium. Interestingly, this compound is also responsible for significant modifications of biological parameters such as uptake of organic molecules, alteration of oxidative stress mechanisms or inhibition of ion channels. While using cell-culture medium supplemented with HEPES on prion-infected cells, it was noticed that there was a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of accumulation of the abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)). This effect was present only in live cells and was thought to be related to modification of the PrP environment or biology. These results could modify the interpretation of cell-culture assays of prion therapeutic agents, as well as of previous cell biology results obtained in the field using HEPES buffers. This inhibitory effect of HEPES could also be exploited to prevent contamination or propagation of prions in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Delmouly
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS-UPR 1142, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Maxime Belondrade
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS-UPR 1142, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Danielle Casanova
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS-UPR 1142, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Ollivier Milhavet
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS-UPR 1142, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- Institut de Recherches en Biothérapie (IRB), Biochimie - Protéomique Clinique, CHU de Montpellier, Université Montpellier 1, 34000 Montpellier, France.,Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS-UPR 1142, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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Abstract
The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are rapidly progressive and invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases for which there are no proven efficacious treatments. Many approaches have been undertaken to find ways to prevent, halt, or reverse these prion diseases, with limited success to date. However, as both our understanding of pathogenesis and our ability to detect early disease increases, so do our potential therapeutic targets and our chances of finding effective drugs. There is increasing pressure to find effective decontaminants for blood supplies, as variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) has been shown to be transmissible by blood, and to find non-toxic preventative therapies, with ongoing cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Within the realm of chemotherapeutic approaches, much research has focussed on blocking the conversion of the normal form of prion protein (PrP(c)) to its abnormal counterpart (PrP(res)). Structurally, these chemotherapeutic agents are often polyanionic or polycyclic and may directly bind PrP(c) or PrP(res), or act by redistributing, sequestering, or down-regulating PrP(c), thus preventing its conversion. There are also some polycationic compounds which proport to enhance the clearance of PrP(res). Other targets include accessory molecules such as the laminin receptor precursor which influences conversion, or cell signalling molecules which may be required for pathogenesis. Of recent interest are the possible neuroprotective effects of some drugs. Importantly, there is evidence that combining compounds may provide synergistic responses. This review provides an update on current testing methods, therapeutic targets, and promising candidates for chemical-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L Sim
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
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Gilch S, Krammer C, Schätzl HM. Targeting prion proteins in neurodegenerative disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2008; 8:923-40. [PMID: 18549323 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.8.7.923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spongiform neurodegeneration is the pathological hallmark of individuals suffering from prion disease. These disorders, whose manifestation is sporadic, familial or acquired by infection, are caused by accumulation of the aberrantly folded isoform of the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)), termed PrP(Sc). Although usually rare, prion disorders are inevitably fatal and transferrable by infection. OBJECTIVE Pathology is restricted to the central nervous system and premortem diagnosis is usually not possible. Yet, promising approaches towards developing therapeutic regimens have been made recently. METHODS The biology of prion proteins and current models of neurotoxicity are discussed and prophylactic and therapeutic concepts are introduced. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS Although various promising drug candidates with antiprion activity have been identified, this proof-of-concept cannot be transferred into translational medicine yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Gilch
- Technische Universität München, Institute of Virology, Prion Research Group, Trogerstreet 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
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Chasseigneaux S, Pastore M, Britton-Davidian J, Manié E, Stern MH, Callebert J, Catalan J, Casanova D, Belondrade M, Provansal M, Zhang Y, Bürkle A, Laplanche JL, Sévenet N, Lehmann S. Genetic heterogeneity versus molecular analysis of prion susceptibility in neuroblasma N2a sublines. Arch Virol 2008; 153:1693-702. [PMID: 18696008 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-008-0177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2008] [Accepted: 07/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The neuroblastoma-derived cell line N2a is permissive to certain prion strains but resistant sublines unable to accumulate the pathological proteinase-K resistant form of the prion protein can be isolated. We compared for gene expression and phenotypes different N2a sublines that were susceptible or resistant to the 22L prion strain. Karyotypes and comparative genomic hybridization arrays revealed chromosomal imbalances but did not demonstrate a characteristic profile of genomic alterations linked to prion susceptibility. Likewise, we showed that this phenotype was not dependent on the binding of PrPres, the expression of the prion protein gene, or on its primary sequence. We completed this analysis by looking using real-time quantitative PCR at the expression of a set of genes encoding proteins linked to prion biology. None of the candidates could account by itself for the infection phenotype, nevertheless sublines had distinct transcriptional profiles. Taken together, our results do not support a role for specific genomic abnormalities and possible candidate proteins in N2a prion susceptibility. They also reveal genetic heterogeneity among the sublines and serve as a guidance for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of prion infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Chasseigneaux
- EA 3621, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Paris 5, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75270 Paris cedex 06, France
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Ott D, Taraborrelli C, Aguzzi A. Novel dominant-negative prion protein mutants identified from a randomized library. Protein Eng Des Sel 2008; 21:623-9. [DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzn042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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Caughey WS, Priola SA, Kocisko DA, Raymond LD, Ward A, Caughey B. Cyclic tetrapyrrole sulfonation, metals, and oligomerization in antiprion activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007; 51:3887-94. [PMID: 17709470 PMCID: PMC2151414 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01599-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic tetrapyrroles are among the most potent compounds with activity against transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs; or prion diseases). Here the effects of differential sulfonation and metal binding to cyclic tetrapyrroles were investigated. Their potencies in inhibiting disease-associated protease-resistant prion protein were compared in several types of TSE-infected cell cultures. In addition, prophylactic antiscrapie activities were determined in scrapie-infected mice. The activity of phthalocyanine was relatively insensitive to the number of peripheral sulfonate groups but varied with the type of metal bound at the center of the molecule. The tendency of the various phthalocyanine sulfonates to oligomerize (i.e., stack) correlated with anti-TSE activity. Notably, aluminum(III) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate was both the poorest anti-TSE compound and the least prone to oligomerization in aqueous media. Similar comparisons of iron- and manganese-bound porphyrin sulfonates confirmed that stacking ability correlates with anti-TSE activity among cyclic tetrapyrroles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winslow S Caughey
- Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH, 903 S. 4th St., Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
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