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Gamage K, Wang B, Hard ER, Van T, Galesic A, Phillips GR, Pratt M, Lapidus LJ. O-GlcNAc Modification of α-Synuclein Can Alter Monomer Dynamics to Control Aggregation Kinetics. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:3044-3052. [PMID: 39082221 PMCID: PMC11342298 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered protein α-Synuclein is identified as a major toxic aggregate in Parkinson's as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent work on this protein has focused on the effects of posttranslational modifications on aggregation kinetics. Among them, O-GlcNAcylation of α-Synuclein has been observed to inhibit the aggregation propensity of the protein. Here, we investigate the monomer dynamics of two O-GlcNAcylated α-Synucleins, α-Syn(gT72), and α-Syn(gS87) and correlate them with the aggregation kinetics. We find that, compared to the unmodified protein, glycosylation at T72 makes the protein less compact and more diffusive, while glycosylation at S87 makes the protein more compact and less diffusive. Based on a model of the earliest steps in aggregation, we predict that T72 should aggregate slower than unmodified protein, which is confirmed by ThT fluorescence measurements. In contrast, S87 should aggregate faster, which is not mirrored in ThT kinetics of later fibril formation but does not rule out a higher rate of formation of small oligomers. Together, these results show that posttranslational modifications do not uniformly affect aggregation propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasun Gamage
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Binyou Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Eldon R Hard
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Thong Van
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Ana Galesic
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - George R Phillips
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Matthew Pratt
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Lisa J. Lapidus
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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2
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Todd TW, Islam NN, Cook CN, Caulfield TR, Petrucelli L. Cryo-EM structures of pathogenic fibrils and their impact on neurodegenerative disease research. Neuron 2024; 112:2269-2288. [PMID: 38834068 PMCID: PMC11257806 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.05.012] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are commonly associated with the formation of aberrant protein aggregates within the brain, and ultrastructural analyses have revealed that the proteins within these inclusions often assemble into amyloid filaments. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as an effective method for determining the near-atomic structure of these disease-associated filamentous proteins, and the resulting structures have revolutionized the way we think about aberrant protein aggregation and propagation during disease progression. These structures have also revealed that individual fibril conformations may dictate different disease conditions, and this newfound knowledge has improved disease modeling in the lab and advanced the ongoing pursuit of clinical tools capable of distinguishing and targeting different pathogenic entities within living patients. In this review, we summarize some of the recently developed cryo-EM structures of ex vivo α-synuclein, tau, β-amyloid (Aβ), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) fibrils and discuss how these structures are being leveraged toward mechanistic research and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Naeyma N Islam
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Casey N Cook
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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3
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Mishra T, Singh S, Singh TG. Therapeutic Implications and Regulations of Protein Post-translational Modifications in Parkinsons Disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:53. [PMID: 38960968 PMCID: PMC11222187 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01471-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Parkinsons disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss and alpha-synuclein aggregation. This comprehensive review examines the intricate role of post-translational modifications (PTMs) in PD pathogenesis, focusing on DNA methylation, histone modifications, phosphorylation, SUMOylation, and ubiquitination. Targeted PTM modulation, particularly in key proteins like Parkin, DJ1, and PINK1, emerges as a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating dopaminergic degeneration in PD. Dysregulated PTMs significantly contribute to the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates and dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction observed in PD. Targeting PTMs, including epigenetic strategies, addressing aberrant phosphorylation events, and modulating SUMOylation processes, provides potential avenues for intervention. The ubiquitin-proteasome system, governed by enzymes like Parkin and Nedd4, offers potential targets for clearing misfolded proteins and developing disease-modifying interventions. Compounds like ginkgolic acid, SUMO E1 enzyme inhibitors, and natural compounds like Indole-3-carbinol illustrate the feasibility of modulating PTMs for therapeutic purposes in PD. This review underscores the therapeutic potential of PTM-targeted interventions in modulating PD-related pathways, emphasizing the need for further research in this promising area of Parkinsons disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Twinkle Mishra
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India
| | - Shareen Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India
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4
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Abramov-Harpaz K, Lan-Mark S, Miller Y. Structural packing of the non-amyloid component core domain in α-synuclein plays a role in the stability of the fibrils. Biophys Chem 2024; 310:107239. [PMID: 38663121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2024.107239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of many neurodegenerative diseases. The protein associated with PD is α-synuclein (AS). Aggregation of AS protein into oligomers, protofilaments, and finally to fibrils yields to the development of PD. The aggregation process of AS leads to the formation of polymorphic AS fibrils. Herein, we compared four polymorphic full-length AS1-140 fibrils, using extensive computational tools. The main conclusion of this study emphasizes the role of the structurally packed non-amyloid component (NAC) core domain in AS fibrils. Polymorphic AS fibrils that presented a packed NAC core domain, exhibited more β-sheets and fewer fluctuations in the NAC domain. Hence, these AS fibrils are more stable and populated than the AS fibrils, by which the NAC domains are more exposed, more fluctuate and less packed in the fibrillary structure. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of the NAC domain packing in the morphology of AS fibrils. The results obtained in this study will initiate future studies to develop compounds to prevent and inhibit AS aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Abramov-Harpaz
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Be'er Sheva 8410501, Israel; Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beér-Sheva, 8410501, Israel; The School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beér-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Sapir Lan-Mark
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Be'er Sheva 8410501, Israel; Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beér-Sheva, 8410501, Israel; The School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beér-Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Yifat Miller
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Be'er Sheva 8410501, Israel; Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beér-Sheva, 8410501, Israel; The School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beér-Sheva, 8410501, Israel.
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5
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Nithun RV, Yao YM, Harel O, Habiballah S, Afek A, Jbara M. Site-Specific Acetylation of the Transcription Factor Protein Max Modulates Its DNA Binding Activity. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:1295-1303. [PMID: 38947213 PMCID: PMC11212134 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Chemical protein synthesis provides a powerful means to prepare novel modified proteins with precision down to the atomic level, enabling an unprecedented opportunity to understand fundamental biological processes. Of particular interest is the process of gene expression, orchestrated through the interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and DNA. Here, we combined chemical protein synthesis and high-throughput screening technology to decipher the role of post-translational modifications (PTMs), e.g., Lys-acetylation on the DNA binding activity of Max TF. We synthesized a focused library of singly, doubly, and triply modified Max variants including site-specifically acetylated and fluorescently tagged analogs. The resulting synthetic analogs were employed to decipher the molecular role of Lys-acetylation on the DNA binding activity and sequence specificity of Max. We provide evidence that the acetylation sites at Lys-31 and Lys-57 significantly inhibit the DNA binding activity of Max. Furthermore, by utilizing high-throughput binding measurements, we assessed the binding activities of the modified Max variants across diverse DNA sequences. Our results indicate that acetylation marks can alter the binding specificities of Max toward certain sequences flanking its consensus binding sites. Our work provides insight into the hidden molecular code of PTM-TFs and DNA interactions, paving the way to interpret gene expression regulation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj V. Nithun
- School
of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel
| | - Yumi Minyi Yao
- Department
of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Omer Harel
- School
of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel
| | - Shaimaa Habiballah
- School
of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel
| | - Ariel Afek
- Department
of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Muhammad Jbara
- School
of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978 Israel
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Gamage K, Wang B, Hard ER, Van T, Galesic A, Phillips GR, Pratt M, Lapidus LJ. Post-translational Modification of α-Synuclein Modifies Monomer Dynamics and Aggregation Kinetics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.06.592473. [PMID: 38766253 PMCID: PMC11100617 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.06.592473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered protein α-Synuclein is identified as a major toxic aggregate in Parkinson's as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent work on this protein has focused on the effects of posttranslational modifications on aggregation kinetics. Among these, O-GlcNAcylation of α-Synuclein has been observed to inhibit the aggregation propensity of the protein. Here we investigate the monomer dynamics of two O-GlcNAcylated α-Synucleins, α-Syn(gT72) and α-Syn(gS87) and correlate them with the aggregation kinetics. We find that, compared to the unmodified protein, glycosylation at T72 makes the protein less compact and more diffusive while glycosylation at S87 makes the protein more compact and less diffusive. Based on a model of the earliest steps in aggregation, we predict that T72 should aggregate slower than unmodified protein, which is confirmed by ThT fluorescence measurements. In contrast, S87 should aggregate faster, which is not mirrored in ThT kinetics of later fibril formation but does not rule out a higher rate of formation of small oligomers. Together, these results show that posttranslational modifications do not uniformly affect aggregation propensity.
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7
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Balana AT, Mahul-Mellier AL, Nguyen BA, Horvath M, Javed A, Hard ER, Jasiqi Y, Singh P, Afrin S, Pedretti R, Singh V, Lee VMY, Luk KC, Saelices L, Lashuel HA, Pratt MR. O-GlcNAc forces an α-synuclein amyloid strain with notably diminished seeding and pathology. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:646-655. [PMID: 38347213 PMCID: PMC11062923 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01551-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid-forming proteins such α-synuclein and tau, which are implicated in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, can form different fibril structures or strains with distinct toxic properties, seeding activities and pathology. Understanding the determinants contributing to the formation of different amyloid features could open new avenues for developing disease-specific diagnostics and therapies. Here we report that O-GlcNAc modification of α-synuclein monomers results in the formation of amyloid fibril with distinct core structure, as revealed by cryogenic electron microscopy, and diminished seeding activity in seeding-based neuronal and rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Although the mechanisms underpinning the seeding neutralization activity of the O-GlcNAc-modified fibrils remain unclear, our in vitro mechanistic studies indicate that heat shock proteins interactions with O-GlcNAc fibril inhibit their seeding activity, suggesting that the O-GlcNAc modification may alter the interactome of the α-synuclein fibrils in ways that lead to reduce seeding activity in vivo. Our results show that posttranslational modifications, such as O-GlcNAc modification, of α-synuclein are key determinants of α-synuclein amyloid strains and pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron T Balana
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anne-Laure Mahul-Mellier
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Binh A Nguyen
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mian Horvath
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Afraah Javed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eldon R Hard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yllza Jasiqi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Preeti Singh
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shumaila Afrin
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Rose Pedretti
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Virender Singh
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelvin C Luk
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lorena Saelices
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Matthew R Pratt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Abioye A, Akintade D, Mitchell J, Olorode S, Adejare A. Nonintuitive Immunogenicity and Plasticity of Alpha-Synuclein Conformers: A Paradigm for Smart Delivery of Neuro-Immunotherapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:609. [PMID: 38794271 PMCID: PMC11124533 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the extensive research successes and continuous developments in modern medicine in terms of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, the lack of clinically useful disease-modifying drugs or immunotherapeutic agents that can successfully treat or prevent neurodegenerative diseases is an ongoing challenge. To date, only one of the 244 drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases has been approved in the past decade, indicating a failure rate of 99.6%. In corollary, the approved monoclonal antibody did not demonstrate significant cognitive benefits. Thus, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is increasing rapidly. Therefore, there is an urgent need for creative approaches to identifying and testing biomarkers for better diagnosis, prevention, and disease-modifying strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Overexpression of the endogenous α-synuclein has been identified as the driving force for the formation of the pathogenic α-synuclein (α-Syn) conformers, resulting in neuroinflammation, hypersensitivity, endogenous homeostatic responses, oxidative dysfunction, and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the conformational plasticity of α-Syn proffers that a certain level of α-Syn is essential for the survival of neurons. Thus, it exerts both neuroprotective and neurotoxic (regulatory) functions on neighboring neuronal cells. Furthermore, the aberrant metastable α-Syn conformers may be subtle and difficult to detect but may trigger cellular and molecular events including immune responses. It is well documented in literature that the misfolded α-Syn and its conformers that are released into the extracellular space from damaged or dead neurons trigger the innate and adaptive immune responses in PD. Thus, in this review, we discuss the nonintuitive plasticity and immunogenicity of the α-Syn conformers in the brain immune cells and their physiological and pathological consequences on the neuroimmune responses including neuroinflammation, homeostatic remodeling, and cell-specific interactions that promote neuroprotection in PD. We also critically reviewed the novel strategies for immunotherapeutic delivery interventions in PD pathogenesis including immunotherapeutic targets and potential nanoparticle-based smart drug delivery systems. It is envisioned that a greater understanding of the nonintuitive immunogenicity of aberrant α-Syn conformers in the brain's microenvironment would provide a platform for identifying valid therapeutic targets and developing smart brain delivery systems for clinically effective disease-modifying immunotherapeutics that can aid in the prevention and treatment of PD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Abioye
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Belmont University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Damilare Akintade
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK; (D.A.); (J.M.); (S.O.)
| | - James Mitchell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK; (D.A.); (J.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Simisade Olorode
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK; (D.A.); (J.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Adeboye Adejare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA;
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Li S, Liu Y, Lu S, Xu J, Liu X, Yang D, Yang Y, Hou L, Li N. A crazy trio in Parkinson's disease: metabolism alteration, α-synuclein aggregation, and oxidative stress. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-04985-3. [PMID: 38625515 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-04985-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is an aging-associated neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies containing α-synuclein within these neurons. Oligomeric α-synuclein exerts neurotoxic effects through mitochondrial dysfunction, glial cell inflammatory response, lysosomal dysfunction and so on. α-synuclein aggregation, often accompanied by oxidative stress, is generally considered to be a key factor in PD pathology. At present, emerging evidences suggest that metabolism alteration is closely associated with α-synuclein aggregation and PD progression, and improvement of key molecules in metabolism might be potentially beneficial in PD treatment. In this review, we highlight the tripartite relationship among metabolic changes, α-synuclein aggregation, and oxidative stress in PD, and offer updated insights into the treatments of PD, aiming to deepen our understanding of PD pathogenesis and explore new therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanbing Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Sen Lu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiayi Xu
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaokun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Di Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yuxuan Yang
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lin Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Abdul‐Rahman T, Herrera‐Calderón RE, Ahluwalia A, Wireko AA, Ferreira T, Tan JK, Wolfson M, Ghosh S, Horbas V, Garg V, Perveen A, Papadakis M, Ashraf GM, Alexiou A. The potential of phosphorylated α-synuclein as a biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple system atrophy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14678. [PMID: 38572788 PMCID: PMC10993367 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14678] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) containing aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn). Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of MSA present significant challenges, which can lead to potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Biomarkers play a crucial role in improving the accuracy of MSA diagnosis, and phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-syn) has emerged as a promising biomarker for aiding in diagnosis and disease monitoring. METHODS A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using specific keywords and MeSH terms without imposing a time limit. Inclusion criteria comprised various study designs including experimental studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies published only in English, while conference abstracts and unpublished sources were excluded. RESULTS Increased levels of p-syn have been observed in various samples from MSA patients, such as red blood cells, cerebrospinal fluid, oral mucosal cells, skin, and colon biopsies, highlighting their diagnostic potential. The α-Syn RT-QuIC assay has shown sensitivity in diagnosing MSA and tracking its progression. Meta-analyses and multicenter investigations have confirmed the diagnostic value of p-syn in cerebrospinal fluid, demonstrating high specificity and sensitivity in distinguishing MSA from other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, combining p-syn with other biomarkers has further improved the diagnostic accuracy of MSA. CONCLUSION The p-syn stands out as a promising biomarker for MSA. It is found in oligodendrocytes and shows a correlation with disease severity and progression. However, further research and validation studies are necessary to establish p-syn as a reliable biomarker for MSA. If proven, p-syn could significantly contribute to early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and assessing treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tomas Ferreira
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical MedicineUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | | | | | - Shankhaneel Ghosh
- Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Siksha 'O' AnusandhanBhubaneswarIndia
| | | | - Vandana Garg
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesMaharshi Dayanand UniversityRohtakHaryanaIndia
| | - Asma Perveen
- Glocal School of Life SciencesGlocal UniversitySaharanpurUttar PradeshIndia
- Princess Dr. Najla Bint Saud Al‐Saud Center for Excellence Research in BiotechnologyKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddahSaudi Arabia
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten‐HerdeckeUniversity of Witten‐HerdeckeWuppertalGermany
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- Department of Medical Laboratory SciencesUniversity of Sharjah, College of Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Medical and Health SciencesSharjahUAE
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- University Centre for Research & DevelopmentChandigarh UniversityMohaliPunjabIndia
- Department of Research & DevelopmentAthensGreece
- Department of Research & DevelopmentAFNP MedWienAustria
- Department of Science and EngineeringNovel Global Community Educational FoundationNew South WalesAustralia
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11
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Bosbach C, Gatzemeier LM, Bloch von Blottnitz KI, König A, Diederichsen U, Steinem C, Outeiro TF. Chemical synthesis of site-selective advanced glycation end products in α-synuclein and its fragments. Org Biomol Chem 2024; 22:2670-2676. [PMID: 38483440 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00225c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) arise from the Maillard reaction between dicarbonyls and proteins, nucleic acids, or specific lipids. Notably, AGEs are linked to aging and implicated in various disorders, spanning from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases. While dicarbonyls like methylglyoxal preferentially target arginine residues, lysine-derived AGEs, such as N(6)-(1-carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and N(6)-(1-carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), are also abundant. Predicting protein glycation in vivo proves challenging due to the intricate nature of glycation reactions. In vitro, glycation is difficult to control, especially in proteins that harbor multiple glycation-prone amino acids. α-Synuclein (aSyn), pivotal in Parkinson's disease and synucleinopathies, has 15 lysine residues and is known to become glycated at multiple lysine sites. To understand the influence of glycation in specific regions of aSyn on its behavior, a strategy for site-specific glycated protein production is imperative. To fulfill this demand, we devised a synthetic route integrating solid-phase peptide synthesis, orthogonal protection of amino acid side-chain functionalities, and reductive amination strategies. This methodology yielded two disease-related N-terminal peptide fragments, each featuring five and six CML and CEL modifications, alongside a full-length aSyn protein containing a site-selective E46CEL modification. Our synthetic approach facilitates the broad introduction of glycation motifs at specific sites, providing a foundation for generating glycated forms of synucleinopathy-related and other disease-relevant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bosbach
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Tammannstraße 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Luisa Maria Gatzemeier
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Tammannstraße 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Katja Ilme Bloch von Blottnitz
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Tammannstraße 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Annekatrin König
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Ulf Diederichsen
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Tammannstraße 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Steinem
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Tammannstraße 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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12
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Galkin M, Priss A, Kyriukha Y, Shvadchak V. Navigating α-Synuclein Aggregation Inhibition: Methods, Mechanisms, and Molecular Targets. CHEM REC 2024; 24:e202300282. [PMID: 37919046 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a yet incurable, age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the aggregation of small neuronal protein α-synuclein into amyloid fibrils. Inhibition of this process is a prospective strategy for developing a disease-modifying treatment. We overview here small molecule, peptide, and protein inhibitors of α-synuclein fibrillization reported to date. Special attention was paid to the specificity of inhibitors and critical analysis of their action mechanisms. Namely, the importance of oxidation of polyphenols and cross-linking of α-synuclein into inhibitory dimers was highlighted. We also compared strategies of targeting monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar α-synuclein species, thoroughly discussed the strong and weak sides of different approaches to testing the inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksym Galkin
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anastasiia Priss
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Yevhenii Kyriukha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
| | - Volodymyr Shvadchak
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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13
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Vijiaratnam N, Foltynie T. How should we be using biomarkers in trials of disease modification in Parkinson's disease? Brain 2023; 146:4845-4869. [PMID: 37536279 PMCID: PMC10690028 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent validation of the α-synuclein seed amplification assay as a biomarker with high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease has formed the backbone for a proposed staging system for incorporation in Parkinson's disease clinical studies and trials. The routine use of this biomarker should greatly aid in the accuracy of diagnosis during recruitment of Parkinson's disease patients into trials (as distinct from patients with non-Parkinson's disease parkinsonism or non-Parkinson's disease tremors). There remain, however, further challenges in the pursuit of biomarkers for clinical trials of disease modifying agents in Parkinson's disease, namely: optimizing the distinction between different α-synucleinopathies; the selection of subgroups most likely to benefit from a candidate disease modifying agent; a sensitive means of confirming target engagement; and the early prediction of longer-term clinical benefit. For example, levels of CSF proteins such as the lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase may assist in prognostication or allow enrichment of appropriate patients into disease modifying trials of agents with this enzyme as the target; the presence of coexisting Alzheimer's disease-like pathology (detectable through CSF levels of amyloid-β42 and tau) can predict subsequent cognitive decline; imaging techniques such as free-water or neuromelanin MRI may objectively track decline in Parkinson's disease even in its later stages. The exploitation of additional biomarkers to the α-synuclein seed amplification assay will, therefore, greatly add to our ability to plan trials and assess the disease modifying properties of interventions. The choice of which biomarker(s) to use in the context of disease modifying clinical trials will depend on the intervention, the stage (at risk, premotor, motor, complex) of the population recruited and the aims of the trial. The progress already made lends hope that panels of fluid biomarkers in tandem with structural or functional imaging may provide sensitive and objective methods of confirming that an intervention is modifying a key pathophysiological process of Parkinson's disease. However, correlation with clinical progression does not necessarily equate to causation, and the ongoing validation of quantitative biomarkers will depend on insightful clinical-genetic-pathophysiological comparisons incorporating longitudinal biomarker changes from those at genetic risk with evidence of onset of the pathophysiology and those at each stage of manifest clinical Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirosen Vijiaratnam
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Thomas Foltynie
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
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14
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Wysocki R, Rodrigues JI, Litwin I, Tamás MJ. Mechanisms of genotoxicity and proteotoxicity induced by the metalloids arsenic and antimony. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:342. [PMID: 37904059 PMCID: PMC10616229 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04992-5] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic and antimony are metalloids with profound effects on biological systems and human health. Both elements are toxic to cells and organisms, and exposure is associated with several pathological conditions including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. At the same time, arsenic- and antimony-containing compounds are used in the treatment of multiple diseases. Although these metalloids can both cause and cure disease, their modes of molecular action are incompletely understood. The past decades have seen major advances in our understanding of arsenic and antimony toxicity, emphasizing genotoxicity and proteotoxicity as key contributors to pathogenesis. In this review, we highlight mechanisms by which arsenic and antimony cause toxicity, focusing on their genotoxic and proteotoxic effects. The mechanisms used by cells to maintain proteostasis during metalloid exposure are also described. Furthermore, we address how metalloid-induced proteotoxicity may promote neurodegenerative disease and how genotoxicity and proteotoxicity may be interrelated and together contribute to proteinopathies. A deeper understanding of cellular toxicity and response mechanisms and their links to pathogenesis may promote the development of strategies for both disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Wysocki
- Department of Genetics and Cell Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wroclaw, 50-328, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Joana I Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Ireneusz Litwin
- Academic Excellence Hub - Research Centre for DNA Repair and Replication, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wroclaw, 50-328, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Markus J Tamás
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, 405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
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15
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Galesic A, Pan B, Ramirez J, Rhoades E, Pratt MR, Petersson EJ. Combining non-canonical amino acid mutagenesis and native chemical ligation for multiply modifying proteins: A case study of α-synuclein post-translational modifications. Methods 2023; 218:101-109. [PMID: 37549799 PMCID: PMC10657485 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Parkinson's disease associated protein α-synuclein (αS) has been found to contain numerous post-translational modifications (PTMs), in both physiological and pathological states. One PTM site of particular interest is serine 87, which is subject to both O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (gS) modification and phosphorylation (pS), with αS-pS87 enriched in Parkinson's disease. An often-overlooked aspect of these PTMs is their effect on the membrane-binding properties of αS, which are important to its role in regulating neurotransmitter release. Here, we show how one can study these effects by synthesizing αS constructs containing authentic PTMs and labels for single molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements. We synthesize αS-gS87 and αS-pS87 by combining native chemical ligation with genetic code expansion approaches. We introduce the fluorophore by a click reaction with a non-canonical amino acid. Beyond the specific problem of PTM effects on αS, our studies highlight the value of this combination of methods for multiply modifying proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Galesic
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Buyan Pan
- Department of Chemistry; University of Pennsylvania; 231 South 34th Street; Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer Ramirez
- Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, 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
| | - Matthew R. Pratt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, 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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16
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Chaturvedi M, Raj R, Yadav SK, Srivastava T, Devi S, Dharmadana D, Valéry C, Sharma SK, Kumar D, Priya S. Implications of In Vitro Multi-Serine Phosphorylation of Alpha-Synuclein in Aggregation and Cytotoxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3103-3112. [PMID: 37562012 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications guide the functional diversity and identity of proteins. Phosphorylation is one such post-translational modification that has been reported in pathological proteins related to various neurodegenerative disorders such as α-synuclein (α-syn) phosphorylation in Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies. In α-syn, the phosphorylation has mostly been observed at S129; however, the occurrence of other serine modifications at S9, S42, and S87 is partially explored. In pathogenic conditions, where α-syn is phosphorylated by complex kinase pathways, multi-site modifications may happen and alter the mechanism of α-syn aggregation. Here, using Polo-like kinase 2 and G-protein coupled receptor kinase 4, the in vitro phosphorylation of α-syn was performed, which revealed multi-serine phosphorylation. Mass spectrometry with customized proteolytic digestion showed prominent phosphorylation at S129 and modifications at S87 and S42 with PLK2 and S87 with GRK4. The phosphorylation at the identified serine residues was further validated with NMR and western blotting. Multi-serine phosphorylation aggravates the aggregation potential of monomeric α-syn, seeding capacity, and cytotoxicity in the SH-SY5Y cell line. This study proposes evidence for in vitro multi-site phosphorylation and its significance in α-syn aggregation, toxicity, and related pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minal Chaturvedi
- Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan 31, MG Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
- School of Health and Biomedical Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Ritu Raj
- Centre of BioMedical Research, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Campus, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226014, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Yadav
- Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan 31, MG Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Tulika Srivastava
- Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan 31, MG Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Shweta Devi
- Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan 31, MG Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Durga Dharmadana
- School of Health and Biomedical Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Céline Valéry
- School of Health and Biomedical Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Sandeep K Sharma
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
- Food, Drug & Chemical Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan 31, MG Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Centre of BioMedical Research, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Campus, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226014, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Smriti Priya
- Systems Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan 31, MG Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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17
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Outeiro TF, Bellucci A. Changes in α-Synuclein Posttranslational Modifications in an AAV-Based Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13435. [PMID: 37686236 PMCID: PMC10488235 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and accumulation of Lewy bodies (LB) and Lewy neurites (LN), inclusions mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. Studies linking the occurrence of mutations and multiplications of the α-Syn gene (SNCA) to the onset of PD support that α-Syn deposition may play a causal role in the disease, in line with the hypothesis that disease progression may correlate with the spreading of LB pathology in the brain. Interestingly, LB accumulate posttranslationally modified forms of α-Syn, suggesting that α-Syn posttranslational modifications impinge on α-Syn aggregation and/or toxicity. Here, we aimed at investigating changes in α-Syn phosphorylation, nitration and acetylation in mice subjected to nigral stereotaxic injections of adeno-associated viral vectors inducing overexpression of human α-Syn (AAV-hα-Syn), that model genetic PD with SNCA multiplications. We detected a mild increase of serine (Ser) 129 phosphorylated α-Syn in the substantia nigra (SN) of AAV-hα-Syn-injected mice in spite of the previously described marked accumulation of this PTM in the striatum. Following AAV-hα-Syn injection, tyrosine (Tyr) 125/136 nitrated α-Syn accumulation in the absence of general 3-nitrotirosine (3NT) or nitrated-Tyr39 α-Syn changes and augmented protein acetylation abundantly overlapping with α-Syn immunopositivity were also detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Brembati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Gaia Faustini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Francesca Longhena
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Arianna Bellucci
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy (F.L.)
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18
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Battis K, Xiang W, Winkler J. The Bidirectional Interplay of α-Synuclein with Lipids in the Central Nervous System and Its Implications for the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13270. [PMID: 37686080 PMCID: PMC10487772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The alteration and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases collectively termed as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). The bidirectional interaction of α-syn with lipids and biomembranes impacts not only α-syn aggregation but also lipid homeostasis. Indeed, lipid composition and metabolism are severely perturbed in PD. One explanation for lipid-associated alterations may involve structural changes in α-syn, caused, for example, by missense mutations in the lipid-binding region of α-syn as well as post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, acetylation, nitration, ubiquitination, truncation, glycosylation, and glycation. Notably, different strategies targeting the α-syn-lipid interaction have been identified and are able to reduce α-syn pathology. These approaches include the modulation of post-translational modifications aiming to reduce the aggregation of α-syn and modify its binding properties to lipid membranes. Furthermore, targeting enzymes involved in various steps of lipid metabolism and exploring the neuroprotective potential of lipids themselves have emerged as novel therapeutic approaches. Taken together, this review focuses on the bidirectional crosstalk of α-syn and lipids and how alterations of this interaction affect PD and thereby open a window for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jürgen Winkler
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (K.B.); (W.X.)
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19
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Zhang S, Dong H, Bian J, Li D, Liu C. Targeting amyloid proteins for clinical diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 3:505-519. [PMID: 38933553 PMCID: PMC11197785 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal aggregation and accumulation of pathological amyloid proteins such as amyloid-β, Tau, and α-synuclein play key pathological roles and serve as histological hallmarks in different neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, various post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been identified on pathological amyloid proteins and are subjected to change during disease progression. Given the central role of amyloid proteins in NDs, tremendous efforts have been made to develop amyloid-targeting strategies for clinical diagnosis and molecular classification of NDs. In this review, we summarize two major strategies for targeting amyloid aggregates, with a focus on the trials in AD diagnosis. The first strategy is a positron emission tomography (PET) scan of protein aggregation in the brain. We mainly focus on introducing the development of small-molecule PET tracers for specifically recognizing pathological amyloid fibrils. The second strategy is the detection of PTM biomarkers on amyloid proteins in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma. We discuss the pathological roles of different PTMs in diseases and how we can use the PTM profile of amyloid proteins for clinical diagnosis. Finally, we point out the potential technical challenges of these two strategies, and outline other potential strategies, as well as a combination of multiple strategies, for molecular diagnosis of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenqing Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiang Bian
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Bio-X-Renji Hospital Research Center, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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20
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Bellucci A. Alpha synuclein post translational modifications: potential targets for Parkinson's disease therapy? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1197853. [PMID: 37305556 PMCID: PMC10248004 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1197853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder with motor symptoms. The neuropathological alterations characterizing the brain of patients with PD include the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and the presence of Lewy bodies (LB), intraneuronal inclusions that are mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. The accumulation of α-Syn in insoluble aggregates is a main neuropathological feature in PD and in other neurodegenerative diseases, including LB dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), which are therefore defined as synucleinopathies. Compelling evidence supports that α-Syn post translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, nitration, acetylation, O-GlcNAcylation, glycation, SUMOylation, ubiquitination and C-terminal cleavage, play important roles in the modulation α-Syn aggregation, solubility, turnover and membrane binding. In particular, PTMs can impact on α-Syn conformational state, thus supporting that their modulation can in turn affect α-Syn aggregation and its ability to seed further soluble α-Syn fibrillation. This review focuses on the importance of α-Syn PTMs in PD pathophysiology but also aims at highlighting their general relevance as possible biomarkers and, more importantly, as innovative therapeutic targets for synucleinopathies. In addition, we call attention to the multiple challenges that we still need to face to enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches modulating α-Syn PTMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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21
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Ibarra-Gutiérrez MT, Serrano-García N, Orozco-Ibarra M. Rotenone-Induced Model of Parkinson's Disease: Beyond Mitochondrial Complex I Inhibition. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:1929-1948. [PMID: 36593435 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03193-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is usually diagnosed through motor symptoms that make the patient incapable of carrying out daily activities; however, numerous non-motor symptoms include olfactory disturbances, constipation, depression, excessive daytime sleepiness, and rapid eye movement at sleep; they begin years before motor symptoms. Therefore, several experimental models have been studied to reproduce several PD functional and neurochemical characteristics; however, no model mimics all the PD motor and non-motor symptoms to date, which becomes a limitation for PD study. It has become increasingly relevant to find ways to study the disease from its slowly progressive nature. The experimental models most frequently used to reproduce PD are based on administering toxic chemical compounds, which aim to imitate dopamine deficiency. The most used toxic compounds to model PD have been 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which inhibit the complex I of the electron transport chain but have some limitations. Another toxic compound that has drawn attention recently is rotenone, the classical inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I. Rotenone triggers the progressive death of dopaminergic neurons and α-synuclein inclusions formation in rats; also, rotenone induces microtubule destabilization. This review presents information about the experimental model of PD induced by rotenone, emphasizing its molecular characteristics beyond the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Ibarra-Gutiérrez
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877 Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, C.P. 14269, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Norma Serrano-García
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877 Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, C.P. 14269, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Marisol Orozco-Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Av. Insurgentes Sur No. 3877 Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, C.P. 14269, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
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22
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Zhang Q, Huang Y, Wu A, Duan Q, He P, Huang H, Gao Y, Nie K, Liu Q, Wang L. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase exacerbates mitochondrial calcium uniporter-related mitochondrial calcium overload by phosphorylating α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2023; 157:106385. [PMID: 36754160 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2023.106385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
α-Synuclein phosphorylation and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis are important mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease, but the network regulating these mechanisms remains unclear. We identified the role of key phosphokinases and the pathological effects of α-synuclein phosphorylation on mitochondrial calcium influx and mitochondrial function in Parkinson's disease. The function of the key phosphokinase, calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase, was investigated through loss- and gain-of-function experiments using a cell model of Parkinson's disease. The regulation of mitochondrial calcium uniporter-mediated mitochondrial calcium influx by calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase was explored using a cellular model of Parkinson's disease. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments and α-synuclein mutation were used to explore the mechanism through which calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase regulates mitochondrial calcium uniporter-mediated mitochondrial calcium influx and exacerbates mitochondrial damage in Parkinson's disease. Here, we show the pathogenic role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase in Parkinson's disease progression. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase phosphorylated α-synuclein to activate mitochondrial calcium uniporter and thus increase mitochondrial calcium influx, and these effects were blocked by α-synuclein S129A mutant expression. Furthermore, the calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase inhibitor CASK-IN-1 exerted neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease. Collectively, our results suggest that calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase phosphorylates α-synuclein to activate the mitochondrial calcium uniporter and thereby causes mitochondrial calcium overload and mitochondrial damage in Parkinson's disease. We elucidated a new role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase in Parkinson's disease and revealed the potential therapeutic value of targeting calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase in Parkinson's disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxi Zhang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510100, China; Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yin Huang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Anbiao Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Laboratory of Heart Center; Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Qingrui Duan
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Peikun He
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Haifeng Huang
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuyuan Gao
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Kun Nie
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qicai Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Laboratory of Heart Center; Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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23
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Balana AT, Mahul-Mellier AL, Nguyen BA, Horvath M, Javed A, Hard ER, Jasiqi Y, Singh P, Afrin S, Pedretti R, Singh V, Lee VMY, Luk KC, Saelices L, Lashuel HA, Pratt MR. O-GlcNAc modification forces the formation of an α-Synuclein amyloid-strain with notably diminished seeding activity and pathology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.07.531573. [PMID: 36945566 PMCID: PMC10028859 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The process of amyloid fibril formation remains one of the primary targets for developing diagnostics and treatments for several neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Amyloid-forming proteins such α-Synuclein and Tau, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, can form different types of fibril structure, or strains, that exhibit distinct structures, toxic properties, seeding activities, and pathology spreading patterns in the brain. Therefore, understanding the molecular and structural determinants contributing to the formation of different amyloid strains or their distinct features could open new avenues for developing disease-specific diagnostics and therapies. In this work, we report that O-GlcNAc modification of α-Synuclein monomers results in the formation of amyloid fibril with distinct core structure, as revealed by Cryo-EM, and diminished seeding activity in seeding-based neuronal and rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Although the mechanisms underpinning the seeding neutralization activity of the O-GlcNAc modified fibrils remain unclear, our in vitro mechanistic studies indicate that heat shock proteins interactions with O-GlcNAc fibril inhibit their seeding activity, suggesting that the O-GlcNAc modification may alter the interactome of the α-Synuclein fibrils in ways that lead to reduce seeding activity in vivo. Our results show that post-translational modifications, such as O-GlcNAc modification, of α-Synuclein are key determinants of α-Synuclein amyloid strains and pathogenicity. These findings have significant implications for how we investigate and target amyloids in the brain and could possibly explain the lack of correlation between amyloid burden and neurodegeneration or cognitive decline in some subtypes of NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron T. Balana
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Anne-Laure Mahul-Mellier
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland CH-1015
| | - Binh A Nguyen
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Biophysics, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX-75390
| | - Mian Horvath
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Afraah Javed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Eldon R. Hard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Yllza Jasiqi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland CH-1015
| | - Preeti Singh
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Biophysics, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX-75390
| | - Shumaila Afrin
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Biophysics, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX-75390
| | - Rose Pedretti
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Biophysics, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX-75390
| | - Virender Singh
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Biophysics, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX-75390
| | - Virginia M.-Y. Lee
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelvin C. Luk
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lorena Saelices
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Biophysics, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX-75390
| | - Hilal A. Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland CH-1015
| | - Matthew R. Pratt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
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24
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Liquid-liquid Phase Separation of α-Synuclein: A New Mechanistic Insight for α-Synuclein Aggregation Associated with Parkinson's Disease Pathogenesis. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167713. [PMID: 35787838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant aggregation of the misfolded presynaptic protein, α-Synuclein (α-Syn) into Lewy body (LB) and Lewy neuritis (LN) is a major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. Numerous studies have suggested that prefibrillar and fibrillar species of the misfolded α-Syn aggregates are responsible for cell death in PD pathogenesis. However, the precise molecular events during α-Syn aggregation, especially in the early stages, remain elusive. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of α-Syn occurs in the nucleation step of α-Syn aggregation, which offers an alternate non-canonical aggregation pathway in the crowded microenvironment. The liquid-like α-Syn droplets gradually undergo an irreversible liquid-to-solid phase transition into amyloid-like hydrogel entrapping oligomers and fibrils. This new mechanism of α-Syn LLPS and gel formation might represent the molecular basis of cellular toxicity associated with PD. This review aims to demonstrate the recent development of α-Syn LLPS, the underlying mechanism along with the microscopic events of aberrant phase transition. This review further discusses how several intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulate the thermodynamics and kinetics of α-Syn LLPS and co-LLPS with other proteins, which might explain the pathophysiology of α-Syn in various neurodegenerative diseases.
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25
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Sandoval-Pistorius SS, Gerson JE, Liggans N, Ryou JH, Oak K, Li X, Negron-Rios KY, Fischer S, Barsh H, Crowley EV, Skinner ME, Sharkey LM, Barmada SJ, Paulson HL. Ubiquilin-2 regulates pathological alpha-synuclein. Sci Rep 2023; 13:293. [PMID: 36609661 PMCID: PMC9823102 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The key protein implicated in Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies is α-synuclein, and a post-translationally modified form of the protein, phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129), is a principal component in Lewy bodies, a pathological hallmark of PD. While altered proteostasis has been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease, we still have a limited understanding of how α-synuclein is regulated in the nervous system. The protein quality control protein Ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2) is known to accumulate in synucleinopathies, but whether it directly regulates α-synuclein is unknown. Using cellular and mouse models, we find that UBQLN2 decreases levels of α-synuclein, including the pS129 phosphorylated isoform. Pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome revealed that, while α-synuclein may be cleared by parallel and redundant quality control pathways, UBQLN2 preferentially targets pS129 for proteasomal degradation. Moreover, in brain tissue from human PD and transgenic mice expressing pathogenic α-synuclein (A53T), native UBQLN2 becomes more insoluble. Collectively, our studies support a role for UBQLN2 in directly regulating pathological forms of α-synuclein and indicate that UBQLN2 dysregulation in disease may contribute to α-synuclein-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S. Sandoval-Pistorius
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA ,grid.214458.e0000000086837370Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Julia E. Gerson
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Nyjerus Liggans
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Jaimie H. Ryou
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Kulin Oak
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Xingli Li
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Keyshla Y. Negron-Rios
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Svetlana Fischer
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Henry Barsh
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Emily V. Crowley
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Mary E. Skinner
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Lisa M. Sharkey
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Sami J. Barmada
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Henry L. Paulson
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
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26
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Panda SP, Prasanth D, Gorla US, Dewanjee S. Interlinked role of ASN, TDP-43 and Miro1 with parkinopathy: Focus on targeted approach against neuropathy in parkinsonism. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 83:101783. [PMID: 36371014 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Parkinsonism is a complex neurodegenerative disease that is difficult to differentiate because of its idiopathic and unknown origins. The hereditary parkinsonism known as autosomal recessive-juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP) is marked by tremors, dyskinesias, dystonic characteristics, and manifestations that improve sleep but do not include dementia. This was caused by deletions and point mutations in PARK2 (chromosome 6q25.2-27). Diminished or unusual sensations (paresthesias), loss of neuron strength both in the CNS and peripheral nerves, and lack of motor coordination are the hallmarks of neuropathy in parkinsonism. The incidence of parkinsonism during oxidative stress and ageing is associated with parkinopathy. Parkinopathy is hypothesized to be triggered by mutation of the parkin (PRKN) gene and loss of normal physiological functions of PRKN proteins, which triggers their pathogenic aggregation due to conformational changes. Two important genes that control mitochondrial health are PRKN and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1). Overexpression of TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) increases the aggregation of insoluble PRKN proteins in OMM. Foreign α-synuclein (ASN) promotes parkinopathy via S-nitrosylation and hence has a neurotoxic effect on dopaminergic nerves. Miro1 (Miro GTPase1), a member of the RAS superfamily, is expressed in nerve cells. Due to PINK1/PRKN and Miro1's functional relationship, an excess of mitochondrial calcium culminates in the destruction of dopaminergic neurons. An interlinked understanding of TDP-43, PINK1/PRKN, ASN, and Miro1 signalling in the communication among astrocytes, microglia, neurons, and immune cells within the brain explored the pathway of neuronal death and shed light on novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of parkinsonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siva Prasad Panda
- Pharmacology Research Division, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, India.
| | - Dsnbk Prasanth
- Department of Pharmacognosy, KVSR Siddhartha College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vijayawada, AP, India
| | - Uma Sankar Gorla
- College of Pharmacy, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, Andhrapradesh, India
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
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27
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Reddy K, Dieriks BV. Multiple system atrophy: α-Synuclein strains at the neuron-oligodendrocyte crossroad. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:77. [DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00579-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe aberrant accumulation of α-Synuclein within oligodendrocytes is an enigmatic, pathological feature specific to Multiple system atrophy (MSA). Since the characterization of the disease in 1969, decades of research have focused on unravelling the pathogenic processes that lead to the formation of oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions. The discovery of aggregated α-Synuclein (α-Syn) being the primary constituent of glial cytoplasmic inclusions has spurred several lines of research investigating the relationship between the pathogenic accumulation of the protein and oligodendrocytes. Recent developments have identified the ability of α-Syn to form conformationally distinct “strains” with varying behavioral characteristics and toxicities. Such “strains” are potentially disease-specific, providing insight into the enigmatic nature of MSA. This review discusses the evidence for MSA-specific α-Syn strains, highlighting the current methods for detecting and characterizing MSA patient-derived α-Syn. Given the differing behaviors of α-Syn strains, we explore the seeding and spreading capabilities of MSA-specific strains, postulating their influence on the aggressive nature of the disease. These ideas culminate into one key question: What causes MSA–specific strain formation? To answer this, we discuss the interplay between oligodendrocytes, neurons and α-Syn, exploring the ability of each cell type to contribute to the aggregate formation while postulating the effect of additional variables such as protein interactions, host characteristics and environmental factors. Thus, we propose the idea that MSA strain formation results from the intricate interrelation between neurons and oligodendrocytes, with deficits in each cell type required to initiate α-Syn aggregation and MSA pathogenesis.
Graphical Abstract
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28
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Yi S, Wang L, Wang H, Ho MS, Zhang S. Pathogenesis of α-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease: From a Neuron-Glia Crosstalk Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14753. [PMID: 36499080 PMCID: PMC9739123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The classical behavioral defects of PD patients involve motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity, as well as non-motor symptoms such as anosmia, depression, and cognitive impairment. Pathologically, the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn)-composed Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs) are key hallmarks. Glia are more than mere bystanders that simply support neurons, they actively contribute to almost every aspect of neuronal development and function; glial dysregulation has been implicated in a series of neurodegenerative diseases including PD. Importantly, amounting evidence has added glial activation and neuroinflammation as new features of PD onset and progression. Thus, gaining a better understanding of glia, especially neuron-glia crosstalk, will not only provide insight into brain physiology events but also advance our knowledge of PD pathologies. This review addresses the current understanding of α-syn pathogenesis in PD, with a focus on neuron-glia crosstalk. Particularly, the transmission of α-syn between neurons and glia, α-syn-induced glial activation, and feedbacks of glial activation on DA neuron degeneration are thoroughly discussed. In addition, α-syn aggregation, iron deposition, and glial activation in regulating DA neuron ferroptosis in PD are covered. Lastly, we summarize the preclinical and clinical therapies, especially targeting glia, in PD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Margaret S. Ho
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shiping Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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29
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Phase separation and other forms of α-Synuclein self-assemblies. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:987-1000. [DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a natively unstructured protein, which self-assembles into higher-order aggregates possessing serious pathophysiological implications. α-Syn aberrantly self-assembles into protein aggregates, which have been widely implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis and other synucleinopathies. The self-assembly of α-Syn involves the structural conversion of soluble monomeric protein into oligomeric intermediates and eventually fibrillar aggregates of amyloids with cross-β-sheet rich conformation. These aggregated α-Syn species majorly constitute the intraneuronal inclusions, which is a hallmark of PD neuropathology. Self-assembly/aggregation of α-Syn is not a single-state conversion process as unfolded protein can access multiple conformational states through the formation of metastable, transient pre-fibrillar intermediate species. Recent studies have indicated that soluble oligomers are the potential neurotoxic species responsible for cell death in PD pathogenesis. The heterogeneous and transient nature of oligomers formed during the early stage of aggregation pathway limit their detailed study in understanding the structure–toxicity relationship. Moreover, the precise molecular events occurring in the early stage of α-Syn aggregation process majorly remain unsolved. Recently, liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of α-Syn has been designated as an alternate nucleation mechanism, which occurs in the early lag phase of the aggregation pathway leading to the formation of dynamic supramolecular assemblies. The stronger self-association among the protein molecules triggers the irreversible liquid-to-solid transition of these supramolecular assemblies into the amyloid-like hydrogel, which may serve as a reservoir entrapping toxic oligomeric intermediates and fibrils. This review strives to provide insights into different modes of α-Syn self-assemblies including LLPS-mediated self-assembly and its recent advancements.
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30
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Keeney MT, Hoffman EK, Farmer K, Bodle CR, Fazzari M, Zharikov A, Castro SL, Hu X, Mortimer A, Kofler JK, Cifuentes-Pagano E, Pagano PJ, Burton EA, Hastings TG, Greenamyre JT, Di Maio R. NADPH oxidase 2 activity in Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 170:105754. [PMID: 35577065 PMCID: PMC9284948 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are strongly implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis and there is evidence that mitochondrially-generated superoxide can activate NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). Although NOX2 has been examined in the context of PD, most attention has focused on glial NOX2, and the role of neuronal NOX2 in PD remains to be defined. Additionally, pharmacological NOX2 inhibitors have typically lacked specificity. Here we devised and validated a proximity ligation assay for NOX2 activity and demonstrated that in human PD and two animal models thereof, both neuronal and microglial NOX2 are highly active in substantia nigra under chronic conditions. However, in acute and sub-acute PD models, we observed neuronal, but not microglial NOX2 activation, suggesting that neuronal NOX2 may play a primary role in the early stages of the disease. Aberrant NOX2 activity is responsible for the formation of oxidative stress-related post-translational modifications of α-synuclein, and impaired mitochondrial protein import in vitro in primary ventral midbrain neuronal cultures and in vivo in nigrostriatal neurons in rats. In a rat model, administration of a brain-penetrant, highly specific NOX2 inhibitor prevented NOX2 activation in nigrostriatal neurons and its downstream effects in vivo, such as activation of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2). We conclude that NOX2 is an important enzyme that contributes to progressive oxidative damage which in turn can lead to α-synuclein accumulation, mitochondrial protein import impairment, and LRRK2 activation. In this context, NOX2 inhibitors hold potential as a disease-modifying therapy in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Keeney
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Eric K Hoffman
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kyle Farmer
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Christopher R Bodle
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Marco Fazzari
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Alevtina Zharikov
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Sandra L Castro
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Amanda Mortimer
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Julia K Kofler
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Eugenia Cifuentes-Pagano
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Patrick J Pagano
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Edward A Burton
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA
| | - Teresa G Hastings
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - J Timothy Greenamyre
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Roberto Di Maio
- Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Petricca L, Chiki N, Hanna-El-Daher L, Aeschbach L, Burai R, Stoops E, Fares MB, Lashuel HA. Comparative Analysis of Total Alpha-Synuclein (αSYN) Immunoassays Reveals That They Do Not Capture the Diversity of Modified αSYN Proteoforms. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2022; 12:1449-1462. [PMID: 35527570 PMCID: PMC9398082 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-223285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: The development of therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease (PD) requires the establishment of biomarker assays to enable stratifying patients, monitoring disease progression, and assessing target engagement. Attempts to develop diagnostic assays based on detecting levels of the α-synuclein (αSYN) protein, a central player in the pathogenesis of PD, have yielded inconsistent results. Objective: To determine whether the three commercial kits that have been extensively used for total αSYN quantification in human biological fluids (from Euroimmun, MSD, and Biolegend) are capable of capturing the diversity and complexity of relevant αSYN proteoforms. Methods: We investigated and compared the ability of the different assays to detect the diversity of αSYN proteoforms using a library of αSYN proteins that comprise the majority of disease-relevant αSYN variants and post-translational modifications (PTMs). Results: Our findings showed that none of the three tested immunoassays accurately capture the totality of relevant αSYN species, and that these assays are unable to recognize most disease-associated C-terminally truncated variants of αSYN. Moreover, several N-terminal truncations and phosphorylation/nitration PTMs differentially modify the level of αSYN detection and recovery by different immunoassays, and a CSF matrix effect was observed for most of the αSYN proteoforms analyzed by the three immunoassays. Conclusion: Our results show that the tested immunoassays do not capture the totality of the relevant αSYN species and therefore may not be appropriate tools to provide an accurate measure of total αSYN levels in samples containing modified forms of the protein. This highlights the need for next generation αSYN immunoassays that capture the diversity of αSYN proteoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nour Chiki
- ND Biosciences SA, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Layane Hanna-El-Daher
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute,Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorène Aeschbach
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute,Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ritwik Burai
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute,Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Erik Stoops
- ADx NeuroSciences NV, Technologiepark 94 - Bio Incubator, Gent, Belgium
| | | | - Hilal A Lashuel
- ND Biosciences SA, Epalinges, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute,Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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NMDA and AMPA Receptors at Synapses: Novel Targets for Tau and α-Synuclein Proteinopathies. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071550. [PMID: 35884851 PMCID: PMC9313101 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A prominent feature of neurodegenerative diseases is synaptic dysfunction and spine loss as early signs of neurodegeneration. In this context, accumulation of misfolded proteins has been identified as one of the most common causes driving synaptic toxicity at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. In particular, a great effort has been placed on dissecting the interplay between the toxic deposition of misfolded proteins and synaptic defects, looking for a possible causal relationship between them. Several studies have demonstrated that misfolded proteins could directly exert negative effects on synaptic compartments, altering either the function or the composition of pre- and post-synaptic receptors. In this review, we focused on the physiopathological role of tau and α-synuclein at the level of postsynaptic glutamate receptors. Tau is a microtubule-associated protein mainly expressed by central nervous system neurons where it exerts several physiological functions. In some cases, it undergoes aberrant post-translational modifications, including hyperphosphorylation, leading to loss of function and toxic aggregate formation. Similarly, aggregated species of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein play a key role in synucleinopathies, a group of neurological conditions that includes Parkinson’s disease. Here, we discussed how tau and α-synuclein target the postsynaptic compartment of excitatory synapses and, specifically, AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors. Notably, recent studies have reported their direct functional interactions with these receptors, which in turn could contribute to the impaired glutamatergic transmission observed in many neurodegenerative diseases.
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Sokolová M, Šestáková H, Truksa M, Šafařík M, Hadravová R, Bouř P, Šebestík J. Photochemical synthesis of pink silver and its use for monitoring peptide nitration via surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Amino Acids 2022; 54:1261-1274. [PMID: 35731286 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03178-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress may cause extended tyrosine posttranslational modifications of peptides and proteins. The 3-nitro-L-tyrosine (Nit), which is typically formed, affects protein behavior during neurodegenerative processes, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Such metabolic products may be conveniently detected at very low concentrations by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Previously, we have explored the SERS detection of the Nit NO2 bending vibrational bands in a presence of hydrogen chloride (Niederhafner et al., Amino Acids 53:517-532, 2021, ibid). In this article, we describe performance of a new SERS substrate, "pink silver", synthesized photochemically. It provides SERS even without the HCl induction, and the acid further decreases the detection limit about 9 times. Strong SERS bands were observed in the asymmetric (1550-1475 cm-1) and symmetric (1360-1290 cm-1) NO stretching in the NO2 group. The bending vibration was relatively weak, but appeared stronger when HCl was added. The band assignments were supported by density functional theory modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Sokolová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Šestáková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Truksa
- Mensa Gymnázium O.P.S., Španielova 1111/19, 163 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Šafařík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Hadravová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Bouř
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Šebestík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo náměstí 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic. .,Mensa Gymnázium O.P.S., Španielova 1111/19, 163 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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Kawahata I, Finkelstein DI, Fukunaga K. Pathogenic Impact of α-Synuclein Phosphorylation and Its Kinases in α-Synucleinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116216. [PMID: 35682892 PMCID: PMC9181156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a protein with a molecular weight of 14.5 kDa and consists of 140 amino acids encoded by the SNCA gene. Missense mutations and gene duplications in the SNCA gene cause hereditary Parkinson’s disease. Highly phosphorylated and abnormally aggregated α-synuclein is a major component of Lewy bodies found in neuronal cells of patients with sporadic Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and glial cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in oligodendrocytes with multiple system atrophy. Aggregated α-synuclein is cytotoxic and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned synucleinopathies. In a healthy brain, most α-synuclein is unphosphorylated; however, more than 90% of abnormally aggregated α-synuclein in Lewy bodies of patients with Parkinson’s disease is phosphorylated at Ser129, which is presumed to be of pathological significance. Several kinases catalyze Ser129 phosphorylation, but the role of phosphorylation enzymes in disease pathogenesis and their relationship to cellular toxicity from phosphorylation are not fully understood in α-synucleinopathy. Consequently, this review focuses on the pathogenic impact of α-synuclein phosphorylation and its kinases during the neurodegeneration process in α-synucleinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Kawahata
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Correspondence: (I.K.); (K.F.); Tel.: +81-22-795-6838 (I.K.); +81-22-795-6836 (K.F.); Fax: +81-22-795-6835 (I.K. & K.F.)
| | - David I. Finkelstein
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- BRI Pharma Inc., Sendai 982-0804, Japan
- Correspondence: (I.K.); (K.F.); Tel.: +81-22-795-6838 (I.K.); +81-22-795-6836 (K.F.); Fax: +81-22-795-6835 (I.K. & K.F.)
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Glycation modulates glutamatergic signaling and exacerbates Parkinson's disease-like phenotypes. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2022; 8:51. [PMID: 35468899 PMCID: PMC9038780 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-022-00314-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is a central player in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies due to its accumulation in typical protein aggregates in the brain. However, it is still unclear how it contributes to neurodegeneration. Type-2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Interestingly, a common molecular alteration among these disorders is the age-associated increase in protein glycation. We hypothesized that glycation-induced neuronal dysfunction is a contributing factor in synucleinopathies. Here, we dissected the impact of methylglyoxal (MGO, a glycating agent) in mice overexpressing aSyn in the brain. We found that MGO-glycation potentiates motor, cognitive, olfactory, and colonic dysfunction in aSyn transgenic (Thy1-aSyn) mice that received a single dose of MGO via intracerebroventricular injection. aSyn accumulates in the midbrain, striatum, and prefrontal cortex, and protein glycation is increased in the cerebellum and midbrain. SWATH mass spectrometry analysis, used to quantify changes in the brain proteome, revealed that MGO mainly increase glutamatergic-associated proteins in the midbrain (NMDA, AMPA, glutaminase, VGLUT and EAAT1), but not in the prefrontal cortex, where it mainly affects the electron transport chain. The glycated proteins in the midbrain of MGO-injected Thy1-aSyn mice strongly correlate with PD and dopaminergic pathways. Overall, we demonstrated that MGO-induced glycation accelerates PD-like sensorimotor and cognitive alterations and suggest that the increase of glutamatergic signaling may underly these events. Our study sheds new light into the enhanced vulnerability of the midbrain in PD-related synaptic dysfunction and suggests that glycation suppressors and anti-glutamatergic drugs may hold promise as disease-modifying therapies for synucleinopathies.
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Guatteo E, Berretta N, Monda V, Ledonne A, Mercuri NB. Pathophysiological Features of Nigral Dopaminergic Neurons in Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094508. [PMID: 35562898 PMCID: PMC9102081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons is considered the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and it is triggered by different factors, including mitochondrial dysfunction, Lewy body accumulation, neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity and metal accumulation. Despite the extensive literature devoted to unravelling the signalling pathways involved in neuronal degeneration, little is known about the functional impairments occurring in these cells during illness progression. Of course, it is not possible to obtain direct information on the properties of the dopaminergic cells in patients. However, several data are available in the literature reporting changes in the function of these cells in PD animal models. In the present manuscript, we focus on dopaminergic neuron functional properties and summarize shared or peculiar features of neuronal dysfunction in different PD animal models at different stages of the disease in an attempt to design a picture of the functional modifications occurring in nigral dopaminergic neurons during disease progression preceding their eventual death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezia Guatteo
- Department of Motor Science and Wellness, University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (V.M.)
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Nicola Berretta
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Monda
- Department of Motor Science and Wellness, University of Naples Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy; (E.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (N.B.M.)
| | - Nicola Biagio Mercuri
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.L.); (N.B.M.)
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37
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Dopamine Transporter, PhosphoSerine129 α-Synuclein and α-Synuclein Levels in Aged LRRK2 G2019S Knock-In and Knock-Out Mice. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040881. [PMID: 35453631 PMCID: PMC9027615 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The G2019S mutation in leucine rich-repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a major cause of familial Parkinson’s disease. We previously reported that G2019S knock-in mice manifest dopamine transporter dysfunction and phosphoSerine129 α-synuclein (pSer129 α-syn) immunoreactivity elevation at 12 months of age, which might represent pathological events leading to neuronal degeneration. Here, the time-dependence of these changes was monitored in the striatum of 6, 9, 12, 18 and 23-month-old G2019S KI mice and wild-type controls using DA uptake assay, Western analysis and immunohistochemistry. Western analysis showed elevation of membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) levels at 9 and 12 months of age, along with a reduction of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) levels at 12 months. DAT uptake was abnormally elevated from 9 to up to 18 months. DAT and VMAT2 level changes were specific to the G2019S mutation since they were not observed in LRRK2 kinase-dead or knock-out mice. Nonetheless, dysfunctional DAT uptake was not normalized by acute pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity with MLi-2. Immunoblot analysis showed elevation of pSer129 α-syn levels in the striatum of 12-month-old G2019S KI mice, which, however, was not confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Instead, total α-syn immunoreactivity was found elevated in the striatum of 23-month-old LRRK2 knock-out mice. These data indicate mild changes in DA transporters and α-syn metabolism in the striatum of 12-month-old G2019S KI mice whose pathological relevance remains to be established.
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A light-inducible protein clustering system for in vivo analysis of α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson disease. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001578. [PMID: 35263320 PMCID: PMC8936469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders refer to a group of diseases commonly associated with abnormal protein accumulation and aggregation in the central nervous system. However, the exact role of protein aggregation in the pathophysiology of these disorders remains unclear. This gap in knowledge is due to the lack of experimental models that allow for the spatiotemporal control of protein aggregation, and the investigation of early dynamic events associated with inclusion formation. Here, we report on the development of a light-inducible protein aggregation (LIPA) system that enables spatiotemporal control of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation into insoluble deposits called Lewy bodies (LBs), the pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease (PD) and other proteinopathies. We demonstrate that LIPA-α-syn inclusions mimic key biochemical, biophysical, and ultrastructural features of authentic LBs observed in PD-diseased brains. In vivo, LIPA-α-syn aggregates compromise nigrostriatal transmission, induce neurodegeneration and PD-like motor impairments. Collectively, our findings provide a new tool for the generation, visualization, and dissection of the role of α-syn aggregation in PD.
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Marino G, Calabresi P, Ghiglieri V. Alpha-synuclein and cortico-striatal plasticity in animal models of Parkinson disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 184:153-166. [PMID: 35034731 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819410-2.00008-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) is a small, acidic protein containing 140 amino acids, highly expressed in the brain and primarily localized in the presynaptic terminals. It is found in high concentrations in Lewy Bodies, proteinaceous aggregates that constitute a typical histopathologic hallmark of Parkinson's disease. Altered environmental conditions, genetic mutations and post-translational changes can trigger abnormal aggregation processes with the increased frequency of oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils formation that perturbs the neuronal homeostasis leading to cell death. Relevant to neuronal activity, a function of α-synuclein that has been extensively detailed is its regulatory actions in the trafficking of synaptic vesicles, including the processes of exocytosis, endocytosis and neurotransmitter release. Most recently, increasing attention has been paid to the possible role that α-synuclein plays at a postsynaptic level by interacting with selective subunits of the glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, altering the corticostriatal plasticity of distinct neuronal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioia Marino
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Gadhe L, Sakunthala A, Mukherjee S, Gahlot N, Bera R, Sawner AS, Kadu P, Maji SK. Intermediates of α-synuclein aggregation: Implications in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. Biophys Chem 2021; 281:106736. [PMID: 34923391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic deposition of aberrantly misfolded α-synuclein (α-Syn) is a common feature of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the precise pathogenic mechanism of α-Syn in synucleinopathies remains elusive. Emerging evidence has suggested that α-Syn may contribute to PD pathogenesis in several ways; wherein the contribution of fibrillar species, for exerting toxicity and disease transmission, cannot be neglected. Further, the oligomeric species could be the most plausible neurotoxic species causing neuronal cell death. However, understanding the structural and molecular insights of these oligomers are very challenging due to the heterogeneity and transient nature of the species. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in understanding the formation and role of α-Syn oligomers in PD pathogenesis. We also summarize the different types of α-Syn oligomeric species and potential mechanisms to exert neurotoxicity. Finally, we address the possible ways to target α-Syn as a promising approach against PD and the possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laxmikant Gadhe
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Arunima Sakunthala
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Semanti Mukherjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Nitisha Gahlot
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Riya Bera
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Ajay Singh Sawner
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Pradeep Kadu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.
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Simon C, Soga T, Okano HJ, Parhar I. α-Synuclein-mediated neurodegeneration in Dementia with Lewy bodies: the pathobiology of a paradox. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:196. [PMID: 34798911 PMCID: PMC8605528 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00709-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is epitomized by the pathognomonic manifestation of α-synuclein-laden Lewy bodies within selectively vulnerable neurons in the brain. By virtue of prion-like inheritance, the α-synuclein protein inexorably undergoes extensive conformational metamorphoses and culminate in the form of fibrillar polymorphs, instigating calamitous damage to the brain's neuropsychological networks. This epiphenomenon is nebulous, however, by lingering uncertainty over the quasi "pathogenic" behavior of α-synuclein conformers in DLB pathobiology. Despite numerous attempts, a monolithic "α-synuclein" paradigm that is able to untangle the enigma enshrouding the clinicopathological spectrum of DLB has failed to emanate. In this article, we review conceptual frameworks of α-synuclein dependent cell-autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms that are likely to facilitate the transneuronal spread of degeneration through the neuraxis. In particular, we describe how the progressive demise of susceptible neurons may evolve from cellular derangements perpetrated by α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation. Where pertinent, we show how these bona fide mechanisms may mutually accentuate α-synuclein-mediated neurodegeneration in the DLB brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Simon
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tomoko Soga
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hirotaka James Okano
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Research Center for Medical Sciences, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ishwar Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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Padilla-Godínez FJ, Ramos-Acevedo R, Martínez-Becerril HA, Bernal-Conde LD, Garrido-Figueroa JF, Hiriart M, Hernández-López A, Argüero-Sánchez R, Callea F, Guerra-Crespo M. Protein Misfolding and Aggregation: The Relatedness between Parkinson's Disease and Hepatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Storage Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212467. [PMID: 34830348 PMCID: PMC8619695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of cellular homeostasis can lead to misfolding of proteins thus acquiring conformations prone to polymerization into pathological aggregates. This process is associated with several disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), and endoplasmic reticulum storage disorders (ERSDs), like alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and hereditary hypofibrinogenemia with hepatic storage (HHHS). Given the shared pathophysiological mechanisms involved in such conditions, it is necessary to deepen our understanding of the basic principles of misfolding and aggregation akin to these diseases which, although heterogeneous in symptomatology, present similarities that could lead to potential mutual treatments. Here, we review: (i) the pathological bases leading to misfolding and aggregation of proteins involved in PD, AATD, and HHHS: alpha-synuclein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and fibrinogen, respectively, (ii) the evidence linking each protein aggregation to the stress mechanisms occurring in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of each pathology, (iii) a comparison of the mechanisms related to dysfunction of proteostasis and regulation of homeostasis between the diseases (such as the unfolded protein response and/or autophagy), (iv) and clinical perspectives regarding possible common treatments focused on improving the defensive responses to protein aggregation for diseases as different as PD, and ERSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J. Padilla-Godínez
- Neurosciences Division, Cell Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (F.J.P.-G.); (R.R.-A.); (H.A.M.-B.); (L.D.B.-C.); (J.F.G.-F.); (M.H.)
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Rodrigo Ramos-Acevedo
- Neurosciences Division, Cell Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (F.J.P.-G.); (R.R.-A.); (H.A.M.-B.); (L.D.B.-C.); (J.F.G.-F.); (M.H.)
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Hilda Angélica Martínez-Becerril
- Neurosciences Division, Cell Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (F.J.P.-G.); (R.R.-A.); (H.A.M.-B.); (L.D.B.-C.); (J.F.G.-F.); (M.H.)
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Luis D. Bernal-Conde
- Neurosciences Division, Cell Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (F.J.P.-G.); (R.R.-A.); (H.A.M.-B.); (L.D.B.-C.); (J.F.G.-F.); (M.H.)
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Jerónimo F. Garrido-Figueroa
- Neurosciences Division, Cell Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (F.J.P.-G.); (R.R.-A.); (H.A.M.-B.); (L.D.B.-C.); (J.F.G.-F.); (M.H.)
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Marcia Hiriart
- Neurosciences Division, Cell Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (F.J.P.-G.); (R.R.-A.); (H.A.M.-B.); (L.D.B.-C.); (J.F.G.-F.); (M.H.)
| | - Adriana Hernández-López
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Rubén Argüero-Sánchez
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
| | - Francesco Callea
- Department of Histopathology, Bugando Medical Centre, Catholic University of Healthy and Allied Sciences, Mwanza 1464, Tanzania;
| | - Magdalena Guerra-Crespo
- Neurosciences Division, Cell Physiology Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (F.J.P.-G.); (R.R.-A.); (H.A.M.-B.); (L.D.B.-C.); (J.F.G.-F.); (M.H.)
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.H.-L.); (R.A.-S.)
- Correspondence:
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Elfarrash S, Jensen NM, Ferreira N, Schmidt SI, Gregersen E, Vestergaard MV, Nabavi S, Meyer M, Jensen PH. Polo-like kinase 2 inhibition reduces serine-129 phosphorylation of physiological nuclear alpha-synuclein but not of the aggregated alpha-synuclein. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252635. [PMID: 34613964 PMCID: PMC8494365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is believed to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. As a key constituent of Lewy pathology, more than 90% of α-syn in Lewy bodies is phosphorylated at serine-129 (pS129) and hence, it is used extensively as a marker for α-syn pathology. However, the exact role of pS129 remains controversial and the kinase(s) responsible for the phosphorylation have yet to be determined. In this study, we investigated the effect of Polo-like kinase 2 (PLK2) inhibition on formation of pS129 using an ex vivo organotypic brain slice model of synucleinopathy. Our data demonstrated that PLK2 inhibition has no effect on α-syn aggregation, pS129 or inter-neuronal spreading of the aggregated α-syn seen in the organotypic slices. Instead, PLK2 inhibition reduced the soluble pS129 level in the nuclei. The same finding was replicated in an in vivo mouse model of templated α-syn aggregation and in human dopaminergic neurons, suggesting that PLK2 is more likely to be involved in S129-phosphorylation of the soluble physiological fraction of α-syn. We also demonstrated that reduction of nuclear pS129 following PLK2 inhibition for a short time before sample collection improves the signal-to-noise ratio when quantifying pS129 aggregate pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Elfarrash
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- MERC–Medical Experimental Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- * E-mail: (SE); (PHJ)
| | - Nanna Møller Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nelson Ferreira
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sissel Ida Schmidt
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Emil Gregersen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie Vibeke Vestergaard
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sadegh Nabavi
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Morten Meyer
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, BRIDGE–Brain Research Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail: (SE); (PHJ)
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Gadhavi J, Patel M, Bhatia D, Gupta S. Neurotoxic or neuroprotective: Post-translational modifications of α-synuclein at the cross-roads of functions. Biochimie 2021; 192:38-50. [PMID: 34582997 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.09.012] [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: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. The loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is one of the pathological hallmarks of PD. PD also belongs to the class of neurodegenerative disease known as 'Synucleinopathies' as α-synuclein is responsible for disease development. The presence of aggregated α-synuclein associated with other proteins found in the Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites in the substantia nigra and other regions of the brain including locus ceruleus, dorsal vagal nucleus, nucleus basalis of Meynert and cerebral cortex is one of the central events for PD development. The complete biological function of α-synuclein is still debated. Besides its ability to propagate, it undergoes various post-translational modifications which play a paramount role in PD development and progression. Also, the aggregation of α-synuclein is modulated by various post-translational modifications. Here, we present a summary of multiple PTMs involved in the modulation of α-synuclein directly or indirectly and to identify their neuroprotective or neurotoxic roles, which might act as potential therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshna Gadhavi
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Mohini Patel
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Dhiraj Bhatia
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, 382355, Gujarat, India; Center for Biomedical Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Sharad Gupta
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, 382355, Gujarat, India; Center for Biomedical Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, 382355, Gujarat, India.
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Moors TE, Maat CA, Niedieker D, Mona D, Petersen D, Timmermans-Huisman E, Kole J, El-Mashtoly SF, Spycher L, Zago W, Barbour R, Mundigl O, Kaluza K, Huber S, Hug MN, Kremer T, Ritter M, Dziadek S, Geurts JJG, Gerwert K, Britschgi M, van de Berg WDJ. The subcellular arrangement of alpha-synuclein proteoforms in the Parkinson's disease brain as revealed by multicolor STED microscopy. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:423-448. [PMID: 34115198 PMCID: PMC8357756 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02329-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Various post-translationally modified (PTM) proteoforms of alpha-synuclein (aSyn)-including C-terminally truncated (CTT) and Serine 129 phosphorylated (Ser129-p) aSyn-accumulate in Lewy bodies (LBs) in different regions of the Parkinson's disease (PD) brain. Insight into the distribution of these proteoforms within LBs and subcellular compartments may aid in understanding the orchestration of Lewy pathology in PD. We applied epitope-specific antibodies against CTT and Ser129-p aSyn proteoforms and different aSyn domains in immunohistochemical multiple labelings on post-mortem brain tissue from PD patients and non-neurological, aged controls, which were scanned using high-resolution 3D multicolor confocal and stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy. Our multiple labeling setup highlighted a consistent onion skin-type 3D architecture in mature nigral LBs in which an intricate and structured-appearing framework of Ser129-p aSyn and cytoskeletal elements encapsulates a core enriched in CTT aSyn species. By label-free CARS microscopy we found that enrichments of proteins and lipids were mainly localized to the central portion of nigral aSyn-immunopositive (aSyn+) inclusions. Outside LBs, we observed that 122CTT aSyn+ punctae localized at mitochondrial membranes in the cytoplasm of neurons in PD and control brains, suggesting a physiological role for 122CTT aSyn outside of LBs. In contrast, very limited to no Ser129-p aSyn immunoreactivity was observed in brains of non-neurological controls, while the alignment of Ser129-p aSyn in a neuronal cytoplasmic network was characteristic for brains with (incidental) LB disease. Interestingly, Ser129-p aSyn+ network profiles were not only observed in neurons containing LBs but also in neurons without LBs particularly in donors at early disease stage, pointing towards a possible subcellular pathological phenotype preceding LB formation. Together, our high-resolution and 3D multicolor microscopy observations in the post-mortem human brain provide insights into potential mechanisms underlying a regulated LB morphogenesis.
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Brazdis RM, Alecu JE, Marsch D, Dahms A, Simmnacher K, Lörentz S, Brendler A, Schneider Y, Marxreiter F, Roybon L, Winner B, Xiang W, Prots I. Demonstration of brain region-specific neuronal vulnerability in human iPSC-based model of familial Parkinson's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:1180-1191. [PMID: 32160287 PMCID: PMC7206857 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by protein inclusions mostly composed of aggregated forms of α-synuclein (α-Syn) and by the progressive degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons (mDANs), resulting in motor symptoms. While other brain regions also undergo pathologic changes in PD, the relevance of α-Syn aggregation for the preferential loss of mDANs in PD pathology is not completely understood yet. To elucidate the mechanisms of the brain region-specific neuronal vulnerability in PD, we modeled human PD using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from familial PD cases with a duplication (Dupl) of the α-Syn gene (SNCA) locus. Human iPSCs from PD Dupl patients and a control individual were differentiated into mDANs and cortical projection neurons (CPNs). SNCA dosage increase did not influence the differentiation efficiency of mDANs and CPNs. However, elevated α-Syn pathology, as revealed by enhanced α-Syn insolubility and phosphorylation, was determined in PD-derived mDANs compared with PD CPNs. PD-derived mDANs exhibited higher levels of reactive oxygen species and protein nitration levels compared with CPNs, which might underlie elevated α-Syn pathology observed in mDANs. Finally, increased neuronal death was observed in PD-derived mDANs compared to PD CPNs and to control mDANs and CPNs. Our results reveal, for the first time, a higher α-Syn pathology, oxidative stress level, and neuronal death rate in human PD mDANs compared with PD CPNs from the same patient. The finding implies the contribution of pathogenic α-Syn, probably induced by oxidative stress, to selective vulnerability of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in human PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razvan-Marius Brazdis
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Julian E Alecu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Daniel Marsch
- Institute of Biochemistry (Emil-Fischer-Center), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Annika Dahms
- Institute of Biochemistry (Emil-Fischer-Center), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Katrin Simmnacher
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Sandra Lörentz
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Anna Brendler
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Yanni Schneider
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Franz Marxreiter
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Laurent Roybon
- Stem Cell Laboratory for CNS Disease Modeling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund 22184, Sweden
| | - Beate Winner
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Wei Xiang
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Iryna Prots
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
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Jan A, Gonçalves NP, Vaegter CB, Jensen PH, Ferreira N. The Prion-Like Spreading of Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease: Update on Models and Hypotheses. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8338. [PMID: 34361100 PMCID: PMC8347623 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathological aggregation of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) and propagation through synaptically coupled neuroanatomical tracts is increasingly thought to underlie the pathophysiological progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. Although the precise molecular mechanisms responsible for the spreading of pathological α-syn accumulation in the CNS are not fully understood, growing evidence suggests that de novo α-syn misfolding and/or neuronal internalization of aggregated α-syn facilitates conformational templating of endogenous α-syn monomers in a mechanism reminiscent of prions. A refined understanding of the biochemical and cellular factors mediating the pathological neuron-to-neuron propagation of misfolded α-syn will potentially elucidate the etiology of PD and unravel novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Here, we discuss recent developments on the hypothesis regarding trans-synaptic propagation of α-syn pathology in the context of neuronal vulnerability and highlight the potential utility of novel experimental models of synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Jan
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (N.P.G.); (C.B.V.); (P.H.J.)
| | - Nádia Pereira Gonçalves
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (N.P.G.); (C.B.V.); (P.H.J.)
- International Diabetic Neuropathy Consortium (IDNC), Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christian Bjerggaard Vaegter
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (N.P.G.); (C.B.V.); (P.H.J.)
- International Diabetic Neuropathy Consortium (IDNC), Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (N.P.G.); (C.B.V.); (P.H.J.)
| | - Nelson Ferreira
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (N.P.G.); (C.B.V.); (P.H.J.)
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48
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Oliveira LMA, Gasser T, Edwards R, Zweckstetter M, Melki R, Stefanis L, Lashuel HA, Sulzer D, Vekrellis K, Halliday GM, Tomlinson JJ, Schlossmacher M, Jensen PH, Schulze-Hentrich J, Riess O, Hirst WD, El-Agnaf O, Mollenhauer B, Lansbury P, Outeiro TF. Alpha-synuclein research: defining strategic moves in the battle against Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:65. [PMID: 34312398 PMCID: PMC8313662 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advent of the genetic era in Parkinson's disease (PD) research in 1997, α-synuclein was identified as an important player in a complex neurodegenerative disease that affects >10 million people worldwide. PD has been estimated to have an economic impact of $51.9 billion in the US alone. Since the initial association with PD, hundreds of researchers have contributed to elucidating the functions of α-synuclein in normal and pathological states, and these remain critical areas for continued research. With this position paper the authors strive to achieve two goals: first, to succinctly summarize the critical features that define α-synuclein's varied roles, as they are known today; and second, to identify the most pressing knowledge gaps and delineate a multipronged strategy for future research with the goal of enabling therapies to stop or slow disease progression in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M A Oliveira
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Thomas Gasser
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert Edwards
- Departments of Neurology and Physiology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut François Jacob, MIRCen, CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Leonidas Stefanis
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Neurology, Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Sulzer
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kostas Vekrellis
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julianna J Tomlinson
- Neuroscience Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Schlossmacher
- Neuroscience Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Poul Henning Jensen
- Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine & DANDRITE, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julia Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Warren D Hirst
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Omar El-Agnaf
- Neurological Disorder Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Brit Mollenhauer
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik, Kassel, Germany
| | | | - Tiago F Outeiro
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany.
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
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49
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Bell R, Vendruscolo M. Modulation of the Interactions Between α-Synuclein and Lipid Membranes by Post-translational Modifications. Front Neurol 2021; 12:661117. [PMID: 34335440 PMCID: PMC8319954 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.661117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is characterised by the presence in brain tissue of aberrant inclusions known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, which are deposits composed by α-synuclein and a variety of other cellular components, including in particular lipid membranes. The dysregulation of the balance between lipid homeostasis and α-synuclein homeostasis is therefore likely to be closely involved in the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease and related synucleinopathies. As our understanding of this balance is increasing, we describe recent advances in the characterisation of the role of post-translational modifications in modulating the interactions of α-synuclein with lipid membranes. We then discuss the impact of these advances on the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Disease, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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50
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Gupta R, Sahu M, Srivastava D, Tiwari S, Ambasta RK, Kumar P. Post-translational modifications: Regulators of neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101336. [PMID: 33775891 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmark features in the neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) is the accumulation of aggregated and/or non-functional protein in the cellular milieu. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are an essential regulator of non-functional protein aggregation in the pathogenesis of NDDs. Any alteration in the post-translational mechanism and the protein quality control system, for instance, molecular chaperone, ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy-lysosomal degradation pathway, enhances the accumulation of misfolded protein, which causes neuronal dysfunction. Post-translational modification plays many roles in protein turnover rate, accumulation of aggregate and can also help in the degradation of disease-causing toxic metabolites. PTMs such as acetylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, palmitoylation, SUMOylation, nitration, oxidation, and many others regulate protein homeostasis, which includes protein structure, functions and aggregation propensity. Different studies demonstrated the involvement of PTMs in the regulation of signaling cascades such as PI3K/Akt/GSK3β, MAPK cascade, AMPK pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of NDDs. Further, mounting evidence suggests that targeting different PTMs with small chemical molecules, which acts as an inhibitor or activator, reverse misfolded protein accumulation and thus enhances the neuroprotection. Herein, we briefly discuss the protein aggregation and various domain structures of different proteins involved in the NDDs, indicating critical amino acid residues where PTMs occur. We also describe the implementation and involvement of various PTMs on signaling cascade and cellular processes in NDDs. Lastly, we implement our current understanding of the therapeutic importance of PTMs in neurodegeneration, along with emerging techniques targeting various PTMs.
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