1
|
Farzam F, Dabirmanesh B. Experimental techniques for detecting and evaluating the amyloid fibrils. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 206:183-227. [PMID: 38811081 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are insoluble proteins with intricate β-sheet structures associated with various human diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and prion diseases. Proteins can form aggregates when their structure is misfolded, resulting in highly organized amyloid fibrils or amorphous aggregates. The formation of protein aggregates is a promising research field for mitigating diseases and the pharmaceutical and food industries. It is important to monitor and minimize the appearance of aggregates in these protein products. Several methods exist to assess protein aggregation, that includes from basic investigations to advanced biophysical techniques. Physicochemical parameters such as molecular weight, conformation, structure, and dimension are examined to study aggregation. There is an urgent need to develop methods for the detection of protein aggregation and amyloid fibril formation both in vitro and in vivo. This chapter focuses on a comprehensive discussion of the methods used to characterize and evaluate aggregates and amyloid fibrils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farnoosh Farzam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Dabirmanesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Macedo-da-Silva J, Rosa-Fernandes L, Santiago VF, Blanes CA, Marie SKN, Palmisano G. Mass Spectrometry-Based Characterization of Protein Aggregates in Tissues and Biofluids. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1443:257-267. [PMID: 38409426 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-50624-6_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a common mechanism in multiple neurodegenerative and heart diseases and the accumulation of proteins in aggregates is toxic to cells, causing injury and death. The degree of protein aggregation directly correlates with the severity of the disease. Misfolded proteins present thermodynamic barriers that culminate in the loss of structure and function and the exposure of hydrophobic residues. The exposure of hydrophobic residues is the driving force behind protein aggregation, as it reduces surface free energy and increases the propensity for the formation of large insoluble aggregates. Exploring the protein content of aggregates is fundamental to understanding their formation mechanism and pathophysiological effects. We demonstrate here a method for isolating aggregated protein content in human plasma and mouse brain samples. The samples were characterized by mass spectrometry analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and western blotting. We report the identification of proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases in the isolated pellets. The western blotting analyses of the isolated pellet showed the positivity for CD89 and CD63, consolidated markers of exosomes, confirming the presence of exosomes within the pellet but not in the supernatant in human plasma. Notably, the concomitant isolation of exosomes together with the protein aggregates was feasible starting from 200 μL of human plasma. Moreover, the presented methodology separated albumin from the aggregated pellet, allowing identification of larger diversity of proteins through mass spectrometry analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Macedo-da-Silva
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Sydney, Australia
| | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Sydney, Australia
| | - Verônica Feijoli Santiago
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, UK
| | - Claudia Angeli Blanes
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suely Kazue Nagahashi Marie
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology (LIM 15), Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Acharjee MC, Ledden B, Thomas B, He X, Messina T, Giurleo J, Talaga D, Li J. Aggregation and Oligomerization Characterization of ß-Lactoglobulin Protein Using a Solid-State Nanopore Sensor. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 24:81. [PMID: 38202943 PMCID: PMC10781269 DOI: 10.3390/s24010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Protein aggregation is linked to many chronic and devastating neurodegenerative human diseases and is strongly associated with aging. This work demonstrates that protein aggregation and oligomerization can be evaluated by a solid-state nanopore method at the single molecule level. A silicon nitride nanopore sensor was used to characterize both the amyloidogenic and native-state oligomerization of a model protein ß-lactoglobulin variant A (βLGa). The findings from the nanopore measurements are validated against atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) data, comparing βLGa aggregation from the same samples at various stages. By calibrating with linear and circular dsDNA, this study estimates the amyloid fibrils' length and diameter, the quantity of the βLGa aggregates, and their distribution. The nanopore results align with the DLS and AFM data and offer additional insight at the level of individual protein molecular assemblies. As a further demonstration of the nanopore technique, βLGa self-association and aggregation at pH 4.6 as a function of temperature were measured at high (2 M KCl) and low (0.1 M KCl) ionic strength. This research highlights the advantages and limitations of using solid-state nanopore methods for analyzing protein aggregation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitu C. Acharjee
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Brad Ledden
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Brian Thomas
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Xianglan He
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (X.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Troy Messina
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (X.H.); (J.G.)
- Department of Physics, Berea College, Berea, KY 40404, USA
| | - Jason Giurleo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (X.H.); (J.G.)
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA
| | - David Talaga
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; (X.H.); (J.G.)
- Department of Chemistry, Sokol Institute, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA
| | - Jiali Li
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Makshakova ON, Bogdanova LR, Faizullin DA, Ermakova EA, Zuev YF. Sulfated Polysaccharides as a Fighter with Protein Non-Physiological Aggregation: The Role of Polysaccharide Flexibility and Charge Density. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16223. [PMID: 38003413 PMCID: PMC10671430 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216223] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins can lose native functionality due to non-physiological aggregation. In this work, we have shown the power of sulfated polysaccharides as a natural assistant to restore damaged protein structures. Protein aggregates enriched by cross-β structures are a characteristic of amyloid fibrils related to different health disorders. Our recent studies demonstrated that model fibrils of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) can be disaggregated and renatured by some negatively charged polysaccharides. In the current work, using the same model protein system and FTIR spectroscopy, we studied the role of conformation and charge distribution along the polysaccharide chain in the protein secondary structure conversion. The effects of three carrageenans (κ, ι, and λ) possessing from one to three sulfate groups per disaccharide unit were shown to be different. κ-Carrageenan was able to fully eliminate cross-β structures and complete the renaturation process. ι-Carrageenan only initiated the formation of native-like β-structures in HEWL, retaining most of the cross-β structures. In contrast, λ-carrageenan even increased the content of amyloid cross-β structures. Furthermore, κ-carrageenan in rigid helical conformation loses its capability to restore protein native structures, largely increasing the amount of amyloid cross-β structures. Our findings create a platform for the design of novel natural chaperons to counteract protein unfolding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga N. Makshakova
- Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, FRC Kazan Scientific Center of RAS, 2/31 Lobachevsky Street, 420111 Kazan, Russia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Silwane B, Wilson M, Kataky R. An Electrochemistry and Computational Study at an Electrified Liquid-Liquid Interface for Studying Beta-Amyloid Aggregation. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:584. [PMID: 37367788 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13060584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Amphiphilic peptides, such as Aß amyloids, can adsorb at an interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES). Based on previous work (vide infra), a hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface is used as a simple biomimetic system for studying drug interactions. The ITIES provides a 2D interface to study ion-transfer processes associated with aggregation, as a function of Galvani potential difference. Here, the aggregation/complexation behaviour of Aβ(1-42) is studied in the presence of Cu (II) ions, together with the effect of a multifunctional peptidomimetic inhibitor (P6). Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry proved to be particularly sensitive to the detection of the complexation and aggregation of Aβ(1-42), enabling estimations of changes in lipophilicity upon binding to Cu (II) and P6. At a 1:1 ratio of Cu (II):Aβ(1-42), fresh samples showed a single DPV (Differential Pulse Voltammetry) peak half wave transfer potential (E1/2) at 0.40 V. Upon increasing the ratio of Cu (II) two-fold, fluctuations were observed in the DPVs, indicating aggregation. The approximate stoichiometry and binding properties of Aβ(1-42) during complexation with Cu (II) were determined by performing a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) standard addition method, which showed two binding regimes. A pKa of 8.1 was estimated, with a Cu:Aβ1-42 ratio~1:1.7. Studies using molecular dynamics simulations of peptides at the ITIES show that Aβ(1-42) strands interact through the formation of β-sheet stabilised structures. In the absence of copper, binding/unbinding is dynamic, and interactions are relatively weak, leading to the observation of parallel and anti-parallel arrangements of β-sheet stabilised aggregates. In the presence of copper ions, strong binding occurs between a copper ion and histidine residues on two peptides. This provides a convenient geometry for inducing favourable interactions between folded β-sheet structures. Circular Dichroism spectroscopy (CD spectroscopy) was used to support the aggregation behaviour of the Aβ(1-42) peptides following the addition of Cu (II) and P6 to the aqueous phase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bongiwe Silwane
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Mark Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Ritu Kataky
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Waury K, Willemse EAJ, Vanmechelen E, Zetterberg H, Teunissen CE, Abeln S. Bioinformatics tools and data resources for assay development of fluid protein biomarkers. Biomark Res 2022; 10:83. [DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00425-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractFluid protein biomarkers are important tools in clinical research and health care to support diagnosis and to monitor patients. Especially within the field of dementia, novel biomarkers could address the current challenges of providing an early diagnosis and of selecting trial participants. While the great potential of fluid biomarkers is recognized, their implementation in routine clinical use has been slow. One major obstacle is the often unsuccessful translation of biomarker candidates from explorative high-throughput techniques to sensitive antibody-based immunoassays. In this review, we propose the incorporation of bioinformatics into the workflow of novel immunoassay development to overcome this bottleneck and thus facilitate the development of novel biomarkers towards clinical laboratory practice. Due to the rapid progress within the field of bioinformatics many freely available and easy-to-use tools and data resources exist which can aid the researcher at various stages. Current prediction methods and databases can support the selection of suitable biomarker candidates, as well as the choice of appropriate commercial affinity reagents. Additionally, we examine methods that can determine or predict the epitope - an antibody’s binding region on its antigen - and can help to make an informed choice on the immunogenic peptide used for novel antibody production. Selected use cases for biomarker candidates help illustrate the application and interpretation of the introduced tools.
Collapse
|
7
|
Mechanistic Insights into the Neuroprotective Potential of Sacred Ficus Trees. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14224731. [PMID: 36432418 PMCID: PMC9695857 DOI: 10.3390/nu14224731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ficus religiosa (Bo tree or sacred fig) and Ficus benghalensis (Indian banyan) are of immense spiritual and therapeutic importance. Various parts of these trees have been investigated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepatoprotective, dermoprotective, and nephroprotective properties. Previous reviews of Ficus mostly discussed traditional usages, photochemistry, and pharmacological activities, though comprehensive reviews of the neuroprotective potential of these Ficus species extracts and/or their important phytocompounds are lacking. The interesting phytocompounds from these trees include many bengalenosides, carotenoids, flavonoids (leucopelargonidin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, leucopelargonidin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, lupeol, cetyl behenate, and α-amyrin acetate), flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin), leucocyanidin, phytosterols (bergapten, bergaptol, lanosterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), terpenes (α-thujene, α-pinene, β-pinene, α-terpinene, limonene, β-ocimene, β-bourbonene, β-caryophyllene, α-trans-bergamotene, α-copaene, aromadendrene, α-humulene, alloaromadendrene, germacrene, γ-cadinene, and δ-cadinene), and diverse polyphenols (tannin, wax, saponin, leucoanthocyanin), contributing significantly to their pharmacological effects, ranging from antimicrobial action to neuroprotection. This review presents extensive mechanistic insights into the neuroprotective potential, especially important phytochemicals from F. religiosa and F. benghalensis. Owing to the complex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), the currently existing drugs merely alleviate the symptoms. Hence, bioactive compounds with potent neuroprotective effects through a multitarget approach would be of great interest in developing pharmacophores for the treatment of NDDs.
Collapse
|
8
|
Aklima J, Onchaiya S, Saotome T, Velmurugan P, Motoichi T, Naima J, Kuroda Y, Ohta Y. Direct Analysis of Mitochondrial Damage Caused by Misfolded/Destabilized Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179881. [PMID: 36077279 PMCID: PMC9456338 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein quality control is essential for cellular homeostasis. In this study, we examined the effect of improperly folded proteins that do not form amyloid fibrils on mitochondria, which play important roles in ATP production and cell death. First, we prepared domain 3 of the dengue envelope protein in wild type and four mutants with widely different biophysical properties in misfolded/aggregated or destabilized states. The effects of the different proteins were detected using fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting, which revealed that three of the five proteins disrupted both inner and outer membrane integrity, while the other two proteins, including the wild type, did not. Next, we examined the common characteristics of the proteins that displayed toxicity against mitochondria by measuring oligomer size, molten globule-like properties, and thermal stability. The common feature of all three toxic proteins was thermal instability. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that thermally unstable proteins generated in the cytosol can cause cellular damage by coming into direct contact with mitochondria. More importantly, we revealed that this damage is not amyloid-specific.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jannatul Aklima
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Sawaros Onchaiya
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Tomonori Saotome
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Punitha Velmurugan
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Taihei Motoichi
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Jannatul Naima
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Ohta
- Division of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakacho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Transcranial Electromagnetic Treatment Stops Alzheimer’s Disease Cognitive Decline over a 2½-Year Period: A Pilot Study. MEDICINES 2022; 9:medicines9080042. [PMID: 36005647 PMCID: PMC9416517 DOI: 10.3390/medicines9080042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: There is currently no therapeutic that can stop or reverse the progressive memory impairment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, we recently published that 2 months of daily, in-home transcranial electromagnetic treatment (TEMT) reversed the cognitive impairment in eight mild/moderate AD subjects. These cognitive enhancements were accompanied by predicted changes in AD markers within both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods: In view of these encouraging findings, the initial clinical study was extended twice to encompass a period of 2½ years. The present study reports on the resulting long-term safety, cognitive assessments, and AD marker evaluations from the five subjects who received long-term treatment. Results: TEMT administration was completely safe over the 2½-year period, with no deleterious side effects. In six cognitive/functional tasks (including the ADAS-cog13, Rey AVLT, MMSE, and ADL), no decline in any measure occurred over this 2½-year period. Long-term TEMT induced reductions in the CSF levels of C-reactive protein, p-tau217, Aβ1-40, and Aβ1-42 while modulating CSF oligomeric Aβ levels. In the plasma, long-term TEMT modulated/rebalanced levels of both p-tau217 and total tau. Conclusions: Although only a limited number of AD patients were involved in this study, the results suggest that TEMT can stop the cognitive decline of AD over a period of at least 2½ years and can do so with no safety issues.
Collapse
|
10
|
Won SY, Park JJ, You ST, Hyeun JA, Kim HK, Jin BK, McLean C, Shin EY, Kim EG. p21-activated kinase 4 controls the aggregation of α-synuclein by reducing the monomeric and aggregated forms of α-synuclein: involvement of the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4-1. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:575. [PMID: 35773260 PMCID: PMC9247077 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05030-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Aggregation of misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) is a central player in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the regulatory mechanism underlying α-synuclein aggregation has been intensively studied in Parkinson's disease (PD) but remains poorly understood. Here, we report p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) as a key regulator of α-synuclein aggregation. Immunohistochemical analysis of human PD brain tissues revealed an inverse correlation between PAK4 activity and α-synuclein aggregation. To investigate their causal relationship, we performed loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies using conditional PAK4 depletion in nigral dopaminergic neurons and the introduction of lentivirus expressing a constitutively active form of PAK4 (caPAK4; PAK4S445N/S474E), respectively. For therapeutic relevance in the latter setup, we injected lentivirus into the striatum following the development of motor impairment and analyzed the effects 6 weeks later. In the loss-of-function study, Cre-driven PAK4 depletion in dopaminergic neurons enhanced α-synuclein aggregation, intracytoplasmic Lewy body-like inclusions and Lewy-like neurites, and reduced dopamine levels in PAK4DAT-CreER mice compared to controls. Conversely, caPAK4 reduced α-synuclein aggregation, as assessed by a marked decrease in both proteinase K-resistant and Triton X100-insoluble forms of α-synuclein in the AAV-α-synuclein-induced PD model. Mechanistically, PAK4 specifically interacted with the NEDD4-1 E3 ligase, whose pharmacological inhibition and knockdown suppressed the PAK4-mediated downregulation of α-synuclein. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of PD and suggest PAK4-based gene therapy as a potential disease-modifying therapy in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- So-Yoon Won
- grid.289247.20000 0001 2171 7818Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration Control Research Center, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447 South Korea
| | - Jung-Jin Park
- grid.254229.a0000 0000 9611 0917Department of Biochemistry and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, 28644 South Korea
| | - Soon-Tae You
- grid.416965.90000 0004 0647 774XDepartment of Neurosurgery, the Catholic University of Korea, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16247 South Korea
| | - Jong-A Hyeun
- grid.254229.a0000 0000 9611 0917Department of Biochemistry and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, 28644 South Korea
| | - Hyong-Kyu Kim
- grid.254229.a0000 0000 9611 0917Department of Medicine and Microbiology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, 28644 South Korea
| | - Byung Kwan Jin
- grid.289247.20000 0001 2171 7818Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration Control Research Center, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447 South Korea
| | - Catriona McLean
- grid.1623.60000 0004 0432 511XDepartment of Pathology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia
| | - Eun-Young Shin
- grid.254229.a0000 0000 9611 0917Department of Biochemistry and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, 28644 South Korea
| | - Eung-Gook Kim
- grid.254229.a0000 0000 9611 0917Department of Biochemistry and Medical Research Center, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, 28644 South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Invited review: Unearthing the mechanisms of age-related neurodegenerative disease using Caenorhabditis elegans. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 267:111166. [PMID: 35176489 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As human life expectancy increases, neurodegenerative diseases present a growing public health threat, for which there are currently few effective treatments. There is an urgent need to understand the molecular and genetic underpinnings of these disorders so new therapeutic targets can be identified. Here we present the argument that the simple nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful tool to rapidly study neurodegenerative disorders due to their short lifespan and vast array of genetic tools, which can be combined with characterization of conserved neuronal processes and behavior orthologous to those disrupted in human disease. We review how pre-existing C. elegans models provide insight into human neurological disease as well as an overview of current tools available to study neurodegenerative diseases in the worm, with an emphasis on genetics and behavior. We also discuss open questions that C. elegans may be particularly well suited for in future studies and how worms will be a valuable preclinical model to better understand these devastating neurological disorders.
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang P, Tan C. Cross-Reactive Fluorescent Sensor Array for Discrimination of Amyloid Beta Aggregates. Anal Chem 2022; 94:5469-5473. [PMID: 35362962 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that misfolding and misassembly of proteins into various aggregation states contribute to several neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation is considered a major factor in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Herein, a fluorescent sensor array for detecting Aβ aggregates was fabricated using two probe pairs of conjugated polyelectrolytes and organic dye molecules, PPE1-Thioflavin T (ThT) and PPESO3-Nile Red (NR). Pattern recognition was achieved by linear discriminant analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis algorithms. As a result of distinguishing among monomers and three pure aggregate species, namely oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, the cross-reactive sensor array was also able to monitor aggregation kinetics in various aggregate forms and distinguish between on- and off- aggregate pathways. Our study provides a convenient approach for simultaneous detection of Aβ aggregates in mixtures, which may also be applied to the analysis of other disease-related proteins that are prone to aggregates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pangmiaomiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Daude N, Lau A, Vanni I, Kang SG, Castle AR, Wohlgemuth S, Dorosh L, Wille H, Stepanova M, Westaway D. Prion protein with a mutant N-terminal octarepeat region undergoes cobalamin-dependent assembly into high-molecular weight complexes. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101770. [PMID: 35271850 PMCID: PMC9010764 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) has a C-terminal globular domain and a disordered N-terminal region encompassing five octarepeats (ORs). Encounters between Cu(II) ions and four OR sites produce interchangeable binding geometries; however, the significance of Cu(II) binding to ORs in different combinations is unclear. To understand the impact of specific binding geometries, OR variants were designed that interact with multiple or single Cu(II) ions in specific locked coordinations. Unexpectedly, we found that one mutant produced detergent-insoluble, protease-resistant species in cells in the absence of exposure to the infectious prion protein isoform, scrapie-associated prion protein (PrPSc). Formation of these assemblies, visible as puncta, was reversible and dependent upon medium formulation. Cobalamin (Cbl), a dietary cofactor containing a corrin ring that coordinates a Co3+ ion, was identified as a key medium component, and its effect was validated by reconstitution experiments. Although we failed to find evidence that Cbl interacts with Cu-binding OR regions, we instead noted interactions of Cbl with the PrPC C-terminal domain. We found that some interactions occurred at a binding site of planar tetrapyrrole compounds on the isolated globular domain, but others did not, and N-terminal sequences additionally had a marked effect on their presence and position. Our studies define a conditional effect of Cbl wherein a mutant OR region can act in cis to destabilize a globular domain with a wild type sequence. The unexpected intersection between the properties of PrPSc's disordered region, Cbl, and conformational remodeling events may have implications for understanding sporadic prion disease that does not involve exposure to PrPSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Daude
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Agnes Lau
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Ilaria Vanni
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sang-Gyun Kang
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrew R Castle
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Serene Wohlgemuth
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Lyudmyla Dorosh
- Faculty of Engineering - Electrical & Computer Engineering Dept, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Holger Wille
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - Maria Stepanova
- Faculty of Engineering - Electrical & Computer Engineering Dept, University of Alberta, Canada
| | - David Westaway
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
John R, Mathew J, Mathew A, Aravindakumar CT, Aravind UK. Probing the Role of Cu(II) Ions on Protein Aggregation Using Two Model Proteins. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:35559-35571. [PMID: 34984287 PMCID: PMC8717569 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential trace element for human biology where its metal dyshomeostasis accounts for an increased level of serum copper, which accelerates protein aggregation. Protein aggregation is a notable feature for many neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we report an experimental study using two model proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA), to elucidate the mechanistic pathway by which serum albumins get converted from a fully folded globular protein to a fibril and an amorphous aggregate upon interaction with copper. Steady-state fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence studies, and Raman spectroscopy were used to monitor the unfolding of serum albumin with increasing copper concentrations. Steady-state fluorescence studies have revealed that the fluorescence quenching of BSA/HSA by Cu(II) has occurred through a static quenching mechanism, and we have evaluated both the quenching constants individually. The binding constants of BSA-Cu(II) and HSA-Cu(II) were found to be 2.42 × 104 and 0.05 × 104 M-1, respectively. Further nanoscale morphological changes of BSA mediated by oligomers to fibril and HSA to amorphous aggregate formation were studied using atomic force microscopy. This aggregation process correlates with the Stern-Volmer plots in the absence of discernible lag phase. Raman spectroscopy results obtained are in good agreement with the increase in antiparallel β-sheet structures formed during the aggregation of BSA in the presence of Cu(II) ions. However, an increase in α-helical fractions is observed for the amorphous aggregate formed from HSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reshmi John
- Inter
University Instrumentation Centre, Mahatma
Gandhi University, Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
- Research
Department of Chemistry, S. B. College,
Assumption College, Changanacherry, Kottayam 686101, Kerala, India
| | - Jissy Mathew
- Research
Department of Chemistry, S. B. College,
Assumption College, Changanacherry, Kottayam 686101, Kerala, India
| | - Anu Mathew
- Sophisticated
Analytical Instrument Facility, Mahatma
Gandhi University, Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
| | - Charuvila T. Aravindakumar
- Inter
University Instrumentation Centre, Mahatma
Gandhi University, Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
- Sophisticated
Analytical Instrument Facility, Mahatma
Gandhi University, Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
- School
of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi
University, Kottayam 686560, Kerala, India
| | - Usha K. Aravind
- School
of Environmental Studies, Cochin University
of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi 682022, Kerala, India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Loureiro JA, Andrade S, Goderis L, Gomez-Gutierrez R, Soto C, Morales R, Pereira MC. (De)stabilization of Alpha-Synuclein Fibrillary Aggregation by Charged and Uncharged Surfactants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212509. [PMID: 34830391 PMCID: PMC8624236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. An important hallmark of PD involves the pathological aggregation of proteins in structures known as Lewy bodies. The major component of these proteinaceous inclusions is alpha (α)-synuclein. In different conditions, α-synuclein can assume conformations rich in either α-helix or β-sheets. The mechanisms of α-synuclein misfolding, aggregation, and fibrillation remain unknown, but it is thought that β-sheet conformation of α-synuclein is responsible for its associated toxic mechanisms. To gain fundamental insights into the process of α-synuclein misfolding and aggregation, the secondary structure of this protein in the presence of charged and non-charged surfactant solutions was characterized. The selected surfactants were (anionic) sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), (cationic) cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), and (uncharged) octyl β-D-glucopyranoside (OG). The effect of surfactants in α-synuclein misfolding was assessed by ultra-structural analyses, in vitro aggregation assays, and secondary structure analyses. The α-synuclein aggregation in the presence of negatively charged SDS suggests that SDS-monomer complexes stimulate the aggregation process. A reduction in the electrostatic repulsion between N- and C-terminal and in the hydrophobic interactions between the NAC (non-amyloid beta component) region and the C-terminal seems to be important to undergo aggregation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements show that β-sheet structures comprise the assembly of the fibrils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Angélica Loureiro
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (J.A.L.); (M.C.P.)
| | - Stéphanie Andrade
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Lies Goderis
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Ruben Gomez-Gutierrez
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.G.-G.); (C.S.); (R.M.)
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain
| | - Claudio Soto
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.G.-G.); (C.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Rodrigo Morales
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.G.-G.); (C.S.); (R.M.)
- CIBQA, Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 1497, Chile
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal;
- Correspondence: (J.A.L.); (M.C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sundaria N, Upadhyay A, Prasad A, Prajapati VK, Poluri KM, Mishra A. Neurodegeneration & imperfect ageing: Technological limitations and challenges? Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 200:111574. [PMID: 34562507 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cellular homeostasis is regulated by the protein quality control (PQC) machinery, comprising multiple chaperones and enzymes. Studies suggest that the loss of the PQC mechanisms in neurons may lead to the formation of abnormal inclusions that may lead to neurological disorders and defective aging. The questions could be raised how protein aggregate formation precisely engenders multifactorial molecular pathomechanism in neuronal cells and affects different brain regions? Such questions await thorough investigation that may help us understand how aberrant proteinaceous bodies lead to neurodegeneration and imperfect aging. However, these studies face multiple technological challenges in utilizing available tools for detailed characterizations of the protein aggregates or amyloids and developing new techniques to understand the biology and pathology of proteopathies. The lack of detection and analysis methods has decelerated the pace of the research in amyloid biology. Here, we address the significance of aggregation and inclusion formation, followed by exploring the evolutionary contribution of these structures. We also provide a detailed overview of current state-of-the-art techniques and advances in studying amyloids in the diseased brain. A comprehensive understanding of the structural, pathological, and clinical characteristics of different types of aggregates (inclusions, fibrils, plaques, etc.) will aid in developing future therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Sundaria
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342037, India
| | - Arun Upadhyay
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342037, India
| | - Amit Prasad
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, NH‑8 Bandarsindri, Ajmer, Rajasthan, 305817, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342037, India.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Singh R, Kaur N, Dhingra N, Kaur T. Protein misfolding, ER Stress and Chaperones: An approach to develop chaperone-based therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Neurosci 2021:1-21. [PMID: 34402740 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1968859] [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] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with complex etiology that eventually leads to dementia. The main culprit of AD is the extracellular deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. The protein conformational change and protein misfolding are the key events of AD pathophysiology, therefore endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an apparent consequence. ER, stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) mediators (viz. PERK, IRE1, and ATF6) have been reported widely in the AD brain. Considering these factors, preventing proteins misfolding or aggregation of tau or amyloidogenic proteins appears to be the best approach to halt its pathogenesis. Therefore, therapies through chemical and pharmacological chaperones came to light as an alternative for the treatment of AD. Diverse studies have demonstrated 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) as a potential therapeutic agent in AD. The current review outlined the mechanism of protein misfolding, different etiological features behind the progression of AD, the significance of ER stress in AD, and the potential therapeutic role of different chaperones to counter AD. The study also highlights the gaps in current knowledge of the chaperones-based therapeutic approach and the possibility of developing chaperones as a potential therapeutic agent for AD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rimaljot Singh
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University Chandigarh, India
| | - Navpreet Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University Chandigarh, India
| | - Neelima Dhingra
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University Chandigarh, India
| | - Tanzeer Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University Chandigarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Torres KM, Delgado AS, Serrano ER, Falcón-Cruz NV, Meléndez A, Ramos I, Du D, Oyola R. Gallium nanoparticles as novel inhibitors of Aβ40 aggregation. MATERIALS ADVANCES 2021; 2:5471-5478. [PMID: 34458846 PMCID: PMC8366391 DOI: 10.1039/d1ma00461a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been consistently related to the formation of senile amyloid plaques mainly composed of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides. The toxicity of Aβ aggregates has been indicated to be responsible for AD pathology. One scenario to decrease Aβ toxicity is the development of effective inhibitors against Aβ amyloid formation. In this study, we investigate the effect of gallium nitride nanoparticles (GaN NPs) as inhibitors of Aβ40 amyloid formation using a combination of biophysical approaches. Our results show that the lag phase of Aβ40 aggregation kinetics is significantly retarded by GaN NPs in a concentration dependent manner, implying the activity of GaN NPs in interfering with the formation of the crucial nucleus during Aβ aggregation. Our results also show that GaN NPs can reduce the amyloid fibril elongation rate in the course of the aggregation kinetics. It is speculated that the high polarization characteristics of GaN NPs may provoke a strong interaction between the particles and Aβ40 peptide and in this way decrease self-association of the peptide monomers to form amyloids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyabeth M Torres
- University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, Department of Biology, Call Box 860 Humacao 00792 PR USA
| | - Ambar S Delgado
- University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, Department of Biology, Call Box 860 Humacao 00792 PR USA
| | - Erika R Serrano
- University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, Department of Chemistry, Call Box 860 Humacao 00792 PR USA
| | - Nitza V Falcón-Cruz
- University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, Department of Chemistry, Call Box 860 Humacao 00792 PR USA
| | - Anamaris Meléndez
- University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, Department of Physics & Electronics, Call Box 860 Humacao 00792 PR USA
| | - Idalia Ramos
- University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, Department of Physics & Electronics, Call Box 860 Humacao 00792 PR USA
| | - Deguo Du
- Florida Atlantic University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Boca Raton 33431 FL USA
| | - Rolando Oyola
- University of Puerto Rico-Humacao, Department of Chemistry, Call Box 860 Humacao 00792 PR USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sugimoto N, Endoh T, Takahashi S, Tateishi-Karimata H. Chemical Biology of Double Helical and Non-Double Helical Nucleic Acids: “To B or Not To B, That Is the Question”. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20210131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Sugimoto
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 17-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 17-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Tamaki Endoh
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 17-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Takahashi
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 17-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hisae Tateishi-Karimata
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 17-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tateishi-Karimata H, Sugimoto N. Roles of non-canonical structures of nucleic acids in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:7839-7855. [PMID: 34244785 PMCID: PMC8373145 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer and neurodegenerative diseases are caused by genetic and environmental factors. Expression of tumour suppressor genes is suppressed by mutations or epigenetic silencing, whereas for neurodegenerative disease-related genes, nucleic acid-based effects may be presented through loss of protein function due to erroneous protein sequences or gain of toxic function from extended repeat transcripts or toxic peptide production. These diseases are triggered by damaged genes and proteins due to lifestyle and exposure to radiation. Recent studies have indicated that transient, non-canonical structural changes in nucleic acids in response to the environment can regulate the expression of disease-related genes. Non-canonical structures are involved in many cellular functions, such as regulation of gene expression through transcription and translation, epigenetic regulation of chromatin, and DNA recombination. Transcripts generated from repeat sequences of neurodegenerative disease-related genes form non-canonical structures that are involved in protein transport and toxic aggregate formation. Intracellular phase separation promotes transcription and protein assembly, which are controlled by the nucleic acid structure and can influence cancer and neurodegenerative disease progression. These findings may aid in elucidating the underlying disease mechanisms. Here, we review the influence of non-canonical nucleic acid structures in disease-related genes on disease onset and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hisae Tateishi-Karimata
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Naoki Sugimoto
- Frontier Institute for Biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.,Graduate School of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University, 7-1-20 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Koklu A, Wustoni S, Musteata VE, Ohayon D, Moser M, McCulloch I, Nunes SP, Inal S. Microfluidic Integrated Organic Electrochemical Transistor with a Nanoporous Membrane for Amyloid-β Detection. ACS NANO 2021; 15:8130-8141. [PMID: 33784064 PMCID: PMC8158856 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c09893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a severe loss in thinking, learning, and memory functions of the brain. To date, no specific treatment has been proven to cure AD, with the early diagnosis being vital for mitigating symptoms. A common pathological change found in AD-affected brains is the accumulation of a protein named amyloid-β (Aβ) into plaques. In this work, we developed a micron-scale organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) integrated with a microfluidic platform for the label-free detection of Aβ aggregates in human serum. The OECT channel-electrolyte interface was covered with a nanoporous membrane functionalized with Congo red (CR) molecules showing a strong affinity for Aβ aggregates. Each aggregate binding to the CR-membrane modulated the vertical ion flow toward the channel, changing the transistor characteristics. Thus, the device performance was not limited by the solution ionic strength nor did it rely on Faradaic reactions or conformational changes of bioreceptors. The high transconductance of the OECT, the precise porosity of the membrane, and the compactness endowed by the microfluidic enabled the Aβ aggregate detection over eight orders of magnitude wide concentration range (femtomolar-nanomolar) in 1 μL of human serum samples. We expanded the operation modes of our transistors using different channel materials and found that the accumulation-mode OECTs displayed the lowest power consumption and highest sensitivities. Ultimately, these robust, low-power, sensitive, and miniaturized microfluidic sensors helped to develop point-of-care tools for the early diagnosis of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anil Koklu
- Biological
and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Organic Bioelectronics
Laboratory, King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shofarul Wustoni
- Biological
and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Organic Bioelectronics
Laboratory, King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - David Ohayon
- Biological
and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Organic Bioelectronics
Laboratory, King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maximilian Moser
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Iain McCulloch
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
- Physical
Science and Engineering Division, KAUST Solar Center (KSC), KAUST, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suzana P. Nunes
- Advanced
Membranes and Porous Materials Center, KAUST,
BESE, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sahika Inal
- Biological
and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), Organic Bioelectronics
Laboratory, King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ye Y, Huo X, Yin Z. Protein-protein interactions at high concentrations: Effects of ArgHCl and NaCl on the stability, viscosity and aggregation mechanisms of protein solution. Int J Pharm 2021; 601:120535. [PMID: 33811966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120535] [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: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to use the diffusion coefficient ration (Dm/Dline) as a parameter to characterize the stability of protein at high concentration, to compare the effects of ArgHCl and NaCl on the interaction of highly concentrated proteins under different pH conditions, and to explore the correlation with protein stability. For this purpose, a high-concentration bovine serum albumin solution (BSA) was selected as the model system, and the diffusion coefficient, aggregation degree, conformational stability, and solution viscosity of the protein were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and spectral detection techniques. The result showed that there was a significant correlation between the Dm/Dline and the protein aggregation. The Dm/Dline of the protein was minimum at pH 7.4, which corresponded to the maximum degree of aggregation and the highest solution viscosity. At pH 7.4, the hydrophobic interactions and the increased conformational stability of ArgHCl maximized the stability of the protein and reduced the viscosity of the solution by 69.3%. At pH 3.0, the strong charge shielding effect of ArgHCl and NaCl and the decreased conformational stability induced protein aggregation and the gel formation. These findings provided valuable insights into the mechanism of protein aggregation and the diffusion coefficient ration (Dm/Dline) could be a potential tool for the pre-formulation studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yalin Ye
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Novel Drug Delivery System Ministry of Education, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Xingli Huo
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Novel Drug Delivery System Ministry of Education, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Zongning Yin
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Novel Drug Delivery System Ministry of Education, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Arruda GLM, Vigerelli H, Bufalo MC, Longato GB, Veloso RV, Zambelli VO, Picolo G, Cury Y, Morandini AC, Marques AC, Sciani JM. Box Jellyfish (Cnidaria, Cubozoa) Extract Increases Neuron's Connection: A Possible Neuroprotector Effect. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:8855248. [PMID: 33748281 PMCID: PMC7954621 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8855248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the major causes of death worldwide, characterized by neurite atrophy, neuron apoptosis, and synapse loss. No effective treatment has been indicated for such diseases so far, and the search for new drugs is being increased in the last years. Animal venoms' secretion/venom can be an alternative for the discovery of new molecules, which could be the prototype for a new treatment. Here, we present the biochemical characterization and activity of the extract from the box jellyfish Chiropsalmus quadrumanus (Cq) on neurites. The Cq methanolic extract was obtained and incubated to human SH-SY5Y neurons, and neurite parameters were evaluated. The extract was tested in other cell types to check its cytotoxicity and was submitted to biochemical analysis by mass spectrometry in order to check its composition. We could verify that the Cq extract increased neurite outgrowth length and branching junctions, amplifying the contact between SH-SY5Y neurons, without affecting cell body and viability. The extract action was selective for neurons, as it did not cause any effects on other cell types, such as tumor line, nontumor line, and red blood cells. Moreover, mass spectrometry analysis revealed that there are no proteins but several low molecular mass compounds and peptides. Three peptides, characterized as cryptides, and 14 low molecular mass compounds were found to be related to cytoskeleton reorganization, cell membrane expansion, and antioxidant/neuroprotective activity, which act together to increase neuritogenesis. After this evaluation, we conclude that the Cq extract is a promising tool for neuronal connection recovery, an essential condition for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gian Lucas M. Arruda
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, Brazil
| | - Hugo Vigerelli
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Michelle C. Bufalo
- Laboratório de Dor e Sinalização, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Giovanna B. Longato
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Farmacologia Molecular e Compostos Bioativos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, Brazil
| | - Rodinei V. Veloso
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, Brazil
| | - Vanessa O. Zambelli
- Laboratório de Dor e Sinalização, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Gisele Picolo
- Laboratório de Dor e Sinalização, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Yara Cury
- Laboratório de Dor e Sinalização, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - André C. Morandini
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de São Paulo, São Sebastião 11612-109, Brazil
| | - Antonio Carlos Marques
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mozer Sciani
- Laboratório Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Aldewachi H, Al-Zidan RN, Conner MT, Salman MM. High-Throughput Screening Platforms in the Discovery of Novel Drugs for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:30. [PMID: 33672148 PMCID: PMC7926814 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in progressive degeneration and/or death of nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Identification of viable therapeutic targets and new treatments for CNS disorders and in particular, for NDDs is a major challenge in the field of drug discovery. These difficulties can be attributed to the diversity of cells involved, extreme complexity of the neural circuits, the limited capacity for tissue regeneration, and our incomplete understanding of the underlying pathological processes. Drug discovery is a complex and multidisciplinary process. The screening attrition rate in current drug discovery protocols mean that only one viable drug may arise from millions of screened compounds resulting in the need to improve discovery technologies and protocols to address the multiple causes of attrition. This has identified the need to screen larger libraries where the use of efficient high-throughput screening (HTS) becomes key in the discovery process. HTS can investigate hundreds of thousands of compounds per day. However, if fewer compounds could be screened without compromising the probability of success, the cost and time would be largely reduced. To that end, recent advances in computer-aided design, in silico libraries, and molecular docking software combined with the upscaling of cell-based platforms have evolved to improve screening efficiency with higher predictability and clinical applicability. We review, here, the increasing role of HTS in contemporary drug discovery processes, in particular for NDDs, and evaluate the criteria underlying its successful application. We also discuss the requirement of HTS for novel NDD therapies and examine the major current challenges in validating new drug targets and developing new treatments for NDDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Aldewachi
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK;
- College of Pharmacy, Nineveh University, Mosul 41002, Iraq
| | - Radhwan N. Al-Zidan
- College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq;
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Matthew T. Conner
- School of Sciences, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK;
| | - Mootaz M. Salman
- College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul 41002, Iraq;
- Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Thüne K, Schmitz M, Villar-Piqué A, Altmeppen HC, Schlomm M, Zafar S, Glatzel M, Llorens F, Zerr I. The cellular prion protein and its derived fragments in human prion diseases and their role as potential biomarkers. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2019; 19:1007-1018. [PMID: 31512940 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1667231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Human prion diseases are a heterogeneous group of incurable and debilitating conditions characterized by a progressive degeneration of the central nervous system. The conformational changes of the cellular prion protein and its formation into an abnormal isoform, spongiform degeneration, neuronal loss, and neuroinflammation are central to prion disease pathogenesis. It has been postulated that truncated variants of aggregation-prone proteins are implicated in neurodegenerative mechanisms. An increasing body of evidence indicates that proteolytic fragments and truncated variants of the prion protein are formed and accumulated in the brain of prion disease patients. These prion protein variants provide a high degree of relevance to disease pathology and diagnosis. Areas covered: In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge on the occurrence of truncated prion protein species and their potential roles in pathophysiological states during prion diseases progression. In addition, we discuss their usability as a diagnostic biomarker in prion diseases. Expert opinion: Either as a primary factor in the formation of prion diseases or as a consequence from neuropathological affection, abnormal prion protein variants and fragments may provide independent information about mechanisms of prion conversion, pathological states, or disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Thüne
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - site Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - site Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany
| | - Anna Villar-Piqué
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - site Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute Carlos III, Ministry of Health, CIBERNED, Hospitalet de Llobregat , Spain
| | | | - Markus Schlomm
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - site Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany
| | - Saima Zafar
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - site Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center HH-Eppendorf (UKE) , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Franc Llorens
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - site Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany.,Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute Carlos III, Ministry of Health, CIBERNED, Hospitalet de Llobregat , Spain.,Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - site Göttingen , Göttingen , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Marassi V, Beretti F, Roda B, Alessandrini A, Facci P, Maraldi T, Zattoni A, Reschiglian P, Portolani M. A new approach for the separation, characterization and testing of potential prionoid protein aggregates through hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation and multi-angle light scattering. Anal Chim Acta 2019; 1087:121-130. [PMID: 31585560 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation are the common mechanisms in a variety of aggregation-dependent diseases. The compromised proteins often assemble into toxic, accumulating amyloid-like structures of various lengths and their toxicity can also be transferred both in vivo and in vitro a prion-like behavior. The characterization of protein interactions, degradation and conformational dynamics in biological systems still represents an analytical challenge in the prion-like protein comprehension. In our work, we investigated the nature of a transferable cytotoxic agent, presumably a misfolded protein, through the coupling of a multi-detector, non-destructive separation platform based on hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation with imaging and downstream in vitro tests. After purification with ion exchange chromatography, the transferable cytotoxic agentwas analyzed with Atomic Force Microscopy and statistical analysis, showing that the concentration of protein dimers and low n-oligomer forms was higher in the cytotoxic sample than in the control preparation. To assess whether the presence of these species was the actual toxic and/or self-propagating factor, we employed HF5 fractionation, with UV and Multi-Angle Light Scattering detection, to define proteins molar mass distribution and abundance, and fractionate the sample into size-homogeneous fractions. These fractions were then tested individually in vitro to investigate the direct correlation with cytotoxicity. Only the later-eluted fraction, which contains high-molar mass aggregates, proved to be toxic onto cell cultures. Moreover, it was observed that the selective transfer of toxicity also occurs for one lower-mass fraction, suggesting that two different mechanisms, acute and later induced toxicity, are in place. These results strongly encourage the efficacy of this platform to enable the identification of protein toxicants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Marassi
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Beretti
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Barbara Roda
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Andrea Alessandrini
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze, S3, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy; Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Facci
- CNR-Istituto Nanoscienze, S3, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy; Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Zattoni
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Reschiglian
- Department of Chemistry G. Ciamician, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy; ByFlow Srl, Via dell'Arcoveggio 74, 40129, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marinella Portolani
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
An organic electrochemical transistor integrated with a molecularly selective isoporous membrane for amyloid-β detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2019; 143:111561. [PMID: 31446202 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2019.111561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with severe memory loss and impaired cognitive skills. A common pathological change found in AD-affected brains is the accumulation of a peptide named amyloid-β (Aβ) that can form plaques. Aβ aggregates are visible to structural scanning tools; however, these bulky and expensive instruments are accessible to trained personnel in clinical settings only, thus hampering timely diagnosis of the disease, particularly in low-resource settings. In this work, we design an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) for in vitro detection of Aβ aggregates in human serum. The OECT channel is integrated with a nanostructured isoporous membrane which has a strong affinity for Aβ aggregates. The detection mechanism relies on the membrane capturing Aβ aggregates larger than the size of its pores and thus blocking the penetration of electrolyte ions into the channel underneath. Combining the high transconductance of the OECT with the precise porosity and selectivity of the membrane, the device detects the presence of Aβ aggregates in human serum samples with excellent sensitivity. This is the first-time demonstration of a biofunctionalized, nanostructured, and isoporous membrane integrated with a high-performance transistor for biosensing. This robust, low-power, non-invasive, and miniaturized sensor aids in the development of point-of-care tools for early diagnosis of AD.
Collapse
|
28
|
Wahyuningtyas D, Chen WH, Huang CH, He YJ, Huang JJT. Biocompatible Inhibitor Based on Chitosan and Amphiphilic Peptide against Mutant Huntingtin Toxicity. Chembiochem 2019; 20:2133-2140. [PMID: 31166067 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is classified as a protein-misfolding disease correlated with the mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) protein with abnormally expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) domains. Because no effective drugs have yet been reported, attempts to develop better therapy to delay the age of onset are in urgent demand. In this study, an amphiphilic peptide consisting of negatively charged hexaglutamic acid and a stretch of decaglutamine (E6 Q10 ) was chemically synthesized as an inhibitor against polyQ and mHtt toxicity. It is found that E6 Q10 selfassembles into spherical vesicles, as shown by means of TEM, cryoelectron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Assembled E6 Q10 prevented the polyQ-rich peptide (KKWQ20 AKK) from forming amyloid fibrils. To enable the cell-penetration ability of E6 Q10 , the E6 Q10 ⋅chitosan complex was generated. It is demonstrated that the complex penetrates cells, interferes with the mHtt oligomerization and aggregation process, and prevents mHtt cytotoxicity. By combining positively charged chitosan and amphiphilic peptides with a negatively charge moiety, a new strategy is provided to develop biocompatible and biodegradable inhibitors against mHtt toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devi Wahyuningtyas
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.,Sustainable Chemical Science and Technology Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.,Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Science Building 2, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hao Chen
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Han Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, No. 300, Zhongda Road, Zhongli, Taoyuan, 32001, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jung He
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Joseph Jen-Tse Huang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Protein misfolding, aggregation and mechanism of amyloid cytotoxicity: An overview and therapeutic strategies to inhibit aggregation. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 134:1022-1037. [PMID: 31128177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.05.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein and peptides are converted from their soluble forms into highly ordered fibrillar aggregates under various conditions inside the cell. Such transitions confer diverse neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease Prion's disease, Parkinson's disease, polyQ and share abnormal folding of potentially cytotoxic protein species linked with degeneration and death of precise neuronal populations. Presently, major advances are made to understand and get detailed insight into the structural basis and mechanism of amyloid formation, cytotoxicity and therapeutic approaches to combat them. Here we highlight classifies and summarizes the detailed overview of protein misfolding and aggregation at their molecular level including the factors that promote protein aggregation under in vivo and in vitro conditions. In addition, we describe the recent technologies that aid the characterization of amyloid aggregates along with several models that might be responsible for amyloid induced cytotoxicity to cells. Overview on the inhibition of amyloidosis by targeting different small molecules (both natural and synthetic origin) have been also discussed, that provides important approaches to identify novel targets and develop specific therapeutic strategies to combat protein aggregation related neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
|
30
|
Camacho R, Täuber D, Scheblykin IG. Fluorescence Anisotropy Reloaded-Emerging Polarization Microscopy Methods for Assessing Chromophores' Organization and Excitation Energy Transfer in Single Molecules, Particles, Films, and Beyond. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1805671. [PMID: 30721532 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201805671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence polarization is widely used to assess the orientation/rotation of molecules, and the excitation energy transfer between closely located chromophores. Emerging since the 1990s, single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging stimulate the application of light polarization for studying molecular organization and energy transfer beyond ensemble averaging. Here, traditional fluorescence polarization and linear dichroism methods used for bulk samples are compared with techniques specially developed for, or inspired by, single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. Techniques for assessing energy transfer in anisotropic samples, where the traditional fluorescence anisotropy framework is not readily applicable, are discussed in depth. It is shown that the concept of a polarization portrait and the single funnel approximation can lay the foundation for alternative energy transfer metrics. Examples ranging from fundamental studies of photoactive materials (conjugated polymers, light-harvesting aggregates, and perovskite semiconductors) to Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET)-based biomedical imaging are presented. Furthermore, novel uses of light polarization for super-resolution optical imaging are mentioned as well as strategies for avoiding artifacts in polarization microscopy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Camacho
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniela Täuber
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
- Biopolarisation, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, D-07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Solid State Physics, FSU Jena, Helmholtzweg 3, D-07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Ivan G Scheblykin
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Arendash G, Cao C, Abulaban H, Baranowski R, Wisniewski G, Becerra L, Andel R, Lin X, Zhang X, Wittwer D, Moulton J, Arrington J, Smith A. A Clinical Trial of Transcranial Electromagnetic Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease: Cognitive Enhancement and Associated Changes in Cerebrospinal Fluid, Blood, and Brain Imaging. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 71:57-82. [PMID: 31403948 PMCID: PMC6839500 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small aggregates (oligomers) of the toxic proteins amyloid-β (Aβ) and phospho-tau (p-tau) are essential contributors to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In mouse models for AD or human AD brain extracts, Transcranial Electromagnetic Treatment (TEMT) disaggregates both Aβ and p-tau oligomers, and induces brain mitochondrial enhancement. These apparent "disease-modifying" actions of TEMT both prevent and reverse memory impairment in AD transgenic mice. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and initial clinical efficacy of TEMT against AD, a comprehensive open-label clinical trial was performed. METHODS Eight mild/moderate AD patients were treated with TEMT in-home by their caregivers for 2 months utilizing a unique head device. TEMT was given for two 1-hour periods each day, with subjects primarily evaluated at baseline, end-of-treatment, and 2 weeks following treatment completion. RESULTS No deleterious behavioral effects, discomfort, or physiologic changes resulted from 2 months of TEMT, as well as no evidence of tumor or microhemorrhage induction. TEMT induced clinically important and statistically significant improvements in ADAS-cog, as well as in the Rey AVLT. TEMT also produced increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of soluble Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, cognition-related changes in CSF oligomeric Aβ, a decreased CSF p-tau/Aβ1-42 ratio, and reduced levels of oligomeric Aβ in plasma. Pre- versus post-treatment FDG-PET brain scans revealed stable cerebral glucose utilization, with several subjects exhibiting enhanced glucose utilization. Evaluation of diffusion tensor imaging (fractional anisotropy) scans in individual subjects provided support for TEMT-induced increases in functional connectivity within the cognitively-important cingulate cortex/cingulum. CONCLUSION TEMT administration to AD subjects appears to be safe, while providing cognitive enhancement, changes to CSF/blood AD markers, and evidence of stable/enhanced brain connectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chuanhai Cao
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Haitham Abulaban
- University of South Florida Health/Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ross Andel
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University/Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Xiaoyang Lin
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Amanda Smith
- University of South Florida Health/Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hong H, Koon AC, Chen ZS, Wei Y, An Y, Li W, Lau MHY, Lau KF, Ngo JCK, Wong CH, Au-Yeung HY, Zimmerman SC, Chan HYE. AQAMAN, a bisamidine-based inhibitor of toxic protein inclusions in neurons, ameliorates cytotoxicity in polyglutamine disease models. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2757-2770. [PMID: 30593503 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorders caused by the expansion of an unstable CAG repeat in the coding region of the affected genes. Hallmarks of polyQ diseases include the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates, leading to neuronal degeneration and cell death. PolyQ diseases are currently incurable, highlighting the urgent need for approaches that inhibit the formation of disaggregate cytotoxic polyQ protein inclusions. Here, we screened for bisamidine-based inhibitors that can inhibit neuronal polyQ protein inclusions. We demonstrated that one inhibitor, AQAMAN, prevents polyQ protein aggregation and promotes de-aggregation of self-assembled polyQ proteins in several models of polyQ diseases. Using immunocytochemistry, we found that AQAMAN significantly reduces polyQ protein aggregation and specifically suppresses polyQ protein-induced cell death. Using a recombinant and purified polyQ protein (thioredoxin-Huntingtin-Q46), we further demonstrated that AQAMAN interferes with polyQ self-assembly, preventing polyQ aggregation, and dissociates preformed polyQ aggregates in a cell-free system. Remarkably, AQAMAN feeding of Drosophila expressing expanded polyQ disease protein suppresses polyQ-induced neurodegeneration in vivo In addition, using inhibitors and activators of the autophagy pathway, we demonstrated that AQAMAN's cytoprotective effect against polyQ toxicity is autophagy-dependent. In summary, we have identified AQAMAN as a potential therapeutic for combating polyQ protein toxicity in polyQ diseases. Our findings further highlight the importance of the autophagy pathway in clearing harmful polyQ proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Hong
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Alex Chun Koon
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Zhefan Stephen Chen
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Yuming Wei
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Ying An
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Wen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Matthew Ho Yan Lau
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China, and
| | | | | | | | - Ho Yu Au-Yeung
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China, and
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research, .,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science.,Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Makhouri FR, Ghasemi JB. In Silico Studies in Drug Research Against Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:664-725. [PMID: 28831921 PMCID: PMC6080098 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170823095628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease (PD), spinal cerebellar ataxias, and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy are described by slow and selective degeneration of neurons and axons in the central nervous system (CNS) and constitute one of the major challenges of modern medicine. Computer-aided or in silico drug design methods have matured into powerful tools for reducing the number of ligands that should be screened in experimental assays. Methods In the present review, the authors provide a basic background about neurodegenerative diseases and in silico techniques in the drug research. Furthermore, they review the various in silico studies reported against various targets in neurodegenerative diseases, including homology modeling, molecular docking, virtual high-throughput screening, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR), hologram quantitative structure activity relationship (HQSAR), 3D pharmacophore mapping, proteochemometrics modeling (PCM), fingerprints, fragment-based drug discovery, Monte Carlo simulation, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, quantum-mechanical methods for drug design, support vector machines, and machine learning approaches. Results Detailed analysis of the recently reported case studies revealed that the majority of them use a sequential combination of ligand and structure-based virtual screening techniques, with particular focus on pharmacophore models and the docking approach. Conclusion Neurodegenerative diseases have a multifactorial pathoetiological origin, so scientists have become persuaded that a multi-target therapeutic strategy aimed at the simultaneous targeting of multiple proteins (and therefore etiologies) involved in the development of a disease is recommended in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jahan B Ghasemi
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Camacho R, Täuber D, Hansen C, Shi J, Bousset L, Melki R, Li JY, Scheblykin IG. 2D polarization imaging as a low-cost fluorescence method to detect α-synuclein aggregation ex vivo in models of Parkinson's disease. Commun Biol 2018; 1:157. [PMID: 30302401 PMCID: PMC6168587 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0156-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the formation of large protein-rich aggregates in neurons, where α-synuclein is the most abundant protein. A standard approach to visualize aggregation is to fluorescently label the proteins of interest. Then, highly fluorescent regions are assumed to contain aggregated proteins. However, fluorescence brightness alone cannot discriminate micrometer-sized regions with high expression of non-aggregated proteins from regions where the proteins are aggregated on the molecular scale. Here, we demonstrate that 2-dimensional polarization imaging can discriminate between preformed non-aggregated and aggregated forms of α-synuclein, and detect increased aggregation in brain tissues of transgenic mice. This imaging method assesses homo-FRET between labels by measuring fluorescence polarization in excitation and emission simultaneously, which translates into higher contrast than fluorescence anisotropy imaging. Exploring earlier aggregation states of α-synuclein using such technically simple imaging method could lead to crucial improvements in our understanding of α-synuclein-mediated pathology in Parkinson's Disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Camacho
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124,, 22100, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniela Täuber
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124,, 22100, Lund, Sweden
- Biopolarisation, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745, Jena, Germany
- Institute of Solid State Physics, FSU Jena, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Hansen
- Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC A10, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Molecular Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B11, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Juanzi Shi
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124,, 22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Luc Bousset
- Institut Fancois Jacob (MIRCen), CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265, Fontenay-Aux-Roses cedex, France
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut Fancois Jacob (MIRCen), CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265, Fontenay-Aux-Roses cedex, France
| | - Jia-Yi Li
- Neural Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC A10, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Institute of Health Sciences, China Medical University, 110122, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ivan G Scheblykin
- Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, P.O. Box 124,, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils, which are closely associated with various neurodegenerative diseases, are the final products in many protein aggregation pathways. The identification of fibrils at low concentration is, therefore, pivotal in disease diagnosis and development of therapeutic strategies. We report a methodology for the specific identification of amyloid fibrils using chiroptical effects in plasmonic nanoparticles. The formation of amyloid fibrils based on α-synuclein was probed using gold nanorods, which showed no apparent interaction with monomeric proteins but effective adsorption onto fibril structures via noncovalent interactions. The amyloid structure drives a helical nanorod arrangement, resulting in intense optical activity at the surface plasmon resonance wavelengths. This sensing technique was successfully applied to human brain homogenates of patients affected by Parkinson's disease, wherein protein fibrils related to the disease were identified through chiral signals from Au nanorods in the visible and near IR, whereas healthy brain samples did not exhibit any meaningful optical activity. The technique was additionally extended to the specific detection of infectious amyloids formed by prion proteins, thereby confirming the wide potential of the technique. The intense chiral response driven by strong dipolar coupling in helical Au nanorod arrangements allowed us to detect amyloid fibrils down to nanomolar concentrations.
Collapse
|
36
|
Novo M, Freire S, Al-Soufi W. Critical aggregation concentration for the formation of early Amyloid-β (1-42) oligomers. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1783. [PMID: 29379133 PMCID: PMC5789034 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19961-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The oligomers formed during the early steps of amyloid aggregation are thought to be responsible for the neurotoxic damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It is therefore of great interest to characterize this early aggregation process and the aggregates formed, especially for the most significant peptide in amyloid fibrils, Amyloid-β(1–42) (Aβ42). For this purpose, we directly monitored the changes in size and concentration of initially monomeric Aβ42 samples, using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy. We found that Aβ42 undergoes aggregation only when the amount of amyloid monomers exceeds the critical aggregation concentration (cac) of about 90 nM. This spontaneous, cooperative process resembles surfactants self-assembly and yields stable micelle-like oligomers whose size (≈50 monomers, Rh ≈ 7–11 nm) and elongated shape are independent of incubation time and peptide concentration. These findings reveal essential features of in vitro amyloid aggregation, which may illuminate the complex in vivo process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Novo
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Spain.
| | - Sonia Freire
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Wajih Al-Soufi
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Yuk-Mi-Jihwang-Tang, a Traditional Korean Multiple Herbal Formulae, Improves Hippocampal Memory on Scopolamine Injection-Induced Amnesia Model of C57BL/6 Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:2821040. [PMID: 29507588 PMCID: PMC5817211 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2821040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated neuropharmacological properties of Yuk-Mi-Jihwang-Tang (YJT) against scopolamine injection-induced memory impairment mice model. Mice were orally administered with YJT (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) or tacrine (TAC, 12.5 mg/kg) for 10 days. At the first day of Morris water maze task, scopolamine (2 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected before 30 min of it. The hippocampal memory function was determined by the Morris water maze task for 5 days consecutively. Scopolamine drastically increased escape latency and decreased time spent in target quadrant. Pretreatment YJT properly improved them. Regarding the redox status, YJT significantly reduced the oxidative stress and it also exerted much effort to improve both superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in hippocampal gene expression and protein levels. These effects were well coincided with immunohistochemical analysis of 4-hydroxyneal-positive signals in hippocampal areas. Additionally, acetylcholine esterase activities and brain-derived neurotrophic factor abnormalities in the hippocampal protein levels were significantly normalized by YJT, and their related molecules were also improved. The neuronal proliferation in hippocampal regions was markedly inhibited by scopolamine, whereas YJT notably recovered them. Collectively, YJT exerts much effort to enhance memorial functions through improving redox status homeostasis and partially regulates acetylcholine esterase activities as well as neuronal cell proliferation.
Collapse
|
38
|
Ansari MZ, Kumar A, Ahari D, Priyadarshi A, Lolla P, Bhandari R, Swaminathan R. Protein charge transfer absorption spectra: an intrinsic probe to monitor structural and oligomeric transitions in proteins. Faraday Discuss 2018; 207:91-113. [DOI: 10.1039/c7fd00194k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The utility of ProCharTS as an intrinsic spectral probe to track protein aggregation and monitor conformational changes is reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd. Ziauddin Ansari
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati 781039
- India
| | - Amrendra Kumar
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati 781039
- India
| | - Dileep Ahari
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati 781039
- India
| | - Anurag Priyadarshi
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati 781039
- India
| | - Padmavathi Lolla
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD)
- Hyderabad 500001
- India
| | - Rashna Bhandari
- Laboratory of Cell Signalling
- Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD)
- Hyderabad 500001
- India
| | - Rajaram Swaminathan
- Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Guwahati 781039
- India
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hosp F, Mann M. A Primer on Concepts and Applications of Proteomics in Neuroscience. Neuron 2017; 96:558-571. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
40
|
Kabir MG, Islam MM, Kuroda Y. Reversible association of proteins into sub-visible amorphous aggregates using short solubility controlling peptide tags. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1866:366-372. [PMID: 28951312 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Careful analysis of sub-visible amorphous aggregates, where proteins associate non-covalently in either native or denatured states without forming a specific quaternary structure, may shed insight into the mechanisms of protein aggregation and solubility. Here we report a biophysical and biochemical analysis of our model protein, a bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor variant (BPTI-19A), whose oligomerization were controlled by attaching solubility controlling peptide tags (SCP tags) to its C terminus, which are short peptides composed of a single type of amino acid that modulate protein solubility. The dynamic light scattering and static light scattering at 25°C indicated that 11 out of 15 SCP tags merely affected the hydrodynamic radius and light scattering intensity of our reference variants BPTI-19A and BPTI-C2G. On the other hand, hydrophobic SCP tags composed of 5 Ile (C5I) or 5 Leu (C5L) were associated into sub-visible aggregates. Circular dichroism indicated that all tagged BPTI variants had the same secondary structure contents as the reference BPTI-19A at 25°C, suggesting that BPTI-C5I and C5L kept their native structure upon association. Furthermore, the thermal denaturation of all of the BPTI variants was fully reversible and typical of natively folded small globular proteins, as monitored by CD at 222 nm. However, the thermal stability of BPTI-19A tagged with hydrophobic residues decreased with increasing protein concentration and tag's hydrophobicity, and BPTI-C5I and C5L were partially denatured at 37°C. Biochemical stability assessed by limited proteolysis with pepsin correlated with the extent of the variants' aggregation, and the large sub-visible aggregates formed by BPTI-C5I and C5L significantly increased their resistance to pepsin proteolysis. Altogether, these observations indicated that hydrophobic SCP tags led to the reversible association of native-like proteins into sub-visible soluble amorphous aggregates resistant to pepsin digestion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Golam Kabir
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Mohammad Monirul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
He RY, Chao SH, Tsai YJ, Lee CC, Yu CY, Gao HD, Huang YA, Hwang E, Lee HM, Huang JJT. Photocontrollable Probe Spatiotemporally Induces Neurotoxic Fibrillar Aggregates and Impairs Nucleocytoplasmic Trafficking. ACS NANO 2017; 11:6795-6807. [PMID: 28653830 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b01645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The abnormal assembly of misfolded proteins into neurotoxic aggregates is the hallmark associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we establish a photocontrollable platform to trigger amyloidogenesis to recapitulate the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by applying a chemically engineered probe as a "switch" in live cells. This probe is composed of an amyloidogenic peptide from TDP-43, a photolabile linker, a polycationic sequence both to mask amyloidogenicity and for cell penetration, and a fluorophore for visualization. The photocontrollable probe can self-assemble into a spherical vesicle but rapidly develops massive nanofibrils with amyloid properties upon photoactivation. The photoinduced in vitro fibrillization process is characterized by biophysical techniques. In cellular experiments, this cell-penetrable vesicle was retained in the cytoplasm, seeded the mislocalized endogenous TDP-43 into aggregates upon irradiation, and consequently initiated apoptosis. In addition, this photocontrollable vesicle interfered with nucleocytoplasmic protein transport and triggered cortical neuron degeneration. Our developed strategy provides in vitro and in vivo spatiotemporal control of neurotoxic fibrillar aggregate formation, which can be readily applied in the studies of protein misfolding, aggregation-induced protein mislocalization, and amyloid-induced pathogenesis in different diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruei-Yu He
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Han Chao
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ju Tsai
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chang Lee
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Yi Yu
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hua-De Gao
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University , Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Yung-An Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, and Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Eric Hwang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, and Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Ming Lee
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Joseph Jen-Tse Huang
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica , No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiayi University , Chiayi 60004, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Sutton JR, Blount JR, Libohova K, Tsou WL, Joshi GS, Paulson HL, Costa MDC, Scaglione KM, Todi SV. Interaction of the polyglutamine protein ataxin-3 with Rad23 regulates toxicity in Drosophila models of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:1419-1431. [PMID: 28158474 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat expansion in the deubiquitinase ataxin-3 causes neurodegeneration in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3), one of nine inherited, incurable diseases caused by similar mutations. Ataxin-3's degradation is inhibited by its binding to the proteasome shuttle Rad23 through ubiquitin-binding site 2 (UbS2). Disrupting this interaction decreases levels of ataxin-3. Since reducing levels of polyQ proteins can decrease their toxicity, we tested whether genetically modulating the ataxin-3-Rad23 interaction regulates its toxicity in Drosophila. We found that exogenous Rad23 increases the toxicity of pathogenic ataxin-3, coincident with increased levels of the disease protein. Conversely, reducing Rad23 levels alleviates toxicity in this SCA3 model. Unexpectedly, pathogenic ataxin-3 with a mutated Rad23-binding site at UbS2, despite being present at markedly lower levels, proved to be more pathogenic than a disease-causing counterpart with intact UbS2. Additional studies established that the increased toxicity upon mutating UbS2 stems from disrupting the autoprotective role that pathogenic ataxin-3 has against itself, which depends on the co-chaperone, DnaJ-1. Our data reveal a previously unrecognized balance between pathogenic and potentially therapeutic properties of the ataxin-3-Rad23 interaction; they highlight this interaction as critical for the toxicity of the SCA3 protein, and emphasize the importance of considering protein context when pursuing suppressive avenues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna R Sutton
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit MI, USA
| | - Jessica R Blount
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit MI, USA
| | - Kozeta Libohova
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit MI, USA
| | - Wei-Ling Tsou
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit MI, USA
| | - Gnanada S Joshi
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit MI, USA
| | - Henry L Paulson
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | | | - K Matthew Scaglione
- Department of Biochemistry and the Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI, USA
| | - Sokol V Todi
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit MI, USA.,Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kumar A, Baruah A, Biswas P. Role of local and nonlocal interactions in folding and misfolding of globular proteins. J Chem Phys 2017; 146:065102. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4975325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adesh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Anupaul Baruah
- Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Parbati Biswas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Hatai J, Motiei L, Margulies D. Analyzing Amyloid Beta Aggregates with a Combinatorial Fluorescent Molecular Sensor. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:2136-2139. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b10809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joydev Hatai
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Leila Motiei
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - David Margulies
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Poulose SM, Rabin BM, Bielinski DF, Kelly ME, Miller MG, Thanthaeng N, Shukitt-Hale B. Neurochemical differences in learning and memory paradigms among rats supplemented with anthocyanin-rich blueberry diets and exposed to acute doses of 56Fe particles. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2017; 12:16-23. [PMID: 28212704 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The protective effects of anthocyanin-rich blueberries (BB) on brain health are well documented and are particularly important under conditions of high oxidative stress, which can lead to "accelerated aging." One such scenario is exposure to space radiation, consisting of high-energy and -charge particles (HZE), which are known to cause cognitive dysfunction and deleterious neurochemical alterations. We recently tested the behavioral and neurochemical effects of acute exposure to HZE particles such as 56Fe, within 24-48h after exposure, and found that radiation primarily affects memory and not learning. Importantly, we observed that specific brain regions failed to upregulate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in response to this insult. To further examine these endogenous response mechanisms, we have supplemented young rats with diets rich in BB, which are known to contain high amounts of antioxidant-phytochemicals, prior to irradiation. Exposure to 56Fe caused significant neurochemical changes in hippocampus and frontal cortex, the two critical regions of the brain involved in cognitive function. BB supplementation significantly attenuated protein carbonylation, which was significantly increased by exposure to 56Fe in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Moreover, BB supplementation significantly reduced radiation-induced elevations in NADPH-oxidoreductase-2 (NOX2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Overall results indicate that 56Fe particles may induce their toxic effects on hippocampus and frontal cortex by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overload, which can cause alterations in the neuronal environment, eventually leading to hippocampal neuronal death and subsequent impairment of cognitive function. Blueberry supplementation provides an effective preventative measure to reduce the ROS load on the CNS in an event of acute HZE exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shibu M Poulose
- USDA Human Nutrtion Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111, USA
| | | | - Donna F Bielinski
- USDA Human Nutrtion Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111, USA
| | - Megan E Kelly
- USDA Human Nutrtion Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111, USA
| | - Marshall G Miller
- USDA Human Nutrtion Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111, USA
| | - Nopporn Thanthaeng
- USDA Human Nutrtion Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111, USA
| | - Barbara Shukitt-Hale
- USDA Human Nutrtion Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston MA 02111, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Schlein M. Insulin Formulation Characterization-the Thioflavin T Assays. AAPS JOURNAL 2016; 19:397-408. [PMID: 28000098 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-016-0028-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The insulin molecule was discovered in 1921. Shortly thereafter, its propensity towards amyloid fibril formation, fibrillation, was observed and described in the literature as a "precipitate." In the past decades, the increased incidence of type 2 diabetes has reached global epidemic proportions. This has emphasized the demands for both insulin production and the development of modern insulin products for unmet medical needs. Bringing such new insulin drug products to the market for the benefit of patients requires that many CMC-related processes are understood, described, and controlled. One potential undesired process is insulin fibril formation. The compound thioflavin T (ThT) is known as a fluorescent probe for amyloid fibrils. As such, ThT is utilized in a versatile research assay in microtiter plate format, the ThT assay. This review will describe an experimental set-up using not only a ThT microtiter plate assay but also two orthogonal methods. The use of the ThT assay in research and characterization of insulin analogues, as well as formulations of insulin, is described by cases drawn from the scientific literature and patents. The ThT assay is compared to other physical stability tests and in conclusion the advantages and limitations of the assay are compared.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morten Schlein
- Injectable Formulation Research, Global Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park H6.S.09.1, DK2760, Maaloev, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kumar V, Sami N, Kashav T, Islam A, Ahmad F, Hassan MI. Protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases: From theory to therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 124:1105-1120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
48
|
Enciso M, Schütte C, Delle Site L. Influence of pH and sequence in peptide aggregation via molecular simulation. J Chem Phys 2016; 143:243130. [PMID: 26723615 DOI: 10.1063/1.4935707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We employ a recently developed coarse-grained model for peptides and proteins where the effect of pH is automatically included. We explore the effect of pH in the aggregation process of the amyloidogenic peptide KTVIIE and two related sequences, using three different pH environments. Simulations using large systems (24 peptides chains per box) allow us to describe the formation of realistic peptide aggregates. We evaluate the thermodynamic and kinetic implications of changes in sequence and pH upon peptide aggregation, and we discuss how a minimalistic coarse-grained model can account for these details.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Enciso
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christof Schütte
- Institute for Mathematics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luigi Delle Site
- Institute for Mathematics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wang B, Lou Z, Zhang H, Xu B. Effect of the electrostatic surface potential on the oligomerization of full-length human recombinant prion protein at single-molecule level. J Chem Phys 2016; 144:114701. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4943878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Single Molecule Study Laboratory, College of Engineering and Nanoscale Science, and Engineering Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA
| | - Zhichao Lou
- Single Molecule Study Laboratory, College of Engineering and Nanoscale Science, and Engineering Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiqian Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bingqian Xu
- Single Molecule Study Laboratory, College of Engineering and Nanoscale Science, and Engineering Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Shoffner SK, Schnell S. Estimation of the lag time in a subsequent monomer addition model for fibril elongation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:21259-68. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cp07845h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The lag time for dock–lock fibril elongation can be estimated from kinetic parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne K. Shoffner
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology
- University of Michigan Medical School
- Ann Arbor
- USA
| | - Santiago Schnell
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology
- University of Michigan Medical School
- Ann Arbor
- USA
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics
| |
Collapse
|