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Corino C, Aimo A, Luigetti M, Ciccone L, Ferrari Chen YF, Panichella G, Musetti V, Castiglione V, Vergaro G, Emdin M, Franzini M. Tetrameric Transthyretin as a Protective Factor Against Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04442-8. [PMID: 39192044 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04442-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric protein traditionally recognized for its role in transporting thyroxine and retinol. Recent research has highlighted the potential neuroprotective functions of TTR in the setting of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is the most common form of dementia and is caused by the deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) and the resulting cytotoxic effects. This paper explores the mechanisms of TTR protective action, including its interaction with Aβ to prevent fibril formation and promote Aβ clearance from the brain. It also synthesizes experimental evidence suggesting that enhanced TTR stability may mitigate neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in AD. Potential therapeutic strategies such as small molecule stabilizers of TTR are discussed, highlighting their role in enhancing TTR binding to Aβ and facilitating its clearance. By consolidating current knowledge and proposing directions for future research, this review aims to underscore the significance of TTR as a neuroprotective factor in AD and the potential implications for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Corino
- Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Aimo
- Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Ciccone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Yu Fu Ferrari Chen
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Musetti
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Castiglione
- Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vergaro
- Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Center, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri Della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Franzini
- Department of Translational Research On New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Arar S, Haque MA, Kayed R. Protein aggregation and neurodegenerative disease: Structural outlook for the novel therapeutics. Proteins 2023:10.1002/prot.26561. [PMID: 37530227 PMCID: PMC10834863 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Before the controversial approval of humanized monoclonal antibody lecanemab, which binds to the soluble amyloid-β protofibrils, all the treatments available earlier, for Alzheimer's disease (AD) were symptomatic. The researchers are still struggling to find a breakthrough in AD therapeutic medicine, which is partially attributable to lack in understanding of the structural information associated with the intrinsically disordered proteins and amyloids. One of the major challenges in this area of research is to understand the structural diversity of intrinsically disordered proteins under in vitro conditions. Therefore, in this review, we have summarized the in vitro applications of biophysical methods, which are aimed to shed some light on the heterogeneity, pathogenicity, structures and mechanisms of the intrinsically disordered protein aggregates associated with proteinopathies including AD. This review will also rationalize some of the strategies in modulating disease-relevant pathogenic protein entities by small molecules using structural biology approaches and biophysical characterization. We have also highlighted tools and techniques to simulate the in vivo conditions for native and cytotoxic tau/amyloids assemblies, urge new chemical approaches to replicate tau/amyloids assemblies similar to those in vivo conditions, in addition to designing novel potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif Arar
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Md Anzarul Haque
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, 77555, USA
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3
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Cotrina EY, Oliveira Â, Llop J, Quintana J, Biarnés X, Cardoso I, Díaz-Cruz MS, Arsequell G. Binding of common organic UV-filters to the thyroid hormone transport protein transthyretin using in vitro and in silico studies: Potential implications in health. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114836. [PMID: 36400222 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Several anthropogenic contaminants have been identified as competing with the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) for binding to transport proteins as transthyretin (TTR). This binding can potentially create toxicity mechanisms posing a threat to human health. Many organic UV filters (UVFs) and paraben preservatives (PBs), widely used in personal care products, are chemicals of emerging concern due to their adverse effects as potential thyroid-disrupting compounds. Recently, organic UVFs have been found in paired maternal and fetal samples and PBs have been detected in placenta, which opens the possibility of the involvement of TTR in the transfer of these chemicals across physiological barriers. We aimed to investigate a discrete set of organic UVFs and PBs to identify novel TTR binders. The binding affinities of target UVFs towards TTR were evaluated using in vitro T4 competitive binding assays. The ligand-TTR affinities were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and compared with known TTR ligands. In parallel, computational studies were used to predict the 3-D structures of the binding modes of these chemicals to TTR. Some organic UVFs, compounds 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (BP2, Kd = 0.43 μM); 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP1, Kd = 0.60 μM); 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (4DHB, Kd = 0.83 μM), and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4HB, Kd = 0.93 μM), were found to display a high affinity to TTR, being BP2 the strongest TTR binder (ΔH = -14.93 Kcal/mol). Finally, a correlation was found between the experimental ITC data and the TTR-ligand docking scores obtained by computational studies. The approach integrating in vitro assays and in silico methods constituted a useful tool to find TTR binders among common organic UVFs. Further studies on the involvement of the transporter protein TTR in assisting the transplacental transfer of these chemicals across physiological barriers and the long-term consequences of prenatal exposure to them should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (IQAC-CSIC), 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ângela Oliveira
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação Em Saúde, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC BiomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF-IMIM), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xevi Biarnés
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), 08017, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação Em Saúde, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade Do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), 4050-013, Porto, Portugal.
| | - M Silvia Díaz-Cruz
- ENFOCHEM Group. Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA) Excellence Center Severo Ochoa, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (IQAC-CSIC), 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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Almeida ZL, Brito RMM. Amyloid Disassembly: What Can We Learn from Chaperones? Biomedicines 2022; 10:3276. [PMID: 36552032 PMCID: PMC9776232 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation and subsequent accumulation of insoluble amyloid fibrils with cross-β structure is an intrinsic characteristic of amyloid diseases, i.e., amyloidoses. Amyloid formation involves a series of on-pathway and off-pathway protein aggregation events, leading to mature insoluble fibrils that eventually accumulate in multiple tissues. In this cascade of events, soluble oligomeric species are formed, which are among the most cytotoxic molecular entities along the amyloid cascade. The direct or indirect action of these amyloid soluble oligomers and amyloid protofibrils and fibrils in several tissues and organs lead to cell death in some cases and organ disfunction in general. There are dozens of different proteins and peptides causing multiple amyloid pathologies, chief among them Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and several other neurodegenerative diseases. Amyloid fibril disassembly is among the disease-modifying therapeutic strategies being pursued to overcome amyloid pathologies. The clearance of preformed amyloids and consequently the arresting of the progression of organ deterioration may increase patient survival and quality of life. In this review, we compiled from the literature many examples of chemical and biochemical agents able to disaggregate preformed amyloids, which have been classified as molecular chaperones, chemical chaperones, and pharmacological chaperones. We focused on their mode of action, chemical structure, interactions with the fibrillar structures, morphology and toxicity of the disaggregation products, and the potential use of disaggregation agents as a treatment option in amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rui M. M. Brito
- Chemistry Department and Coimbra Chemistry Centre—Institute of Molecular Sciences (CQC-IMS), University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
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Kim S, Nam Y, Shin SJ, Prajapati R, Shin SM, Kim MJ, soo Kim H, Leem SH, Kim TJ, Park YH, Kim JJ, Choi JS, Moon M. Dual modulators of aggregation and dissociation of amyloid beta and tau: In vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies of Uncaria rhynchophylla and its bioactive components. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 156:113865. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Liu W, Jiang J, Lin Y, You Q, Wang L. Insight into Thermodynamic and Kinetic Profiles in Small-Molecule Optimization. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10809-10847. [PMID: 35969687 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Structure-activity relationships (SARs) and structure-property relationships (SPRs) have been considered the most important factors during the drug optimization process. For medicinal chemists, improvements in the potencies and druglike properties of small molecules are regarded as their major goals. Among them, the binding affinity and selectivity of small molecules on their targets are the most important indicators. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using thermodynamic and kinetic profiles to analyze ligand-receptor interactions, which could provide not only binding affinities but also detailed binding parameters for small-molecule optimization. In this perspective, we are trying to provide an insight into thermodynamic and kinetic profiles in small-molecule optimization. Through a highlight of strategies on the small-molecule optimization with specific cases, we aim to put forward the importance of structure-thermodynamic relationships (STRs) and structure-kinetic relationships (SKRs), which could provide more guidance to find safe and effective small-molecule drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jingsheng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yating Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Wang L, Zhang W, Shao Y, Zhang D, Guo G, Wang X. Analytical methods for obtaining binding parameters of drug–protein interactions: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1219:340012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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8
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Xu S, Sun Y, Dong X. Design of Gallic Acid-Glutamine Conjugate and Chemical Implications for Its Potency Against Alzheimer's Amyloid-β Fibrillogenesis. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:677-690. [PMID: 35380783 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been widely recognized as a potent inhibitor of Alzheimer's amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrillogenesis. We found that gallic acid (GA) has superior inhibitory effects over EGCG at the same mass concentrations and assumed the pivotal role of the carboxyl group in GA. Therefore, we designed five GA-derivatives to investigate the significance of carboxyl groups in modulating Aβ fibrillogenesis, including carboxyl-amidated GA (GA-NH2), GA-glutamic acid conjugate (GA-E), and GA-E derivatives with amidated either of the two carboxyl groups (GA-Q and GA-E-NH2) or with two amidated-carboxyl groups (GA-Q-NH2). Intriguingly, only GA-Q shows significantly stronger potency than GA and extends the life span of the AD transgenic nematode by over 30%. Thermodynamic studies reveal that GA-Q has a strong binding affinity for Aβ42 with two binding sites, one stronger (site 1, Ka1 = 3.1 × 106 M-1) and the other weaker (site 2, Ka2 = 0.8 × 106 M-1). In site 1, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions all have contributions, while in site 2, only hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions work. The two sites are confirmed by molecular simulations, and the computations specified the key residues. GA-Q has strong binding to Asp23, Gly33, Gly38, Ala30, Ile31, and Leu34 via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, while it interacts with Phe19, Ala21 Gly25, and Asn27 via hydrophobic interactions. Consequently, GA-Q destroys Asp23-Lys28 salt bridges and restricts β-sheet/bridge structures. The thermodynamic and molecular insight into the GA-Q functions on inhibiting Aβ fibrillogenesis would pave a new way to the design of potent molecules against Alzheimer's amyloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoying Xu
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering and Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering and Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiaoyan Dong
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering and Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
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Rajakumara E, Abhishek S, Nitin K, Saniya D, Bajaj P, Schwaneberg U, Davari MD. Structure and Cooperativity in Substrate-Enzyme Interactions: Perspectives on Enzyme Engineering and Inhibitor Design. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:266-280. [PMID: 35041385 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Enzyme-based synthetic chemistry provides a green way to synthesize industrially important chemical scaffolds and provides incomparable substrate specificity and unmatched stereo-, regio-, and chemoselective product formation. However, using biocatalysts at an industrial scale has its challenges, like their narrow substrate scope, limited stability in large-scale one-pot reactions, and low expression levels. These limitations can be overcome by engineering and fine-tuning these biocatalysts using advanced protein engineering methods. A detailed understanding of the enzyme structure and catalytic mechanism and its structure-function relationship, cooperativity in binding of substrates, and dynamics of substrate-enzyme-cofactor complexes is essential for rational enzyme engineering for a specific purpose. This Review covers all these aspects along with an in-depth categorization of various industrially and pharmaceutically crucial bisubstrate enzymes based on their reaction mechanisms and their active site and substrate/cofactor-binding site structures. As the bisubstrate enzymes constitute around 60% of the known industrially important enzymes, studying their mechanism of actions and structure-activity relationship gives significant insight into deciding the targets for protein engineering for developing industrial biocatalysts. Thus, this Review is focused on providing a comprehensive knowledge of the bisubstrate enzymes' structure, their mechanisms, and protein engineering approaches to develop them into industrial biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eerappa Rajakumara
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Suman Abhishek
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Kulhar Nitin
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Dubey Saniya
- Macromolecular Structural Biology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Priyanka Bajaj
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), NH-44, Balanagar, Hyderabad 500037, India
| | - Ulrich Schwaneberg
- Institute of Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mehdi D. Davari
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle, Germany
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Barbas R, Font-Bardia M, Ballesteros A, Arsequell G, Prohens R, Frontera A. Static discrete disorder in the crystal structure of iododiflunisal: on the importance of hydrogen bond, halogen bond and π-stacking interactions. CrystEngComm 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2ce00202g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We report a combined computational/crystallographic analysis focused on the static discrete disorder shown by the drug iododiflunisal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Barbas
- Unitat de Polimorfisme i Calorimetria, Centres Científics i Tecnològics, Universitat de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Font-Bardia
- Unitat de Difracció de Raigs X, Centres Científics i Tecnològics, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Ballesteros
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Instituto de Química Organometálica “Enrique Moles”, Universidad de Oviedo, Julián Clavería, 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafel Prohens
- Unitat de Polimorfisme i Calorimetria, Centres Científics i Tecnològics, Universitat de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Frontera
- Departament de Química, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Crta. de Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, Spain
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Cotrina EY, Santos LM, Rivas J, Blasi D, Leite JP, Liz MA, Busquets MA, Planas A, Prohens R, Gimeno A, Jiménez-Barbero J, Gales L, Llop J, Quintana J, Cardoso I, Arsequell G. Targeting transthyretin in Alzheimer's disease: Drug discovery of small-molecule chaperones as disease-modifying drug candidates for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113847. [PMID: 34555615 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) has a well-established role in neuroprotection in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We have setup a drug discovery program of small-molecule compounds that act as chaperones enhancing TTR/Amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) interactions. A combination of computational drug repurposing approaches and in vitro biological assays have resulted in a set of molecules which were then screened with our in-house validated high-throughput screening ternary test. A prioritized list of chaperones was obtained and corroborated with ITC studies. Small-molecule chaperones have been discovered, among them our lead compound Iododiflunisal (IDIF), a molecule in the discovery phase; one investigational drug (luteolin); and 3 marketed drugs (sulindac, olsalazine and flufenamic), which could be directly repurposed or repositioned for clinical use. Not all TTR tetramer stabilizers behave as chaperones in vitro. These chemically diverse chaperones will be used for validating TTR as a target in vivo, and to select one repurposed drug as a candidate to enter clinical trials as AD disease-modifying drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), E-08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Santos
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Josep Rivas
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Blasi
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Pedro Leite
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), PT-4050-013, Porto, Portugal
| | - Márcia A Liz
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Antònia Busquets
- Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, University of Barcelona, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Planas
- Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, E-08017, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafel Prohens
- Centres Científics i Tecnologics, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Gimeno
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, E-48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, E-48160, Derio, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, E-48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Luis Gales
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), PT-4050-013, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), E-20014, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), E-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, PT-4200-135, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), PT-4050-013, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), E-08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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The Beneficial Role of Natural Endocrine Disruptors: Phytoestrogens in Alzheimer's Disease. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:3961445. [PMID: 34527172 PMCID: PMC8437597 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3961445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with a growing incidence rate primarily among the elderly. It is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder leading to significant cognitive loss. Despite numerous pieces of research, no cure for halting the disease has been discovered yet. Phytoestrogens are nonestradiol compounds classified as one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning that they can potentially disrupt hormonal balance and result in developmental and reproductive abnormalities. Importantly, phytoestrogens are structurally, chemically, and functionally akin to estrogens, which undoubtedly has the potential to be detrimental to the organism. What is intriguing, although classified as EDCs, phytoestrogens seem to have a beneficial influence on Alzheimer's disease symptoms and neuropathologies. They have been observed to act as antioxidants, improve visual-spatial memory, lower amyloid-beta production, and increase the growth, survival, and plasticity of brain cells. This review article is aimed at contributing to the collective understanding of the role of phytoestrogens in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Importantly, it underlines the fact that despite being EDCs, phytoestrogens and their use can be beneficial in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
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Rejc L, Gómez-Vallejo V, Rios X, Cossío U, Baz Z, Mujica E, Gião T, Cotrina EY, Jiménez-Barbero J, Quintana J, Arsequell G, Cardoso I, Llop J. Oral Treatment with Iododiflunisal Delays Hippocampal Amyloid-β Formation in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: A Longitudinal in vivo Molecular Imaging Study1. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 77:99-112. [PMID: 32804152 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric, amyloid-β (Aβ)-binding protein, which reduces Aβ toxicity. The TTR/Aβ interaction can be enhanced by a series of small molecules that stabilize its tetrameric form. Hence, TTR stabilizers might act as disease-modifying drugs in Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE We monitored the therapeutic efficacy of two TTR stabilizers, iododiflunisal (IDIF), which acts as small-molecule chaperone of the TTR/Aβ interaction, and tolcapone, which does not behave as a small-molecule chaperone, in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease using positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS Female mice (AβPPswe/PS1A246E/TTR+/-) were divided into 3 groups (n = 7 per group): IDIF-treated, tolcapone-treated, and non-treated. The oral treatment (100 mg/Kg/day) was started at 5 months of age. Treatment efficacy assessment was based on changes in longitudinal deposition of Aβ in the hippocampus (HIP) and the cortex (CTX) and determined using PET-[18F]florbetaben. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed at age = 14 months. RESULTS Standard uptake values relative to the cerebellum (SUVr) of [18F]florbetaben in CTX and HIP of non-treated animals progressively increased from age = 5 to 11 months and stabilized afterwards. In contrast, [18F]florbetaben uptake in HIP of IDIF-treated animals remained constant between ages = 5 and 11 months and significantly increased at 14 months. In the tolcapone-treated group, SUVr progressively increased with time, but at lower rate than in the non-treated group. No significant treatment effect was observed in CTX. Results from immunohistochemistry matched the in vivo data at age = 14 months. CONCLUSION Our work provides encouraging preliminary results on the ability of small-molecule chaperones to ameliorate Aβ deposition in certain brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Rejc
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vanessa Gómez-Vallejo
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Xabier Rios
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Unai Cossío
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Zuriñe Baz
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Edurne Mujica
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, EHU-UPV, Leioa, Spain
| | - Tiago Gião
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.,Department Organic Chemistry II, Faculty Science & Technology, EHU-UPV, Leioa, Spain
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red - Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES)
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Gião T, Saavedra J, Vieira JR, Pinto MT, Arsequell G, Cardoso I. Neuroprotection in early stages of Alzheimer's disease is promoted by transthyretin angiogenic properties. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2021; 13:143. [PMID: 34429155 PMCID: PMC8385857 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00883-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background While still controversial, it has been demonstrated that vascular defects can precede the onset of other AD hallmarks features, making it an important therapeutic target. Given that the protein transthyretin (TTR) has been established as neuroprotective in AD, here we investigated the influence of TTR in the vasculature. Methods We evaluated the thickness of the basement membrane and the length of brain microvessels, by immunohistochemistry, in AβPPswe/PS1A246E (AD) transgenic mice and non-transgenic mice (NT) bearing one (TTR+/−) or two (TTR+/+) copies of the TTR gene. The angiogenic potential of TTR was evaluated in vitro using the tube formation assay, and in vivo using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Results AD transgenic mice with TTR genetic reduction, AD/TTR+/−, exhibited a thicker BM in brain microvessels and decreased vessel length than animals with normal TTR levels, AD/TTR+/+. Further in vivo investigation, using the CAM assay, revealed that TTR is a pro-angiogenic molecule, and the neovessels formed are functional. Also, TTR increased the expression of key angiogenic molecules such as proteins interleukins 6 and 8, angiopoietin 2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, by endothelial cells, in vitro, under tube formation conditions. We showed that while TTR reduction also leads to a thicker BM in NT mice, this effect is more pronounced in AD mice than in NT animals, strengthening the idea that TTR is a neuroprotective protein. We also studied the effect of TTR tetrameric stabilization on BM thickness, showing that AD mice treated with the TTR tetrameric stabilizer iododiflunisal (IDIF) displayed a significant reduction of BM thickness and increased vessel length, when compared to non-treated littermates. Conclusion Our in vivo results demonstrate the involvement of TTR in angiogenesis, particularly as a modulator of vascular alterations occurring in AD. Since TTR is decreased early in AD, its tetrameric stabilization can represent a therapeutic avenue for the early treatment of AD through the maintenance of the vascular structure. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-021-00883-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Gião
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), 4050-013, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Saavedra
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Ricardo Vieira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Teixeira Pinto
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho,45-, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), 4050-013, Porto, Portugal.
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Evolution of biophysical tools for quantitative protein interactions and drug discovery. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:1-12. [PMID: 33739398 DOI: 10.1042/etls20200258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
With millions of signalling events occurring simultaneously, cells process a continuous flux of information. The genesis, processing, and regulation of information are dictated by a huge network of protein interactions. This is proven by the fact that alterations in the levels of proteins, single amino acid changes, post-translational modifications, protein products arising out of gene fusions alter the interaction landscape leading to diseases such as congenital disorders, deleterious syndromes like cancer, and crippling diseases like the neurodegenerative disorders which are often fatal. Needless to say, there is an immense effort to understand the biophysical basis of such direct interactions between any two proteins, the structure, domains, and sequence motifs involved in tethering them, their spatio-temporal regulation in cells, the structure of the network, and their eventual manipulation for intervention in diseases. In this chapter, we will deliberate on a few techniques that allow us to dissect the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of protein interaction, how innovation has rendered some of the traditional techniques applicable for rapid analysis of multiple samples using small amounts of material. These advances coupled with automation are catching up with the genome-wide or proteome-wide studies aimed at identifying new therapeutic targets. The chapter will also summarize how some of these techniques are suited either in the standalone mode or in combination with other biophysical techniques for the drug discovery process.
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Cotrina EY, Gimeno A, Llop J, Jiménez-Barbero J, Quintana J, Prohens R, Cardoso I, Arsequell G. An Assay for Screening Potential Drug Candidates for Alzheimer's Disease That Act as Chaperones of the Transthyretin and Amyloid-β Peptides Interaction. Chemistry 2020; 26:17462-17469. [PMID: 32761825 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202002933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The protein transthyretin (TTR) modulates amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides deposition and processing and this physiological effect is further enhanced by treatment with iododiflunisal (IDIF), a small-molecule compound (SMC) with TTR tetramer stabilization properties, which behaves as chaperone of the complex. This knowledge has prompted us to design and optimize a rapid and simple high-throughput assay that relies on the ability of test compounds to form ternary soluble complexes TTR/Aβ/SMC that prevent Aβ aggregation. The method uses the shorter Aβ(12-28) sequence which is cheaper and simpler to use while retaining the aggregation properties of their parents Aβ(1-40) and Aβ(1-42). The test is carried out in 96-plate wells that are UV monitored for turbidity during 6 h. Given its reproducibility, we propose that this test can be a powerful tool for efficient screening of SMCs that act as chaperones of the TTR/Aβ interaction that may led to potential AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Gimeno
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, 48160, Derio, Spain.,Ikerbasque-Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 13, 48009, Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 800, 48160, Derio, Spain.,Ikerbasque-Basque Foundation for Science, Maria Diaz de Haro 13, 48009, Bilbao, Spain.,Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of the Basque Country, 48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF-IMIM), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafel Prohens
- Unitat de Polimorfisme i Calorimetria, Centres Científics i Tecnologics, Universitat de Barcelona, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
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Ciccone L, Tonali N, Nencetti S, Orlandini E. Natural compounds as inhibitors of transthyretin amyloidosis and neuroprotective agents: analysis of structural data for future drug design. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 35:1145-1162. [PMID: 32419519 PMCID: PMC7301710 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1760262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds, such as plant and fruit extracts have shown neuroprotective effect against neurodegenerative diseases. It has been reported that several natural compounds binding to transthyretin (TTR) can be useful in amyloidosis prevention. TTR is a transporter protein that under physiological condition carries thyroxine (T4) and retinol in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); it also has a neuroprotective role against Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, TTR also is an amyloidogenic protein responsible for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and familial amyloid cardiomyopathy (FAC). The TTR amyloidogenic potential is speeded up by several point mutations. One therapeutic strategy against TTR amyloidosis is the stabilisation of the native tetramer by natural compounds and small molecules. In this review, we examine the natural products that, starting from 2012 to present, have been studied as a stabiliser of TTR tetramer. In particular, we discussed the chemical and structural features which will be helpful for future drug design of new TTR stabilisers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Ciccone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicoló Tonali
- CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Châtenay-Malabry, France
| | - Susanna Nencetti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Interdepartmental Research Centre “Nutraceuticals and Food for Health (NUTRAFOOD), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Orlandini
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Cotrina EY, Blasi D, Vilà M, Planas A, Abad-Zapatero C, Centeno NB, Quintana J, Arsequell G. Optimization of kinetic stabilizers of tetrameric transthyretin: A prospective ligand efficiency-guided approach. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115794. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Ciccone L, Shi C, di Lorenzo D, Van Baelen AC, Tonali N. The Positive Side of the Alzheimer's Disease Amyloid Cross-Interactions: The Case of the Aβ 1-42 Peptide with Tau, TTR, CysC, and ApoA1. Molecules 2020; 25:E2439. [PMID: 32456156 PMCID: PMC7288020 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25102439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a progressive amyloidogenic disorder whose advancement is widely recognized to be connected to amyloid-β peptides and Tau aggregation. However, several other processes likely contribute to the development of AD and some of them might be related to protein-protein interactions. Amyloid aggregates usually contain not only single type of amyloid protein, but also other type of proteins and this phenomenon can be rationally explained by the process of protein cross-seeding and co-assembly. Amyloid cross-interaction is ubiquitous in amyloid fibril formation and so a better knowledge of the amyloid interactome could help to further understand the mechanisms of amyloid related diseases. In this review, we discuss about the cross-interactions of amyloid-β peptides, and in particular Aβ1-42, with other amyloids, which have been presented either as integrated part of Aβ neurotoxicity process (such as Tau) or conversely with a preventive role in AD pathogenesis by directly binding to Aβ (such as transthyretin, cystatin C and apolipoprotein A1). Particularly, we will focus on all the possible therapeutic strategies aiming to rescue the Aβ toxicity by taking inspiration from these protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Ciccone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chenghui Shi
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, rue Jean-Baptiste Clément 5, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (C.S.); (D.d.L.)
| | - Davide di Lorenzo
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, rue Jean-Baptiste Clément 5, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (C.S.); (D.d.L.)
| | - Anne-Cécile Van Baelen
- Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), CEA, INRAE, Université Paris Saclay, SIMoS, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France;
| | - Nicolo Tonali
- CNRS, BioCIS, Université Paris-Saclay, rue Jean-Baptiste Clément 5, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (C.S.); (D.d.L.)
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Undiscovered Roles for Transthyretin: From a Transporter Protein to a New Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062075. [PMID: 32197355 PMCID: PMC7139926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), an homotetrameric protein mainly synthesized by the liver and the choroid plexus, and secreted into the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid, respectively, has been specially acknowledged for its functions as a transporter protein of thyroxine and retinol (the latter through binding to the retinol-binding protein), in these fluids. Still, this protein has managed to stay in the spotlight as it has been assigned new and varied functions. In this review, we cover knowledge on novel TTR functions and the cellular pathways involved, spanning from neuroprotection to vascular events, while emphasizing its involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We describe details of TTR as an amyloid binding protein and discuss its interaction with the amyloid Aβ peptides, and the proposed mechanisms underlying TTR neuroprotection in AD. We also present the importance of translating advances in the knowledge of the TTR neuroprotective role into drug discovery strategies focused on TTR as a new target in AD therapeutics.
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