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Lu X, Lu J, Li S, Feng S, Wang Y, Cui L. The Role of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in the Accumulation of Pathological Proteins: New Perspectives on the Mechanism of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0209. [PMID: 38739933 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that living organisms form highly dynamic membrane-less organelles (MLOS) with various functions through phase separation, and the indispensable role that phase separation plays in the mechanisms of normal physiological functions and pathogenesis is gradually becoming clearer. Pathological aggregates, regarded as hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, have been revealed to be closely related to aberrant phase separation. Specific proteins are assembled into condensates and transform into insoluble inclusions through aberrant phase separation, contributing to the development of diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the progress of phase separation research, involving its biological mechanisms and the status of research in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on five main disease-specific proteins, tau, TDP-43, FUS, α-Syn and HTT, and how exactly these proteins reside within dynamic liquid-like compartments and thus turn into solid deposits. Further studies will yield new perspectives for understanding the aggregation mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies, and future research directions are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Lu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiongtong Lu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Sifan Feng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Lili Cui
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiac and Cerebral Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong, School of Ocean and Tropical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
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Mahapatra A, Newberry RW. Liquid-liquid phase separation of α-synuclein is highly sensitive to sequence complexity. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4951. [PMID: 38511533 PMCID: PMC10955625 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The Parkinson's-associated protein α-synuclein (α-syn) can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which typically leads to the formation of amyloid fibrils. The coincidence of LLPS and amyloid formation has complicated the identification of the molecular determinants unique to LLPS of α-syn. Moreover, the lack of strategies to selectively perturb LLPS makes it difficult to dissect the biological roles specific to α-syn LLPS, independent of fibrillation. Herein, using a combination of subtle missense mutations, we show that LLPS of α-syn is highly sensitive to its sequence complexity. In fact, we find that even a highly conservative mutation (V16I) that increases sequence complexity without perturbing physicochemical and structural properties, is sufficient to reduce LLPS by 75%; this effect can be reversed by an adjacent V-to-I mutation (V15I) that restores the original sequence complexity. A18T, a complexity-enhancing PD-associated mutation, was likewise found to reduce LLPS, implicating sequence complexity in α-syn pathogenicity. Furthermore, leveraging the differences in LLPS propensities among different α-syn variants, we demonstrate that fibrillation of α-syn does not necessarily correlate with its LLPS. In fact, we identify mutations that selectively perturb LLPS or fibrillation of α-syn, unlike previously studied mutations. The variants and design principles reported herein should therefore empower future studies to disentangle these two phenomena and distinguish their (patho)biological roles.
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Mahapatra A, Newberry RW. Liquid-liquid phase separation of α-synuclein is highly sensitive to sequence complexity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.03.551831. [PMID: 37577712 PMCID: PMC10418173 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.03.551831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The Parkinson's-associated protein α-synuclein (α-syn) can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which typically leads to the formation of amyloid fibrils. The coincidence of LLPS and amyloid formation has complicated the identification of the molecular determinants unique to LLPS of α-syn. Moreover, the lack of strategies to selectively perturb LLPS makes it difficult to dissect the biological roles specific to α-syn LLPS, independent of fibrillation. Herein, using a combination of subtle missense mutations, we show that LLPS of α-syn is highly sensitive to its sequence complexity. In fact, we find that even a highly conservative mutation (V16I) that increases sequence complexity without perturbing physicochemical and structural properties, is sufficient to reduce LLPS by 75%; this effect can be reversed by an adjacent V-to-I mutation (V15I) that restores the original sequence complexity. A18T, a complexity-enhancing PD-associated mutation, was likewise found to reduce LLPS, implicating sequence complexity in α-syn pathogenicity. Furthermore, leveraging the differences in LLPS propensities among different α-syn variants, we demonstrate that fibrillation of α-syn does not necessarily correlate with its LLPS. In fact, we identify mutations that selectively perturb LLPS or fibrillation of α-syn, unlike previously studied mutations. The variants and design principles reported herein should therefore empower future studies to disentangle these two phenomena and distinguish their (patho)biological roles.
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Joshi N, Sarhadi TR, Raveendran A, Nagotu S. Sporadic SNCA mutations A18T and A29S exhibit variable effects on protein aggregation, cell viability and oxidative stress. Mol Biol Rep 2023:10.1007/s11033-023-08457-7. [PMID: 37155014 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08457-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND α-synuclein aggregation is the hallmark feature of Parkinson's disease. Both familial and sporadic forms of the disease exhibit this feature. Several mutations have been identified in patients and are associated with the disease pathology. METHODS AND RESULTS We have used site-directed mutagenesis to generate α-synuclein mutant variants tagged with GFP. Fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, western blotting, cell viability and oxidative stress analysis were performed to investigate the effect of two less studied α-synuclein variants. In this study we characterized two less studied α-synuclein mutations, A18T and A29S, in the well-established yeast model. Our data shows variable expression, distribution and toxicity of the protein in the mutant variants A18T, A29S, A53T and WT. The cells expressing the double mutant variant A18T/A53T showed the most increase in the aggregation phenotype and also depicted reduced viability suggesting a more substantial effect of this variant. CONCLUSION The outcome of our study highlights the variable localization, aggregation phenotype and toxicity of the studied α-synuclein variants. This underscores the importance of in-depth analysis of every disease-associated mutation which may result in variable cellular phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Joshi
- Organelle Biology and Cellular Ageing Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Tanveera Rounaque Sarhadi
- Organelle Biology and Cellular Ageing Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Atchaya Raveendran
- Organelle Biology and Cellular Ageing Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India
| | - Shirisha Nagotu
- Organelle Biology and Cellular Ageing Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781039, Assam, India.
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5
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Tsoi PS, Quan MD, Ferreon JC, Ferreon ACM. Aggregation of Disordered Proteins Associated with Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3380. [PMID: 36834792 PMCID: PMC9966039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular deposition of protein aggregates, one of the hallmarks of neurodegeneration, disrupts cellular functions and leads to neuronal death. Mutations, posttranslational modifications, and truncations are common molecular underpinnings in the formation of aberrant protein conformations that seed aggregation. The major proteins involved in neurodegeneration include amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau in Alzheimer's disease, α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease, and TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These proteins are described as intrinsically disordered and possess enhanced ability to partition into biomolecular condensates. In this review, we discuss the role of protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases, specifically highlighting implications of changes to the primary/secondary (mutations, posttranslational modifications, and truncations) and the quaternary/supramolecular (oligomerization and condensation) structural landscapes for the four aforementioned proteins. Understanding these aggregation mechanisms provides insights into neurodegenerative diseases and their common underlying molecular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Josephine C. Ferreon
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Allan Chris M. Ferreon
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Pancoe SX, Wang YJ, Shimogawa M, Perez RM, Giannakoulias S, Petersson EJ. Effects of Mutations and Post-Translational Modifications on α-Synuclein In Vitro Aggregation. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167859. [PMID: 36270580 PMCID: PMC9922159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Fibrillar aggregates of the α-synuclein (αS) protein are the hallmark of Parkinson's Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. Characterization of the effects of mutations and post-translational modifications (PTMs) on the αS aggregation rate can provide insight into the mechanism of fibril formation, which remains elusive in spite of intense study. A comprehensive collection (375 examples) of mutant and PTM aggregation rate data measured using the fluorescent probe thioflavin T is presented, as well as a summary of the effects of fluorescent labeling on αS aggregation (20 examples). A curated set of 131 single mutant de novo aggregation experiments are normalized to wild type controls and analyzed in terms of structural data for the monomer and fibrillar forms of αS. These tabulated data serve as a resource to the community to help in interpretation of aggregation experiments and to potentially be used as inputs for computational models of aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha X Pancoe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yanxin J Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marie Shimogawa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ryann M Perez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sam Giannakoulias
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - E James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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7
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Zhong J, Li M, Xu J, Dong W, Qin Y, Qiu S, Li X, Wang H. Roflupram attenuates α-synuclein-induced cytotoxicity and promotes the mitochondrial translocation of Parkin in SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing A53T mutant α-synuclein. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 436:115859. [PMID: 34990728 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that inhibition of cAMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) protects against cellular toxicity in neuronal cells. Since α-synuclein (α-syn) toxicity contributes to the neurodegeneration of Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to explore the effects and mechanisms of PDE4 on α-syn-induced neuronal toxicity. Using mutant human A53T α-syn overexpressed SH-SY5Y cells, we found that PDE4B knockdown reduced cellular apoptosis. Roflupram (ROF, 20 μM), a selective PDE4 inhibitor, produced similar protective effects and restored the morphological alterations of mitochondria. Mechanistic studies identified that α-syn enhanced the phosphorylation of Parkin at Ser131, followed by the decreased mitochondrial translocation of Parkin. Whereas both PDE4B knockdown and PDE4 inhibition by ROF blocked the effects of α-syn on Parkin phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation. Moreover, PDE4 inhibition reversed the increase in the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) induced by α-syn. ROF treatment also reduced the binding of p38 MAPK to Parkin. Consistently, overexpression of PDE4B blocked the roles of ROF on p38 MAPK phosphorylation, Parkin phosphorylation, and the subsequent mitochondrial translocation of parkin. Furthermore, PDE4B overexpression attenuated the protective role of ROF, as evidenced by reduced mitochondria membrane potential and increased cellular apoptosis. Interestingly, ROF failed to suppress α-syn-induced cytotoxicity in the presence of a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89. Our findings indicate that PDE4 facilitates α-syn-induced cytotoxicity via the PKA/p38 MAPK/Parkin pathway in SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing A53T mutant α-synuclein. PDE4 inhibition by ROF is a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of α-syn-induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Zhong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Mengfan Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiangping Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Wenli Dong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yunyun Qin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuqing Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xing Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China; Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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8
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Guzzo A, Delarue P, Rojas A, Nicolaï A, Maisuradze GG, Senet P. Missense Mutations Modify the Conformational Ensemble of the α-Synuclein Monomer Which Exhibits a Two-Phase Characteristic. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:786123. [PMID: 34912851 PMCID: PMC8667727 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.786123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein is an intrinsically disordered protein occurring in different conformations and prone to aggregate in β-sheet structures, which are the hallmark of the Parkinson disease. Missense mutations are associated with familial forms of this neuropathy. How these single amino-acid substitutions modify the conformations of wild-type α-synuclein is unclear. Here, using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, we sampled the conformational space of the wild type and mutants (A30P, A53P, and E46K) of α-synuclein monomers for an effective time scale of 29.7 ms. To characterize the structures, we developed an algorithm, CUTABI (CUrvature and Torsion based of Alpha-helix and Beta-sheet Identification), to identify residues in the α-helix and β-sheet from Cα-coordinates. CUTABI was built from the results of the analysis of 14,652 selected protein structures using the Dictionary of Secondary Structure of Proteins (DSSP) algorithm. DSSP results are reproduced with 93% of success for 10 times lower computational cost. A two-dimensional probability density map of α-synuclein as a function of the number of residues in the α-helix and β-sheet is computed for wild-type and mutated proteins from molecular dynamics trajectories. The density of conformational states reveals a two-phase characteristic with a homogeneous phase (state B, β-sheets) and a heterogeneous phase (state HB, mixture of α-helices and β-sheets). The B state represents 40% of the conformations for the wild-type, A30P, and E46K and only 25% for A53T. The density of conformational states of the B state for A53T and A30P mutants differs from the wild-type one. In addition, the mutant A53T has a larger propensity to form helices than the others. These findings indicate that the equilibrium between the different conformations of the α-synuclein monomer is modified by the missense mutations in a subtle way. The α-helix and β-sheet contents are promising order parameters for intrinsically disordered proteins, whereas other structural properties such as average gyration radius, Rg, or probability distribution of Rg cannot discriminate significantly the conformational ensembles of the wild type and mutants. When separated in states B and HB, the distributions of Rg are more significantly different, indicating that global structural parameters alone are insufficient to characterize the conformational ensembles of the α-synuclein monomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Guzzo
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, UMR 6303 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Patrice Delarue
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, UMR 6303 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Ana Rojas
- Schrödinger, Inc., New York, NY, United States
| | - Adrien Nicolaï
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, UMR 6303 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Gia G Maisuradze
- Baker Laboratory of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Patrick Senet
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, UMR 6303 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France.,Baker Laboratory of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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9
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Srinivasan E, Chandrasekhar G, Chandrasekar P, Anbarasu K, Vickram AS, Karunakaran R, Rajasekaran R, Srikumar PS. Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation in Parkinson's Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:736978. [PMID: 34733860 PMCID: PMC8558257 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.736978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by distinct aging-independent loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) region urging toward neuronal loss. Over the decade, various key findings from clinical perspective to molecular pathogenesis have aided in understanding the genetics with assorted genes related with PD. Subsequently, several pathways have been incriminated in the pathogenesis of PD, involving mitochondrial dysfunction, protein aggregation, and misfolding. On the other hand, the sporadic form of PD cases is found with no genetic linkage, which still remain an unanswered question? The exertion in ascertaining vulnerability factors in PD considering the genetic factors are to be further dissevered in the forthcoming decades with advancement in research studies. One of the major proponents behind the prognosis of PD is the pathogenic transmutation of aberrant alpha-synuclein protein into amyloid fibrillar structures, which actuates neurodegeneration. Alpha-synuclein, transcribed by SNCA gene is a neuroprotein found predominantly in brain. It is implicated in the modulation of synaptic vesicle transport and eventual release of neurotransmitters. Due to genetic mutations and other elusive factors, the alpha-synuclein misfolds into its amyloid form. Therefore, this review aims in briefing the molecular understanding of the alpha-synuclein associated with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Srinivasan
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed to be University), Vellore, India.,Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India
| | - G Chandrasekhar
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed to be University), Vellore, India
| | - P Chandrasekar
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed to be University), Vellore, India
| | - K Anbarasu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India
| | - A S Vickram
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India
| | - Rohini Karunakaran
- Unit of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong, Malaysia
| | - R Rajasekaran
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (Deemed to be University), Vellore, India
| | - P S Srikumar
- Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Bedong, Malaysia
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10
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Zgórzyńska E, Krawczyk K, Bełdzińska P, Walczewska A. Molecular basis of proteinopathies: Etiopathology
of dementia and motor disorders. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2021. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.9513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most important medical and social problems affecting
elderly people, the percentage of which is significantly increasing in the total world population.
The cause of these diseases is the destruction of neurons by protein aggregates that form pathological
deposits in neurons, glial cells and in the intercellular space. Proteins whose molecules
are easily destabilized by point mutations or endogenous processes are alpha-synuclein (ASN),
tau and TDP-43. Pathological forms of these proteins form characteristic aggregates, which accumulate
in the neurons and are the cause of various forms of dementia and motor disorders.
The most common causes of dementia are tauopathies. In primary tauopathies, which include
progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), Pick’s disease (PiD), and
frontotemporal dementia (FTD), modified tau molecules disrupt axonal transport and protein
distribution in neurons. Ultimately, the helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles of tau lead to
neuron death in various structures of the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease hyperphosphorylated tau tangles along with β amyloid plaques are responsible for the degeneration of the hippocampus,
entorhinal cortex and amygdala. The most prevalent synucleinopathies are Parkinson’s disease,
multiple system atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy bodies, where there is a degeneration of
neurons in the extrapyramidal tracts or, as in MSA, autonomic nerves. TDP-43 inclusions in the
cytoplasm cause the degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and
in one of the frontotemporal dementia variant (FTLD-TDP). In this work ASN, tau and TDP-43
structures are described, as well as the genetic and sporadic factors that lead to the destabilization
of molecules, their aggregation and incorrect distribution in neurons, which are the causes
of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Klaudia Krawczyk
- Zakład Interakcji Międzykomórkowych, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi
| | | | - Anna Walczewska
- Zakład Interakcji Międzykomórkowych, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi
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11
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Kumar S, Kumar R, Kumari M, Kumari R, Saha S, Bhavesh NS, Maiti TK. Ellagic Acid Inhibits α-Synuclein Aggregation at Multiple Stages and Reduces Its Cytotoxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1919-1930. [PMID: 34015214 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a natively unfolded protein and its deposition in the Lewy body and Lewy neurites in the substantia nigra region of the brain is linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). The molecular mechanisms of α-synuclein aggregation and its clearance have not been well understood. Until now, several strategies have been designed to inhibit α-synuclein aggregation and related cytotoxicity. Polyphenols, small molecules, synthetic peptides, and peptide-derived molecules have been considered as potential candidates that inhibit α-synuclein oligomerization and its fibrillation, and a few of them are in clinical trials. We have identified a polyphenolic compound ellagic acid (EA) that inhibits α-synuclein aggregation. Our results demonstrated that EA inhibits primary nucleation, seeded aggregation, and membrane-induced aggregation. The cytotoxicity of α-synuclein oligomers and fibers treated with EA has been investigated and we found that EA treated oligomers and fibrils showed reduced cytotoxicity. Additionally, we also observed inhibition of membrane binding of α-synuclein by EA in SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, the present study suggests that small molecules such as ellagic acid have anti-amyloidogenic properties and may have therapeutic potential for Parkinson's disease and other proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Roshan Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Manisha Kumari
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Raniki Kumari
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Sandhini Saha
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
| | - Neel Sarovar Bhavesh
- Transcription Regulation Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Tushar Kanti Maiti
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad 121001, India
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12
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Reverse engineering Lewy bodies: how far have we come and how far can we go? Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:111-131. [PMID: 33432241 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-00416-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lewy bodies (LBs) are α-synuclein (α-syn)-rich intracellular inclusions that are an important pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that the aggregation of α-syn has a central role in LB formation and is one of the key processes that drive neurodegeneration and pathology progression in Parkinson disease. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the formation of LBs, their biochemical composition and ultrastructural properties, how they evolve and spread with disease progression, and their role in neurodegeneration. In this Review, we discuss current knowledge of α-syn pathology, including the biochemical, structural and morphological features of LBs observed in different brain regions. We also review the most used cellular and animal models of α-syn aggregation and pathology spreading in relation to the extent to which they reproduce key features of authentic LBs. Finally, we provide important insights into molecular and cellular determinants of LB formation and spreading, and highlight the critical need for more detailed and systematic characterization of α-syn pathology, at both the biochemical and structural levels. This would advance our understanding of Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative diseases and allow the development of more-reliable disease models and novel effective therapeutic strategies.
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Guan Y, Zhao X, Liu F, Yan S, Wang Y, Du C, Cui X, Li R, Zhang CX. Pathogenic Mutations Differentially Regulate Cell-to-Cell Transmission of α-Synuclein. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:159. [PMID: 32595456 PMCID: PMC7303300 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that the cell-to-cell spread of pathological α-synuclein (α-syn) plays important roles in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). PD patients who carry α-syn gene mutations often have an earlier onset and more severe clinical symptoms and pathology than sporadic PD cases who carry the wild-type (WT) α-syn gene. However, the molecular mechanism by which α-syn gene mutations promote PD remains unclear. Here, we hypothesized that pathogenic mutations facilitate the intercellular transfer and cytotoxicity of α-syn, favoring an early disease onset and faster progression. We investigated the effects of eight known pathogenic mutations in human α-syn (A18T, A29S, A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D, A53E, and A53T) on its pathological transmission in terms of secretion, aggregation, intracellular level, cytotoxicity, seeding, and induction of neuroinflammation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, cultured rat neurons, and microglia, and the rat substantia nigra pars compacta. We found that 2 of the 8 mutations (H50Q and A53T) significantly increased α-syn secretion while 6 mutations (A18T, A29S, A30P, G51D, A53E, and E46K) tended to enhance it. In vitroα-syn aggregation experiments showed that H50Q promoted while G51D delayed aggregation most strongly. Interestingly, 3 mutations (E46K, H50Q, and G51D) greatly increased the intracellular α-syn level when cultured cells were treated with preformed α-syn fibrils (PFFs) compared with the WT, while the other 5 had no effect. We also demonstrated that H50Q, G51D, and A53T PFFs, but not E46K PFFs, efficiently seeded in vivo and acutely induced neuroinflammation in rat substantia nigra pars compacta. Our data indicate that pathogenic mutations augment the prion-like spread of α-syn at different steps and blockade of this pathogenic propagation may serve as a promising therapeutic intervention for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Guan
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Huaxin Hospital, First Hospital of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofang Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengwei Liu
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuxin Yan
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yalong Wang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Cuilian Du
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Xiuyu Cui
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Rena Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital and Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Claire Xi Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Kumar R, Kumar S, Hanpude P, Singh AK, Johari T, Majumder S, Maiti TK. Partially oxidized DJ-1 inhibits α-synuclein nucleation and remodels mature α-synuclein fibrils in vitro. Commun Biol 2019; 2:395. [PMID: 31701024 PMCID: PMC6821844 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0644-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DJ-1 is a deglycase enzyme which exhibits a redox-sensitive chaperone-like activity. The partially oxidized state of DJ-1 is active in inhibiting the aggregation of α-synuclein, a key protein associated with Parkinson's disease. The underlying molecular mechanism behind α-synuclein aggregation inhibition remains unknown. Here we report that the partially oxidized DJ-1 possesses an adhesive surface which sequesters α-synuclein monomers and blocks the early stages of α-synuclein aggregation and also restricts the elongation of α-synuclein fibrils. DJ-1 remodels mature α-synuclein fibrils into heterogeneous toxic oligomeric species. The remodeled fibers show loose surface topology due to a decrease in elastic modulus and disrupt membrane architecture, internalize easily and induce aberrant nitric oxide release. Our results provide a mechanism by which partially oxidized DJ-1 counteracts α-synuclein aggregation at initial stages of aggregation and provide evidence of a deleterious effect of remodeled α-synuclein species generated by partially oxidized DJ-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001 India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001 India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
| | - Pranita Hanpude
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001 India
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001 India
| | - Tanu Johari
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001 India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
| | - Sushanta Majumder
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001 India
| | - Tushar Kanti Maiti
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001 India
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Kumar R, Kumari R, Kumar S, Jangir DK, Maiti TK. Extracellular α-Synuclein Disrupts Membrane Nanostructure and Promotes S-Nitrosylation-Induced Neuronal Cell Death. Biomacromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, third Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Raniki Kumari
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, third Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
- KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, third Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Deepak Kumar Jangir
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, third Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Tushar Kanti Maiti
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), NCR Biotech Science Cluster, third Milestone Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway, Faridabad, 121001, India
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