1
|
Seo DH, Huh YH, Cheong HK, Kim EH, Lim JS, Lee MJ, Lee D, Ryu KS. Mechanism of Methylene Blue Inducing the Disulfide Bond Formation of Tubulin-Associated Unit Proteins. JACS AU 2024; 4:2451-2455. [PMID: 39055157 PMCID: PMC11267549 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) has recently completed a Phase-3 clinical trial as leuco-methylthioninium (LMT) bis(hydromethanesulfonate) for treating Alzheimer's disease. Herein, we investigated the mechanism underlying the MB inhibition of tubulin-associated unit (tau) aggregation by focusing on tau monomers. We found that MB causes disulfide bond formation, resulting in strong nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift perturbations in a large area of tau proteins. The oxidized form of MB, namely methylthioninium (MT+), specifically catalyzed the oxidation of cysteine residues in tau proteins to form disulfide bonds directly using O2. This process is independent of the MT+-to-LMT redox cycle. Moreover, MT+ preferentially oxidized C291 and C322 in the lysine-rich R2 and R3 domains. Under in vivo brain physoxia conditions, LMT may convert to MT+, possibly interfering with tau fibrillation via disulfide bond formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hyun Seo
- Ochang
center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro, Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
- KBSI
School of Bioscience, University of Science
and Technology, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro,
Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
| | - Yang Hoon Huh
- Ochang
center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro, Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
| | - Hae-Kap Cheong
- Ochang
center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro, Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Kim
- Ochang
center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro, Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
| | - Jong-Soo Lim
- Novorex
Inc., 240 Pangyoyeok-Ro, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do 13493, South Korea
| | - Min Jung Lee
- Dong-A
ST Research Institute, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-Do 17073, South Korea
| | - Donghan Lee
- Ochang
center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro, Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seok Ryu
- Ochang
center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro, Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
- KBSI
School of Bioscience, University of Science
and Technology, 162 Yeongudanji-Ro,
Ochang-Eup, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-Do 28119, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Al-Saad OM, Gabr M, Darwish SS, Rullo M, Pisani L, Miniero DV, Liuzzi GM, Kany AM, Hirsch AKH, Abadi AH, Engel M, Catto M, Abdel-Halim M. Novel 6-hydroxybenzothiazol-2-carboxamides as potent and selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors endowed with neuroprotective activity. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 269:116266. [PMID: 38490063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
In neurodegenerative diseases, using a single molecule that can exert multiple effects to modify the disease may have superior activity over the classical "one molecule-one target" approach. Herein, we describe the discovery of 6-hydroxybenzothiazol-2-carboxamides as highly potent and selective MAO-B inhibitors. Variation of the amide substituent led to several potent compounds having diverse side chains with cyclohexylamide 40 displaying the highest potency towards MAO-B (IC50 = 11 nM). To discover new compounds with extended efficacy against neurotoxic mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases, MAO-B inhibitors were screened against PHF6, R3 tau, cellular tau and α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation. We identified the phenethylamide 30 as a multipotent inhibitor of MAO-B (IC50 = 41 nM) and α-syn and tau aggregation. It showed no cytotoxic effects on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, while also providing neuroprotection against toxicities induced by α-syn and tau. The evaluation of key physicochemical and in vitro-ADME properties revealed a great potential as drug-like small molecules with multitarget neuroprotective activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omar M Al-Saad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Moustafa Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sarah S Darwish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, 11835, Egypt; School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted By Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, 11578, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariagrazia Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Pisani
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Valeria Miniero
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Liuzzi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Andreas M Kany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus E8.1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Ashraf H Abadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Matthias Engel
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus C2.3, D-66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Mohammad Abdel-Halim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, 11835, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Huang Y, Wen J, Ramirez LM, Gümüşdil E, Pokhrel P, Man VH, Ye H, Han Y, Liu Y, Li P, Su Z, Wang J, Mao H, Zweckstetter M, Perrett S, Wu S, Gao M. Methylene blue accelerates liquid-to-gel transition of tau condensates impacting tau function and pathology. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5444. [PMID: 37673952 PMCID: PMC10482834 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41241-6] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preventing tau aggregation is a potential therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Recently, liquid-liquid phase separation has been found to facilitate the formation of pathogenic tau conformations and fibrillar aggregates, although many aspects of the conformational transitions of tau during the phase transition process remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the tau aggregation inhibitor methylene blue promotes tau liquid-liquid phase separation and accelerates the liquid-to-gel transition of tau droplets independent of the redox activity of methylene blue. We further show that methylene blue inhibits the conversion of tau droplets into fibrils and reduces the cytotoxicity of tau aggregates. Although gelation slows down the mobility of tau and tubulin, it does not impair microtubule assembly within tau droplets. These findings suggest that methylene blue inhibits tau amyloid fibrillization and accelerates tau droplet gelation via distinct mechanisms, thus providing insights into the activity of tau aggregation inhibitors in the context of phase transition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongqi Huang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, 430068, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jitao Wen
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Lisa-Marie Ramirez
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Von-Siebold-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eymen Gümüşdil
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Von-Siebold-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gebze Technical University, 41400, Gebze Çayirova, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Pravin Pokhrel
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Viet H Man
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Haiqiong Ye
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, 430068, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Han
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, 430068, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, 430068, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Li
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, 430068, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, 430068, Wuhan, China
| | - Junmei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Hanbin Mao
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Von-Siebold-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Perrett
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Si Wu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Meng Gao
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, 430068, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Prifti E, Tsakiri EN, Vourkou E, Stamatakis G, Samiotaki M, Skoulakis EMC, Papanikolopoulou K. Mical modulates Tau toxicity via cysteine oxidation in vivo. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:44. [PMID: 35379354 PMCID: PMC8981811 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01348-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau accumulation is clearly linked to pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease and other Tauopathies. However, processes leading to Tau fibrillization and reasons for its pathogenicity remain largely elusive. Mical emerged as a novel interacting protein of human Tau expressed in Drosophila brains. Mical is characterized by the presence of a flavoprotein monooxygenase domain that generates redox potential with which it can oxidize target proteins. In the well-established Drosophila Tauopathy model, we use genetic interactions to show that Mical alters Tau interactions with microtubules and the Actin cytoskeleton and greatly affects Tau aggregation propensity and Tau-associated toxicity and dysfunction. Exploration of the mechanism was pursued using a Mical inhibitor, a mutation in Mical that selectively disrupts its monooxygenase domain, Tau transgenes mutated at cysteine residues targeted by Mical and mass spectrometry analysis to quantify cysteine oxidation. The collective evidence strongly indicates that Mical’s redox activity mediates the effects on Tau via oxidation of Cys322. Importantly, we also validate results from the fly model in human Tauopathy samples by showing that MICAL1 is up-regulated in patient brains and co-localizes with Tau in Pick bodies. Our work provides mechanistic insights into the role of the Tau cysteine residues as redox-switches regulating the process of Tau self-assembly into inclusions in vivo, its function as a cytoskeletal protein and its effect on neuronal toxicity and dysfunction.
Collapse
|
5
|
Giovannini J, Smeralda W, Jouanne M, Sopkova-de Oliveira Santos J, Catto M, Sophie Voisin-Chiret A. Tau protein aggregation: key features to improve drug discovery screening. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1284-1297. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
6
|
Cai X, Ji L, Tang H, Wang R, Feng F. One pot synthesis and self-assembly of methylene blue-backboned polymers. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:12313-12316. [PMID: 34734930 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc04769h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Studies of methylene blue-backboned polymers (MBPs) are hindered by the limited availability of polymerization methods. Herein, we developed an oxidative polymerization method to produce MBPs. The polymerization is performed in aqueous medium, and is organic solvent-free, heavy metal-free, time-efficient (on a timescale of minutes), and does not need pre-formed methylene blue chromophores. The effects of the alkyl chains of the MBPs on the photophysical properties and self-assembly behavior (e.g., vesicles and nanorings) are significant, which highlights the possibility of controlling the MBP properties via rationally tailoring the functionality of the MBP monomers prior to polymerization. Importantly, the self-assembly structures can be predicted using the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuetong Cai
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Luyang Ji
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Fude Feng
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aboushady Y, Gabr M, ElHady AK, Salah M, Abadi AH, Wilms G, Becker W, Abdel-Halim M, Engel M. Discovery of Hydroxybenzothiazole Urea Compounds as Multitargeted Agents Suppressing Major Cytotoxic Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Diseases. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:4302-4318. [PMID: 34726394 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00475] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple factors are causally responsible and/or contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The protein kinase Dyrk1A was identified as a promising target as it phosphorylates tau protein, α-synuclein, and parkin. The first goal of our study was to optimize our previously identified Dyrk1A inhibitors of the 6-hydroxy benzothiazole urea chemotype in terms of potency and selectivity. Our efforts led to the development of the 3-fluorobenzyl amide derivative 16b, which displayed the highest potency against Dyrk1A (IC50 = 9.4 nM). In general, the diversification of the benzylamide moiety led to an enhanced selectivity over the most homologous isoform, Dyrk1B, which was a meaningful indicator, as the high selectivity could be confirmed in an extended selectivity profiling of 3b and 16b. Eventually, we identified the novel phenethyl amide derivative 24b as a triple inhibitor of Dyrk1A kinase activity (IC50 = 119 nM) and the aggregation of tau and α-syn oligomers. We provide evidence that the novel combination of selective Dyrk1A inhibition and suppression of tau and α-syn aggregations of our new lead compound confers efficacy in several established cellular models of neurotoxic mechanisms relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, including α-syn- and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cytotoxicities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Aboushady
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Moustafa Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ahmed K. ElHady
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted By Global Academic Foundation, New Administrative Capital, Cairo 11311, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Salah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts, Cairo 12451, Egypt
| | - Ashraf H. Abadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Gerrit Wilms
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Walter Becker
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Mohammad Abdel-Halim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Matthias Engel
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus C2.3 Saarbrücken D-66123, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Manzoor S, Gabr MT, Rasool B, Pal K, Hoda N. Dual targeting of acetylcholinesterase and tau aggregation: Design, synthesis and evaluation of multifunctional deoxyvasicinone analogues for Alzheimer's disease. Bioorg Chem 2021; 116:105354. [PMID: 34562674 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Development of multitargeted ligands have demonstrated remarkable efficiency as potential therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, we reported a new series of deoxyvasicinone analogues as dual inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tau aggregation that function as multitargeted ligands for AD. All the multitargeted ligands 11(a-j) and 15(a-g) were designed, synthesized, and validated by 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass spectrometry. All the synthesized compounds 11(a-j) and 15(a-g) were screened for their ability to inhibit AChE, BACE1, amyloid fibrillation, α-syn aggregation, and tau aggregation. All the screened compounds possessed weak inhibition of BACE-1, Aβ42 and α-syn aggregation. However, several compounds were identified as potential hits in the AChE inhibitory screening assay and cellular tau aggregation screening. Among all compounds, 11f remarkably inhibited AChE activity and cellular tau oligomerization at single-dose screening (10 µM). Moreover, 11f displayed a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.91 ± 0.05 µM and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 3.83 ± 0.51 µM for the inhibition of AChE and cellular tau oligomerization, respectively. In addition, the neuroprotective effect of 11f was determined in tau-expressing SH-SY5Y cells incubated with Aβ oligomers. These findings highlighted the potential of 11f to function as a multifunctional ligand for the development of promising anti-AD drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Manzoor
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India.
| | - Moustafa T Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States.
| | - Bisma Rasool
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Kavita Pal
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Nasimul Hoda
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang D, Huang X, Yan L, Zhou L, Yan C, Wu J, Su Z, Huang Y. The Structure Biology of Tau and Clue for Aggregation Inhibitor Design. Protein J 2021; 40:656-668. [PMID: 34401998 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-021-10017-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that is mainly expressed in central and peripheral nerve systems. Tau binds to tubulin and regulates assembly and stabilization of microtubule, thus playing a critical role in neuron morphology, axon development and navigation. Tau is highly stable under normal conditions; however, there are several factors that can induce or promote aggregation of tau, forming neurofibrillary tangles. Neurofibrillary tangles are toxic to neurons, which may be related to a series of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Thus, tau is widely accepted as an important therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. While the monomeric structure of tau is highly disordered, the aggregate structure of tau is formed by closed packing of β-stands. Studies on the structure of tau and the structural transition mechanism provide valuable information on the occurrence, development, and therapy of tauopathies. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the structural investigation of tau and based on which we discuss aggregation inhibitor design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China
| | - Xianlong Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China
| | - Lu Yan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China
| | - Luoqi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China
| | - Chang Yan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China
| | - Jinhu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China
| | - Yongqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Satarker S, Maity S, Mudgal J, Nampoothiri M. In silico screening of neurokinin receptor antagonists as a therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Divers 2021; 26:443-466. [PMID: 34331670 PMCID: PMC8885547 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is one of the detrimental factors leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The activation of microglial neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) by substance P (SP) enhances neuroinflammation which is mediated through pro-inflammatory pathways involving NFkB, ERK1/2, and P38 and thus projects the scope and importance of NK1R inhibitors. Emphasizing the inhibitory role of N Acetyl l Tryptophan (l-NAT) on NK1R, this is the first in silico screening of l-NAT mediated NK1R antagonism. In addition, FDA- approved ligands were screened for their potential NK1R antagonism. The l-NAT was docked in XP (Extra Precision) mode while FDA-approved ligands were screened in HTVS (High Throughput Virtual Screening), SP (Standard Precision), and XP mode onto NK1R (PDB:6HLO). The l-NAT and top 3 compounds FDA-approved ligands were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) studies of 100 ns simulation time. The XP docking of l-NAT, indacaterol, modafinil and alosetron showed good docking scores. Their 100 ns MD showed brief protein–ligand interactions with an acceptable root mean square deviation. The protein–ligand contacts depicted pi-pi stacking, pi-cation, hydrogen bonds, and water bridges with the amino acids necessary for NK1R inhibition. The variable colour band intensities on the protein–ligand contact map indicated their binding strength with amino acids. The molecular mechanics/generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) scores suggested favourable binding free energy of the complexes. Thus, our study predicted the ability of l-NAT, indacaterol, modafinil, and alosetron as capable NK1R inhibitors that can aid to curb neuroinflammation in conditions of AD which could be further ascertained in subsequent studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sairaj Satarker
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Swastika Maity
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Jayesh Mudgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Gabr MT, Barbault F. First dual binder of microRNA-146a and monomeric tau: a novel approach for multitargeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 56:9695-9698. [PMID: 32699863 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc04249h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We report a new approach for the development of multitargeted therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on dual targeting of monomeric tau and biogenesis of microRNA-146a. Compound MG-1102 displayed a superior neuroprotective activity, in comparison to mono-targeted therapeutics, which validates the likelihood of the success of this approach in AD drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moustafa T Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Florent Barbault
- Universite de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, UMR 7086, 15 Rue J-A de Baïf, F-75013, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zeng Y, Yang J, Zhang B, Gao M, Su Z, Huang Y. The structure and phase of tau: from monomer to amyloid filament. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:1873-1886. [PMID: 33078207 PMCID: PMC11073437 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03681-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein involved in regulation of assembly and spatial organization of microtubule in neurons. However, in pathological conditions, tau monomers assemble into amyloid filaments characterized by the cross-β structures in a number of neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. In this review, we summarize recent progression on the characterization of structures of tau monomer and filament, as well as the dynamic liquid droplet assembly. Our aim is to reveal how post-translational modifications, amino acid mutations, and interacting molecules modulate the conformational ensemble of tau monomer, and how they accelerate or inhibit tau assembly into aggregates. Structure-based aggregation inhibitor design is also discussed in the context of dynamics and heterogeneity of tau structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bailing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhao J, Yin F, Ji L, Wang C, Shi C, Liu X, Yang H, Wang X, Kong L. Development of a Tau-Targeted Drug Delivery System Using a Multifunctional Nanoscale Metal-Organic Framework for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:44447-44458. [PMID: 32897042 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a widespread and burdensome neurodegenerative disease; effective diagnostic methods are lacking, and it remains incurable. The clinical applications of nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) have mainly focused on disease diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A multifunctional NMOF-based nanoplatform was successfully developed for the application in AD diagnosis and therapy. The magnetic nanomaterial Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 was selected to encapsulate methylene blue (MB, a tau aggregation inhibitor) and used as a magnetic resonance contrast material. Subsequently, the targeting reagent 5-amino-3-(pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-1-yl)isoquinoline (defluorinated MK6240, DMK6240) was connected to the surface of Fe-MIL-88B-NH2 via 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA) to enhance hyperphosphorylated tau targeting, resulting in the formation of an advanced drug delivery system, Fe-MIL-88B-NH2-NOTA-DMK6240/MB. The surface properties of Fe-MIL-88B-NH2-NOTA-DMK6240/MB enable outstanding magnetic resonance imaging capability, as well as amelioration of AD symptoms in vitro and in vivo via the inhibition of hyperphosphorylated tau aggregation and impediment of neuronal death. In conclusion, a tau-targeted drug delivery platform with both disease diagnostics and treatment functions was developed in order to promote new applications of MOFs in the fields of AD and has potential applications in other neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Fucheng Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Limei Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Cunjian Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingchen Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Huali Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobing Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingyi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Exploring IDP-Ligand Interactions: tau K18 as A Test Case. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155257. [PMID: 32722166 PMCID: PMC7432903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have emerged as a biologically important class of proteins, many of which are of therapeutic relevance. Here, we investigated the interactions between a model IDP system, tau K18, and nine literature compounds that have been reported as having an effect on tau in order to identify a robust IDP–ligand system for the optimization of a range of biophysical methods. We used NMR, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and microscale thermophoresis (MST) methods to investigate the binding of these compounds to tau K18; only one showed unambiguous interaction with tau K18. Several near neighbors of this compound were synthesized and their interactions with tau K18 characterized using additional NMR methods, including 1D ligand-observed NMR, diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and 19F NMR. This study demonstrates that it is possible to detect and characterize IDP–ligand interactions using biophysical methods. However, care must be taken to account for possible artefacts, particularly the impact of compound solubility and where the protein has to be immobilized.
Collapse
|
15
|
Gabr M, Murugan NA. Discovery of biphenyl pyrazole scaffold for neurodegenerative diseases: A novel class of acetylcholinesterase-centered multitargeted ligands. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127370. [PMID: 32738978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Multitargeted ligands have demonstrated remarkable efficiency as potential therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases as they target multiple pathways involved in the progression of these diseases. Herein, we report first-in-class dual inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tau aggregation as a novel class of multitargeted ligands for neurodegenerative diseases. The reported biphenyl pyrazole scaffold binds monomeric tau with submicromolar affinity and impedes the formation of tau oligomers at early stages. Additionally, the lead compound inhibited AChE activity with an IC50 value of 0.35 ± 0.02 μM. Remarkably, the neuroprotective effect of this lead in induced cytotoxicity model of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells is superior to single-targeted AChE and tau-aggregation inhibitors. This scaffold would enable development of new generation of multitargeted ligands for neurodegenerative diseases that function through dual targeting of AChE and monomeric tau.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moustafa Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States.
| | - Natarajan Arul Murugan
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gabr MT, Peccati F. Dual Targeting of Monomeric Tau and α-Synuclein Aggregation: A New Multitarget Therapeutic Strategy for Neurodegeneration. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2051-2057. [PMID: 32579329 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of efficient multitargeted therapeutic strategies is crucial in facing the multifaceted nature of neurodegenerative diseases. Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the two most common neurodegenerative disorders, share a common hallmark of accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates which are Lewy bodies (LBs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), respectively. Tau protein and α-synuclein (α-syn), the precursors of LBs and NFTs, have demonstrated synergistic aggregation and neurotoxicity in both in vitro and in vivo models. Herein, we validate for the first time dual targeting of monomeric tau and α-syn aggregation as an efficient platform for development of multitarget therapeutics for neurological disorders. Cellular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based high-throughput screening for tau-binding compounds, followed by additional screening of the hits for their ability to impede α-syn aggregation identified MG-2119 as a potential lead. The high binding affinity of MG-2119 to monomeric tau was verified using cellular FRET assay, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and microscale thermophoresis (MSH). Moreover, MG-2119 inhibited α-syn aggregation as revealed by thioflavin T (ThT) assay and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Interestingly, MG-2119 was capable of rescuing combined tau and α-syn-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Less pronounced cell-rescuing effects were observed for single-targeted tau and α-syn aggregation inhibitors showcasing the superiority of the multitargeted approach described in this study. The satisfactory pharmacokinetic profile and low toxicity of MG-2119 hold promise for future optimization to develop potential therapeutics for neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moustafa T. Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Francesca Peccati
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mouchlis VD, Melagraki G, Zacharia LC, Afantitis A. Computer-Aided Drug Design of β-Secretase, γ-Secretase and Anti-Tau Inhibitors for the Discovery of Novel Alzheimer's Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E703. [PMID: 31973122 PMCID: PMC7038192 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by progressive neuronal death and synapses loss in human brain, are rapidly growing affecting millions of people globally. Alzheimer's is the most common neurodegenerative disease and it can be caused by genetic and environmental risk factors. This review describes the amyloid-β and Tau hypotheses leading to amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, respectively which are the predominant pathways for the development of anti-Alzheimer's small molecule inhibitors. The function and structure of the druggable targets of these two pathways including β-secretase, γ-secretase, and Tau are discussed in this review article. Computer-Aided Drug Design including computational structure-based design and ligand-based design have been employed successfully to develop inhibitors for biomolecular targets involved in Alzheimer's. The application of computational molecular modeling for the discovery of small molecule inhibitors and modulators for β-secretase and γ-secretase is summarized. Examples of computational approaches employed for the development of anti-amyloid aggregation and anti-Tau phosphorylation, proteolysis and aggregation inhibitors are also reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgia Melagraki
- Division of Physical Sciences & Applications, Hellenic Military Academy, Vari 16672, Greece;
| | - Lefteris C. Zacharia
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia 1700, Cyprus;
| | - Antreas Afantitis
- Department of ChemoInformatics, NovaMechanics Ltd., Nicosia 1046, Cyprus
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Novel Small Molecules Targeting the Intrinsically Disordered Structural Ensemble of α-Synuclein Protect Against Diverse α-Synuclein Mediated Dysfunctions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16947. [PMID: 31740740 PMCID: PMC6861283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The over-expression and aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) are linked to the onset and pathology of Parkinson’s disease. Native monomeric αSyn exists in an intrinsically disordered ensemble of interconverting conformations, which has made its therapeutic targeting by small molecules highly challenging. Nonetheless, here we successfully target the monomeric structural ensemble of αSyn and thereby identify novel drug-like small molecules that impact multiple pathogenic processes. Using a surface plasmon resonance high-throughput screen, in which monomeric αSyn is incubated with microchips arrayed with tethered compounds, we identified novel αSyn interacting drug-like compounds. Because these small molecules could impact a variety of αSyn forms present in the ensemble, we tested representative hits for impact on multiple αSyn malfunctions in vitro and in cells including aggregation and perturbation of vesicular dynamics. We thereby identified a compound that inhibits αSyn misfolding and is neuroprotective, multiple compounds that restore phagocytosis impaired by αSyn overexpression, and a compound blocking cellular transmission of αSyn. Our studies demonstrate that drug-like small molecules that interact with native αSyn can impact a variety of its pathological processes. Thus, targeting the intrinsically disordered ensemble of αSyn offers a unique approach to the development of small molecule research tools and therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease.
Collapse
|
19
|
Yeboah F, Kim TE, Bill A, Dettmer U. Dynamic behaviors of α-synuclein and tau in the cellular context: New mechanistic insights and therapeutic opportunities in neurodegeneration. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 132:104543. [PMID: 31351173 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) and tau have a lot in common. Dyshomeostasis and aggregation of both proteins are central in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multi-system atrophy and other 'synucleinopathies' in the case of αS; Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy and other 'tauopathies' in the case of tau. The aggregated states of αS and tau are found to be (hyper)phosphorylated, but the relevance of the phosphorylation in health or disease is not well understood. Both tau and αS are typically characterized as 'intrinsically disordered' proteins, while both engage in transient interactions with cellular components, thereby undergoing structural changes and context-specific folding. αS transiently binds to (synaptic) vesicles forming a membrane-induced amphipathic helix; tau transiently interacts with microtubules forming an 'extended structure'. The regulation and exact nature of the interactions are not fully understood. Here we review recent and previous insights into the dynamic, transient nature of αS and tau with regard to the mode of interaction with their targets, the dwell-time while bound, and the cis and trans factors underlying the frequent switching between bound and unbound states. These aspects are intimately linked to hypotheses on how subtle changes in the transient behaviors may trigger the earliest steps in the pathogenesis of the respective brain diseases. Based on a deeper understanding of transient αS and tau conformations in the cellular context, new therapeutic strategies may emerge, and it may become clearer why existing approaches have failed or how they could be optimized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fred Yeboah
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tae-Eun Kim
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anke Bill
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Ulf Dettmer
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jebarupa B, Mathew B, Srinivasu BY, Sasikumaran A, Joseph S, Mandal AK, Thomas T, Mitra G. Understanding molecular features of aggregation-resistant tau conformer using oxidized monomer. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019; 1863:993-1005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
21
|
Martinelli AHS, Lopes FC, John EBO, Carlini CR, Ligabue-Braun R. Modulation of Disordered Proteins with a Focus on Neurodegenerative Diseases and Other Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061322. [PMID: 30875980 PMCID: PMC6471803 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not have rigid 3D structures, showing changes in their folding depending on the environment or ligands. Intrinsically disordered proteins are widely spread in eukaryotic genomes, and these proteins participate in many cell regulatory metabolism processes. Some IDPs, when aberrantly folded, can be the cause of some diseases such as Alzheimer′s, Parkinson′s, and prionic, among others. In these diseases, there are modifications in parts of the protein or in its entirety. A common conformational variation of these IDPs is misfolding and aggregation, forming, for instance, neurotoxic amyloid plaques. In this review, we discuss some IDPs that are involved in neurodegenerative diseases (such as beta amyloid, alpha synuclein, tau, and the “IDP-like” PrP), cancer (p53, c-Myc), and diabetes (amylin), focusing on the structural changes of these IDPs that are linked to such pathologies. We also present the IDP modulation mechanisms that can be explored in new strategies for drug design. Lastly, we show some candidate drugs that can be used in the future for the treatment of diseases caused by misfolded IDPs, considering that cancer therapy has more advanced research in comparison to other diseases, while also discussing recent and future developments in this area of research. Therefore, we aim to provide support to the study of IDPs and their modulation mechanisms as promising approaches to combat such severe diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne H S Martinelli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology & Department of Biophysics, Biosciences Institute-IB, (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda C Lopes
- Center for Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Elisa B O John
- Center for Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
| | - Célia R Carlini
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre CEP 91501-970, RS, Brazil.
- Graduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 91410-000, RS, Brazil.
- Brain Institute-InsCer, Laboratory of Neurotoxins, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 90610-000, RS, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre CEP 90050-170, RS, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
|