1
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Neven J, Issayama LK, Dewachter I, Wilson DM. Genomic stress and impaired DNA repair in Alzheimer disease. DNA Repair (Amst) 2024; 139:103678. [PMID: 38669748 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most prominent form of dementia and has received considerable attention due to its growing burden on economic, healthcare and basic societal infrastructures. The two major neuropathological hallmarks of AD, i.e., extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide plaques and intracellular hyperphosphorylated Tau neurofibrillary tangles, have been the focus of much research, with an eye on understanding underlying disease mechanisms and identifying novel therapeutic avenues. One often overlooked aspect of AD is how Aβ and Tau may, through indirect and direct mechanisms, affect genome integrity. Herein, we review evidence that Aβ and Tau abnormalities induce excessive genomic stress and impair genome maintenance mechanisms, events that can promote DNA damage-induced neuronal cell loss and associated brain atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Neven
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Luidy Kazuo Issayama
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Ilse Dewachter
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - David M Wilson
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, Hasselt 3500, Belgium.
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2
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Abasi LS, Elathram N, Movva M, Deep A, Corbett KD, Debelouchina GT. Phosphorylation regulates tau's phase separation behavior and interactions with chromatin. Commun Biol 2024; 7:251. [PMID: 38429335 PMCID: PMC10907630 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05920-4] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein often found in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Beyond this context, mounting evidence suggests that tau localizes into the nucleus, where it may play a role in DNA protection and heterochromatin regulation. The molecular mechanisms behind these observations are currently unclear. Using in vitro biophysical experiments, here we demonstrate that tau can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with DNA, mononucleosomes, and reconstituted nucleosome arrays under low salt conditions. Low concentrations of tau promote chromatin compaction and protect DNA from digestion. While the material state of samples at physiological salt is dominated by chromatin oligomerization, tau can still associate strongly and reversibly with nucleosome arrays. These properties are driven by tau's strong interactions with linker and nucleosomal DNA. In addition, tau co-localizes into droplets formed by nucleosome arrays and phosphorylated HP1α, a key heterochromatin constituent thought to function through an LLPS mechanism. Importantly, LLPS and chromatin interactions are disrupted by aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation. These biophysical properties suggest that tau may directly impact DNA and chromatin accessibility and that loss of these interactions could contribute to the aberrant nuclear effects seen in tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lannah S Abasi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nesreen Elathram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Manasi Movva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Amar Deep
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Galia T Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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3
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El Hajjar L, Bridot C, Nguyen M, Cantrelle FX, Landrieu I, Smet-Nocca C. Phosphorylation of Tau Protein by CDK2/cyclin A and GSK3β Recombinant Kinases: Analysis of Phosphorylation Patterns by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:271-306. [PMID: 38512672 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins can be investigated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as a powerful analytical tool to define modification sites, their relative stoichiometry, and crosstalk between modifications. As a Structural Biology method, NMR provides important additional information on changes in protein conformation and dynamics upon modification as well as a mapping of binding sites upon biomolecular interactions. Indeed, PTMs not only mediate functional modulation in protein-protein interactions, but can also induce diverse structural responses with different biological outcomes. Here we present protocols that have been developed for the production and phosphorylation of the neuronal tau protein. Under its aggregated form, tau is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases named tauopathies involving tau dysfunction and/or mutations. As a common feature shared by various tauopathies, tau aggregates are found into a form displaying an increased, abnormal phosphorylation, also referred to hyperphosphorylation. We have used NMR to investigate the phosphorylation patterns of tau induced by several kinases or cell extracts, how phosphorylation affects the local and overall conformation of tau, its interactions with partners (proteins, DNA, small-molecules, etc.) including tubulin and microtubules, and its capacity to form insoluble fibrillar aggregates. We present here detailed protocols for in vitro phosphorylation of tau by the recombinant kinases CDK2/cyclin A and GSK3β, the production of the recombinant kinases thereof, as well as the analytical characterization of phosphorylated tau by NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa El Hajjar
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Clarisse Bridot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Marine Nguyen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - François-Xavier Cantrelle
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Isabelle Landrieu
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS, EMR9002 BSI Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
- LabEx (Laboratory of Excellence) DISTALZ (Development of Innovative Strategies for a Transdisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer's Disease ANR-11-LABX-01), Lille, France
| | - Caroline Smet-Nocca
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France.
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France.
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4
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Alonso ADC, El Idrissi A, Candia R, Morozova V, Kleiman FE. Tau: More than a microtubule-binding protein in neurons. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:71-77. [PMID: 37819542 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Tau protein was discovered as a microtubule-associated protein nearly 50 years ago, and our understanding of tau has revolved around that role. Even with tau's rise to stardom as a central player in neurodegenerative disease, therapeutic efforts have largely been targeted toward cytoskeletal changes. While some studies hinted toward non-cytoskeletal roles for tau, it is only fairly recently that these ideas have begun to receive considerable attention. Many new binding partners for tau have been identified, including DNA, RNA, RNA-binding proteins, some receptors, and other tau molecules. The diversity of tau binding partners coupled with the discovery of tau other than axonal compartments such as nucleus, dendrites, and synapses have led to the proposal of novel functions for tau in roles such as nuclear stability, cell signaling, transcriptional processing, and protein synthesis. Tau self-assembly in particular has made an impact, leading to the hypothesis that a prion-like function of hyperphosphorylated tau is central to tauopathies. With tau emerging as a multifaceted protein that operates in many parts of the cell and with many molecular partners, the field of tau biology is primed for discoveries that can provide new perspectives on both the unique biochemistry of tau and the nature of devastating neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Del Carmen Alonso
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Abdeslem El Idrissi
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert Candia
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Viktoriya Morozova
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Helene Fuld College of Nursing, New York, New York, USA
| | - Frida Esther Kleiman
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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5
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Abasi LS, Elathram N, Movva M, Deep A, Corbett KD, Debelouchina GT. Phosphorylation regulates tau's phase separation behavior and interactions with chromatin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.21.572911. [PMID: 38187700 PMCID: PMC10769318 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.21.572911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein often found in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beyond this context, mounting evidence suggests that tau localizes into the nucleus, where it may play a role in DNA protection and heterochromatin regulation. Models of tau depletion or pathology show loss of genetically silent heterochromatin, aberrant expression of heterochromatic genes, and transposable element activation. The molecular mechanisms behind these observations are currently unclear. Using in vitro biophysical experiments, here we demonstrate that tau can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with DNA, mononucleosomes, and reconstituted nucleosome arrays under low salt conditions. Low concentrations of tau promote chromatin compaction and protect DNA from digestion. While the material state of samples at physiological salt is dominated by chromatin oligomerization, tau can still associate strongly and reversibly with nucleosome arrays. These properties are driven by tau's strong interactions with linker and nucleosomal DNA, while magic angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR experiments show that tau binding does not drastically alter nucleosome structure and dynamics. In addition, tau co-localizes into droplets formed by nucleosome arrays and phosphorylated HP1α, a key heterochromatin constituent thought to function through an LLPS mechanism. Importantly, LLPS and chromatin interactions are disrupted by aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation. These biophysical properties suggest that tau may directly impact DNA and chromatin accessibility and that loss of these interactions could contribute to the aberrant nuclear effects seen in tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lannah S. Abasi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nesreen Elathram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Manasi Movva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Amar Deep
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kevin D. Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Galia T. Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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6
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Hu J, Sha W, Yuan S, Wu J, Huang Y. Aggregation, Transmission, and Toxicity of the Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau: A Complex Comprehension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15023. [PMID: 37834471 PMCID: PMC10573976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241915023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau is an intrinsically disordered protein containing a few short and transient secondary structures. Tau physiologically associates with microtubules (MTs) for its stabilization and detaches from MTs to regulate its dynamics. Under pathological conditions, tau is abnormally modified, detaches from MTs, and forms protein aggregates in neuronal and glial cells. Tau protein aggregates can be found in a number of devastating neurodegenerative diseases known as "tauopathies", such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), etc. However, it is still unclear how the tau protein is compacted into ordered protein aggregates, and the toxicity of the aggregates is still debated. Fortunately, there has been considerable progress in the study of tau in recent years, particularly in the understanding of the intercellular transmission of pathological tau species, the structure of tau aggregates, and the conformational change events in the tau polymerization process. In this review, we summarize the concepts of tau protein aggregation and discuss the views on tau protein transmission and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Wenchi Sha
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Shuangshuang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yunpeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
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7
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Callari M, Sola M, Magrin C, Rinaldi A, Bolis M, Paganetti P, Colnaghi L, Papin S. Cancer-specific association between Tau (MAPT) and cellular pathways, clinical outcome, and drug response. Sci Data 2023; 10:637. [PMID: 37730697 PMCID: PMC10511431 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02543-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau (MAPT) is a microtubule-associated protein causing common neurodegenerative diseases or rare inherited frontotemporal lobar degenerations. Emerging evidence for non-canonical functions of Tau in DNA repair and P53 regulation suggests its involvement in cancer. To bring new evidence for a relevant role of Tau in cancer, we carried out an in-silico pan-cancer analysis of MAPT transcriptomic profile in over 10000 clinical samples from 32 cancer types and over 1300 pre-clinical samples from 28 cancer types provided by the TCGA and the DEPMAP datasets respectively. MAPT expression associated with key cancer hallmarks including inflammation, proliferation, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, showing cancer-specific patterns. In some cancer types, MAPT functional networks were affected by P53 mutational status. We identified new associations of MAPT with clinical outcomes and drug response in a context-specific manner. Overall, our findings indicate that the MAPT gene is a potential major player in multiple types of cancer. Importantly, the impact of Tau on cancer seems to be heavily influenced by the specific cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Sola
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Magrin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Marco Bolis
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Computational Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milano, Italy
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Core Unit, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Luca Colnaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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8
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Rodríguez-Callejas JD, Fuchs E, Perez-Cruz C. Atrophic astrocytes in aged marmosets present tau hyperphosphorylation, RNA oxidation, and DNA fragmentation. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 129:121-136. [PMID: 37302213 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes perform multiple essential functions in the brain showing morphological changes. Hypertrophic astrocytes are commonly observed in cognitively healthy aged animals, implying a functional defense mechanism without losing neuronal support. In neurodegenerative diseases, astrocytes show morphological alterations, such as decreased process length and reduced number of branch points, known as astroglial atrophy, with detrimental effects on neuronal cells. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a non-human primate that, with age, develops several features that resemble neurodegeneration. In this study, we characterize the morphological alterations in astrocytes of adolescent (mean 1.75 y), adult (mean 5.33 y), old (mean 11.25 y), and aged (mean 16.83 y) male marmosets. We observed a significantly reduced arborization in astrocytes of aged marmosets compared to younger animals in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. These astrocytes also show oxidative damage to RNA and increased nuclear plaques in the cortex and tau hyperphosphorylation (AT100). Astrocytes lacking S100A10 protein show a more severe atrophy and DNA fragmentation. Our results demonstrate the presence of atrophic astrocytes in the brains of aged marmosets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Rodríguez-Callejas
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Department of Pharmacology, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eberhard Fuchs
- German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute of Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Perez-Cruz
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Department of Pharmacology, Mexico City, Mexico.
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9
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Cancer Cells Upregulate Tau to Gain Resistance to DNA Damaging Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010116. [PMID: 36612113 PMCID: PMC9817522 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reports suggested a role for microtubules in double-strand-DNA break repair. We herein investigated the role of the microtubule-associated protein Tau in radio- and chemotherapy. Noticeably, a lowered expression of Tau in breast cancer cell lines resulted in a significant decrease in mouse-xenograft breast tumor volume after doxorubicin or X-ray treatments. Furthermore, the knockdown of Tau impaired the classical nonhomologous end-joining pathway and led to an improved cellular response to both bleomycin and X-rays. Investigating the mechanism of Tau's protective effect, we found that one of the main mediators of response to double-stranded breaks in DNA, the tumor suppressor p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1), is sequestered in the cytoplasm as a consequence of Tau downregulation. We demonstrated that Tau allows 53BP1 to translocate to the nucleus in response to DNA damage by chaperoning microtubule protein trafficking. Moreover, Tau knockdown chemo-sensitized cancer cells to drugs forming DNA adducts, such as cisplatin and oxaliplatin, and further suggested a general role of Tau in regulating the nuclear trafficking of DNA repair proteins. Altogether, these results suggest that Tau expression in cancer cells may be of interest as a molecular marker for response to DNA-damaging anti-cancer agents. Clinically targeting Tau could sensitize tumors to DNA-damaging treatments.
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10
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Huntingtin and Other Neurodegeneration-Associated Proteins in the Development of Intracellular Pathologies: Potential Target Search for Therapeutic Intervention. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415533. [PMID: 36555175 PMCID: PMC9779313 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable. Numerous experimental data accumulated over the past fifty years have brought us closer to understanding the molecular and cell mechanisms responsible for their development. However, these data are not enough for a complete understanding of the genesis of these diseases, nor to suggest treatment methods. It turns out that many cellular pathologies developing during neurodegeneration coincide from disease to disease. These observations give hope to finding a common intracellular target(s) and to offering a universal method of treatment. In this review, we attempt to analyze data on similar cellular disorders among neurodegenerative diseases in general, and polyglutamine neurodegenerative diseases in particular, focusing on the interaction of various proteins involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases with various cellular organelles. The main purposes of this review are: (1) to outline the spectrum of common intracellular pathologies and to answer the question of whether it is possible to find potential universal target(s) for therapeutic intervention; (2) to identify specific intracellular pathologies and to speculate about a possible general approach for their treatment.
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11
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Kao DS, Du Y, DeMarco AG, Min S, Hall MC, Rochet JC, Tao WA. Identification of Novel Kinases of Tau Using Fluorescence Complementation Mass Spectrometry (FCMS). Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100441. [PMID: 36379402 PMCID: PMC9755369 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Understanding the protein kinases that phosphorylate Tau is critical for the development of new drugs that target Tau phosphorylation. At present, the repertoire of the Tau kinases remains incomplete, and methods to uncover novel upstream protein kinases are still limited. Here, we apply our newly developed proteomic strategy, fluorescence complementation mass spectrometry, to identify novel kinase candidates of Tau. By constructing Tau- and kinase-fluorescent fragment library, we detected 59 Tau-associated kinases, including 23 known kinases of Tau and 36 novel candidate kinases. In the validation phase using in vitro phosphorylation, among 15 candidate kinases we attempted to purify and test, four candidate kinases, OXSR1 (oxidative-stress responsive gene 1), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), CSK (C-terminal SRC kinase), and ZAP70 (zeta chain of T-cell receptor-associated protein kinase 70), displayed the ability to phosphorylate Tau in time-course experiments. Furthermore, coexpression of these four kinases along with Tau increased the phosphorylation of Tau in human neuroglioma H4 cells. We demonstrate that fluorescence complementation mass spectrometry is a powerful proteomic strategy to systematically identify potential kinases that can phosphorylate Tau in cells. Our discovery of new candidate kinases of Tau can present new opportunities for developing Alzheimer's disease therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Der-Shyang Kao
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Yanyan Du
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrew G DeMarco
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Sehong Min
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Mark C Hall
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Jean-Christophe Rochet
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - W Andy Tao
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
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12
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Hedna R, Kovacic H, Pagano A, Peyrot V, Robin M, Devred F, Breuzard G. Tau Protein as Therapeutic Target for Cancer? Focus on Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5386. [PMID: 36358803 PMCID: PMC9653627 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite being extensively studied for several decades, the microtubule-associated protein Tau has not finished revealing its secrets. For long, Tau has been known for its ability to promote microtubule assembly. A less known feature of Tau is its capability to bind to cancer-related protein kinases, suggesting a possible role of Tau in modulating microtubule-independent cellular pathways that are associated with oncogenesis. With the intention of finding new therapeutic targets for cancer, it appears essential to examine the interaction of Tau with these kinases and their consequences. This review aims at collecting the literature data supporting the relationship between Tau and cancer with a particular focus on glioblastoma tumors in which the pathological significance of Tau remains largely unexplored. We will first treat this subject from a mechanistic point of view showing the pivotal role of Tau in oncogenic processes. Then, we will discuss the involvement of Tau in dysregulating critical pathways in glioblastoma. Finally, we will outline promising strategies to target Tau protein for the therapy of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayane Hedna
- Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), UMR 7051, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Hervé Kovacic
- Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), UMR 7051, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Alessandra Pagano
- Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), UMR 7051, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Peyrot
- Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), UMR 7051, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Maxime Robin
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et Ecologie marine et continentale (IMBE), UMR 7263, CNRS, IRD 237, Aix-Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - François Devred
- Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), UMR 7051, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Gilles Breuzard
- Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), UMR 7051, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, 13005 Marseille, France
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13
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Candia RF, Cohen LS, Morozova V, Corbo C, Alonso AD. Importin-Mediated Pathological Tau Nuclear Translocation Causes Disruption of the Nuclear Lamina, TDP-43 Mislocalization and Cell Death. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:888420. [PMID: 35592115 PMCID: PMC9113199 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.888420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a cytosolic protein that has also been observed in the nucleus, where it has multiple proposed functions that are regulated by phosphorylation. However, the mechanism underlying the nuclear import of tau is unclear, as is the contribution of nuclear tau to the pathology of tauopathies. We have previously generated a pathological form of tau, PH-tau (pseudophosphorylation mutants S199E, T212E, T231E, and S262E) that mimics AD pathological behavior in cells, Drosophila, and a mouse model. Here, we demonstrated that PH-tau translocates into the nucleus of transiently transfected HEK-293 cells, but wildtype tau does not. We identified a putative importin binding site in the tau sequence, and showed that disruption of this site prevents tau from entering the nucleus. We further showed that this nuclear translocation is prevented by inhibitors of both importin-α and importin-β. In addition, expression of PH-tau resulted in an enlarged population of dying cells, which is prevented by blocking its entry into the nucleus. PH-tau-expressing cells also exhibited disruption of the nuclear lamina and mislocalization of TDP-43 to the cytoplasm. We found that PH-tau does not bundle microtubules, and this effect is independent of nuclear translocation. These results demonstrate that tau translocates into the nucleus through the importin-α/β pathway, and that PH-tau exhibits toxicity after its nuclear translocation. We propose a model where hyperphosphorylated tau not only disrupts the microtubule network, but also translocates into the nucleus and interferes with cellular functions, such as nucleocytoplasmic transport, inducing mislocalization of proteins like TDP-43 and, ultimately, cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F. Candia
- Department of Biology, Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leah S. Cohen
- Department of Chemistry, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Viktoriya Morozova
- Department of Biology, Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christopher Corbo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Alejandra D. Alonso
- Department of Biology, Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Alejandra D. Alonso,
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14
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Macromolecular structures and proteins interacting with the microtubule associated tau protein. Neuroscience 2022; 518:70-82. [PMID: 35609757 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies are characterized by the presence of filamentous forms of phosphorylated tau protein inside neurons. However, the causal relationship between the initial symptoms of a particular disease and the molecular events affecting tau and leading to the appearance of tangles of filamentous forms of this protein remains unknown. Even the main function (or functions) of tau inside neurons is debatable and controversial. Tau seems to be a multifunctional protein. I review here some of the most studied interactions of tau with different macromolecules and proteins, which can be classified according to the structural o functional unit within which the interaction works: Microtubule, Nuclear localization and DNA, Synaptic activity, RNA metabolism, Fats transport, Proteostasis, Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis, Mitochondria and Phosphorylation. Although this seems to be a broad spectrum of tau functions, interactome studies of tau reveal hundreds of plausible partners of tau, suggesting that it engages in an extensive network of interconnected regulatory interactions by means of its high capability to interact with all kinds of proteins and complex structures, combined with its vast number of post-translational modifications. I include also some thermodynamic data concerning the interaction of tau with some partners.
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15
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Rico T, Gilles M, Chauderlier A, Comptdaer T, Magnez R, Chwastyniak M, Drobecq H, Pinet F, Thuru X, Buée L, Galas MC, Lefebvre B. Tau Stabilizes Chromatin Compaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:740550. [PMID: 34722523 PMCID: PMC8551707 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.740550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An extensive body of literature suggested a possible role of the microtubule-associated protein Tau in chromatin functions and/or organization in neuronal, non-neuronal, and cancer cells. How Tau functions in these processes remains elusive. Here we report that Tau expression in breast cancer cell lines causes resistance to the anti-cancer effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors, by preventing histone deacetylase inhibitor-inducible gene expression and remodeling of chromatin structure. We identify Tau as a protein recognizing and binding to core histone when H3 and H4 are devoid of any post-translational modifications or acetylated H4 that increases the Tau's affinity. Consistent with chromatin structure alterations in neurons found in frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Tau mutations did not prevent histone deacetylase-inhibitor-induced higher chromatin structure remodeling by suppressing Tau binding to histones. In addition, we demonstrate that the interaction between Tau and histones prevents further histone H3 post-translational modifications induced by histone deacetylase-inhibitor treatment by maintaining a more compact chromatin structure. Altogether, these results highlight a new cellular role for Tau as a chromatin reader, which opens new therapeutic avenues to exploit Tau biology in neuronal and cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Rico
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Melissa Gilles
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Alban Chauderlier
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Thomas Comptdaer
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Romain Magnez
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR 9020, UMR 1277, Canther, Platform of Integrative Chemical Biology, Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Maggy Chwastyniak
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Facteurs de Risque et Déterminants Moléculaires des Maladies Liées Au Vieillissement, Lille, France
| | - Herve Drobecq
- Univ. Lille, CNRS UMR 9017, INSERM U1019, CHRU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Florence Pinet
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Facteurs de Risque et Déterminants Moléculaires des Maladies Liées Au Vieillissement, Lille, France
| | - Xavier Thuru
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, UMR 9020, UMR 1277, Canther, Platform of Integrative Chemical Biology, Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Luc Buée
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Marie-Christine Galas
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Bruno Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Lille, France
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16
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Gil L, Niño SA, Guerrero C, Jiménez-Capdeville ME. Phospho-Tau and Chromatin Landscapes in Early and Late Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910283. [PMID: 34638632 PMCID: PMC8509045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular identity is determined through complex patterns of gene expression. Chromatin, the dynamic structure containing genetic information, is regulated through epigenetic modulators, mainly by the histone code. One of the main challenges for the cell is maintaining functionality and identity, despite the accumulation of DNA damage throughout the aging process. Replicative cells can remain in a senescent state or develop a malign cancer phenotype. In contrast, post-mitotic cells such as pyramidal neurons maintain extraordinary functionality despite advanced age, but they lose their identity. This review focuses on tau, a protein that protects DNA, organizes chromatin, and plays a crucial role in genomic stability. In contrast, tau cytosolic aggregates are considered hallmarks of Alzheimer´s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders called tauopathies. Here, we explain AD as a phenomenon of chromatin dysregulation directly involving the epigenetic histone code and a progressive destabilization of the tau–chromatin interaction, leading to the consequent dysregulation of gene expression. Although this destabilization could be lethal for post-mitotic neurons, tau protein mediates profound cellular transformations that allow for their temporal survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gil
- Departamento de Genética, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad “Alfonso X el Sabio”, 28691 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Sandra A. Niño
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma, de San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico;
| | - Carmen Guerrero
- Banco de Cerebros (Biobanco), Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain;
| | - María E. Jiménez-Capdeville
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma, de San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-444-826-2366
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17
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Siano G, Falcicchia C, Origlia N, Cattaneo A, Di Primio C. Non-Canonical Roles of Tau and Their Contribution to Synaptic Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810145. [PMID: 34576308 PMCID: PMC8466023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau plays a central role in a group of neurodegenerative disorders collectively named tauopathies. Despite the wide range of diverse symptoms at the onset and during the progression of the pathology, all tauopathies share two common hallmarks, namely the misfolding and aggregation of Tau protein and progressive synaptic dysfunctions. Tau aggregation correlates with cognitive decline and behavioural impairment. The mechanistic link between Tau misfolding and the synaptic dysfunction is still unknown, but this correlation is well established in the human brain and also in tauopathy mouse models. At the onset of the pathology, Tau undergoes post-translational modifications (PTMs) inducing the detachment from the cytoskeleton and its release in the cytoplasm as a soluble monomer. In this condition, the physiological enrichment in the axon is definitely disrupted, resulting in Tau relocalization in the cell soma and in dendrites. Subsequently, Tau aggregates into toxic oligomers and amyloidogenic forms that disrupt synaptic homeostasis and function, resulting in neuronal degeneration. The involvement of Tau in synaptic transmission alteration in tauopathies has been extensively reviewed. Here, we will focus on non-canonical Tau functions mediating synapse dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Siano
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Chiara Falcicchia
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.F.); (N.O.)
| | - Nicola Origlia
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.F.); (N.O.)
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Fondazione Rita Levi-Montalcini, Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.D.P.)
| | - Cristina Di Primio
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.F.); (N.O.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (C.D.P.)
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18
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Biomolecular Condensates in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1483. [PMID: 34573116 PMCID: PMC8465482 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles (MLOs) that form dynamic, chemically distinct subcellular compartments organizing macromolecules such as proteins, RNA, and DNA in unicellular prokaryotic bacteria and complex eukaryotic cells. Separated from surrounding environments, MLOs in the nucleoplasm, cytoplasm, and mitochondria assemble by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) into transient, non-static, liquid-like droplets that regulate essential molecular functions. LLPS is primarily controlled by post-translational modifications (PTMs) that fine-tune the balance between attractive and repulsive charge states and/or binding motifs of proteins. Aberrant phase separation due to dysregulated membrane lipid rafts and/or PTMs, as well as the absence of adequate hydrotropic small molecules such as ATP, or the presence of specific RNA proteins can cause pathological protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin may exert a dominant influence over phase separation in biomolecular condensates by optimizing membrane and MLO interdependent reactions through stabilizing lipid raft domains, reducing line tension, and maintaining negative membrane curvature and fluidity. As a potent antioxidant, melatonin protects cardiolipin and other membrane lipids from peroxidation cascades, supporting protein trafficking, signaling, ion channel activities, and ATPase functionality during condensate coacervation or dissolution. Melatonin may even control condensate LLPS through PTM and balance mRNA- and RNA-binding protein composition by regulating N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications. There is currently a lack of pharmaceuticals targeting neurodegenerative disorders via the regulation of phase separation. The potential of melatonin in the modulation of biomolecular condensate in the attenuation of aberrant condensate aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders is discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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19
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Sinsky J, Pichlerova K, Hanes J. Tau Protein Interaction Partners and Their Roles in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Tauopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9207. [PMID: 34502116 PMCID: PMC8431036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein plays a critical role in the assembly, stabilization, and modulation of microtubules, which are important for the normal function of neurons and the brain. In diseased conditions, several pathological modifications of tau protein manifest. These changes lead to tau protein aggregation and the formation of paired helical filaments (PHF) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), which are common hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. The accumulation of PHFs and NFTs results in impairment of physiological functions, apoptosis, and neuronal loss, which is reflected as cognitive impairment, and in the late stages of the disease, leads to death. The causes of this pathological transformation of tau protein haven't been fully understood yet. In both physiological and pathological conditions, tau interacts with several proteins which maintain their proper function or can participate in their pathological modifications. Interaction partners of tau protein and associated molecular pathways can either initiate and drive the tau pathology or can act neuroprotective, by reducing pathological tau proteins or inflammation. In this review, we focus on the tau as a multifunctional protein and its known interacting partners active in regulations of different processes and the roles of these proteins in Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jozef Hanes
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.S.); (K.P.)
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20
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D’Andrea L, Stringhi R, Di Luca M, Marcello E. Looking at Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis from the Nuclear Side. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091261. [PMID: 34572474 PMCID: PMC8467578 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder representing the most common form of dementia. It is biologically characterized by the deposition of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, constituted by hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The key protein in AD pathogenesis is the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is cleaved by secretases to produce several metabolites, including Aβ and APP intracellular domain (AICD). The greatest genetic risk factor associated with AD is represented by the Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele. Importantly, all of the above-mentioned molecules that are strictly related to AD pathogenesis have also been described as playing roles in the cell nucleus. Accordingly, evidence suggests that nuclear functions are compromised in AD. Furthermore, modulation of transcription maintains cellular homeostasis, and alterations in transcriptomic profiles have been found in neurodegenerative diseases. This report reviews recent advancements in the AD players-mediated gene expression. Aβ, tau, AICD, and APOE ε4 localize in the nucleus and regulate the transcription of several genes, part of which is involved in AD pathogenesis, thus suggesting that targeting nuclear functions might provide new therapeutic tools for the disease.
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21
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Sordo L, Martini AC, Houston EF, Head E, Gunn-Moore D. Neuropathology of Aging in Cats and its Similarities to Human Alzheimer’s Disease. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2021; 2:684607. [PMID: 35822024 PMCID: PMC9261448 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2021.684607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Elderly cats develop age-related behavioral and neuropathological changes that ultimately lead to cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). These neuropathologies share similarities to those seen in the brains of humans with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including the extracellular accumulation of ß-amyloid (Aβ) and intraneuronal deposits of hyperphosphorylated tau, which are considered to be the two major hallmarks of AD. The present study assessed the presence and distribution of Aβ and tau hyperphosphorylation within the cat brain (n = 55 cats), and how the distribution of these proteins changes with age and the presence of CDS. For this, immunohistochemistry was performed on seven brain regions from cats of various ages, with and without CDS (n = 10 with CDS). Cats accumulate both intracytoplasmic and extracellular deposits of Aβ, as well as intranuclear and intracytoplasmic hyperphosphorylated tau deposits. Large extracellular aggregates of Aβ were found in elderly cats, mainly in the cortical brain areas, with occasional hippocampal aggregates. This may suggest that these aggregates start in cortical areas and later progress to the hippocampus. While Aβ senile plaques in people with AD have a dense core, extracellular Aβ deposits in cats exhibited a diffuse pattern, similar to the early stages of plaque pathogenesis. Intraneuronal Aβ deposits were also observed, occurring predominantly in cortical brain regions of younger cats, while older cats had few to no intraneuronal Aβ deposits, especially when extracellular aggregates were abundant. Intracytoplasmic hyperphosphorylated tau was found within neurons in the brains of elderly cats, particularly in those with CDS. Due to their ultrastructural features, these deposits are considered to be pre-tangles, which are an early stage of the neurofibrillary tangles seen in AD. The largest numbers of pre-tangles are found mainly in the cerebral cortex of elderly cats, whereas lower numbers were found in other regions (i.e., entorhinal cortex and hippocampus). For the first time, intranuclear tau was found in both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated states within neurons in the cat brain. The highest numbers of intranuclear deposits were found in the cortex of younger cats, and this tended to decrease with age. In contrast, elderly cats with pre-tangles had only occasional or no nuclear labelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Sordo
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Lorena Sordo,
| | - Alessandra C. Martini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - E. Fiona Houston
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Head
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Danièlle Gunn-Moore
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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22
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Gil L, Niño SA, Capdeville G, Jiménez-Capdeville ME. Aging and Alzheimer's disease connection: Nuclear Tau and lamin A. Neurosci Lett 2021; 749:135741. [PMID: 33610669 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Age-related pathologies like Alzheimer`s disease (AD) imply cellular responses directed towards repairing DNA damage. Postmitotic neurons show progressive accumulation of oxidized DNA during decades of brain aging, which is especially remarkable in AD brains. The characteristic cytoskeletal pathology of AD neurons is brought about by the progressive changes that neurons undergo throughout aging, and their irreversible nuclear transformation initiates the disease. This review focusses on critical molecular events leading to the loss of plasticity that underlies cognitive deficits in AD. During healthy neuronal aging, nuclear Tau participates in the regulation of the structure and function of the chromatin. The aberrant cell cycle reentry initiated for DNA repair triggers a cascade of events leading to the dysfunctional AD neuron, whereby Tau protein exits the nucleus leading to chromatin disorganization. Lamin A, which is not typically expressed in neurons, appears at the transformation from senile to AD neurons and contributes to halting the consequences of cell cycle reentry and nuclear Tau exit, allowing the survival of the neuron. Nevertheless, this irreversible nuclear transformation alters the nucleic acid and protein synthesis machinery as well as the nuclear lamina and cytoskeleton structures, leading to neurofibrillary tangles formation and final neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gil
- Departamento de Genética, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad "Alfonso X el Sabio", Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra A Niño
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Mexico
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23
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Niewiadomska G, Niewiadomski W, Steczkowska M, Gasiorowska A. Tau Oligomers Neurotoxicity. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:28. [PMID: 33418848 PMCID: PMC7824853 DOI: 10.3390/life11010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the mechanisms of toxic activity of tau are not fully recognized, it is supposed that the tau toxicity is related rather not to insoluble tau aggregates but to its intermediate forms. It seems that neurofibrillar tangles (NFTs) themselves, despite being composed of toxic tau, are probably neither necessary nor sufficient for tau-induced neuronal dysfunction and toxicity. Tau oligomers (TauOs) formed during the early stages of tau aggregation are the pathological forms that play a key role in eliciting the loss of neurons and behavioral impairments in several neurodegenerative disorders called tauopathies. They can be found in tauopathic diseases, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence of co-occurrence of b-amyloid, α-synuclein, and tau into their most toxic forms, i.e., oligomers, suggests that these species interact and influence each other's aggregation in several tauopathies. The mechanism responsible for oligomeric tau neurotoxicity is a subject of intensive investigation. In this review, we summarize the most recent literature on the damaging effect of TauOs on the stability of the genome and the function of the nucleus, energy production and mitochondrial function, cell signaling and synaptic plasticity, the microtubule assembly, neuronal cytoskeleton and axonal transport, and the effectiveness of the protein degradation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiktor Niewiadomski
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (W.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Marta Steczkowska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (W.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
| | - Anna Gasiorowska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (W.N.); (M.S.); (A.G.)
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24
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Colnaghi L, Rondelli D, Muzi-Falconi M, Sertic S. Tau and DNA Damage in Neurodegeneration. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E946. [PMID: 33297375 PMCID: PMC7762255 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are a family of incurable conditions. Among them, Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies are the most common. Pathological features of these two disorders are synaptic loss, neuronal cell death and increased DNA damage. A key pathological protein for the onset and progression of the conditions is the protein tau, a microtubule-binding protein highly expressed in neurons and encoded by the MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau) gene. Tau is predominantly a cytosolic protein that interacts with numerous other proteins and molecules. Recent findings, however, have highlighted new and unexpected roles for tau in the nucleus of neuronal cells. This review summarizes the functions of tau in the metabolism of DNA, describing them in the context of the disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Colnaghi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rondelli
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (D.R.); (M.M.-F.)
| | - Marco Muzi-Falconi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (D.R.); (M.M.-F.)
| | - Sarah Sertic
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy; (D.R.); (M.M.-F.)
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25
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Richetin K, Steullet P, Pachoud M, Perbet R, Parietti E, Maheswaran M, Eddarkaoui S, Bégard S, Pythoud C, Rey M, Caillierez R, Q Do K, Halliez S, Bezzi P, Buée L, Leuba G, Colin M, Toni N, Déglon N. Tau accumulation in astrocytes of the dentate gyrus induces neuronal dysfunction and memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Neurosci 2020; 23:1567-1579. [PMID: 33169029 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-00728-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of the tau protein in neurons, neurodegeneration and memory loss. However, the role of non-neuronal cells in this chain of events remains unclear. In the present study, we found accumulation of tau in hilar astrocytes of the dentate gyrus of individuals with AD. In mice, the overexpression of 3R tau specifically in hilar astrocytes of the dentate gyrus altered mitochondrial dynamics and function. In turn, these changes led to a reduction of adult neurogenesis, parvalbumin-expressing neurons, inhibitory synapses and hilar gamma oscillations, which were accompanied by impaired spatial memory performances. Together, these results indicate that the loss of tau homeostasis in hilar astrocytes of the dentate gyrus is sufficient to induce AD-like symptoms, through the impairment of the neuronal network. These results are important for our understanding of disease mechanisms and underline the crucial role of astrocytes in hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Richetin
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Research Center (CRN), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DNC), Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Pascal Steullet
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Pachoud
- Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Research Center (CRN), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DNC), Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Romain Perbet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Enea Parietti
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mathischan Maheswaran
- Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Research Center (CRN), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DNC), Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sabiha Eddarkaoui
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Séverine Bégard
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Catherine Pythoud
- Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Research Center (CRN), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DNC), Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria Rey
- Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Research Center (CRN), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DNC), Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raphaëlle Caillierez
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Kim Q Do
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Halliez
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luc Buée
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Geneviève Leuba
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Morvane Colin
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Toni
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Nicole Déglon
- Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Neuroscience Research Center (CRN), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience (DNC), Laboratory of Neurotherapies and Neuromodulation, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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26
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Diez L, Wegmann S. Nuclear Transport Deficits in Tau-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurol 2020; 11:1056. [PMID: 33101165 PMCID: PMC7546323 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.01056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a cytosolic microtubule binding protein that is highly abundant in the axons of the central nervous system. However, alternative functions of tau also in other cellular compartments are suggested, for example, in the nucleus, where interactions of tau with specific nuclear entities such as DNA, the nucleolus, and the nuclear envelope have been reported. We would like to review the current knowledge about tau-nucleus interactions and lay out possible neurotoxic mechanisms that are based on the (pathological) interactions of tau with the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Diez
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Wegmann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Berlin, Germany
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27
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Merezhko M, Uronen RL, Huttunen HJ. The Cell Biology of Tau Secretion. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:569818. [PMID: 33071756 PMCID: PMC7539664 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.569818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The progressive accumulation and spread of misfolded tau protein in the nervous system is the hallmark of tauopathies, progressive neurodegenerative diseases with only symptomatic treatments available. A growing body of evidence suggests that spreading of tau pathology can occur via cell-to-cell transfer involving secretion and internalization of pathological forms of tau protein followed by templated misfolding of normal tau in recipient cells. Several studies have addressed the cell biological mechanisms of tau secretion. It now appears that instead of a single mechanism, cells can secrete tau via three coexisting pathways: (1) translocation through the plasma membrane; (2) membranous organelles-based secretion; and (3) ectosomal shedding. The relative importance of these pathways in the secretion of normal and pathological tau is still elusive, though. Moreover, glial cells contribute to tau propagation, and the involvement of different cell types, as well as different secretion pathways, complicates the understanding of prion-like propagation of tauopathy. One of the important regulators of tau secretion in neuronal activity, but its mechanistic connection to tau secretion remains unclear and may involve all three secretion pathways of tau. This review article summarizes recent advancements in the field of tau secretion with an emphasis on cell biological aspects of the secretion process and discusses the role of neuronal activity and glial cells in the spread of pathological forms of tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Merezhko
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Henri J Huttunen
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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28
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Gil L, Niño SA, Chi-Ahumada E, Rodríguez-Leyva I, Guerrero C, Rebolledo AB, Arias JA, Jiménez-Capdeville ME. Perinuclear Lamin A and Nucleoplasmic Lamin B2 Characterize Two Types of Hippocampal Neurons through Alzheimer's Disease Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1841. [PMID: 32155994 PMCID: PMC7084765 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent reports point to a nuclear origin of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aged postmitotic neurons try to repair their damaged DNA by entering the cell cycle. This aberrant cell cycle re-entry involves chromatin modifications where nuclear Tau and the nuclear lamin are involved. The purpose of this work was to elucidate their participation in the nuclear pathological transformation of neurons at early AD. METHODOLOGY The study was performed in hippocampal paraffin embedded sections of adult, senile, and AD brains at I-VI Braak stages. We analyzed phospho-Tau, lamins A, B1, B2, and C, nucleophosmin (B23) and the epigenetic marker H4K20me3 by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Two neuronal populations were found across AD stages, one is characterized by a significant increase of Lamin A expression, reinforced perinuclear Lamin B2, elevated expression of H4K20me3 and nuclear Tau loss, while neurons with nucleoplasmic Lamin B2 constitute a second population. CONCLUSIONS The abnormal cell cycle reentry in early AD implies a fundamental neuronal transformation. This implies the reorganization of the nucleo-cytoskeleton through the expression of the highly regulated Lamin A, heterochromatin repression and building of toxic neuronal tangles. This work demonstrates that nuclear Tau and lamin modifications in hippocampal neurons are crucial events in age-related neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gil
- Departamento de Genética, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad “Alfonso X el Sabio”, 28691 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.)
| | - Sandra A. Niño
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Erika Chi-Ahumada
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | | | - Carmen Guerrero
- Banco de cerebros (Biobanco), Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Rebolledo
- Banco de cerebros (Biobanco), Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Arias
- Departamento de Genética, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad “Alfonso X el Sabio”, 28691 Madrid, Spain; (L.G.)
| | - María E. Jiménez-Capdeville
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
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29
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From the prion-like propagation hypothesis to therapeutic strategies of anti-tau immunotherapy. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 139:3-25. [PMID: 31686182 PMCID: PMC6942016 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02087-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The term “propagon” is used to define proteins that may transmit misfolding in vitro, in tissues or in organisms. Among propagons, misfolded tau is thought to be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of various “tauopathies” that include Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and argyrophilic grain disease. Here, we review the available data in the literature and point out how the prion-like tau propagation has been extended from Alzheimer's disease to tauopathies. First, in Alzheimer’s disease, the progression of tau aggregation follows stereotypical anatomical stages which may be considered as spreading. The mechanisms of the propagation are now subject to intensive and controversial research. It has been shown that tau may be secreted in the interstitial fluid in an active manner as reflected by high and constant concentration of extracellular tau during Alzheimer’s pathology. Animal and cell models have been devised to mimic tau seeding and propagation, and despite their limitations, they have further supported to the prion-like propagation hypothesis. Finally, such new ways of thinking have led to different therapeutic strategies in anti-tau immunotherapy among tauopathies and have stimulated new clinical trials. However, it appears that the prion-like propagation hypothesis mainly relies on data obtained in Alzheimer’s disease. From this review, it appears that further studies are needed (1) to characterize extracellular tau species, (2) to find the right pathological tau species to target, (3) to follow in vivo tau pathology by brain imaging and biomarkers and (4) to interpret current clinical trial results aimed at reducing the progression of these pathologies. Such inputs will be essential to have a comprehensive view of these promising therapeutic strategies in tauopathies.
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30
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Zorrilla S, Mónico A, Duarte S, Rivas G, Pérez-Sala D, Pajares MA. Integrated approaches to unravel the impact of protein lipoxidation on macromolecular interactions. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 144:203-217. [PMID: 30991143 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Protein modification by lipid derived reactive species, or lipoxidation, is increased during oxidative stress, a common feature observed in many pathological conditions. Biochemical and functional consequences of lipoxidation include changes in the conformation and assembly of the target proteins, altered recognition of ligands and/or cofactors, changes in the interactions with DNA or in protein-protein interactions, modifications in membrane partitioning and binding and/or subcellular localization. These changes may impact, directly or indirectly, signaling pathways involved in the activation of cell defense mechanisms, but when these are overwhelmed they may lead to pathological outcomes. Mass spectrometry provides state of the art approaches for the identification and characterization of lipoxidized proteins/residues and the modifying species. Nevertheless, understanding the complexity of the functional effects of protein lipoxidation requires the use of additional methodologies. Herein, biochemical and biophysical methods used to detect and measure functional effects of protein lipoxidation at different levels of complexity, from in vitro and reconstituted cell-like systems to cells, are reviewed, focusing especially on macromolecular interactions. Knowledge generated through innovative and complementary technologies will contribute to comprehend the role of lipoxidation in pathophysiology and, ultimately, its potential as target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Zorrilla
- Dept. of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Andreia Mónico
- Dept. of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofia Duarte
- Dept. of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Germán Rivas
- Dept. of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Dept. of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Pajares
- Dept. of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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31
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Amir Mishan M, Rezaei Kanavi M, Shahpasand K, Ahmadieh H. Pathogenic Tau Protein Species: Promising Therapeutic Targets for Ocular Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2019; 14:491-505. [PMID: 31875105 PMCID: PMC6825701 DOI: 10.18502/jovr.v14i4.5459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein, which is highly expressed in the central nervous system as well as ocular neurons and stabilizes microtubule structure. It is a phospho-protein being moderately phosphorylated under physiological conditions but its abnormal hyperphosphorylation or some post-phosphorylation modifications would result in a pathogenic condition, microtubule dissociation, and aggregation. The aggregates can induce neuroinflammation and trigger some pathogenic cascades, leading to neurodegeneration. Taking these together, targeting pathogenic tau employing tau immunotherapy may be a promising therapeutic strategy in fighting with cerebral and ocular neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amir Mishan
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Rezaei Kanavi
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Koorosh Shahpasand
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Ahmadieh
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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32
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Baquero J, Varriano S, Ordonez M, Kuczaj P, Murphy MR, Aruggoda G, Lundine D, Morozova V, Makki AE, Alonso ADC, Kleiman FE. Nuclear Tau, p53 and Pin1 Regulate PARN-Mediated Deadenylation and Gene Expression. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:242. [PMID: 31749682 PMCID: PMC6843027 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
While nuclear tau plays a role in DNA damage response (DDR) and chromosome relaxation, the mechanisms behind these functions are not fully understood. Here, we show that tau forms complex(es) with factors involved in nuclear mRNA processing such as tumor suppressor p53 and poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) deadenylase. Tau induces PARN activity in different cellular models during DDR, and this activation is further increased by p53 and inhibited by tau phosphorylation at residues implicated in neurological disorders. Tau's binding factor Pin1, a mitotic regulator overexpressed in cancer and depleted in Alzheimer's disease (AD), also plays a role in the activation of nuclear deadenylation. Tau, Pin1 and PARN target the expression of mRNAs deregulated in AD and/or cancer. Our findings identify novel biological roles of tau and toxic effects of hyperphosphorylated-tau. We propose a model in which factors involved in cancer and AD regulate gene expression by interactions with the mRNA processing machinery, affecting the transcriptome and suggesting insights into alternative mechanisms for the initiation and/or developments of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Baquero
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sophia Varriano
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Martha Ordonez
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Pawel Kuczaj
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael R. Murphy
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gamage Aruggoda
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Devon Lundine
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Viktoriya Morozova
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Graduate Center, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Ali Elhadi Makki
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Graduate Center, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Alejandra del C. Alonso
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Graduate Center, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Frida E. Kleiman
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College and Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
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33
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Mroczko B, Groblewska M, Litman-Zawadzka A. The Role of Protein Misfolding and Tau Oligomers (TauOs) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4661. [PMID: 31547024 PMCID: PMC6802364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the causative role of the accumulation of amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ42) deposits in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been under debate for many years, it is supposed that the toxicity soluble oligomers of Tau protein (TauOs) might be also the pathogenic factor acting on the initial stages of this disease. Therefore, we performed a thorough search for literature pertaining to our investigation via the MEDLINE/PubMed database. It was shown that soluble TauOs, especially granular forms, may be the most toxic form of this protein. Hyperphosphorylated TauOs can reduce the number of synapses by missorting into axonal compartments of neurons other than axon. Furthermore, soluble TauOs may be also responsible for seeding Tau pathology within AD brains, with probable link to AβOs toxicity. Additionally, the concentrations of TauOs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of AD patients were higher than in non-demented controls, and revealed a negative correlation with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores. It was postulated that adding the measurements of TauOs to the panel of CSF biomarkers could improve the diagnosis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mroczko
- Department of Neurodegeneration Diagnostics, Medical University of Białystok, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
- Department of Biochemical Diagnostics, University Hospital of Białystok, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Groblewska
- Department of Biochemical Diagnostics, University Hospital of Białystok, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
| | - Ala Litman-Zawadzka
- Department of Neurodegeneration Diagnostics, Medical University of Białystok, 15-269 Białystok, Poland.
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34
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Trushina NI, Bakota L, Mulkidjanian AY, Brandt R. The Evolution of Tau Phosphorylation and Interactions. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:256. [PMID: 31619983 PMCID: PMC6759874 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a neuronal microtubule-associated protein (MAP) that is involved in the regulation of axonal microtubule assembly. However, as a protein with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), tau also interacts with many other partners in addition to microtubules. Phosphorylation at selected sites modulates tau's various intracellular interactions and regulates the properties of IDRs. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies, tau exhibits pathologically increased phosphorylation (hyperphosphorylation) at selected sites and aggregates into neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). By bioinformatics means, we tested the hypothesis that the sequence of tau has changed during the vertebrate evolution in a way that novel interactions developed and also the phosphorylation pattern was affected, which made tau prone to the development of tauopathies. We report that distinct regions of tau show functional specialization in their molecular interactions. We found that tau's amino-terminal region, which is involved in biological processes related to "membrane organization" and "regulation of apoptosis," exhibited a strong evolutionary increase in protein disorder providing the basis for the development of novel interactions. We observed that the predicted phosphorylation sites have changed during evolution in a region-specific manner, and in some cases the overall number of phosphorylation sites increased owing to the formation of clusters of phosphorylatable residues. In contrast, disease-specific hyperphosphorylated sites remained highly conserved. The data indicate that novel, non-microtubule related tau interactions developed during evolution and suggest that the biological processes, which are mediated by these interactions, are of pathological relevance. Furthermore, the data indicate that predicted phosphorylation sites in some regions of tau, including a cluster of phosphorylatable residues in the alternatively spliced exon 2, have changed during evolution. In view of the "antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis" it may be worth to take disease-associated phosphosites with low evolutionary conservation as relevant biomarkers into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lidia Bakota
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Armen Y Mulkidjanian
- Department of Physics, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.,School of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Roland Brandt
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.,Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.,Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
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35
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Abstract
The microtubule associated protein tau in a hyperphosphorylated form was identified as the building block of the filamentous aggregates found in the neurons of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In the abnormal state, hyperphosphorylated tau from AD brains (AD P-tau) was unable to promote microtubule assembly and more importantly, it could inhibit the normal activity of tau and other MAPs. AD P-tau was able to disrupt preformed microtubules and, by binding to normal tau, turn the latter into an AD P-tau like molecule. AD P-tau toxic behavior was prevalent in the soluble form and it was lost upon dephosphorylation. Mutations on tau associated with disease, e.g., R406W in frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, altered its conformation to make it a better substrate for kinases. Using phospho-mimetics, it was found that the minimum phospho-sites necessary to acquire such a toxic behavior of tau were at 199, 212, 231 and 262, and tau pseudophosphorylated at those sites in combination with R406W was named Pathological Human Tau (PH-Tau). PH-Tau expressed in cells had similar behavior to AD P-tau: disruption of the microtubule system, change in the normal subcellular localization, and gain of toxic function for cells. In animal models expressing PH-Tau, it was found that two putative mechanisms of neurodegeneration exist depending on the concentration of the toxic protein, both involving cognitive decline, due to synaptic dysfunction at lower concentration and neuronal death at higher. Studies investigating the mechanism of tau pathology and its transmission from neuron to neuron are currently ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra D Alonso
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leah S Cohen
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
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Tsika AC, Melekis E, Tsatsouli SA, Papageorgiou N, Maté MJ, Canard B, Coutard B, Bentrop D, Spyroulias GA. Deciphering the Nucleotide and RNA Binding Selectivity of the Mayaro Virus Macro Domain. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:2283-2297. [PMID: 30998933 PMCID: PMC7094482 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mayaro virus (MAYV) is a member of Togaviridae family, which also includes Chikungunya virus as a notorious member. MAYV recently emerged in urban areas of the Americas, and this emergence emphasized the current paucity of knowledge about its replication cycle. The macro domain (MD) of MAYV belongs to the N-terminal region of its non-structural protein 3, part of the replication complex. Here, we report the first structural and dynamical characterization of a previously unexplored Alphavirus MD investigated through high-resolution NMR spectroscopy, along with data on its ligand selectivity and binding properties. The structural analysis of MAYV MD reveals a typical "macro" (ββαββαβαβα) fold for this polypeptide, while NMR-driven interaction studies provide in-depth insights into MAYV MD-ligand adducts. NMR data in concert with thermodynamics and biochemical studies provide convincing experimental evidence for preferential binding of adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADP-r) and adenine-rich RNAs to MAYV MD, thus shedding light on the structure-function relationship of a previously unexplored viral MD. The emerging differences with any other related MD are expected to enlighten distinct functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Maria J Maté
- AFMB, UMR7257 CNRS/Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, CEDEX 9, France
| | - Bruno Canard
- AFMB, UMR7257 CNRS/Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, CEDEX 9, France
| | - Bruno Coutard
- UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 27-IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
| | - Detlef Bentrop
- Institute of Physiology II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Fichou Y, Al-Hilaly YK, Devred F, Smet-Nocca C, Tsvetkov PO, Verelst J, Winderickx J, Geukens N, Vanmechelen E, Perrotin A, Serpell L, Hanseeuw BJ, Medina M, Buée L, Landrieu I. The elusive tau molecular structures: can we translate the recent breakthroughs into new targets for intervention? Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:31. [PMID: 30823892 PMCID: PMC6397507 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0682-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Insights into tau molecular structures have advanced significantly in recent years. This field has been the subject of recent breakthroughs, including the first cryo-electron microscopy structures of tau filaments from Alzheimer’s and Pick’s disease inclusions, as well as the structure of the repeat regions of tau bound to microtubules. Tau structure covers various species as the tau protein itself takes many forms. We will here address a range of studies that help to define the many facets of tau protein structures and how they translate into pathogenic forms. New results shed light on previous data that need now to be revisited in order to up-date our knowledge of tau molecular structure. Finally, we explore how these data can contribute the important medical aspects of this research - diagnosis and therapeutics.
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Jadhav S, Avila J, Schöll M, Kovacs GG, Kövari E, Skrabana R, Evans LD, Kontsekova E, Malawska B, de Silva R, Buee L, Zilka N. A walk through tau therapeutic strategies. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:22. [PMID: 30767766 PMCID: PMC6376692 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0664-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau neuronal and glial pathologies drive the clinical presentation of Alzheimer's disease and related human tauopathies. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that pathological tau species can travel from cell to cell and spread the pathology through the brain. Throughout the last decade, physiological and pathological tau have become attractive targets for AD therapies. Several therapeutic approaches have been proposed, including the inhibition of protein kinases or protein-3-O-(N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminyl)-L-serine/threonine Nacetylglucosaminyl hydrolase, the inhibition of tau aggregation, active and passive immunotherapies, and tau silencing by antisense oligonucleotides. New tau therapeutics, across the board, have demonstrated the ability to prevent or reduce tau lesions and improve either cognitive or motor impairment in a variety of animal models developing neurofibrillary pathology. The most advanced strategy for the treatment of human tauopathies remains immunotherapy, which has already reached the clinical stage of drug development. Tau vaccines or humanised antibodies target a variety of tau species either in the intracellular or extracellular spaces. Some of them recognise the amino-terminus or carboxy-terminus, while others display binding abilities to the proline-rich area or microtubule binding domains. The main therapeutic foci in existing clinical trials are on Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and non-fluent primary progressive aphasia. Tau therapy offers a new hope for the treatment of many fatal brain disorders. First efficacy data from clinical trials will be available by the end of this decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Jadhav
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Dvorakovo nabrezie 10, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jesus Avila
- Centro de Biologia Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones, Cientificas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, C/ Nicolas Cabrera, 1. Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative, Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael Schöll
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of, Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Dementia Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, AKH 4J, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1097, Vienna, Austria
| | - Enikö Kövari
- Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rostislav Skrabana
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Dvorakovo nabrezie 10, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lewis D Evans
- Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Eva Kontsekova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Dvorakovo nabrezie 10, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Malawska
- Department of Physicochemical Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Cracow, Poland
| | - Rohan de Silva
- Reta Lila Weston Institute and Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London, WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Luc Buee
- Universite of Lille, Inserm, CHU-Lille, UMRS1172, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille cedex, France.
| | - Norbert Zilka
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Dvorakovo nabrezie 10, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Siano G, Varisco M, Caiazza MC, Quercioli V, Mainardi M, Ippolito C, Cattaneo A, Di Primio C. Tau Modulates VGluT1 Expression. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:873-884. [PMID: 30664870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tau displacement from microtubules is the first step in the onset of tauopathies and is followed by toxic protein aggregation. However, other non-canonical functions of Tau might have a role in these pathologies. Here, we demonstrate that a small amount of Tau localizes in the nuclear compartment and accumulates in both the soluble and chromatin-bound fractions. We show that favoring Tau nuclear translocation and accumulation, by Tau overexpression or detachment from MTs, increases the expression of VGluT1, a disease-relevant gene directly involved in glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Remarkably, the P301L mutation, related to frontotemporal dementia FTDP-17, impairs this mechanism leading to a loss of function. Altogether, our results provide the demonstration of a direct physiological role of Tau on gene expression. Alterations of this mechanism may be at the basis of the onset of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Siano
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Varisco
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Mainardi
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Unit of Histology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Biology, BIO@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
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Galas MC, Bonnefoy E, Buee L, Lefebvre B. Emerging Connections Between Tau and Nucleic Acids. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1184:135-143. [PMID: 32096035 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9358-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Connections between tau and nucleic acids have been largely underestimated until recently when several reports highlighted new key roles of tau in relation with DNA and RNA structure, metabolism and integrity, and their implications in the context of tauopathies. Here we focus on recent advances involving tau and nucleic acids in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Implication of tau and tau pathology in mechanisms regulating genome integrity, chromatin organization and RNA metabolism, highlight the connections between tau and nucleic acid as major mechanisms in neuronal homeostasis and the etiopathology of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Christine Galas
- University of Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, UMR-S 1172, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France.
| | | | - Luc Buee
- University of Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, UMR-S 1172, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
| | - Bruno Lefebvre
- University of Lille, INSERM, CHU-Lille, UMR-S 1172, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, LabEx DISTALZ, Lille, France
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41
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Castellani RJ, Perry G. Tau Biology, Tauopathy, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Diagnostic Challenges. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 67:447-467. [PMID: 30584140 PMCID: PMC6398540 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the pathobiology of tau protein, given its potential role in neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Tau is an important microtubule associated protein, required for the assembly of tubulin into microtubules and maintaining structural integrity of axons. Tau has other diverse cellular functions involving signal transduction, cellular proliferation, developmental neurobiology, neuroplasticity, and synaptic activity. Alternative splicing results in tau isoforms with differing microtubule binding affinity, differing representation in pathological inclusions in certain disease states, and differing roles in developmental biology and homeostasis. Tau haplotypes confer differing susceptibility to neurodegeneration. Tau phosphorylation is a normal metabolic process, critical in controlling tau's binding to microtubules, and is ongoing within the brain at all times. Tau may be hyperphosphorylated, and may aggregate as detectable fibrillar deposits in tissues, in both aging and neurodegenerative disease. The hypothesis that p-tau is neurotoxic has prompted constructs related to isomers, low-n assembly intermediates or oligomers, and the "tau prion". Human postmortem studies have elucidated broad patterns of tauopathy, with tendencies for those patterns to differ as a function of disease phenotype. However, there is extensive overlap, not only between genuine neurodegenerative diseases, but also between aging and disease. Recent studies highlight uniqueness to pathological patterns, including a pattern attributed to repetitive head trauma, although clinical correlations have been elusive. The diagnostic process for tauopathies and neurodegenerative diseases in general is challenging in many respects, and may be particularly problematic for postmortem evaluation of former athletes and military service members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy J. Castellani
- Departments of Pathology and Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas, San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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42
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Ulrich G, Salvadè A, Boersema P, Calì T, Foglieni C, Sola M, Picotti P, Papin S, Paganetti P. Phosphorylation of nuclear Tau is modulated by distinct cellular pathways. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17702. [PMID: 30531974 PMCID: PMC6286375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational protein modification controls the function of Tau as a scaffold protein linking a variety of molecular partners. This is most studied in the context of microtubules, where Tau regulates their stability as well as the distribution of cellular components to defined compartments. However, Tau is also located in the cell nucleus; and is found to protect DNA. Quantitative assessment of Tau modification in the nucleus when compared to the cytosol may elucidate how subcellular distribution and function of Tau is regulated. We undertook an unbiased approach by combing bimolecular fluorescent complementation and mass spectrometry in order to show that Tau phosphorylation at specific residues is increased in the nucleus of proliferating pluripotent neuronal C17.2 and neuroblastoma SY5Y cells. These findings were validated with the use of nuclear targeted Tau and subcellular fractionation, in particular for the phosphorylation at T181, T212 and S404. We also report that the DNA damaging drug Etoposide increases the translocation of Tau to the nucleus whilst reducing its phosphorylation. We propose that overt phosphorylation of Tau, a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders defined as tauopathies, may negatively regulate the function of nuclear Tau in protecting against DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Ulrich
- Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland
| | - Agnese Salvadè
- Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland
| | - Paul Boersema
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETHZ, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tito Calì
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Foglieni
- Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland
| | - Martina Sola
- Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland
| | - Paola Picotti
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETHZ, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland.
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Benhelli-Mokrani H, Mansuroglu Z, Chauderlier A, Albaud B, Gentien D, Sommer S, Schirmer C, Laqueuvre L, Josse T, Buée L, Lefebvre B, Galas MC, Souès S, Bonnefoy E. Genome-wide identification of genic and intergenic neuronal DNA regions bound by Tau protein under physiological and stress conditions. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:11405-11422. [PMID: 30321409 PMCID: PMC6265482 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are neurodegenerative disorders for which there is presently no cure. They are named after the abnormal oligomerization/aggregation of the neuronal microtubule-associated Tau protein. Besides its role as a microtubule-associated protein, a DNA-binding capacity and a nuclear localization for Tau protein has been described in neurons. While questioning the potential role of Tau-DNA binding in the development of tauopathies, we have carried out a large-scale analysis of the interaction of Tau protein with the neuronal genome under physiological and heat stress conditions using the ChIP-on-chip technique that combines Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation (ChIP) with DNA microarray (chip). Our findings show that Tau protein specifically interacts with genic and intergenic DNA sequences of primary culture of neurons with a preference for DNA regions positioned beyond the ±5000 bp range from transcription start site. An AG-rich DNA motif was found recurrently present within Tau-interacting regions and 30% of Tau-interacting regions overlapped DNA sequences coding for lncRNAs. Neurological processes affected in AD were enriched among Tau-interacting regions with in vivo gene expression assays being indicative of a transcriptional repressor role for Tau protein, which was exacerbated in neurons displaying nuclear pathological oligomerized forms of Tau protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Benhelli-Mokrani
- Université Paris Descartes, Centre Interdisciplinaire Chimie Biologie-Paris, Inserm UMRS1007, Paris, France
| | - Zeyni Mansuroglu
- Université Paris Descartes, Centre Interdisciplinaire Chimie Biologie-Paris, Inserm UMRS1007, Paris, France
| | - Alban Chauderlier
- Université de Lille, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, LabEx DISTALZ, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Benoit Albaud
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Translational Research Departement, Genomics Platform, Paris, F-75248 France
| | - David Gentien
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Translational Research Departement, Genomics Platform, Paris, F-75248 France
| | - Sabrina Sommer
- Université de Lille, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, LabEx DISTALZ, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Claire Schirmer
- Université de Lille, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, LabEx DISTALZ, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Lucie Laqueuvre
- Université Paris Descartes, Centre Interdisciplinaire Chimie Biologie-Paris, Inserm UMRS1007, Paris, France
| | - Thibaut Josse
- Université François Rabelais, Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, CNRS UMR 7261, Tours, France
| | - Luc Buée
- Université de Lille, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, LabEx DISTALZ, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Bruno Lefebvre
- Université de Lille, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, LabEx DISTALZ, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Marie-Christine Galas
- Université de Lille, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172, LabEx DISTALZ, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Sylvie Souès
- Université Paris Descartes, Centre Interdisciplinaire Chimie Biologie-Paris, Inserm UMRS1007, Paris, France
| | - Eliette Bonnefoy
- Université Paris Descartes, Centre Interdisciplinaire Chimie Biologie-Paris, Inserm UMRS1007, Paris, France
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Chatterjee S, Cassel R, Schneider-Anthony A, Merienne K, Cosquer B, Tzeplaeff L, Halder Sinha S, Kumar M, Chaturbedy P, Eswaramoorthy M, Le Gras S, Keime C, Bousiges O, Dutar P, Petsophonsakul P, Rampon C, Cassel JC, Buée L, Blum D, Kundu TK, Boutillier AL. Reinstating plasticity and memory in a tauopathy mouse model with an acetyltransferase activator. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 10:e8587. [PMID: 30275019 PMCID: PMC6220301 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201708587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin acetylation, a critical regulator of synaptic plasticity and memory processes, is thought to be altered in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we demonstrate that spatial memory and plasticity (LTD, dendritic spine formation) deficits can be restored in a mouse model of tauopathy following treatment with CSP-TTK21, a small-molecule activator of CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferases (HAT). At the transcriptional level, CSP-TTK21 re-established half of the hippocampal transcriptome in learning mice, likely through increased expression of neuronal activity genes and memory enhancers. At the epigenomic level, the hippocampus of tauopathic mice showed a significant decrease in H2B but not H3K27 acetylation levels, both marks co-localizing at TSS and CBP enhancers. Importantly, CSP-TTK21 treatment increased H2B acetylation levels at decreased peaks, CBP enhancers, and TSS, including genes associated with plasticity and neuronal functions, overall providing a 95% rescue of the H2B acetylome in tauopathic mice. This study is the first to provide in vivo proof-of-concept evidence that CBP/p300 HAT activation efficiently reverses epigenetic, transcriptional, synaptic plasticity, and behavioral deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease lesions in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehajyoti Chatterjee
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Raphaelle Cassel
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Schneider-Anthony
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Karine Merienne
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Brigitte Cosquer
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura Tzeplaeff
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sarmistha Halder Sinha
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Piyush Chaturbedy
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Muthusamy Eswaramoorthy
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Stéphanie Le Gras
- CNRS, Inserm, UMR 7104, Microarray and Sequencing Platform, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Céline Keime
- CNRS, Inserm, UMR 7104, Microarray and Sequencing Platform, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Olivier Bousiges
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hôpital de Hautepierre, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Patrick Dutar
- Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, INSERM UMRS894, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Petnoi Petsophonsakul
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, CNRS, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Rampon
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, CNRS, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Cassel
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Luc Buée
- Inserm, CHU-Lille, UMR-S 1172, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - David Blum
- Inserm, CHU-Lille, UMR-S 1172, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Tapas K Kundu
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Anne-Laurence Boutillier
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- LNCA, CNRS UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
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Alonso AD, Cohen LS, Corbo C, Morozova V, ElIdrissi A, Phillips G, Kleiman FE. Hyperphosphorylation of Tau Associates With Changes in Its Function Beyond Microtubule Stability. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:338. [PMID: 30356756 PMCID: PMC6189415 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a neuronal microtubule associated protein whose main biological functions are to promote microtubule self-assembly by tubulin and to stabilize those already formed. Tau also plays an important role as an axonal microtubule protein. Tau is an amazing protein that plays a key role in cognitive processes, however, deposits of abnormal forms of tau are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD), the most prevalent, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the most recently associated to abnormal tau. Tau post-translational modifications (PTMs) are responsible for its gain of toxic function. Alonso et al. (1996) were the first to show that the pathological tau isolated from AD brains has prion-like properties and can transfer its toxic function to the normal molecule. Furthermore, we reported that the pathological changes are associated with tau phosphorylation at Ser199 and 262 and Thr212 and 231. This pathological version of tau induces subcellular mislocalization in cultured cells and neurons, and translocates into the nucleus or accumulated in the perinuclear region of cells. We have generated a transgenic mouse model that expresses pathological human tau (PH-Tau) in neurons at two different concentrations (4% and 14% of the total endogenous tau). In this model, PH-Tau causes cognitive decline by at least two different mechanisms: one that involves the cytoskeleton with axonal disruption (at high concentration), and another in which the apparent neuronal morphology is not grossly affected, but the synaptic terminals are altered (at lower concentration). We will discuss the putative involvement of tau in proteostasis under these conditions. Understanding tau’s biological activity on and off the microtubules will help shed light to the mechanism of neurodegeneration and of normal neuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra D Alonso
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leah S Cohen
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Christopher Corbo
- Department of Biology, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Viktoriya Morozova
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Abdeslem ElIdrissi
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Greg Phillips
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Frida E Kleiman
- Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
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46
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Federico C, Gil L, Bruno F, D'Amico AG, D'Agata V, Saccone S. Phosphorylated nucleolar Tau protein is related to the neuronal in vitro differentiation. Gene 2018; 664:1-11. [PMID: 29684490 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.04.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a multifunctional protein, originally identified as a cytoplasmic protein associated with microtubules. It is codified by the MAPT gene, and the alternative splicing, in the neuronal cells, results in six different isoforms. Tau was subsequently observed in the cell nucleus, where its function is not yet clearly understood. Here, we studied the MAPT gene and the cellular localization of the AT8 and Tau-1 epitopes of Tau protein, in the SK-N-BE cell line, which differentiates in neuronal-like cells after retinoic acid treatment. These epitopes correspond to the phosphorylated Ser202/Thr205 and unphosphorylated Pro189/Gly207 amino acid residues, respectively, possibly involved in conformational changes of the protein. Our results demonstrated the presence of the smaller Tau isoform (352 amino acids), whose amount increases in differentiated SK-N-BE cells, with Tau-1/AT8 nuclear distribution related to the differentiation process. Tau-1 showed a spot-like nucleolar localization, in both replicative and differentiated cells, while AT8 was only detected in the differentiated cells, diffusely occupying the entire nucleolar region. Moreover, in the replicative cells exposed to actinomycin-D, AT8 and Tau-1 move to the nucleolar periphery and colocalize, in few spots, with the upstream binding transcription factor (UBTF). Our results, also obtained with lymphocytes exposed to the mitogenic compound phytohaemagglutinin, indicate the AT8 epitope of Tau as a marker of neuronal cell differentiation, whose presence in the nucleolus appears to be related to rDNA transcriptional inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Federico
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Laura Gil
- Department of Genetics, Medical School, University "Alfonso X el Sabio", Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesca Bruno
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Grazia D'Amico
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy; Department of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University of Rome, Italy
| | - Velia D'Agata
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
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Gulisano W, Maugeri D, Baltrons MA, Fà M, Amato A, Palmeri A, D’Adamio L, Grassi C, Devanand D, Honig LS, Puzzo D, Arancio O. Role of Amyloid-β and Tau Proteins in Alzheimer's Disease: Confuting the Amyloid Cascade. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:S611-S631. [PMID: 29865055 PMCID: PMC8371153 DOI: 10.3233/jad-179935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The "Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis" has dominated the Alzheimer's disease (AD) field in the last 25 years. It posits that the increase of amyloid-β (Aβ) is the key event in AD that triggers tau pathology followed by neuronal death and eventually, the disease. However, therapeutic approaches aimed at decreasing Aβ levels have so far failed, and tau-based clinical trials have not yet produced positive findings. This begs the question of whether the hypothesis is correct. Here we have examined literature on the role of Aβ and tau in synaptic dysfunction, memory loss, and seeding and spreading of AD, highlighting important parallelisms between the two proteins in all of these phenomena. We discuss novel findings showing binding of both Aβ and tau oligomers to amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP), and the requirement for the presence of this protein for both Aβ and tau to enter neurons and induce abnormal synaptic function and memory. Most importantly, we propose a novel view of AD pathogenesis in which extracellular oligomers of Aβ and tau act in parallel and upstream of AβPP. Such a view will call for a reconsideration of therapeutic approaches directed against Aβ and tau, paving the way to an increased interest toward AβPP, both for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and elaborating new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Maugeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marian A. Baltrons
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mauro Fà
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Arianna Amato
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luciano D’Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - D.P. Devanand
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lawrence S. Honig
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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48
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Gil L, Federico C, Pinedo F, Bruno F, Rebolledo AB, Montoya JJ, Olazabal IM, Ferrer I, Saccone S. Aging dependent effect of nuclear tau. Brain Res 2017; 1677:129-137. [PMID: 28974363 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tau protein is characterized by a complex pattern of phosphorylation and is localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Human AT100 nuclear tau, endowed by phosphorylation in Thr212/Ser214, was recently shown to decline in cornus ammonis 1 (CA1) and dentate gyrus (DG) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but a defined function for this nuclear tau remains unclear. Here we show that AT100 progressively increases in the nuclei of neuronal and non-neuronal cells during aging, and decreases in the more severe AD stages, as recently shown, and in cancer cells (colorectal adenocarcinoma and breast cancer). AT100, in addition to a co-localization with the DAPI-positive heterochromatin, was detected in the nucleolus of pyramidal cells from the CA1 region, shown to be at its highest level in the more senescent cells and in the first stage of AD (ADI), and disappearing in the more severe AD cases (ADIV). Taking into account the nuclear distribution of AT100 during cell aging and its relation to the chromatin changes observed in degenerated neurons, as well as in cancerous cells, which are both cellular pathologies associated with age, we can consider the Thr212/Ser214 phosphorylated nuclear tau as a molecular marker of cell aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gil
- Department of Genetics, Medical School, University "Alfonso X el Sabio", Madrid, Spain
| | - Concetta Federico
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Fernando Pinedo
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Department of Pathology, Alcorcon, Spain
| | - Francesca Bruno
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Ana B Rebolledo
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Department of Pathology, Alcorcon, Spain
| | - Juan J Montoya
- Department of Genetics, Medical School, University "Alfonso X el Sabio", Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel M Olazabal
- Department of Genetics, Medical School, University "Alfonso X el Sabio", Madrid, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Institut Neuropatologia - Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Italy.
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49
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Zhao J, Huvent I, Lippens G, Eliezer D, Zhang A, Li Q, Tessier P, Linhardt RJ, Zhang F, Wang C. Glycan Determinants of Heparin-Tau Interaction. Biophys J 2017; 112:921-932. [PMID: 28297651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau aggregates into paired helical filaments within neurons, a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Heparin promotes tau aggregation and recently has been shown to be involved in the cellular uptake of tau aggregates. Although the tau-heparin interaction has been extensively studied, little is known about the glycan determinants of this interaction. Here, we used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and NMR spectroscopy to characterize the interaction between two tau fragments, K18 and K19, and several polysaccharides, including heparin, heparin oligosaccharides, chemically modified heparin, and related glycans. Using a heparin-immobilized chip, SPR revealed that tau K18 and K19 bind heparin with a KD of 0.2 and 70 μM, respectively. In SPR competition experiments, N-desulfation and 2-O-desulfation had no effect on heparin binding to K18, whereas 6-O-desulfation severely reduced binding, suggesting a critical role for 6-O-sulfation in the tau-heparin interaction. The tau-heparin interaction became stronger with longer-chain heparin oligosaccharides. As expected for an electrostatics-driven interaction, a moderate amount of salt (0.3 M NaCl) abolished binding. NMR showed the largest chemical-shift perturbation (CSP) in R2 in tau K18, which was absent in K19, revealing differential binding sites in K18 and K19 to heparin. Dermatan sulfate binding produced minimal CSP, whereas dermatan disulfate, with the additional 6-O-sulfo group, induced much larger CSP. 2-O-desulfated heparin induced much larger CSP in K18 than 6-O-desulfated heparin. Our data demonstrate a crucial role for the 6-O-sulfo group in the tau-heparin interaction, which to our knowledge has not been reported before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| | - Isabelle Huvent
- Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique-Unité Mixte de Recherche, Université de Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Guy Lippens
- Laboratoire d'Ingénierie des Systèmes Biologiques et des Procédés, University of Toulouse, CNRS, INRA, INSA, Toulouse, France
| | - David Eliezer
- Department of Biochemistry, Program in Structural Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Anqiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| | - Quanhong Li
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Peter Tessier
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York; Department of Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York; Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.
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50
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Asadollahi K, Riazi G, Rabbani Chadegani A, Rafiee S. DNA-binding mode transition of tau in the presence of Zinc ions. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017. [PMID: 28636842 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1343684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Asadollahi
- a Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran , Tehran , Iran
| | - Gholamhossein Riazi
- a Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran , Tehran , Iran
| | | | - Saharnaz Rafiee
- a Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran , Tehran , Iran
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