1
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Frey L, Ghosh D, Qureshi BM, Rhyner D, Guerrero-Ferreira R, Pokharna A, Kwiatkowski W, Serdiuk T, Picotti P, Riek R, Greenwald J. On the pH-dependence of α-synuclein amyloid polymorphism and the role of secondary nucleation in seed-based amyloid propagation. eLife 2024; 12:RP93562. [PMID: 39196271 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93562] [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] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The aggregation of the protein α-synuclein is closely associated with several neurodegenerative disorders and as such the structures of the amyloid fibril aggregates have high scientific and medical significance. However, there are dozens of unique atomic-resolution structures of these aggregates, and such a highly polymorphic nature of the α-synuclein fibrils hampers efforts in disease-relevant in vitro studies on α-synuclein amyloid aggregation. In order to better understand the factors that affect polymorph selection, we studied the structures of α-synuclein fibrils in vitro as a function of pH and buffer using cryo-EM helical reconstruction. We find that in the physiological range of pH 5.8-7.4, a pH-dependent selection between Type 1, 2, and 3 polymorphs occurs. Our results indicate that even in the presence of seeds, the polymorph selection during aggregation is highly dependent on the buffer conditions, attributed to the non-polymorph-specific nature of secondary nucleation. We also uncovered two new polymorphs that occur at pH 7.0 in phosphate-buffered saline. The first is a monofilament Type 1 fibril that highly resembles the structure of the juvenile-onset synucleinopathy polymorph found in patient-derived material. The second is a new Type 5 polymorph that resembles a polymorph that has been recently reported in a study that used diseased tissues to seed aggregation. Taken together, our results highlight the shallow amyloid energy hypersurface that can be altered by subtle changes in the environment, including the pH which is shown to play a major role in polymorph selection and in many cases appears to be the determining factor in seeded aggregation. The results also suggest the possibility of producing disease-relevant structure in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Frey
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dhiman Ghosh
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bilal M Qureshi
- Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David Rhyner
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Aditya Pokharna
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Tetiana Serdiuk
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Picotti
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland Riek
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jason Greenwald
- Institute of Molecular Physical Science, Zürich, Switzerland
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2
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Todd TW, Islam NN, Cook CN, Caulfield TR, Petrucelli L. Cryo-EM structures of pathogenic fibrils and their impact on neurodegenerative disease research. Neuron 2024; 112:2269-2288. [PMID: 38834068 PMCID: PMC11257806 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are commonly associated with the formation of aberrant protein aggregates within the brain, and ultrastructural analyses have revealed that the proteins within these inclusions often assemble into amyloid filaments. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as an effective method for determining the near-atomic structure of these disease-associated filamentous proteins, and the resulting structures have revolutionized the way we think about aberrant protein aggregation and propagation during disease progression. These structures have also revealed that individual fibril conformations may dictate different disease conditions, and this newfound knowledge has improved disease modeling in the lab and advanced the ongoing pursuit of clinical tools capable of distinguishing and targeting different pathogenic entities within living patients. In this review, we summarize some of the recently developed cryo-EM structures of ex vivo α-synuclein, tau, β-amyloid (Aβ), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) fibrils and discuss how these structures are being leveraged toward mechanistic research and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Naeyma N Islam
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Casey N Cook
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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3
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Ahlawat S, Mehra S, Gowda CM, Maji SK, Agarwal V. Solid-state NMR assignment of α-synuclein polymorph prepared from helical intermediate. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2024:10.1007/s12104-024-10188-0. [PMID: 38963588 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-024-10188-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein protein aggregates in the neurons and glial cells. Both ex vivo and in vitro α-synuclein fibrils tend to show polymorphism. Polymorphism results in structure variations among fibrils originating from a single polypeptide/protein. The polymorphs usually have different biophysical, biochemical and pathogenic properties. The various pathologies of a single disease might be associated with distinct polymorphs. Similarly, in the case of different synucleinopathies, each condition might be associated with a different polymorph. Fibril formation is a nucleation-dependent process involving the formation of transient and heterogeneous intermediates from monomers. Polymorphs are believed to arise from heterogeneous oligomer populations because of distinct selection mechanisms in different conditions. To test this hypothesis, we isolated and incubated different intermediates during in vitro fibrillization of α-synuclein to form different polymorphs. Here, we report 13C and 15N chemical shifts and the secondary structure of fibrils prepared from the helical intermediate using solid-state nuclear magnetic spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Ahlawat
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Sy. No. 36/P, Gopanpally Village, Serilingampally Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad, 500 046, India.
| | - Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, India
| | - Chandrakala M Gowda
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Sy. No. 36/P, Gopanpally Village, Serilingampally Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad, 500 046, India
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, 400 076, India
| | - Vipin Agarwal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Sy. No. 36/P, Gopanpally Village, Serilingampally Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad, 500 046, India.
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4
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Yang Y, Zhang Z. α-Synuclein pathology from the body to the brain: so many seeds so close to the central soil. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1463-1472. [PMID: 38051888 PMCID: PMC10883481 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.387967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT α-Synuclein is a protein that mainly exists in the presynaptic terminals. Abnormal folding and accumulation of α-synuclein are found in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. Aggregated and highly phosphorylated α-synuclein constitutes the main component of Lewy bodies in the brain, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease. For decades, much attention has been focused on the accumulation of α-synuclein in the brain parenchyma rather than considering Parkinson's disease as a systemic disease. Recent evidence demonstrates that, at least in some patients, the initial α-synuclein pathology originates in the peripheral organs and spreads to the brain. Injection of α-synuclein preformed fibrils into the gastrointestinal tract triggers the gut-to-brain propagation of α-synuclein pathology. However, whether α-synuclein pathology can occur spontaneously in peripheral organs independent of exogenous α-synuclein preformed fibrils or pathological α-synuclein leakage from the central nervous system remains under investigation. In this review, we aimed to summarize the role of peripheral α-synuclein pathology in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We also discuss the pathways by which α-synuclein pathology spreads from the body to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunying Yang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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5
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Toleikis Z, Paluch P, Kuc E, Petkus J, Sulskis D, Org-Tago ML, Samoson A, Smirnovas V, Stanek J, Lends A. Solid-state NMR backbone chemical shift assignments of α-synuclein amyloid fibrils at fast MAS regime. BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS 2024:10.1007/s12104-024-10186-2. [PMID: 38951472 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-024-10186-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
The α-synuclein (α-syn) amyloid fibrils are involved in various neurogenerative diseases. Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) has been showed as a powerful tool to study α-syn aggregates. Here, we report the 1H, 13C and 15N back-bone chemical shifts of a new α-syn polymorph obtained using proton-detected ssNMR spectroscopy under fast (95 kHz) magic-angle spinning conditions. The manual chemical shift assignments were cross-validated using FLYA algorithm. The secondary structural elements of α-syn fibrils were calculated using 13C chemical shift differences and TALOS software.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zigmantas Toleikis
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio 7, Vilnius, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Piotr Paluch
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Ewelina Kuc
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Jana Petkus
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Darius Sulskis
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio 7, Vilnius, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Mai-Liis Org-Tago
- Tallin University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn, 19086, Estonia
| | - Ago Samoson
- Tallin University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn, 19086, Estonia
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio 7, Vilnius, LT-10257, Lithuania
| | - Jan Stanek
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 1, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland
| | - Alons Lends
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia.
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6
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Fonda BD, Kato M, Li Y, Murray DT. Cryo-EM and Solid State NMR Together Provide a More Comprehensive Structural Investigation of Protein Fibrils. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.30.596698. [PMID: 38853912 PMCID: PMC11160737 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.30.596698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The Tropomyosin 1 isoform I/C C-terminal domain (Tm1-LC) fibril structure is studied jointly with cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This study demonstrates the complementary nature of these two structural biology techniques. Chemical shift assignments from solid state NMR are used to determine the secondary structure at the level of individual amino acids, which is faithfully seen in cryo-EM reconstructions. Additionally, solid state NMR demonstrates that the region not observed in the reconstructed cryo-EM density is primarily in a highly mobile random coil conformation rather than adopting multiple rigid conformations. Overall, this study illustrates the benefit of investigations combining cryo-EM and solid state NMR to investigate protein fibril structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake D. Fonda
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California, 95616, United States of America
| | - Masato Kato
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States of America
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States of America
| | - Dylan T. Murray
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, United States of America
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7
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Walke G, Kumar R, Wittung‐Stafshede P. Copper ion incorporation in α-synuclein amyloids. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4956. [PMID: 38511511 PMCID: PMC10955613 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4956] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Copper ion dys-homeostasis is linked to neurodegenerative diseases involving amyloid formation. Even if many amyloidogenic proteins can bind copper ions as monomers, little is known about copper interactions with the resulting amyloid fibers. Here, we investigate copper interactions with α-synuclein, the amyloid-forming protein in Parkinson's disease. Copper (Cu(II)) binds tightly to monomeric α-synuclein in vitro involving the N-terminal amine and the side chain of His50. Using purified protein and biophysical methods in vitro, we reveal that copper ions are readily incorporated into the formed amyloid fibers when present at the start of aggregation reactions, and the metal ions also bind if added to pre-formed amyloids. Efficient incorporation is observed for α-synuclein variants with perturbation of either one of the high-affinity monomer copper-binding residues (i.e., N-terminus or His50) whereas a variant with both N-terminal acetylation and His50 substituted with Ala does not incorporate any copper into the amyloids. Both the morphology of the resulting α-synuclein amyloids (amyloid fiber pitch, secondary structure, proteinase sensitivity) and the copper chemical properties (redox activity, chemical potential) are altered when copper is incorporated into amyloids. We speculate that copper chelation by α-synuclein amyloids contributes to the observed copper dys-homeostasis (e.g., reduced bioavailable levels) in Parkinson's disease patients. At the same time, amyloid-copper interactions may be protective to neuronal cells as they will shield aberrantly free copper ions from promotion of toxic reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulshan Walke
- Department of Life SciencesChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Department of Life SciencesChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
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8
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Dhavale DD, Barclay AM, Borcik CG, Basore K, Berthold DA, Gordon IR, Liu J, Milchberg MH, O'Shea JY, Rau MJ, Smith Z, Sen S, Summers B, Smith J, Warmuth OA, Perrin RJ, Perlmutter JS, Chen Q, Fitzpatrick JAJ, Schwieters CD, Tajkhorshid E, Rienstra CM, Kotzbauer PT. Structure of alpha-synuclein fibrils derived from human Lewy body dementia tissue. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2750. [PMID: 38553463 PMCID: PMC10980826 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46832-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The defining feature of Parkinson disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (Asyn) fibrils in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Here we develop and validate a method to amplify Asyn fibrils extracted from LBD postmortem tissue samples and use solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) studies to determine atomic resolution structure. Amplified LBD Asyn fibrils comprise a mixture of single protofilament and two protofilament fibrils with very low twist. The protofilament fold is highly similar to the fold determined by a recent cryo-electron microscopy study for a minority population of twisted single protofilament fibrils extracted from LBD tissue. These results expand the structural characterization of LBD Asyn fibrils and approaches for studying disease mechanisms, imaging agents and therapeutics targeting Asyn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruva D Dhavale
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Alexander M Barclay
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Collin G Borcik
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Katherine Basore
- Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Deborah A Berthold
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Isabelle R Gordon
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jialu Liu
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Moses H Milchberg
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Jennifer Y O'Shea
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Michael J Rau
- Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Zachary Smith
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Soumyo Sen
- Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group, NIH Resource for Macromolecular Modeling and Visualization, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Brock Summers
- Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Owen A Warmuth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Richard J Perrin
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Joel S Perlmutter
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Radiology, Neuroscience, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - James A J Fitzpatrick
- Center for Cellular Imaging, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Charles D Schwieters
- Computational Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Emad Tajkhorshid
- Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group, NIH Resource for Macromolecular Modeling and Visualization, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Chad M Rienstra
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Paul T Kotzbauer
- Department of Neurology and Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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9
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Hu C, Yan Y, Jin Y, Yang J, Xi Y, Zhong Z. Decoding the Cellular Trafficking of Prion-like Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:241-254. [PMID: 37755677 PMCID: PMC10838874 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01115-9] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation and spread of prion-like proteins is a key feature of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In a process known as 'seeding', prion-like proteins such as amyloid beta, microtubule-associated protein tau, α-synuclein, silence superoxide dismutase 1, or transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa, propagate their misfolded conformations by transforming their respective soluble monomers into fibrils. Cellular and molecular evidence of prion-like propagation in NDs, the clinical relevance of their 'seeding' capacities, and their levels of contribution towards disease progression have been intensively studied over recent years. This review unpacks the cyclic prion-like propagation in cells including factors of aggregate internalization, endo-lysosomal leaking, aggregate degradation, and secretion. Debates on the importance of the role of prion-like protein aggregates in NDs, whether causal or consequent, are also discussed. Applications lead to a greater understanding of ND pathogenesis and increased potential for therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjun Hu
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yiqun Yan
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yanhong Jin
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Physiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yongmei Xi
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
| | - Zhen Zhong
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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10
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Rupert J, Monti M, Zacco E, Tartaglia G. RNA sequestration driven by amyloid formation: the alpha synuclein case. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11466-11478. [PMID: 37870427 PMCID: PMC10681735 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids can act as potent modulators of protein aggregation, and RNA has the ability to either hinder or facilitate protein assembly, depending on the molecular context. In this study, we utilized a computational approach to characterize the physico-chemical properties of regions involved in amyloid aggregation. In various experimental datasets, we observed that while the core is hydrophobic and highly ordered, external regions, which are more disordered, display a distinct tendency to interact with nucleic acids. To validate our predictions, we performed aggregation assays with alpha-synuclein (aS140), a non-nucleic acid-binding amyloidogenic protein, and a mutant truncated at the acidic C-terminus (aS103), which is predicted to have a higher tendency to interact with RNA. For both aS140 and aS103, we observed an acceleration of aggregation upon RNA addition, with a significantly stronger effect for aS103. Due to favorable electrostatics, we noted an enhanced nucleic acid sequestration ability for the aggregated aS103, allowing it to entrap a larger amount of RNA compared to the aggregated wild-type counterpart. Overall, our research suggests that RNA sequestration might be a common phenomenon linked to protein aggregation, constituting a gain-of-function mechanism that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Rupert
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Michele Monti
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
| | - Elsa Zacco
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genova, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Bai Y, Zhang S, Dong H, Liu Y, Liu C, Zhang X. Advanced Techniques for Detecting Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Cellular Environments. Chem Rev 2023; 123:12254-12311. [PMID: 37874548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation, a key contributor to the progression of numerous neurodegenerative diseases, results in functional deficiencies and the creation of harmful intermediates. Detailed visualization of this misfolding process is of paramount importance for improving our understanding of disease mechanisms and for the development of potential therapeutic strategies. While in vitro studies using purified proteins have been instrumental in delivering significant insights into protein misfolding, the behavior of these proteins in the complex milieu of living cells often diverges significantly from such simplified environments. Biomedical imaging performed in cell provides cellular-level information with high physiological and pathological relevance, often surpassing the depth of information attainable through in vitro methods. This review highlights a variety of methodologies used to scrutinize protein misfolding within biological systems. This includes optical-based methods, strategies leaning on mass spectrometry, in-cell nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopy. Recent advancements in these techniques have notably deepened our understanding of protein misfolding processes and the features of the resulting misfolded species within living cells. The progression in these fields promises to catalyze further breakthroughs in our comprehension of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Bai
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang Province, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou 310030, Zhejiang Province, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
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12
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Li D, Liu C. Molecular rules governing the structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils in neurodegenerative diseases. Structure 2023; 31:1335-1347. [PMID: 37657437 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.08.006] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are hallmarks of various neurodegenerative diseases. The structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils holds significant pathological importance in diseases. This review aims to provide an in-depth overview on the complexity of amyloid fibrils' structural polymorphism and its implications in disease pathogenesis. We firstly decipher the molecular rules governing the structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils. We then discuss pivotal factors that contribute to the assortment of fibril structural polymorphs, including post-translational modifications (PTMs), disease mutations, and interacting molecules, and elucidate the structural basis of how these determinants influence amyloid fibril polymorphism. Furthermore, we underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between diverse fibril polymorphs and pathological activities, as well as their potential roles in therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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13
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Li D, Ma Y, Xia W, Tao Y, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Li D, Dai B, Liu C. Creating an Amyloid 'Kaleidoscope' Using Short Iodinated Peptides. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202310737. [PMID: 37650358 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils formed by peptides with different sequences exhibit diversified morphologies, material properties and activities, making them valuable for developing functional bionanomaterials. However, the molecular understanding underlying the structural diversity of peptide fibrillar assembly at atomic level is still lacking. In this study, by using cryogenic electron microscopy, we first revealed the structural basis underlying the highly reversible assembly of 1 GFGGNDNFG9 (referred to as hnRAC1) peptide fibril. Furthermore, by installing iodine at different sites of hnRAC1, we generated a collection of peptide fibrils with distinct thermostability. By determining the atomic structures of the iodinated fibrils, we discovered that iodination at different sites of the peptide facilitates the formation of diverse halogen bonds and triggers the assembly of entirely different structures of iodinated fibrils. Finally, based on this structural knowledge, we designed an iodinated peptide that assembles into new atomic structures of fibrils, exhibiting superior thermostability, that aligned with our design. Our work provides an in-depth understanding of the atomic-level processes underlying the formation of diverse peptide fibril structures, and paves the way for creating an amyloid "kaleidoscope" by employing various modifications and peptide sequences to fine-tune the atomic structure and properties of fibrillar nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Li
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yeyang Ma
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wencheng Xia
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Youqi Tao
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yiling Zhang
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Bin Dai
- School of Sensing Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201210, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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14
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Bahri S, Safeer A, Adler A, Smedes H, van Ingen H, Baldus M. 1H-detected characterization of carbon-carbon networks in highly flexible protonated biomolecules using MAS NMR. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2023:10.1007/s10858-023-00415-6. [PMID: 37289305 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-023-00415-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the last three decades, the scope of solid-state NMR has expanded to exploring complex biomolecules, from large protein assemblies to intact cells at atomic-level resolution. This diversity in macromolecules frequently features highly flexible components whose insoluble environment precludes the use of solution NMR to study their structure and interactions. While High-resolution Magic-Angle Spinning (HR-MAS) probes offer the capacity for gradient-based 1H-detected spectroscopy in solids, such probes are not commonly used for routine MAS NMR experiments. As a result, most exploration of the flexible regime entails either 13C-detected experiments, the use of partially perdeuterated systems, or ultra-fast MAS. Here we explore proton-detected pulse schemes probing through-bond 13C-13C networks to study mobile protein sidechains as well as polysaccharides in a broadband manner. We demonstrate the use of such schemes to study a mixture of microtubule-associated protein (MAP) tau and human microtubules (MTs), and the cell wall of the fungus Schizophyllum commune using 2D and 3D spectroscopy, to show its viability for obtaining unambiguous correlations using standard fast-spinning MAS probes at high and ultra-high magnetic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salima Bahri
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Adil Safeer
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Agnes Adler
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke Smedes
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo van Ingen
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Baldus
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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