1
|
Deo A, Ghosh R, Ahire S, Marathe S, Majumdar A, Bose T. Two novel DnaJ chaperone proteins CG5001 and P58IPK regulate the pathogenicity of Huntington's disease related aggregates. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20867. [PMID: 39242711 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71065-3] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease caused due to aggregation of Huntingtin (HTT) protein. This study involves the cloning of 40 DnaJ chaperones from Drosophila, and overexpressing them in yeasts and fly models of HD. Accordingly, DnaJ chaperones were catalogued as enhancers or suppressors based on their growth phenotypes and aggregation properties. 2 of the chaperones that came up as targets were CG5001 and P58IPK. Protein aggregation and slow growth phenotype was rescued in yeasts, S2 cells, and Drosophila transgenic lines of HTT103Q with these overexpressed chaperones. Since DnaJ chaperones have protein sequence similarity across species, they can be used as possible tools to combat the effects of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Deo
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Rishita Ghosh
- Indian Institute of Science and Educational Research (IISER), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Snehal Ahire
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Sayali Marathe
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Amitabha Majumdar
- National Centre for Cell Sciences, Inside Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India.
| | - Tania Bose
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shirguppe S, Gapinske M, Swami D, Gosstola N, Acharya P, Miskalis A, Joulani D, Szkwarek MG, Bhattacharjee A, Elias G, Stilger M, Winter J, Woods WS, Anand D, Lim CKW, Gaj T, Perez-Pinera P. In vivo CRISPR base editing for treatment of Huntington's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.05.602282. [PMID: 39005280 PMCID: PMC11245100 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.05.602282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine-encoding CAG repeat within exon 1 of the huntingtin (HTT) gene, which produces a mutant protein that destroys striatal and cortical neurons. Importantly, a critical event in the pathogenesis of HD is the proteolytic cleavage of the mutant HTT protein by caspase-6, which generates fragments of the N-terminal domain of the protein that form highly toxic aggregates. Given the role that proteolysis of the mutant HTT protein plays in HD, strategies for preventing this process hold potential for treating the disorder. By screening 141 CRISPR base editor variants targeting splice elements in the HTT gene, we identified platforms capable of producing HTT protein isoforms resistant to caspase-6-mediated proteolysis via editing of the splice acceptor sequence for exon 13. When delivered to the striatum of a rodent HD model, these base editors induced efficient exon skipping and decreased the formation of the N-terminal fragments, which in turn reduced HTT protein aggregation and attenuated striatal and cortical atrophy. Collectively, these results illustrate the potential for CRISPR base editing to decrease the toxicity of the mutant HTT protein for HD.
Collapse
|
3
|
Moldovean-Cioroianu NS. Reviewing the Structure-Function Paradigm in Polyglutamine Disorders: A Synergistic Perspective on Theoretical and Experimental Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6789. [PMID: 38928495 PMCID: PMC11204371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126789] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the excessive expansion of CAG (cytosine, adenine, guanine) repeats within host proteins. The quest to unravel the complex diseases mechanism has led researchers to adopt both theoretical and experimental methods, each offering unique insights into the underlying pathogenesis. This review emphasizes the significance of combining multiple approaches in the study of polyQ disorders, focusing on the structure-function correlations and the relevance of polyQ-related protein dynamics in neurodegeneration. By integrating computational/theoretical predictions with experimental observations, one can establish robust structure-function correlations, aiding in the identification of key molecular targets for therapeutic interventions. PolyQ proteins' dynamics, influenced by their length and interactions with other molecular partners, play a pivotal role in the polyQ-related pathogenic cascade. Moreover, conformational dynamics of polyQ proteins can trigger aggregation, leading to toxic assembles that hinder proper cellular homeostasis. Understanding these intricacies offers new avenues for therapeutic strategies by fine-tuning polyQ kinetics, in order to prevent and control disease progression. Last but not least, this review highlights the importance of integrating multidisciplinary efforts to advancing research in this field, bringing us closer to the ultimate goal of finding effective treatments against polyQ disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nastasia Sanda Moldovean-Cioroianu
- Institute of Materials Science, Bioinspired Materials and Biosensor Technologies, Kiel University, Kaiserstraße 2, 24143 Kiel, Germany;
- Faculty of Physics, Babeș-Bolyai University, Kogălniceanu 1, RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Costa RG, Conceição A, Matos CA, Nóbrega C. The polyglutamine protein ATXN2: from its molecular functions to its involvement in disease. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:415. [PMID: 38877004 PMCID: PMC11178924 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06812-5] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
A CAG repeat sequence in the ATXN2 gene encodes a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract within the ataxin-2 (ATXN2) protein, showcasing a complex landscape of functions that have been progressively unveiled over recent decades. Despite significant progresses in the field, a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms governed by ATXN2 remains elusive. This multifaceted protein emerges as a key player in RNA metabolism, stress granules dynamics, endocytosis, calcium signaling, and the regulation of the circadian rhythm. The CAG overexpansion within the ATXN2 gene produces a protein with an extended poly(Q) tract, inducing consequential alterations in conformational dynamics which confer a toxic gain and/or partial loss of function. Although overexpanded ATXN2 is predominantly linked to spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), intermediate expansions are also implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and parkinsonism. While the molecular intricacies await full elucidation, SCA2 presents ATXN2-associated pathological features, encompassing autophagy impairment, RNA-mediated toxicity, heightened oxidative stress, and disruption of calcium homeostasis. Presently, SCA2 remains incurable, with patients reliant on symptomatic and supportive treatments. In the pursuit of therapeutic solutions, various studies have explored avenues ranging from pharmacological drugs to advanced therapies, including cell or gene-based approaches. These endeavours aim to address the root causes or counteract distinct pathological features of SCA2. This review is intended to provide an updated compendium of ATXN2 functions, delineate the associated pathological mechanisms, and present current perspectives on the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael G Costa
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Faro, Portugal.
- PhD program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faro, Portugal.
- Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faro, Portugal.
| | - André Conceição
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Faro, Portugal
- PhD program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faro, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faro, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Champalimaud Research Program, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlos A Matos
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Faro, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faro, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Faro, Portugal.
- Faculdade de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve (UAlg), Faro, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kunoh S, Nakashima H, Nakashima K. Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Stem Cells in Developmental and Adult Stages. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:22. [PMID: 38920623 PMCID: PMC11203245 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8020022] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of the nervous system is regulated by numerous intracellular molecules and cellular signals that interact temporally and spatially with the extracellular microenvironment. The three major cell types in the brain, i.e., neurons and two types of glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), are generated from common multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) throughout life. However, NSCs do not have this multipotentiality from the beginning. During cortical development, NSCs sequentially obtain abilities to differentiate into neurons and glial cells in response to combinations of spatiotemporally modulated cell-intrinsic epigenetic alterations and extrinsic factors. After the completion of brain development, a limited population of NSCs remains in the adult brain and continues to produce neurons (adult neurogenesis), thus contributing to learning and memory. Many biological aspects of brain development and adult neurogenesis are regulated by epigenetic changes via behavioral control of NSCs. Epigenetic dysregulation has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of various brain diseases. Here, we present recent advances in the epigenetic regulation of NSC behavior and its dysregulation in brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hideyuki Nakashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
| | - Kinichi Nakashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang H, Wu S, Itzhaki LS, Perrett S. Interaction between huntingtin exon 1 and HEAT repeat structure probed by chimeric model proteins. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4810. [PMID: 37853955 PMCID: PMC10659953 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4810] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is associated with aggregation of huntingtin (HTT) protein containing over 35 continuous Q residues within the N-terminal exon 1 encoded region. The C-terminal of the HTT protein consists mainly of HEAT repeat structure which serves as a scaffold for multiple cellular activities. Structural and biochemical analysis of the intact HTT protein has been hampered by its huge size (~300 kDa) and most in vitro studies to date have focused on the properties of the exon 1 region. To explore the interaction between HTT exon 1 and the HEAT repeat structure, we constructed chimeric proteins containing the N-terminal HTT exon 1 region and the HEAT repeat protein PR65/A. The results indicate that HTT exon 1 slightly destabilizes the downstream HEAT repeat structure and endows the HEAT repeat structure with more conformational flexibility. Wild-type and pathological lengths of polyQ did not show differences in the interaction between HTT exon 1 and the HEAT repeats. With the C-terminal fusion of PR65/A, HTT exon 1 containing pathological lengths of polyQ could still form amyloid fibrils, but the higher-order architecture of fibrils and kinetics of fibril formation were affected by the C-terminal fusion of HEAT repeats. This indicates that interaction between HTT exon 1 and HEAT repeat structure is compatible with both normal function of HTT protein and the pathogenesis of HD, and this study provides a potential model for further exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in BiomacromoleculesInstitute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesPeking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Si Wu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in BiomacromoleculesInstitute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | | | - Sarah Perrett
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in BiomacromoleculesInstitute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ibrahim KA, Grußmayer KS, Riguet N, Feletti L, Lashuel HA, Radenovic A. Label-free identification of protein aggregates using deep learning. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7816. [PMID: 38016971 PMCID: PMC10684545 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43440-7] [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: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation play central roles in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Huntington's disease, which is caused by a genetic mutation in exon 1 of the Huntingtin protein (Httex1). The fluorescent labels commonly used to visualize and monitor the dynamics of protein expression have been shown to alter the biophysical properties of proteins and the final ultrastructure, composition, and toxic properties of the formed aggregates. To overcome this limitation, we present a method for label-free identification of NDD-associated aggregates (LINA). Our approach utilizes deep learning to detect unlabeled and unaltered Httex1 aggregates in living cells from transmitted-light images, without the need for fluorescent labeling. Our models are robust across imaging conditions and on aggregates formed by different constructs of Httex1. LINA enables the dynamic identification of label-free aggregates and measurement of their dry mass and area changes during their growth process, offering high speed, specificity, and simplicity to analyze protein aggregation dynamics and obtain high-fidelity information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khalid A Ibrahim
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kristin S Grußmayer
- Department of Bionanoscience and Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.
| | - Nathan Riguet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lely Feletti
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Aleksandra Radenovic
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Reed AL, Mitchell W, Alexandrescu AT, Alder NN. Interactions of amyloidogenic proteins with mitochondrial protein import machinery in aging-related neurodegenerative diseases. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1263420. [PMID: 38028797 PMCID: PMC10652799 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1263420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Most mitochondrial proteins are targeted to the organelle by N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequences (MTSs, or "presequences") that are recognized by the import machinery and subsequently cleaved to yield the mature protein. MTSs do not have conserved amino acid compositions, but share common physicochemical properties, including the ability to form amphipathic α-helical structures enriched with basic and hydrophobic residues on alternating faces. The lack of strict sequence conservation implies that some polypeptides can be mistargeted to mitochondria, especially under cellular stress. The pathogenic accumulation of proteins within mitochondria is implicated in many aging-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Mechanistically, these diseases may originate in part from mitochondrial interactions with amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) or its cleavage product amyloid-β (Aβ), α-synuclein (α-syn), and mutant forms of huntingtin (mHtt), respectively, that are mediated in part through their associations with the mitochondrial protein import machinery. Emerging evidence suggests that these amyloidogenic proteins may present cryptic targeting signals that act as MTS mimetics and can be recognized by mitochondrial import receptors and transported into different mitochondrial compartments. Accumulation of these mistargeted proteins could overwhelm the import machinery and its associated quality control mechanisms, thereby contributing to neurological disease progression. Alternatively, the uptake of amyloidogenic proteins into mitochondria may be part of a protein quality control mechanism for clearance of cytotoxic proteins. Here we review the pathomechanisms of these diseases as they relate to mitochondrial protein import and effects on mitochondrial function, what features of APP/Aβ, α-syn and mHtt make them suitable substrates for the import machinery, and how this information can be leveraged for the development of therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L. Reed
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Wayne Mitchell
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Andrei T. Alexandrescu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Nathan N. Alder
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tsai TY, Chen CY, Lin TW, Lin TC, Chiu FL, Shih O, Chang MY, Lin YC, Su AC, Chen CM, Jeng US, Kuo HC, Chang CF, Chen YR. Amyloid modifier SERF1a interacts with polyQ-expanded huntingtin-exon 1 via helical interactions and exacerbates polyQ-induced toxicity. Commun Biol 2023; 6:767. [PMID: 37479809 PMCID: PMC10361993 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05142-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion and fibrillization occur in Huntington's disease (HD). Amyloid modifier SERF enhances amyloid formation, but the underlying mechanism is not revealed. Here, the fibrillization and toxicity effect of SERF1a on Htt-exon1 are examined. SERF1a enhances the fibrillization of and interacts with mutant thioredoxin (Trx)-fused Httex1. NMR studies with Htt peptides show that TrxHttex1-39Q interacts with the helical regions in SERF1a and SERF1a preferentially interacts with the N-terminal 17 residues of Htt. Time-course analysis shows that SERF1a induces mutant TrxHttex1 to a single conformation enriched of β-sheet. Co-expression of SERF1a and Httex1-polyQ in neuroblastoma and lentiviral infection of SERF1a in HD-induced polypotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons demonstrates the detrimental effect of SERF1a in HD. Higher level of SERF1a transcript or protein is detected in HD iPSC, transgenic mice, and HD plasma. Overall, this study provides molecular mechanism for SERF1a and mutant Httex1 to facilitate therapeutic development for HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tien-Ying Tsai
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Road, Sec. 2. Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Wei Lin
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Tien-Chang Lin
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Lan Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Orion Shih
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yun Chang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - An-Chung Su
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Mei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - U-Ser Jeng
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Kuo
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Fon Chang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Smriti, Singla M, Gupta S, Porwal O, Nasser Binjawhar D, Sayed AA, Mittal P, El-Demerdash FM, Algahtani M, Singh SK, Dua K, Gupta G, Bawa P, Altyar AE, Abdel-Daim MM. Theoretical design for covering Engeletin with functionalized nanostructure-lipid carriers as neuroprotective agents against Huntington's disease via the nasal-brain route. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1218625. [PMID: 37492081 PMCID: PMC10364480 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1218625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To propose a theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers for improved delivery and increased bioavailability in treating Huntington's disease (HD). Methods: We conducted a literature review of the pathophysiology of HD and the limitations of currently available medications. We also reviewed the potential therapeutic benefits of engeletin, a flavanol glycoside, in treating HD through the Keap1/nrf2 pathway. We then proposed a theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers for improved delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and increased bioavailability. Results: HD is an autosomal dominant neurological illness caused by a repetition of the cytosine-adenine-guanine trinucleotide, producing a mutant protein called Huntingtin, which degenerates the brain's motor and cognitive functions. Excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, elevated concentration of ROS and RNS, neuroinflammation, and protein aggregation significantly impact HD development. Current therapeutic medications can postpone HD symptoms but have long-term adverse effects when used regularly. Herbal medications such as engeletin have drawn attention due to their minimal side effects. Engeletin has been shown to reduce mitochondrial dysfunction and suppress inflammation through the Keap1/NRF2 pathway. However, its limited solubility and permeability hinder it from reaching the target site. A theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers may allow for free transit over the BBB due to offering a similar composition to the natural lipids present in the body a lipid solubility and increase bioavailability, potentially leading to a cure or prevention of HD. Conclusion: The theoretical formulation of engeletin-nanostructured lipid nanocarriers has the potential to improve delivery and increase the bioavailability of engeletin in the treatment of HD, which may lead to a cure or prevention of this fatal illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Smriti
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Madhav Singla
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- Chameli Devi Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
| | - Omji Porwal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Dalal Nasser Binjawhar
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amany A. Sayed
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Pooja Mittal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Fatma M. El-Demerdash
- Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mohammad Algahtani
- Department of Laboratory & Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
- Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, India
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Puneet Bawa
- Center of Excellence for Speech and Multimodel Laboratory, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Ahmed E. Altyar
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Song S, Su Z, Kon N, Chu B, Li H, Jiang X, Luo J, Stockwell BR, Gu W. ALOX5-mediated ferroptosis acts as a distinct cell death pathway upon oxidative stress in Huntington's disease. Genes Dev 2023; 37:204-217. [PMID: 36921996 PMCID: PMC10111862 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350211.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Although it is well established that Huntington's disease (HD) is mainly caused by polyglutamine-expanded mutant huntingtin (mHTT), the molecular mechanism of mHTT-mediated actions is not fully understood. Here, we showed that expression of the N-terminal fragment containing the expanded polyglutamine (HTTQ94) of mHTT is able to promote both the ACSL4-dependent and the ACSL4-independent ferroptosis. Surprisingly, inactivation of the ACSL4-dependent ferroptosis fails to show any effect on the life span of Huntington's disease mice. Moreover, by using RNAi-mediated screening, we identified ALOX5 as a major factor required for the ACSL4-independent ferroptosis induced by HTTQ94. Although ALOX5 is not required for the ferroptotic responses triggered by common ferroptosis inducers such as erastin, loss of ALOX5 expression abolishes HTTQ94-mediated ferroptosis upon reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced stress. Interestingly, ALOX5 is also required for HTTQ94-mediated ferroptosis in neuronal cells upon high levels of glutamate. Mechanistically, HTTQ94 activates ALOX5-mediated ferroptosis by stabilizing FLAP, an essential cofactor of ALOX5-mediated lipoxygenase activity. Notably, inactivation of the Alox5 gene abrogates the ferroptosis activity in the striatal neurons from the HD mice; more importantly, loss of ALOX5 significantly ameliorates the pathological phenotypes and extends the life spans of these HD mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ALOX5 is critical for mHTT-mediated ferroptosis and suggest that ALOX5 is a potential new target for Huntington's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shujuan Song
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhenyi Su
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Ning Kon
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Bo Chu
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Huan Li
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Jianyuan Luo
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Brent R Stockwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - Wei Gu
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bhat SA, Ahamad S, Dar NJ, Siddique YH, Nazir A. The Emerging Landscape of Natural Small-molecule Therapeutics for Huntington's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:867-889. [PMID: 36797612 PMCID: PMC10227909 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230216104621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder with no diseasemodifying therapeutics. HD is characterized by extensive neuronal loss and is caused by the inherited expansion of the huntingtin (HTT) gene that encodes a toxic mutant HTT (mHTT) protein having expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) residues. Current HD therapeutics only offer symptomatic relief. In fact, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two synthetic small-molecule VMAT2 inhibitors, tetrabenazine (1) and deutetrabenazine (2), for managing HD chorea and various other diseases in clinical trials. Therefore, the landscape of drug discovery programs for HD is evolving to discover disease- modifying HD therapeutics. Likewise, numerous natural products are being evaluated at different stages of clinical development and have shown the potential to ameliorate HD pathology. The inherent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of natural products mitigate the mHTT-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, improve mitochondrial functions, and augment the anti-apoptotic and pro-autophagic mechanisms for increased survival of neurons in HD. In this review, we have discussed HD pathogenesis and summarized the anti-HD clinical and pre-clinical natural products, focusing on their therapeutic effects and neuroprotective mechanism/s.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P., India
| | - Nawab John Dar
- School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Texas, TX, USA
| | | | - Aamir Nazir
- Division of Neuroscience and Ageing Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, U.P., India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Saha G, Ghosh S, Dubey VK, Saudagar P. Gene Alterations Induced by Glutamine (Q) Encoding CAG Repeats Associated with Neurodegeneration. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2575:3-23. [PMID: 36301468 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2716-7_1] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have been reported linking the role of polyglutamine (polyQ) disease-associated proteins with altered gene regulation induced by an unstable trinucleotide (CAG) repeat. Owing to their dynamic nature of expansion, these DNA repeats form secondary structures interfering with the normal cellular mechanisms like replication and transcription and, thereby, have become the underlying cause of numerous neurodegenerative disorders involving mental retardation and/or muscular or neuronal degeneration. Despite the widespread expression of the disease-causing protein, specific subsets of neurons are susceptible to specific patterns of inheritance and clinical symptoms. Although this cell-type selectivity is still elusive and less understood, it has been found that aberrant transcriptional regulation is one of the primary causes of polyQ diseases where the functions of histone-modifying complexes are disrupted. Besides, epigenetic modifications play a critical role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In this chapter, we will be delving into how these polyQ repeats induce the self-assembly and aggregation of altered carrier proteins based on gene alterations, causing neuronal toxicity and cellular deaths. Besides, genomic instability in CAG repeats due to altered chromatin-related enzymes will be highlighted, along with epigenetic changes present in many polyQ disorders. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms in the root cause of these disorders will culminate in identifying therapeutic approaches for the treatment of these neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gundappa Saha
- Department of Basic & Translational Sciences, Penn Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sukanya Ghosh
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikash Kumar Dubey
- School of Biochemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Prakash Saudagar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, Telangana, India.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Incebacak Eltemur RD, Nguyen HP, Weber JJ. Calpain-mediated proteolysis as driver and modulator of polyglutamine toxicity. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1020104. [PMID: 36385755 PMCID: PMC9648470 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1020104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Among posttranslational modifications, directed proteolytic processes have the strongest impact on protein integrity. They are executed by a variety of cellular machineries and lead to a wide range of molecular consequences. Compared to other forms of proteolytic enzymes, the class of calcium-activated calpains is considered as modulator proteases due to their limited proteolytic activity, which changes the structure and function of their target substrates. In the context of neurodegeneration and - in particular - polyglutamine disorders, proteolytic events have been linked to modulatory effects on the molecular pathogenesis by generating harmful breakdown products of disease proteins. These findings led to the formulation of the toxic fragment hypothesis, and calpains appeared to be one of the key players and auspicious therapeutic targets in Huntington disease and Machado Joseph disease. This review provides a current survey of the role of calpains in proteolytic processes found in polyglutamine disorders. Together with insights into general concepts behind toxic fragments and findings in polyglutamine disorders, this work aims to inspire researchers to broaden and deepen the knowledge in this field, which will help to evaluate calpain-mediated proteolysis as a unifying and therapeutically targetable posttranslational mechanism in neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rana Dilara Incebacak Eltemur
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jonasz Jeremiasz Weber
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
van der Bent ML, Evers MM, Vallès A. Emerging Therapies for Huntington's Disease - Focus on N-Terminal Huntingtin and Huntingtin Exon 1. Biologics 2022; 16:141-160. [PMID: 36213816 PMCID: PMC9532260 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s270657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a devastating heritable neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the presence of a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion in the Huntingtin gene, leading to a polyglutamine tract in the protein. Various mechanisms lead to the production of N-terminal Huntingtin protein fragments, which are reportedly more toxic than the full-length protein. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the production and toxicity of N-terminal Huntingtin protein fragments. Further, we expand on various therapeutic strategies targeting N-terminal Huntingtin on the protein, RNA and DNA level. Finally, we compare the therapeutic approaches that are clinically most advanced, including those that do not target N-terminal Huntingtin, discussing differences in mode of action and translational applicability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Melvin M Evers
- uniQure biopharma B.V., Department of Research and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid Vallès
- uniQure biopharma B.V., Department of Research and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nazarov S, Chiki A, Boudeffa D, Lashuel HA. Structural Basis of Huntingtin Fibril Polymorphism Revealed by Cryogenic Electron Microscopy of Exon 1 HTT Fibrils. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:10723-10735. [PMID: 35679155 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The lack of detailed insight into the structure of aggregates formed by the huntingtin protein (HTT) has hampered the efforts to develop therapeutics and diagnostics targeting pathology formation in the brain of patients with Huntington's disease. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the structural properties of in vitro-generated fibrils from exon1 of the huntingtin protein by cryogenic electron microscopy and single-particle analyses. We show that wildtype and mutant exon1 of the huntingtin protein form nonhelical fibrils with a polyglutamine amyloid core composed of β-hairpins with unique characteristics that have not been previously observed with other amyloid filaments. The stacks of β-hairpins form long planar β-sheets (protofilaments) which combine inter- and intra-molecular interactions, with variable stacking angles and occasional out-of-register states of individual β-hairpins. These features and the propensity of protofilaments to undergo lateral association result in a high degree of fibril polymorphisms, including fibrils composed of varying numbers of protofilaments. Our results allow us to speculate on how the flanking domains are organized around the polyglutamine core of the fibril and provide insight into how they might affect the huntingtin fibril structure and polymorphism. The removal of the first 17 amino acids at the N-terminus resulted in surprising intra-fibril structural heterogeneity and reduced fibril's propensity to lateral associations. Overall, this work provides valuable insights that could help guide future mechanistic studies to elucidate the sequence and structural determinants of huntingtin aggregation, as well as for cryo-EM and structural studies of fibrils derived from huntingtin protein and other disease-associated polyglutamine-containing proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Nazarov
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.,BioEM Core Facility and Technology Platform, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Driss Boudeffa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kim S, Kim DK, Jeong S, Lee J. The Common Cellular Events in the Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Associated Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5894. [PMID: 35682574 PMCID: PMC9180188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are inseparably linked with aging and increase as life expectancy extends. There are common dysfunctions in various cellular events shared among neurogenerative diseases, such as calcium dyshomeostasis, neuroinflammation, and age-associated decline in the autophagy-lysosome system. However, most of all, the prominent pathological feature of neurodegenerative diseases is the toxic buildup of misfolded protein aggregates and inclusion bodies accompanied by an impairment in proteostasis. Recent studies have suggested a close association between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and neurodegenerative pathology in cellular and animal models as well as in human patients. The contribution of mutant or misfolded protein-triggered ER stress and its associated signaling events, such as unfolded protein response (UPR), to the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and prion disease, is described here. Impaired UPR action is commonly attributed to exacerbated ER stress, pathogenic protein aggregate accumulation, and deteriorating neurodegenerative pathologies. Thus, activating certain UPR components has been shown to alleviate ER stress and its associated neurodegeneration. However, uncontrolled activation of some UPR factors has also been demonstrated to worsen neurodegenerative phenotypes, suggesting that detailed molecular mechanisms around ER stress and its related neurodegenerations should be understood to develop effective therapeutics against aging-associated neurological syndromes. We also discuss current therapeutic endeavors, such as the development of small molecules that selectively target individual UPR components and address ER stress in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soojeong Kim
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea; (S.K.); (D.K.K.); (S.J.)
| | - Doo Kyung Kim
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea; (S.K.); (D.K.K.); (S.J.)
| | - Seho Jeong
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea; (S.K.); (D.K.K.); (S.J.)
| | - Jaemin Lee
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea; (S.K.); (D.K.K.); (S.J.)
- New Biology Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
- Well Aging Research Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Moretto E, Stuart S, Surana S, Vargas JNS, Schiavo G. The Role of Extracellular Matrix Components in the Spreading of Pathological Protein Aggregates. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:844211. [PMID: 35573838 PMCID: PMC9100790 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.844211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated misfolded proteins. These pathological agents have been suggested to propagate in the brain via mechanisms similar to that observed for the prion protein, where a misfolded variant is transferred from an affected brain region to a healthy one, thereby inducing the misfolding and/or aggregation of correctly folded copies. This process has been characterized for several proteins, such as α-synuclein, tau, amyloid beta (Aβ) and less extensively for huntingtin and TDP-43. α-synuclein, tau, TDP-43 and huntingtin are intracellular proteins, and their aggregates are located in the cytosol or nucleus of neurons. They have been shown to spread between cells and this event occurs, at least partially, via secretion of these protein aggregates in the extracellular space followed by re-uptake. Conversely, Aβ aggregates are found mainly extracellularly, and their spreading occurs in the extracellular space between brain regions. Due to the inherent nature of their spreading modalities, these proteins are exposed to components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including glycans, proteases and core matrix proteins. These ECM components can interact with or process pathological misfolded proteins, potentially changing their properties and thus regulating their spreading capabilities. Here, we present an overview of the documented roles of ECM components in the spreading of pathological protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases with the objective of identifying the current gaps in knowledge and stimulating further research in the field. This could potentially lead to the identification of druggable targets to slow down the spreading and/or progression of these pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Moretto
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, CNR, Milan, Italy
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Edoardo Moretto,
| | - Skye Stuart
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sunaina Surana
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Norberto S. Vargas
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Giampietro Schiavo,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen KP, Hua KF, Tsai FT, Lin TY, Cheng CY, Yang DI, Hsu HT, Ju TC. A selective inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome as a potential therapeutic approach for neuroprotection in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington’s disease. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:56. [PMID: 35219323 PMCID: PMC8882273 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02419-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of the CAG repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. When the number of CAG repeats exceeds 36, the translated expanded polyglutamine-containing HTT protein (mutant HTT [mHTT]) interferes with the normal functions of many cellular proteins and subsequently jeopardizes important cellular machineries in major types of brain cells, including neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. The NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which comprises NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1, is involved in the activation of IL-1β and IL-18 and has been implicated in various biological functions. Although the existence of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the brain has been documented, the roles of the NLRP3 inflammasome in HD remain largely uncharacterized. MCC950 is a highly selective and potent small-molecule inhibitor of NLRP3 that has been used for the treatment of several diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, whether MCC950 is also beneficial in HD remains unknown. Therefore, we hypothesized that MCC950 exerts beneficial effects in a transgenic mouse model of HD. Methods To evaluate the effects of MCC950 in HD, we used the R6/2 (B6CBA-Tg[HDexon1]62Gpb/1J) transgenic mouse model of HD, which expresses exon 1 of the human HTT gene carrying 120 ± 5 CAG repeats. Male transgenic R6/2 mice were treated daily with MCC950 (10 mg/kg of body weight; oral administration) or water for 5 weeks from the age of 7 weeks. We examined neuronal density, neuroinflammation, and mHTT aggregation in the striatum of R6/2 mice vs. their wild-type littermates. We also evaluated the motor function, body weight, and lifespan of R6/2 mice. Results Systematic administration of MCC950 to R6/2 mice suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome, decreased IL-1β and reactive oxygen species production, and reduced neuronal toxicity, as assessed based on increased neuronal density and upregulation of the NeuN and PSD-95 proteins. Most importantly, oral administration of MCC950 increased neuronal survival, reduced neuroinflammation, extended lifespan, and improved motor dysfunction in R6/2 mice. Conclusions Collectively, our findings indicate that MCC950 exerts beneficial effects in a transgenic mouse model of HD and has therapeutic potential for treatment of this devastating neurodegenerative disease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02419-9.
Collapse
|
20
|
Nuclear and cytoplasmic huntingtin inclusions exhibit distinct biochemical composition, interactome and ultrastructural properties. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6579. [PMID: 34772920 PMCID: PMC8589980 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the strong evidence linking the aggregation of the Huntingtin protein (Htt) to the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD), the mechanisms underlying Htt aggregation and neurodegeneration remain poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the ultrastructural properties and protein composition of Htt cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions in mammalian cells and primary neurons overexpressing mutant exon1 of the Htt protein. Our findings provide unique insight into the ultrastructural properties of cytoplasmic and nuclear Htt inclusions and their mechanisms of formation. We show that Htt inclusion formation and maturation are complex processes that, although initially driven by polyQ-dependent Htt aggregation, also involve the polyQ and PRD domain-dependent sequestration of lipids and cytoplasmic and cytoskeletal proteins related to HD dysregulated pathways; the recruitment and accumulation of remodeled or dysfunctional membranous organelles, and the impairment of the protein quality control and degradation machinery. We also show that nuclear and cytoplasmic Htt inclusions exhibit distinct biochemical compositions and ultrastructural properties, suggesting different mechanisms of aggregation and toxicity.
Collapse
|
21
|
Hua KF, Chao AC, Lin TY, Chen WT, Lee YC, Hsu WH, Lee SL, Wang HM, Yang DI, Ju TC. Ginsenoside compound K reduces the progression of Huntington's disease via the inhibition of oxidative stress and overactivation of the ATM/AMPK pathway. J Ginseng Res 2021; 46:572-584. [PMID: 35818427 PMCID: PMC9270658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
|
22
|
Vieweg S, Mahul-Mellier AL, Ruggeri FS, Riguet N, DeGuire SM, Chiki A, Cendrowska U, Dietler G, Lashuel HA. The Nt17 Domain and its Helical Conformation Regulate the Aggregation, Cellular Properties and Neurotoxicity of Mutant Huntingtin Exon 1. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167222. [PMID: 34492254 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Converging evidence points to the N-terminal domain comprising the first 17 amino acids of the Huntingtin protein (Nt17) as a key regulator of its aggregation, cellular properties and toxicity. In this study, we further investigated the interplay between Nt17 and the polyQ domain repeat length in regulating the aggregation and inclusion formation of exon 1 of the Huntingtin protein (Httex1). In addition, we investigated the effect of removing Nt17 or modulating its local structure on the membrane interactions, neuronal uptake, and toxicity of monomeric or fibrillar Httex1. Our results show that the polyQ and Nt17 domains synergistically modulate the aggregation propensity of Httex1 and that the Nt17 domain plays important roles in shaping the surface properties of mutant Httex1 fibrils and regulating their poly-Q-dependent growth, lateral association and neuronal uptake. Removal of Nt17 or disruption of its transient helical conformations slowed the aggregation of monomeric Httex1 in vitro, reduced inclusion formation in cells, enhanced the neuronal uptake and nuclear accumulation of monomeric Httex1 proteins, and was sufficient to prevent cell death induced by Httex1 72Q overexpression. Finally, we demonstrate that the uptake of Httex1 fibrils into primary neurons and the resulting toxicity are strongly influenced by mutations and phosphorylation events that influence the local helical propensity of Nt17. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the Nt17 domain serves as one of the key master regulators of Htt aggregation, internalization, and toxicity and represents an attractive target for inhibiting Htt aggregate formation, inclusion formation, and neuronal toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Vieweg
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Laure Mahul-Mellier
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco S Ruggeri
- Laboratory of the Physics of Living Matter, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathan Riguet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sean M DeGuire
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Urszula Cendrowska
- Laboratory of the Physics of Living Matter, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Dietler
- Laboratory of the Physics of Living Matter, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Adegbuyiro A, Sedighi F, Jain P, Pinti MV, Siriwardhana C, Hollander JM, Legleiter J. Mitochondrial membranes modify mutant huntingtin aggregation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183663. [PMID: 34089719 PMCID: PMC8328955 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract near the N-terminus of the huntingtin (htt) protein. Expanded polyQ tracts are prone to aggregate into oligomers and insoluble fibrils. Mutant htt (mhtt) localizes to variety of organelles, including mitochondria. Specifically, mitochondrial defects, morphological alteration, and dysfunction are observed in HD. Mitochondrial lipids, cardiolipin (CL) in particular, are essential in mitochondria function and have the potential to directly interact with htt, altering its aggregation. Here, the impact of mitochondrial membranes on htt aggregation was investigated using a combination of mitochondrial membrane mimics and tissue-derived mitochondrial-enriched fractions. The impact of exposure of outer and inner mitochondrial membrane mimics (OMM and IMM respectively) to mhtt was explored. OMM and IMM reduced mhtt fibrillization, with IMM having a larger effect. The role of CL in mhtt aggregation was investigated using a simple PC system with varying molar ratios of CL. Lower molar ratios of CL (<5%) promoted fibrillization; however, increased CL content retarded fibrillization. As revealed by in situ AFM, mhtt aggregation and associated membrane morphological changes at the surface of OMM mimics was markedly different compared to IMM mimics. While globular deposits of mhtt with few fibrillar aggregates were observed on OMM, plateau-like domains were observed on IMM. A similar impact on htt aggregation was observed with exposure to purified mitochondrial-enriched fractions. Collectively, these observations suggest mitochondrial membranes heavily influence htt aggregation with implication for HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adewale Adegbuyiro
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, 217 Clark Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - Faezeh Sedighi
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, 217 Clark Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - Pranav Jain
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, 217 Clark Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - Mark V Pinti
- Division of Exercise Physiology, West Virginia School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States; Mitochondria, Metabolism & Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Chathuranga Siriwardhana
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, 217 Clark Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States
| | - John M Hollander
- Division of Exercise Physiology, West Virginia School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States; Mitochondria, Metabolism & Bioenergetics Working Group, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Justin Legleiter
- The C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, 217 Clark Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States; Rockefeller Neurosciences Institutes, West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Dr., P.O. Box 9303, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States; Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, 1 Medical Center Dr., P.O. Box 9303, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chiki A, Zhang Z, Rajasekhar K, Abriata LA, Rostami I, Krapp LF, Boudeffa D, Dal Peraro M, Lashuel HA. Investigating Crosstalk Among PTMs Provides Novel Insight Into the Structural Basis Underlying the Differential Effects of Nt17 PTMs on Mutant Httex1 Aggregation. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:686086. [PMID: 34381813 PMCID: PMC8352439 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.686086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) within the first 17 amino acids (Nt17) of the Huntingtin protein (Htt) have been shown to inhibit the aggregation and attenuate the toxicity of mutant Htt proteins in vitro and in various models of Huntington’s disease. Here, we expand on these studies by investigating the effect of methionine eight oxidation (oxM8) and its crosstalk with lysine 6 acetylation (AcK6) or threonine 3 phosphorylation (pT3) on the aggregation of mutant Httex1 (mHttex1). We show that M8 oxidation delays but does not inhibit the aggregation and has no effect on the final morphologies of mHttex1aggregates. The presence of both oxM8 and AcK6 resulted in dramatic inhibition of Httex1 fibrillization. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation studies show that PTMs that lower the mHttex1 aggregation rate (oxM8, AcK6/oxM8, pT3, pT3/oxM8, and pS13) result in increased population of a short N-terminal helix (first eight residues) in Nt17 or decreased abundance of other helical forms, including long helix and short C-terminal helix. PTMs that did not alter the aggregation rate (AcK6) of mHttex1 exhibit a similar distribution of helical conformation as the unmodified peptides. These results show that the relative abundance of N- vs. C-terminal helical conformations and long helices, rather than the overall helicity of Nt17, better explains the effect of different Nt17 PTMs on mHttex1; thus, explaining the lack of correlation between the effect of PTMs on the overall helicity of Nt17 and mHttex1 aggregation in vitro. Taken together, our results provide novel structural insight into the differential effects of single PTMs and crosstalk between different PTMs in regulating mHttex1 aggregation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zhidian Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kolla Rajasekhar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luciano A Abriata
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Iman Rostami
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Lucien F Krapp
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Driss Boudeffa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Dal Peraro
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tran Q, Sudasinghe A, Jones B, Xiong K, Cohen RE, Sharlin DS, Hartert KT, Goellner GM. FAM171B is a novel polyglutamine protein widely expressed in the mammalian brain. Brain Res 2021; 1766:147540. [PMID: 34052262 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147540] [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: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mutation in proteins containing polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts has been shown to underlie a number of severe human neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's Disease and Spinocerebellar Ataxia. In this study, we identify and describe FAM171B as a novel polyQ protein containing fourteen consecutive glutamine residues in its National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) referenced sequence. Utilizing western blotting, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that FAM171B is widely expressed in mouse brain with pronounced localization in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. Furthermore, immunofluorescence experiments reveal that FAM171B predominantly localizes to vesicle-like structures in the cytoplasm of neurons. Finally, bioinformatic analysis suggests that FAM171B is robustly expressed in human brain, and (similar to other polyQ disease genes) its polyQ tract is polymorphic within the general human population. Thus, as a polyQ protein that is expressed in brain, FAM171B should be considered a candidate gene for an as yet molecularly uncharacterized neurodegenerative disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Tran
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States
| | - Ashani Sudasinghe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States
| | - Brooke Jones
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States
| | - Ka Xiong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States
| | - Rachel E Cohen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States
| | - David S Sharlin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States
| | - Keenan T Hartert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States
| | - Geoffrey M Goellner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Trafton South 242, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN 56001, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Deng Y, Wang H, Joni M, Sekhri R, Reiner A. Progression of basal ganglia pathology in heterozygous Q175 knock-in Huntington's disease mice. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:1327-1371. [PMID: 32869871 PMCID: PMC8049038 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
We used behavioral testing and morphological methods to detail the progression of basal ganglia neuron type-specific pathology and the deficits stemming from them in male heterozygous Q175 mice, compared to age-matched WT males. A rotarod deficit was not present in Q175 mice until 18 months, but increased open field turn rate (reflecting hyperkinesia) and open field anxiety were evident at 6 months. No loss of striatal neurons was seen out to 18 months, but ENK+ and DARPP32+ striatal perikarya were fewer by 6 months, due to diminished expression, with further decline by 18 months. No reduction in SP+ striatal perikarya or striatal interneurons was seen in Q175 mice at 18 months, but cholinergic interneurons showed dendrite attenuation by 6 months. Despite reduced ENK expression in indirect pathway striatal perikarya, ENK-immunostained terminals in globus pallidus externus (GPe) were more abundant at 6 months and remained so out to 18 months. Similarly, SP-immunostained terminals from striatal direct pathway neurons were more abundant in globus pallidus internus and substantia nigra at 6 months and remained so at 18 months. FoxP2+ arkypallidal GPe neurons and subthalamic nucleus neurons were lost by 18 months but not prototypical PARV+ GPe neurons or dopaminergic nigral neurons. Our results show that striatal projection neuron abnormalities and behavioral abnormalities reflecting them develop between 2 and 6 months of age in Q175 male heterozygotes, indicating early effects of the HD mutation. The striatal pathologies resemble those in human HD, but are less severe at 18 months than even in premanifest HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Deng
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Hongbing Wang
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Marion Joni
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Radhika Sekhri
- Department of PathologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| | - Anton Reiner
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
- Department of OphthalmologyThe University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennesseeUSA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Chiki A, Ricci J, Hegde R, Abriata LA, Reif A, Boudeffa D, Lashuel HA. Site-Specific Phosphorylation of Huntingtin Exon 1 Recombinant Proteins Enabled by the Discovery of Novel Kinases. Chembiochem 2021; 22:217-231. [PMID: 32805086 PMCID: PMC8698011 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) within the first 17 amino acids (Nt17) of exon 1 of the Huntingtin protein (Httex1) play important roles in modulating its cellular properties and functions in health and disease. In particular, phosphorylation of threonine and serine residues (T3, S13, and/or S16) has been shown to inhibit Htt aggregation in vitro and inclusion formation in cellular and animal models of Huntington's disease (HD). In this paper, we describe a new and simple methodology for producing milligram quantities of highly pure wild-type or mutant Httex1 proteins that are site-specifically phosphorylated at T3 or at both S13 and S16. This advance was enabled by 1) the discovery and validation of novel kinases that efficiently phosphorylate Httex1 at S13 and S16 (TBK1), at T3 (GCK) or T3 and S13 (TNIK and HGK), and 2) the development of an efficient methodology for producing recombinant native Httex1 proteins by using a SUMO-fusion expression and purification strategy.[26] As a proof of concept, we demonstrate how this method can be applied to produce Httex1 proteins that are both site-specifically phosphorylated and fluorescently or isotopically labeled. Together, these advances should increase access to these valuable tools and expand the range of methods and experimental approaches that can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which phosphorylation influences Httex1 or HTT structure, aggregation, interactome, and function(s) in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Jonathan Ricci
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Ramanath Hegde
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Luciano A. Abriata
- Protein Production and Structure Core Facility and Laboratory for Biomolecular ModelingEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB)1015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Andreas Reif
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Driss Boudeffa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Hilal A. Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sethi R, Roy I. Stabilization of elongated polyglutamine tracts by a helical peptide derived from N-terminal huntingtin. IUBMB Life 2020; 72:1528-1536. [PMID: 32320524 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In Huntington's disease, the length of the polyglutamine tract in the mutant protein correlates positively with the formation of aggregates and disease symptoms and severity of the disease. Some disease-modifying factors exist. However, no organized study has been carried out to investigate the effect of polyglutamine length in the mutant protein on the efficacy of a therapeutic strategy. We had shown earlier that the helical peptide arising out of the N-terminal stretch of normal huntingtin is able to inhibit aggregation of a number of proteins, including luciferase, α-synuclein, p53, and Rnq1. In this work, we show that polyglutamine stretches of differing lengths, namely 51Q, 72Q, and 103Q, form a mixture of aggregates at different rates, with the rate increasing in a polyQ length-dependent manner. The helical peptide is able to inhibit the rate of aggregation. The extent of inhibition was different when measuring either total aggregation or only fibrillar aggregates, suggesting that the helical peptide with benign polyQ stretch alters the aggregation landscape of different elongated polyQ lengths differently. Our results suggest that designing a therapeutic approach to inhibit protein aggregation must take note of polyQ length of the protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ratnika Sethi
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Smatlikova P, Askeland G, Vaskovicova M, Klima J, Motlik J, Eide L, Ellederová Z. Age-Related Oxidative Changes in Primary Porcine Fibroblasts Expressing Mutated Huntingtin. NEURODEGENER DIS 2019; 19:22-34. [PMID: 31167196 DOI: 10.1159/000500091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG triplet expansions in the huntingtin gene. Oxidative stress is linked to HD pathology, although it is not clear whether this is an effect or a mediator of disease. The transgenic (TgHD) minipig expresses the N-terminal part of human-mutated huntingtin and represents a unique model to investigate therapeutic strategies towards HD. A more detailed characterization of this model is needed to fully utilize its potential. METHODS In this study, we focused on the molecular and cellular features of fibroblasts isolated from TgHD minipigs and the wild-type (WT) siblings at different ages, pre-symptomatic at the age of 24-36 months and with the onset of behavioural symptoms at the age of 48 months. We measured oxidative stress, the expression of oxidative stress-related genes, proliferation capacity along with the expression of cyclin B1 and D1 proteins, cellular permeability, and the integrity of the nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA in these cells. RESULTS TgHD fibroblasts isolated from 48-month-old animals showed increased oxidative stress, which correlated with the overexpression of SOD2 encoding mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2, and the NEIL3 gene encoding DNA glycosylase involved in replication-associated repair of oxidized DNA. TgHD cells displayed an abnormal proliferation capacity and permeability. We further demonstrated increased nDNA damage in pre-symptomatic TgHD fibroblasts (isolated from animals aged 24-36 months). CONCLUSIONS Our results unravel phenotypic alterations in primary fibroblasts isolated from the TgHD minipig model at the age of 48 months. Importantly, nDNA damage appears to precede these phenotypic alterations. Our results highlight the impact of fibroblasts from TgHD minipigs in studying the molecular mechanisms of HD pathophysiology that gradually occur with age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Smatlikova
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Research Center PIGMOD, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Libechov, Czechia.,Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Georgina Askeland
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Michaela Vaskovicova
- Laboratory of DNA Integrity, Research Center PIGMOD, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Libechov, Czechia.,Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiri Klima
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Research Center PIGMOD, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Libechov, Czechia
| | - Jan Motlik
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Research Center PIGMOD, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Libechov, Czechia
| | - Lars Eide
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Zdenka Ellederová
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Research Center PIGMOD, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Libechov, Czechia,
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chadwick SR, Lajoie P. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Coping Mechanisms and Lifespan Regulation in Health and Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:84. [PMID: 31231647 PMCID: PMC6558375 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple factors lead to proteostatic perturbations, often resulting in the aberrant accumulation of toxic misfolded proteins. Cells, from yeast to humans, can respond to sudden accumulation of secretory proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through pathways such as the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). The ability of cells to adapt the ER folding environment to the misfolded protein burden ultimately dictates cell fate. The aging process is a particularly important modifier of the proteostasis network; as cells age, both their ability to maintain this balance in protein folding/degradation and their ability to respond to insults in these pathways can break down, a common element of age-related diseases (including neurodegenerative diseases). ER stress coping mechanisms are central to lifespan regulation under both normal and disease states. In this review, we give a brief overview of the role of ER stress response pathways in age-dependent neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Chadwick
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Lajoie
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Weber JJ, Kloock SJ, Nagel M, Ortiz-Rios MM, Hofmann J, Riess O, Nguyen HP. Calpastatin ablation aggravates the molecular phenotype in cell and animal models of Huntington disease. Neuropharmacology 2018; 133:94-106. [PMID: 29355642 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering the molecular pathology of Huntington disease is of particular importance, not only for a better understanding of this neurodegenerative disease, but also to identify potential therapeutic targets. The polyglutamine-expanded disease protein huntingtin was shown to undergo proteolysis, which results in the accumulation of toxic and aggregation-prone fragments. Amongst several classes of proteolytic enzymes responsible for huntingtin processing, the group of calcium-activated calpains has been found to be a significant mediator of the disease protein toxicity. To confirm the impact of calpain-mediated huntingtin cleavage in Huntington disease, we analysed the effect of depleting or overexpressing the endogenous calpain inhibitor calpastatin in HEK293T cells transfected with wild-type or polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin. Moreover, we crossbred huntingtin knock-in mice with calpastatin knockout animals to assess its effect not only on huntingtin cleavage and aggregation but also additional molecular markers. We demonstrated that a reduced or ablated expression of calpastatin triggers calpain overactivation and a consequently increased mutant huntingtin cleavage in cells and in vivo. These alterations were accompanied by an elevated formation of predominantly cytoplasmic huntingtin aggregates. On the other hand, overexpression of calpastatin in cells attenuated huntingtin fragmentation and aggregation. In addition, we observed an enhanced cleavage of DARPP-32, p35 and synapsin-1 in neuronal tissue upon calpain overactivation. Our results corroborate the important role of calpains in the molecular pathogenesis of Huntington disease and endorse targeting these proteolytic enzymes as a therapeutic approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonasz Jeremiasz Weber
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Simon Johannes Kloock
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Maike Nagel
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Midea Malena Ortiz-Rios
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Julian Hofmann
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Early postnatal behavioral, cellular, and molecular changes in models of Huntington disease are reversible by HDAC inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E8765-E8774. [PMID: 30150378 PMCID: PMC6140493 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807962115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In Huntington disease (HD) gene carriers the disease-causing mutant Huntingtin (mHTT) is already present during early developmental stages, but, surprisingly, HD patients develop clinical symptoms only many years later. While a developmental role of Huntingtin has been described, so far new therapeutic approaches targeting those early neurodevelopmental processes are lacking. Here, we show that behavioral, cellular, and molecular changes associated with mHTT in the postnatal period of genetic animal models of HD can be reverted using low-dose treatment with a histone deacetylation inhibitor. Our findings support a neurodevelopmental basis for HD and provide proof of concept that pre-HD symptoms, including aberrant neuronal differentiation, are reversible by early therapeutic intervention in vivo. Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expanded CAG repeats in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Although mutant HTT is expressed during embryonic development and throughout life, clinical HD usually manifests later in adulthood. A number of studies document neurodevelopmental changes associated with mutant HTT, but whether these are reversible under therapy remains unclear. Here, we identify very early behavioral, molecular, and cellular changes in preweaning transgenic HD rats and mice. Reduced ultrasonic vocalization, loss of prepulse inhibition, and increased risk taking are accompanied by disturbances of dopaminergic regulation in vivo, reduced neuronal differentiation capacity in subventricular zone stem/progenitor cells, and impaired neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation of mouse embryo-derived neural stem cells in vitro. Interventional treatment of this early phenotype with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) LBH589 led to significant improvement in behavioral changes and markers of dopaminergic neurotransmission and complete reversal of aberrant neuronal differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Our data support the notion that neurodevelopmental changes contribute to the prodromal phase of HD and that early, presymptomatic intervention using HDACi may represent a promising novel treatment approach for HD.
Collapse
|
33
|
Phosphorylation of huntingtin at residue T3 is decreased in Huntington's disease and modulates mutant huntingtin protein conformation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E10809-E10818. [PMID: 29162692 PMCID: PMC5740681 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1705372114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications can have profound effects on the biological and biophysical properties of proteins associated with misfolding and aggregation. However, their detection and quantification in clinical samples and an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathological properties of misfolding- and aggregation-prone proteins remain a challenge for diagnostics and therapeutics development. We have applied an ultrasensitive immunoassay platform to develop and validate a quantitative assay for detecting a posttranslational modification (phosphorylation at residue T3) of a protein associated with polyglutamine repeat expansion, namely Huntingtin, and characterized its presence in a variety of preclinical and clinical samples. We find that T3 phosphorylation is greatly reduced in samples from Huntington's disease models and in Huntington's disease patients, and we provide evidence that bona-fide T3 phosphorylation alters Huntingtin exon 1 protein conformation and aggregation properties. These findings have significant implications for both mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and the development of therapeutics and diagnostics for Huntington's disease.
Collapse
|
34
|
He WT, Xue W, Gao YG, Hong JY, Yue HW, Jiang LL, Hu HY. HSP90 recognizes the N-terminus of huntingtin involved in regulation of huntingtin aggregation by USP19. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14797. [PMID: 29093475 PMCID: PMC5666004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13711-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by aberrant expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) in the N-terminus of huntingtin (Htt). Our previous study has demonstrated that HSP90 is involved in the triage decision of Htt, but how HSP90 recognizes and regulates Htt remains elusive. We investigated the interaction between HSP90 and the N-terminal fragments of Htt (Htt-N), such as the N-terminal 90-residue fragment (Htt-N90). Our results showed that HSP90 binds to the N-terminal extreme of Htt-N in a sequence just ahead of the polyQ tract. Structural integration of the middle and C-terminal domains of HSP90 is essential for interacting with Htt-N90, and the dimerization mediated by the C-terminal domain facilitates this interaction. Moreover, ubiquitin-specific protease 19 (USP19), a deubiquitinating enzyme interacting with HSP90, up-regulates the protein level of Htt-N90 and consequently promotes its aggregation, whereas disruption of the interaction between Htt-N90 and HSP90 attenuates the effect of USP19 on Htt-N90. Thus, HSP90 interacts with Htt-N90 on the N-terminal amphipathic α-helix, and then recruits USP19 to modulate the protein level and aggregation of Htt-N90. This study provides mechanistic insights into the recognition between HSP90 and the N-terminus of Htt, and the triage decision for the Htt protein by the HSP90 chaperone system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Tian He
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P. R. China
| | - Wei Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Guang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Ye Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Wei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P. R. China
| | - Lei-Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P. R. China
| | - Hong-Yu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Choi KA, Hong S. Induced neural stem cells as a means of treatment in Huntington's disease. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2017; 17:1333-1343. [PMID: 28792249 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2017.1365133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by chorea, dementia, and depression caused by progressive nerve cell degeneration, which is triggered by expanded CAG repeats in the huntingtin (Htt) gene. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, nor is there an effective medicine available to delay or improve the physical, mental, and behavioral severities caused by it. Areas covered: In this review, the authors describe the use of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) by direct conversion technology, which offers great advantages as a therapeutic cell type to treat HD. Expert opinion: Cell conversion of somatic cells into a desired stem cell type is one of the most promising treatments for HD because it could be facilitated for the generation of patient-specific neural stem cells. The induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have a powerful potential for differentiation into neurons, but they may cause teratoma formation due to an undifferentiated pluripotent stem cell after transplantation Therefore, direct conversion of somatic cells into iNSCs is a promising alternative technology in regenerative medicine and the iNSCs may be provided as a therapeutic cell source for Huntington's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Ah Choi
- a School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science , College of Health Science, Korea University , Seongbuk-gu , Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghoi Hong
- a School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science , College of Health Science, Korea University , Seongbuk-gu , Republic of Korea.,b Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science , College of Health Science, Korea University , Seongbuk-gu , Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Paldino E, Cardinale A, D'Angelo V, Sauve I, Giampà C, Fusco FR. Selective Sparing of Striatal Interneurons after Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 Inhibition in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease. Front Neuroanat 2017; 11:61. [PMID: 28824383 PMCID: PMC5539174 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2017.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are enzymes that catalyze ADP-ribose units transfer from NAD to their substrate proteins. It has been observed that PARP-1 is able to increase both post-ischemic and excitotoxic neuronal death. In fact, we have previously shown that, INO-1001, a PARP-1 inhibitor, displays a neuroprotective effect in the R6/2 model of Huntington’s disease (HD). In this study, we investigated the effects of PARP-1-inhibition on modulation of phosphorylated c-AMP response element binding protein (pCREB) and CREB-binding protein (CBP) localization in the different striatal neuronal subsets. Moreover, we studied the neurodegeneration of those interneurons that are particularly vulnerable to HD such as parvalbuminergic and calretininergic, and of other subclasses of interneurons that are known to be resistant, such as cholinergic and somatostatinergic interneurons. Transgenic mice were treated with INO-1001 (10 mg/Kg daily) starting from 4 weeks of age. Double-label immunofluorescence was performed to value the distribution of CBP in ubiquitinated Neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NIIs) in the striatum. INO-1001-treated and saline-treated brain sections were incubated with: goat anti-choline acetyl transferase; goat anti-nitric oxide synthase; mouse anti-parvalbumin and mouse anti-calretinin. Morphometric evaluation and cell counts were performed. Our study showed that the PARP inhibitor has a positive effect in sparing parvalbumin and calretinin-containing interneurons of the striatum, where CREB was upregulated. Moreover, INO-1001 promoted CBP localization into the nuclei of the R6/2 mouse. The sum of our data corroborates the previous observations indicating PARP inhibition as a possible therapeutic tool to fight HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Paldino
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS HospitalRome, Italy
| | - Antonella Cardinale
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS HospitalRome, Italy
| | - Vincenza D'Angelo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome Tor VergataRome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Sauve
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS HospitalRome, Italy
| | - Carmela Giampà
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS HospitalRome, Italy.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Catholic UniversityRome, Italy
| | - Francesca R Fusco
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS HospitalRome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jimenez-Sanchez M, Licitra F, Underwood BR, Rubinsztein DC. Huntington's Disease: Mechanisms of Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a024240. [PMID: 27940602 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a024240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a late-onset neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the gene encoding the huntingtin protein. Despite its well-defined genetic origin, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the disease are unclear and complex. Here, we review some of the currently known functions of the wild-type huntingtin protein and discuss the deleterious effects that arise from the expansion of the CAG repeats, which are translated into an abnormally long polyglutamine tract. Finally, we outline some of the therapeutic strategies that are currently being pursued to slow down the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimenez-Sanchez
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Floriana Licitra
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin R Underwood
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Beechcroft, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF, United Kingdom
| | - David C Rubinsztein
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Jobin PG, Butler GS, Overall CM. New intracellular activities of matrix metalloproteinases shine in the moonlight. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2017; 1864:2043-2055. [PMID: 28526562 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2017.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Adaption of a single protein to perform multiple independent functions facilitates functional plasticity of the proteome allowing a limited number of protein-coding genes to perform a multitude of cellular processes. Multifunctionality is achievable by post-translational modifications and by modulating subcellular localization. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), classically viewed as degraders of the extracellular matrix (ECM) responsible for matrix protein turnover, are more recently recognized as regulators of a range of extracellular bioactive molecules including chemokines, cytokines, and their binders. However, growing evidence has convincingly identified select MMPs in intracellular compartments with unexpected physiological and pathological roles. Intracellular MMPs have both proteolytic and non-proteolytic functions, including signal transduction and transcription factor activity thereby challenging their traditional designation as extracellular proteases. This review highlights current knowledge of subcellular location and activity of these "moonlighting" MMPs. Intracellular roles herald a new era of MMP research, rejuvenating interest in targeting these proteases in therapeutic strategies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Matrix Metalloproteinases edited by Rafael Fridman.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parker G Jobin
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Georgina S Butler
- Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher M Overall
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Kuiper EFE, de Mattos EP, Jardim LB, Kampinga HH, Bergink S. Chaperones in Polyglutamine Aggregation: Beyond the Q-Stretch. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:145. [PMID: 28386214 PMCID: PMC5362620 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) stretches in at least nine unrelated proteins lead to inherited neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. The expansion size in all diseases correlates with age at onset (AO) of disease and with polyQ protein aggregation, indicating that the expanded polyQ stretch is the main driving force for the disease onset. Interestingly, there is marked interpatient variability in expansion thresholds for a given disease. Between different polyQ diseases the repeat length vs. AO also indicates the existence of modulatory effects on aggregation of the upstream and downstream amino acid sequences flanking the Q expansion. This can be either due to intrinsic modulation of aggregation by the flanking regions, or due to differential interaction with other proteins, such as the components of the cellular protein quality control network. Indeed, several lines of evidence suggest that molecular chaperones have impact on the handling of different polyQ proteins. Here, we review factors differentially influencing polyQ aggregation: the Q-stretch itself, modulatory flanking sequences, interaction partners, cleavage of polyQ-containing proteins, and post-translational modifications, with a special focus on the role of molecular chaperones. By discussing typical examples of how these factors influence aggregation, we provide more insight on the variability of AO between different diseases as well as within the same polyQ disorder, on the molecular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E F E Kuiper
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Eduardo P de Mattos
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil; Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto AlegrePorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Laura B Jardim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil; Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto AlegrePorto Alegre, Brazil; Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulPorto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Harm H Kampinga
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Steven Bergink
- Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Cherubini M, Ginés S. Mitochondrial fragmentation in neuronal degeneration: Toward an understanding of HD striatal susceptibility. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 483:1063-1068. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
41
|
Escalona-Rayo O, Fuentes-Vázquez P, Leyva-Gómez G, Cisneros B, Villalobos R, Magaña JJ, Quintanar-Guerrero D. Nanoparticulate strategies for the treatment of polyglutamine diseases by halting the protein aggregation process. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2017; 43:871-888. [PMID: 28142290 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2017.1281949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a class of neurodegenerative disorders that cause cellular dysfunction and, eventually, neuronal death in specific regions of the brain. Neurodegeneration is linked to the misfolding and aggregation of expanded polyQ-containing proteins, and their inhibition is one of major therapeutic strategies used commonly. However, successful treatment has been limited to date because of the intrinsic properties of therapeutic agents (poor water solubility, low bioavailability, poor pharmacokinetic properties), and difficulty in crossing physiological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In order to solve these problems, nanoparticulate systems with dimensions of 1-1000 nm able to incorporate small and macromolecules with therapeutic value, to protect and deliver them directly to the brain, have recently been developed, but their use for targeting polyQ disease-mediated protein misfolding and aggregation remains scarce. This review provides an update of the polyQ protein aggregation process and the development of therapeutic strategies for halting it. The main features that a nanoparticulate system should possess in order to enhance brain delivery are discussed, as well as the different types of materials utilized to produce them. The final part of this review focuses on the potential application of nanoparticulate system strategies to improve the specific and efficient delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain for the treatment of polyQ diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Escalona-Rayo
- a Laboratorio de Investigación y Posgrado en Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
| | - Paulina Fuentes-Vázquez
- a Laboratorio de Investigación y Posgrado en Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- b Laboratory of Connective Tissue , CENIAQ, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- c Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology , CINVESTAV-IPN , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Rafael Villalobos
- d División de Estudios de Posgrado (Tecnología Farmacéutica), Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
| | - Jonathan J Magaña
- e Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics , Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - David Quintanar-Guerrero
- a Laboratorio de Investigación y Posgrado en Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Krench M, Littleton J. Neurotoxicity Pathways in Drosophila Models of the Polyglutamine Disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2017; 121:201-223. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
43
|
Kumar S, Cieplak P. CaspNeuroD: a knowledgebase of predicted caspase cleavage sites in human proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases. DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2016; 2016:baw142. [PMID: 28025335 PMCID: PMC5199200 DOI: 10.1093/database/baw142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: A variety of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have been associated with deregulated caspase activation that leads to neuronal death. Caspases appear to be involved in the molecular pathology of NDs by directly cleaving important proteins. For instance, several proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease, including β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilins, are known to be cleaved by caspases. Therefore, cell death pathway may play a central role in many neurological diseases, and targeting the important proteins that control the cell survival and death may potentially represent a therapeutic approach for chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Findings: We developed CaspNeuroD, a relational database of in silico predicted caspase cleavage sites in human proteins associated with NDs. The prediction has been done on collection of 249 human proteins reported in clinical studies of NDs using the recently published CaspDB Random Forest machine-learning model. This database could be used for identifying new caspase substrates and further our understanding of the caspase-mediated substrate cleavage in NDs. Conclusion: Our database provides information about potential caspase cleavage sites in a verified set of human proteins involved in NDs. It provides also information about the conservation of cleavage positions in corresponding orthologs, and information about the positions of single nucleotide polymorphisms and posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that may modulate the caspase cleavage efficiency. Database URL:caspdb.sanfordburnham.org/caspneurod.php .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonu Kumar
- SBP Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Piotr Cieplak
- SBP Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lokhande S, Patra BN, Ray A. A link between chromatin condensation mechanisms and Huntington's disease: connecting the dots. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:3515-3529. [PMID: 27714015 DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00598e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder whose complex pathophysiology exhibits system-wide changes in the body, with striking and debilitating clinical features targeting the central nervous system. Among the various molecular functions affected in this disease, mitochondrial dysfunction and transcriptional dysregulation are some of the most studied aspects of this disease. However, there is evidence of the involvement of a mutant Huntingtin protein in the processes of DNA damage, chromosome condensation and DNA repair. This review attempts to briefly recapitulate the clinical features, model systems used to study the disease, major molecular processes affected, and, more importantly, examines recent evidence for the involvement of the mutant Huntingtin protein in the processes regulating chromosome condensation, leading to DNA damage response and neuronal death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Lokhande
- Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
| | - Biranchi N Patra
- Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
| | - Animesh Ray
- Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
|
46
|
Yao B, Christian KM, He C, Jin P, Ming GL, Song H. Epigenetic mechanisms in neurogenesis. Nat Rev Neurosci 2016; 17:537-49. [PMID: 27334043 DOI: 10.1038/nrn.2016.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the embryonic and adult brain, neural stem cells proliferate and give rise to neurons and glia through highly regulated processes. Epigenetic mechanisms - including DNA and histone modifications, as well as regulation by non-coding RNAs - have pivotal roles in different stages of neurogenesis. Aberrant epigenetic regulation also contributes to the pathogenesis of various brain disorders. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of epigenetic regulation in neurogenesis and its dysregulation in brain disorders, including discussion of newly identified DNA cytosine modifications. We also briefly cover the emerging field of epitranscriptomics, which involves modifications of mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Kimberly M Christian
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,The Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,The Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ruegsegger C, Saxena S. Proteostasis impairment in ALS. Brain Res 2016; 1648:571-579. [PMID: 27033833 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In physiological conditions the maintenance of the cellular proteome is a prerequisite for optimal cell functioning and cell survival. Additionally, cells need to constantly sense and adapt to their changing environment and associated stressors. Cells achieve this via a set of molecular chaperones, protein clearance pathways as well as stress-associated signaling networks which work together to prevent protein misfolding, its aggregation and accumulation in subcellular compartments. These processes together form the proteostasis network which helps in maintaining cellular proteostasis. Imbalance or impairment in this processes is directly linked to ageing associated disorders such as diabetes, cancer, stroke, metabolic disorders, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we provide insights into the proteostasis process and how its failure governs neurodegenerative disorders with a special focus on Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:ER stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Ruegsegger
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Smita Saxena
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Macakova M, Bohuslavova B, Vochozkova P, Pavlok A, Sedlackova M, Vidinska D, Vochyanova K, Liskova I, Valekova I, Baxa M, Ellederova Z, Klima J, Juhas S, Juhasova J, Klouckova J, Haluzik M, Klempir J, Hansikova H, Spacilova J, Collins R, Blumenthal I, Talkowski M, Gusella JF, Howland DS, DiFiglia M, Motlik J. Mutated Huntingtin Causes Testicular Pathology in Transgenic Minipig Boars. NEURODEGENER DIS 2016; 16:245-59. [PMID: 26959244 DOI: 10.1159/000443665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease is induced by CAG expansion in a single gene coding the huntingtin protein. The mutated huntingtin (mtHtt) primarily causes degeneration of neurons in the brain, but it also affects peripheral tissues, including testes. OBJECTIVE We studied sperm and testes of transgenic boars expressing the N-terminal region of human mtHtt. METHODS In this study, measures of reproductive parameters and electron microscopy (EM) images of spermatozoa and testes of transgenic (TgHD) and wild-type (WT) boars of F1 (24-48 months old) and F2 (12-36 months old) generations were compared. In addition, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, hormonal analysis and whole-genome sequencing were done in order to elucidate the effects of mtHtt. RESULTS Evidence for fertility failure of both TgHD generations was observed at the age of 13 months. Reproductive parameters declined and progressively worsened with age. EM revealed numerous pathological features in sperm tails and in testicular epithelium from 24- and 36-month-old TgHD boars. Moreover, immunohistochemistry confirmed significantly lower proliferation activity of spermatogonia in transgenic testes. mtHtt was highly expressed in spermatozoa and testes of TgHD boars and localized in all cells of seminiferous tubules. Levels of fertility-related hormones did not differ in TgHD and WT siblings. Genome analysis confirmed that insertion of the lentiviral construct did not interrupt any coding sequence in the pig genome. CONCLUSIONS The sperm and testicular degeneration of TgHD boars is caused by gain-of-function of the highly expressed mtHtt.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Macakova
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is caused by the CAG (Q) expansion in exon 1 of the IT15 gene encoding a polyglutamine (poly-Q) stretch of the Huntingtin protein (Htt). In the wild type protein, the repeats specify a stretch of up 34 Q in the N-terminal portion of Htt. In the pathological protein (mHtt) the poly-Q tract is longer. Proteolytic cleavage of the protein liberates an N-terminal fragment containing the expanded poly-Q tract becomes harmful to cells, in particular to striatal neurons. The fragments cause the transcriptional dysfunction of genes that are essential for neuronal survival. Htt, however, could also have non-transcriptional effects, e.g. it could directly alter Ca2+ homeostasis and/or mitochondrial morphology and function. Ca2+ dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction are considered important in the molecular aetiology of the disease. Here we have analyzed the effect of the overexpression of Htt fragments (18Q, wild type form, wtHtt and 150Q mutated form, mHtt) on Ca2+ homeostasis in striatal neuronal precursor cells (Q7/7). We have found that the transient overexpression of the Htt fragments increases Ca2+ transients in the mitochondria of cells stimulated with Ca2+-mobilizing agonists. The bulk Ca2+ transients in the cytosol were unaffected, but the Ca2+ content of the endoplasmic reticulum was significantly decreased in the case of mHtt expression. To rule out possible transcriptional effects due to the presence of mHtt, we have measured the mRNA level of a subunit of the respiratory chain complex II, whose expression is commonly altered in many HD models. No effects on the mRNA level was found suggesting that, in our experimental condition, transcriptional action of Htt is not occurring and that the effects on Ca2+ homeostasis were dependent to non-transcriptional mechanisms.
Collapse
|
50
|
Kerkis I, Haddad MS, Valverde CW, Glosman S. Neural and mesenchymal stem cells in animal models of Huntington's disease: past experiences and future challenges. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 6:232. [PMID: 26667114 PMCID: PMC4678723 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited disease that causes progressive nerve cell degeneration. It is triggered by a mutation in the HTT gene that strongly influences functional abilities and usually results in movement, cognitive and psychiatric disorders. HD is incurable, although treatments are available to help manage symptoms and to delay the physical, mental and behavioral declines associated with the condition. Stem cells are the essential building blocks of life, and play a crucial role in the genesis and development of all higher organisms. Ablative surgical procedures and fetal tissue cell transplantation, which are still experimental, demonstrate low rates of recovery in HD patients. Due to neuronal cell death caused by accumulation of the mutated huntingtin (mHTT) protein, it is unlikely that such brain damage can be treated solely by drug-based therapies. Stem cell-based therapies are important in order to reconstruct damaged brain areas in HD patients. These therapies have a dual role: stem cell paracrine action, stimulating local cell survival, and brain tissue regeneration through the production of new neurons from the intrinsic and likely from donor stem cells. This review summarizes current knowledge on neural stem/progenitor cell and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, which has been carried out in several animal models of HD, discussing cell distribution, survival and differentiation after transplantation, as well as functional recovery and anatomic improvements associated with these approaches. We also discuss the usefulness of this information for future preclinical and clinical studies in HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kerkis
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, 1500 Av. Vital Brasil, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Monica Santoro Haddad
- Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, 455 Av. Dr. Arnaldao, São Paulo, 01246903, Brazil
| | | | - Sabina Glosman
- SoluBest Ltd, Weizmann Science Park, POB 4053 18 Einstein Street, Ness Ziona, 74140, Israel
| |
Collapse
|