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Liu E, Zhang Y, Wang JZ. Updates in Alzheimer's disease: from basic research to diagnosis and therapies. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:45. [PMID: 39232848 PMCID: PMC11373277 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-024-00432-x] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized pathologically by extracellular deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) into senile plaques and intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) as neurofibrillary tangles. Clinically, AD patients show memory deterioration with varying cognitive dysfunctions. The exact molecular mechanisms underlying AD are still not fully understood, and there are no efficient drugs to stop or reverse the disease progression. In this review, we first provide an update on how the risk factors, including APOE variants, infections and inflammation, contribute to AD; how Aβ and tau become abnormally accumulated and how this accumulation plays a role in AD neurodegeneration. Then we summarize the commonly used experimental models, diagnostic and prediction strategies, and advances in periphery biomarkers from high-risk populations for AD. Finally, we introduce current status of development of disease-modifying drugs, including the newly officially approved Aβ vaccines, as well as novel and promising strategies to target the abnormal pTau. Together, this paper was aimed to update AD research progress from fundamental mechanisms to the clinical diagnosis and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enjie Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Endocrine, Liyuan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430077, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, China.
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2
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Ropri AS, Lam TG, Kalia V, Buchanan HM, Bartosch AMW, Youth EHH, Xiao H, Ross SK, Jain A, Chakrabarty JK, Kang MS, Boyett D, Spinazzi EF, Iodice G, McGovern RA, Honig LS, Brown LM, Miller GW, McKhann GM, Teich AF. Alzheimer's disease CSF biomarkers correlate with early pathology and alterations in neuronal and glial gene expression. Alzheimers Dement 2024. [PMID: 39192661 DOI: 10.1002/alz.14194] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) patients undergoing cortical shunting frequently show early Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology on cortical biopsy, which is predictive of progression to clinical AD. The objective of this study was to use samples from this cohort to identify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for AD-related central nervous system (CNS) pathophysiologic changes using tissue and fluids with early pathology, free of post mortem artifact. METHODS We analyzed Simoa, proteomic, and metabolomic CSF data from 81 patients with previously documented pathologic and transcriptomic changes. RESULTS AD pathology on biopsy correlates with CSF β-amyloid-42/40, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and phospho-tau-181(p-tau181)/β-amyloid-42, while several gene expression modules correlate with NfL. Proteomic analysis highlights seven core proteins that correlate with pathology and gene expression changes on biopsy, and metabolomic analysis of CSF identifies disease-relevant groups that correlate with biopsy data. DISCUSSION As additional biomarkers are added to AD diagnostic panels, our work provides insight into the CNS pathophysiology these markers are tracking. HIGHLIGHTS AD CSF biomarkers correlate with CNS pathology and transcriptomic changes. Seven proteins correlate with CNS pathology and gene expression changes. Inflammatory and neuronal gene expression changes correlate with YKL-40 and NPTXR, respectively. CSF metabolomic analysis identifies pathways that correlate with biopsy data. Fatty acid metabolic pathways correlate with β-amyloid pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali S Ropri
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Tiffany G Lam
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vrinda Kalia
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Heather M Buchanan
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anne Marie W Bartosch
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elliot H H Youth
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Harrison Xiao
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sophie K Ross
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anu Jain
- Quantitative Proteomics and Metabolomics Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jayanta K Chakrabarty
- Quantitative Proteomics and Metabolomics Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Min Suk Kang
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Deborah Boyett
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eleonora F Spinazzi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gail Iodice
- Ankyra Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert A McGovern
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lawrence S Honig
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lewis M Brown
- Quantitative Proteomics and Metabolomics Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gary W Miller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Guy M McKhann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew F Teich
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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Zhang J, Zhang Y, Wang J, Xia Y, Zhang J, Chen L. Recent advances in Alzheimer's disease: Mechanisms, clinical trials and new drug development strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:211. [PMID: 39174535 PMCID: PMC11344989 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01911-3] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as the predominant form of dementia, presenting significant and escalating global challenges. Its etiology is intricate and diverse, stemming from a combination of factors such as aging, genetics, and environment. Our current understanding of AD pathologies involves various hypotheses, such as the cholinergic, amyloid, tau protein, inflammatory, oxidative stress, metal ion, glutamate excitotoxicity, microbiota-gut-brain axis, and abnormal autophagy. Nonetheless, unraveling the interplay among these pathological aspects and pinpointing the primary initiators of AD require further elucidation and validation. In the past decades, most clinical drugs have been discontinued due to limited effectiveness or adverse effects. Presently, available drugs primarily offer symptomatic relief and often accompanied by undesirable side effects. However, recent approvals of aducanumab (1) and lecanemab (2) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) present the potential in disrease-modifying effects. Nevertheless, the long-term efficacy and safety of these drugs need further validation. Consequently, the quest for safer and more effective AD drugs persists as a formidable and pressing task. This review discusses the current understanding of AD pathogenesis, advances in diagnostic biomarkers, the latest updates of clinical trials, and emerging technologies for AD drug development. We highlight recent progress in the discovery of selective inhibitors, dual-target inhibitors, allosteric modulators, covalent inhibitors, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) modulators. Our goal is to provide insights into the prospective development and clinical application of novel AD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifa Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yinglu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, TN, USA
| | - Yilin Xia
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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Kang Y, Zhang Q, Xu S, Yu Y. The alteration and role of glycoconjugates in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1398641. [PMID: 38946780 PMCID: PMC11212478 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1398641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal protein deposition. With an alarming 30 million people affected worldwide, AD poses a significant public health concern. While inhibiting key enzymes such as β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 and γ-secretase or enhancing amyloid-β clearance, has been considered the reasonable strategy for AD treatment, their efficacy has been compromised by ineffectiveness. Furthermore, our understanding of AD pathogenesis remains incomplete. Normal aging is associated with a decline in glucose uptake in the brain, a process exacerbated in patients with AD, leading to significant impairment of a critical post-translational modification: glycosylation. Glycosylation, a finely regulated mechanism of intracellular secondary protein processing, plays a pivotal role in regulating essential functions such as synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, axon guidance, as well as learning and memory within the central nervous system. Advanced glycomic analysis has unveiled that abnormal glycosylation of key AD-related proteins closely correlates with the onset and progression of the disease. In this context, we aimed to delve into the intricate role and underlying mechanisms of glycosylation in the etiopathology and pathogenesis of AD. By highlighting the potential of targeting glycosylation as a promising and alternative therapeutic avenue for managing AD, we strive to contribute to the advancement of treatment strategies for this debilitating condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Kang
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Silu Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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Ropri AS, Lam TG, Kalia V, Buchanan HM, Bartosch AMW, Youth EHH, Xiao H, Ross SK, Jain A, Chakrabarty JK, Kang MS, Boyett D, Spinazzi EF, Iodice G, McGovern RA, Honig LS, Brown LM, Miller GW, McKhann GM, Teich AF. Alzheimer's disease CSF biomarkers correlate with early pathology and alterations in neuronal and glial gene expression. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.06.11.24308706. [PMID: 38947015 PMCID: PMC11213077 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.11.24308706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) patients undergoing cortical shunting frequently show early AD pathology on cortical biopsy, which is predictive of progression to clinical AD. The objective of this study was to use samples from this cohort to identify CSF biomarkers for AD-related CNS pathophysiologic changes using tissue and fluids with early pathology, free of post-mortem artifact. METHODS We analyzed Simoa, proteomic, and metabolomic CSF data from 81 patients with previously documented pathologic and transcriptomic changes. RESULTS AD pathology on biopsy correlates with CSF β-amyloid-40/42, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and phospho-tau-181(p-tau181)/β-amyloid-42, while several gene expression modules correlate with NfL. Proteomic analysis highlights 7 core proteins that correlate with pathology and gene expression changes on biopsy, and metabolomic analysis of CSF identifies disease-relevant groups that correlate with biopsy data.. DISCUSSION As additional biomarkers are added to AD diagnostic panels, our work provides insight into the CNS pathophysiology these markers are tracking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali S. Ropri
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tiffany G. Lam
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Vrinda Kalia
- Dept. of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Heather M. Buchanan
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Anne Marie W. Bartosch
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elliot H. H. Youth
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Harrison Xiao
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sophie K. Ross
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Anu Jain
- Quantitative Proteomics and Metabolomics Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jayanta K. Chakrabarty
- Quantitative Proteomics and Metabolomics Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Min Suk Kang
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Deborah Boyett
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Gail Iodice
- Ankyra Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Robert A. McGovern
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lawrence S. Honig
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lewis M. Brown
- Quantitative Proteomics and Metabolomics Center, Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Gary W. Miller
- Dept. of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Guy M. McKhann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Andrew F. Teich
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Gu W, Huang J, Lu Y, Lin W, Xu W, Chen FJ. Synthesis of Glycoconjugates through Chlorooxime-Thiol Conjugation. J Org Chem 2024; 89:6364-6370. [PMID: 38650458 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Introducing glycans represents an efficient chemical approach to improve the pharmacological properties of therapeutic biomolecules. Herein, we report an efficient synthesis of glycoconjugates through chlorooxime-thiol conjugation. The reactive glycosyl chlorooximes, derived from pyranoses or furanoses, readily couple to a wide range of thiol-containing substrates, including peptides, sugars, and thiophenols. This method features mild reaction conditions and fast kinetics. Capability for aqueous media and gram-scale synthesis demonstrates the potential of this method in the bioconjugation of saccharides with biologically active molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Gu
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Jingrong Huang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Yichi Lu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Wanzhen Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Wei Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Fa-Jie Chen
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
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Krüger L, Biskup K, Schipke CG, Kochnowsky B, Schneider LS, Peters O, Blanchard V. The Cerebrospinal Fluid Free-Glycans Hex 1 and HexNAc 1Hex 1Neu5Ac 1 as Potential Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2024; 14:512. [PMID: 38785920 PMCID: PMC11117705 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting a growing number of elderly people. In order to improve the early and differential diagnosis of AD, better biomarkers are needed. Glycosylation is a protein post-translational modification that is modulated in the course of many diseases, including neurodegeneration. Aiming to improve AD diagnosis and differential diagnosis through glycan analytics methods, we report the glycoprotein glycome of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) isolated from a total study cohort of 262 subjects. The study cohort consisted of patients with AD, healthy controls and patients suffering from other types of dementia. CSF free-glycans were also isolated and analyzed in this study, and the results reported for the first time the presence of 19 free glycans in this body fluid. The free-glycans consisted of complete or truncated N-/O-glycans as well as free monosaccharides. The free-glycans Hex1 and HexNAc1Hex1Neu5Ac1 were able to discriminate AD from controls and from patients suffering from other types of dementia. Regarding CSF N-glycosylation, high proportions of high-mannose, biantennary bisecting core-fucosylated N-glycans were found, whereby only about 20% of the N-glycans were sialylated. O-Glycans and free-glycan fragments were less sialylated in AD patients than in controls. To conclude, this comprehensive study revealed for the first time the biomarker potential of free glycans for the differential diagnosis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Krüger
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (L.K.)
- Department of Human Medicine, Medical School Berlin, Rüdesheimer Str. 50, 14197 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karina Biskup
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (L.K.)
- Department of Human Medicine, Medical School Berlin, Rüdesheimer Str. 50, 14197 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carola G. Schipke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (C.G.S.); (B.K.); (L.-S.S.); (O.P.)
| | - Bianca Kochnowsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (C.G.S.); (B.K.); (L.-S.S.); (O.P.)
| | - Luisa-Sophie Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (C.G.S.); (B.K.); (L.-S.S.); (O.P.)
| | - Oliver Peters
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (C.G.S.); (B.K.); (L.-S.S.); (O.P.)
| | - Véronique Blanchard
- Institute of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (L.K.)
- Department of Human Medicine, Medical School Berlin, Rüdesheimer Str. 50, 14197 Berlin, Germany
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Powell WC, Nahum M, Pankratz K, Herlory M, Greenwood J, Poliyenko D, Holland P, Jing R, Biggerstaff L, Stowell MHB, Walczak MA. Post-Translational Modifications Control Phase Transitions of Tau. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.583040. [PMID: 38559065 PMCID: PMC10979912 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.583040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of Tau(297-391) into filaments, which mirror the structures observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, raises questions about the role of AD-specific post-translational modifications (PTMs) in the formation of paired helical filaments (PHFs). To investigate this, we developed a synthetic approach to produce Tau(291-391) featuring N-acetyllysine, phosphoserine, phosphotyrosine, and N-glycosylation at positions commonly modified in post-mortem AD brains, thus facilitating the study of their roles in Tau pathology. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and a range of optical microscopy techniques, we discovered that these modifications generally hinder the in vitro assembly of Tau into PHFs. Interestingly, while acetylation's effect on Tau assembly displayed variability, either promoting or inhibiting phase transitions in the context of cofactor free aggregation, heparin-induced aggregation, and RNA-mediated liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), phosphorylation uniformly mitigated these processes. Our observations suggest that PTMs, particularly those situated outside the fibril's rigid core are pivotal in the nucleation of PHFs. Moreover, in scenarios involving heparin-induced aggregation leading to the formation of heterogeneous aggregates, most AD-specific PTMs, except for K311, appeared to decelerate the aggregation process. The impact of acetylation on RNA-induced LLPS was notably site-dependent, exhibiting both facilitative and inhibitory effects, whereas phosphorylation consistently reduced LLPS across all proteoforms examined. These insights underscore the complex interplay between site-specific PTMs and environmental factors in modulating Tau aggregation kinetics, enhancing our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of Tau pathology in AD and highlighting the critical role of PTMs located outside the ordered filament core in driving the self-assembly of Tau into PHF structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wyatt C. Powell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - McKinley Nahum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Karl Pankratz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Morgane Herlory
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - James Greenwood
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Darya Poliyenko
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Patrick Holland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Ruiheng Jing
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Luke Biggerstaff
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Michael H. B. Stowell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Maciej A. Walczak
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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Zhang JF, Fang ZT, Zhao JN, Liu GP, Shen X, Jiang GF, Liu Q. Acetylated tau exacerbates apoptosis by disturbing mitochondrial dynamics in HEK293 cells. J Neurochem 2024; 168:288-302. [PMID: 38275215 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
An increase in tau acetylation at K274 and K281 and abnormal mitochondrial dynamics have been observed in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Here, we constructed three types of tau plasmids, TauKQ (acetylated tau mutant, by mutating its K274/K281 into glutamine to mimic disease-associated lysine acetylation), TauKR (non-acetylated tau mutant, by mutating its K274/K281 into arginine), and TauWT (wild-type human full-length tau). By transfecting these tau plasmids in HEK293 cells, we found that TauWT and TauKR induced mitochondrial fusion by increasing the level of mitochondrial fusion proteins. Conversely, TauKQ induced mitochondrial fission by reducing mitochondrial fusion proteins, exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. BGP-15 ameliorated TauKQ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis by improving mitochondrial dynamics. Our findings suggest that acetylation of K274/281 represents an important post-translational modification site regulating mitochondrial dynamics, and that BGP-15 holds potential as a therapeutic agent for mitochondria-associated diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Fei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhi-Ting Fang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun-Ning Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Shen
- School of Stomatology and Ophthalmology, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, Hubei, China
| | - Gao-Feng Jiang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Tianyou Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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10
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Egebäck Arulf S, Ziyue Zhou R, Kirsebom BE, Jejcic A, Fladby T, Winblad B, Tjernberg L, Schedin-Weiss S. Bisecting N-Acetylglucosamine Correlates with Phospho-Tau181 in Subjective Cognitive Decline but not in Control Cases. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:S93-S101. [PMID: 39121127 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240628] [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: 08/11/2024]
Abstract
Background The N-glycan structure bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (bisecting GlcNAc) is present on several N-glycans that are elevated in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and previous studies have shown that bisecting GlcNAc levels correlate with total tau and phospho-tau181 in cerebrospinal fluid at early stages of AD. A recent population-based study showed that bisecting GlcNAc correlates with total tau also in blood and that this correlation could predict conversion to dementia. Objective In this study, we have further investigated how bisecting GlcNAc relates to total tau and phospho-tau 181 in cerebrospinal fluid samples from controls and cases with early cognitive deficits, stratified by amyloid/tau status and gender. Methods Relative levels of bisecting GlcNAc in cerebrospinal fluid were measured by an enzyme-linked lectin assay in individuals with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and controls from the Norwegian Dementia Disease Initiation cohort. Results As in our previous study, the correlation between bisecting GlcNAc and total tau or phospho-tau181 was particularly strong in the subjective cognitive decline group. The correlation was observed in amyloid negative and tau negative as well as amyloid positive and tau positive individuals, both in females and in males. Interestingly, among the amyloid negative and tau negative individuals, the correlation was observed in individuals with subjective cognitive decline but not in the controls. Conclusions Thus, bisecting GlcNAc could be a biomarker for early cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Egebäck Arulf
- Department of Neurobiology, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Robin Ziyue Zhou
- Department of Neurobiology, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Bjørn-Eivind Kirsebom
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of North Norway, Troms-, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Troms-, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, L-renskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alenka Jejcic
- Department of Neurobiology, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Tormod Fladby
- Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, L-renskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Department of Neurobiology, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lars Tjernberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sophia Schedin-Weiss
- Department of Neurobiology, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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11
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Zhao J, Lang M. New insight into protein glycosylation in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:314. [PMID: 37626031 PMCID: PMC10457297 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01617-5] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients, however, there are still no effective drugs or methods to cure this disease up to now. Protein glycosylation is the most common modifications of the translated proteins in eukaryotic cells. Recently many researches disclosed that aberrant glycosylation happens in some important AD-related proteins, such as APP, Tau, Reelin and CRMP-2, etc, suggesting a close link between abnormal protein glycosylation and AD. Because of its complexity and diversity, glycosylation is thus considered a completely new entry point for understanding the precise cause of AD. This review comprehensively summarized the currently discovered changes in protein glycosylation patterns in AD, and especially introduced the latest progress on the mechanism of protein glycosylation affecting the progression of AD and the potential application of protein glycosylation in AD detection and treatment, thereby providing a wide range of opportunities for uncovering the pathogenesis of AD and promoting the translation of glycosylation research into future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Zhao
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Minglin Lang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, 071000, China.
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12
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Chen Y, Yu Y. Tau and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: interplay mechanisms and clinical translation. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:165. [PMID: 37452321 PMCID: PMC10349496 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02853-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) contributes to most cases of dementia. Its prominent neuropathological features are the extracellular neuritic plaques and intercellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein, respectively. In the past few decades, disease-modifying therapy targeting Aβ has been the focus of AD drug development. Even though it is encouraging that two of these drugs have recently received accelerated US Food and Drug Administration approval for AD treatment, their efficacy or long-term safety is controversial. Tau has received increasing attention as a potential therapeutic target, since evidence indicates that tau pathology is more associated with cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, inflammation, especially neuroinflammation, accompanies AD pathological processes and is also linked to cognitive deficits. Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammation has a complex and tight interplay with tau pathology. Here, we review recent evidence on the interaction between tau pathology, focusing on tau post-translational modification and dissemination, and neuroinflammatory responses, including glial cell activation and inflammatory signaling pathways. Then, we summarize the latest clinical trials targeting tau and neuroinflammation. Sustained and increased inflammatory responses in glial cells and neurons are pivotal cellular drivers and regulators of the exacerbation of tau pathology, which further contributes to its worsening by aggravating inflammatory responses. Unraveling the precise mechanisms underlying the relationship between tau pathology and neuroinflammation will provide new insights into the discovery and clinical translation of therapeutic targets for AD and other tau-related diseases (tauopathies). Targeting multiple pathologies and precision therapy strategies will be the crucial direction for developing drugs for AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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13
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Liu Q, Wang X, Hu Y, Zhao JN, Huang CH, Li T, Zhang BG, He Y, Wu YQ, Zhang ZJ, Wang GP, Liu GP. Acetylated tau exacerbates learning and memory impairment by disturbing with mitochondrial homeostasis. Redox Biol 2023; 62:102697. [PMID: 37037158 PMCID: PMC10114242 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased tau acetylation at K274 and K281 has been observed in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and animal models, and mitochondrial dysfunction are noticeable and early features of AD. However, the effect of acetylated tau on mitochondria has been unclear until now. Here, we constructed three type of tau forms, acetylated tau mutant by mutating its K274/K281 into Glutamine (TauKQ) to mimic disease-associated lysine acetylation, the non-acetylation tau mutant by mutating its K274/K281 into Arginine (TauKR) and the wild-type human full-length tau (TauWT). By overexpression of these tau forms in vivo and in vitro, we found that, TauKQ induced more severe cognitive deficits with neuronal loss, dendritic plasticity damage and mitochondrial dysfunctions than TauWT. Unlike TauWT induced mitochondria fusion, TauKQ not only induced mitochondria fission by decreasing mitofusion proteins, but also inhibited mitochondrial biogenesis via reduction of PGC-1a/Nrf1/Tfam levels. TauKR had no significant difference in the cognitive and mitochondrial abnormalities compared with TauWT. Treatment with BGP-15 rescued impaired learning and memory by attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction, neuronal loss and dendritic complexity damage, which caused by TauKQ. Our data suggested that, acetylation at K274/281 was an important post translational modification site for tau neurotoxicity, and BGP-15 is a potential therapeutic drug for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jun-Ning Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chun-Hui Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic, Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Bing-Ge Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ye He
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yan-Qing Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430014, China
| | - Zai-Jun Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic, Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Institute of New Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Guo-Ping Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
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14
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The Involvement of Post-Translational Modifications in Regulating the Development and Progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3617-3632. [PMID: 36877359 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03277-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been recently reported to be involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In detail, PTMs include phosphorylation, glycation, acetylation, sumoylation, ubiquitination, methylation, nitration, and truncation, which are associated with pathological functions of AD-related proteins, such as β-amyloid (Aβ), β-site APP-cleavage enzyme 1 (BACE1), and tau protein. In particular, the roles of aberrant PTMs in the trafficking, cleavage, and degradation of AD-associated proteins, leading to the cognitive decline of the disease, are summarized under AD conditions. By summarizing these research progress, the gaps will be filled between PMTs and AD, which will facilitate the discovery of potential biomarkers, leading to the establishment of novel clinical intervention methods against AD.
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15
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Mathew AT, Baidya ATK, Das B, Devi B, Kumar R. N-glycosylation induced changes in tau protein dynamics reveal its role in tau misfolding and aggregation: A microsecond long molecular dynamics study. Proteins 2023; 91:147-160. [PMID: 36029032 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Various posttranslational modifications like hyperphosphorylation, O-GlcNAcylation, and acetylation have been attributed to induce the abnormal folding in tau protein. Recent in vitro studies revealed the possible involvement of N-glycosylation of tau protein in the abnormal folding and tau aggregation. Hence, in this study, we performed a microsecond long all atom molecular dynamics simulation to gain insights into the effects of N-glycosylation on Asn-359 residue which forms part of the microtubule binding region. Trajectory analysis of the stimulations coupled with essential dynamics and free energy landscape analysis suggested that tau, in its N-glycosylated form tends to exist in a largely folded conformation having high beta sheet propensity as compared to unmodified tau which exists in a large extended form with very less beta sheet propensity. Residue interaction network analysis of the lowest energy conformations further revealed that Phe378 and Lys353 are the functionally important residues in the peptide which helped in initiating the folding process and Phe378, Lys347, and Lys370 helped to maintain the stability of the protein in the folded state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alen T Mathew
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anurag T K Baidya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bhanuranjan Das
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bharti Devi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rajnish Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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16
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Hu Z, Ondrejcak T, Yu P, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Klyubin I, Kennelly SP, Rowan MJ, Hu NW. Do tau-synaptic long-term depression interactions in the hippocampus play a pivotal role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease? Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1213-1219. [PMID: 36453396 PMCID: PMC9838152 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease correlates with the extent of tau pathology, in particular tau hyperphosphorylation that initially appears in the transentorhinal and related regions of the brain including the hippocampus. Recent evidence indicates that tau hyperphosphorylation caused by either amyloid-β or long-term depression, a form of synaptic weakening involved in learning and memory, share similar mechanisms. Studies from our group and others demonstrate that long-term depression-inducing low-frequency stimulation triggers tau phosphorylation at different residues in the hippocampus under different experimental conditions including aging. Conversely, certain forms of long-term depression at hippocampal glutamatergic synapses require endogenous tau, in particular, phosphorylation at residue Ser396. Elucidating the exact mechanisms of interaction between tau and long-term depression may help our understanding of the physiological and pathological functions of tau/tau (hyper)phosphorylation. We first summarize experimental evidence regarding tau-long-term depression interactions, followed by a discussion of possible mechanisms by which this interplay may influence the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we conclude with some thoughts and perspectives on future research about these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengtao Hu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China,Department of Gerontology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Tomas Ondrejcak
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Pengpeng Yu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yin Yang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Igor Klyubin
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P. Kennelly
- Department of Age-Related Healthcare, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland,Department of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael J. Rowan
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Neng-Wei Hu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland,Correspondence to: Neng-Wei Hu, .
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17
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Ma Z, Yang F, Fan J, Li X, Liu Y, Chen W, Sun H, Ma T, Wang Q, Maihaiti Y, Ren X. Identification and immune characteristics of molecular subtypes related to protein glycosylation in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:968190. [PMID: 36408104 PMCID: PMC9667030 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.968190] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein glycosylation has been confirmed to be involved in the pathological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, there is still a lack of systematic analysis of the immune processes mediated by protein glycosylation-related genes (PGRGs) in AD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Transcriptomic data of AD patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and divided into training and verification datasets. The core PGRGs of the training set were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and protein glycosylation-related subtypes in AD were identified based on k-means unsupervised clustering. Protein glycosylation scores and neuroinflammatory levels of different subtypes were compared, and functional enrichment analysis and drug prediction were performed based on the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the subtypes. A random forest model was used to select important DEGs as diagnostic markers between subtypes, and a line chart model was constructed and verified in other datasets. We evaluated the differences in immune cell infiltration between the subtypes through the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, analyzed the correlation between core diagnostic markers and immune cells, and explored the expression regulation network of the core diagnostic markers. RESULTS Eight core PGRGs were differentially expressed between the training set and control samples. AD was divided into two subtypes with significantly different biological processes, such as vesicle-mediated transport in synapses and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions. The high protein glycosylation subtype had a higher level of neuroinflammation. Riluzole and sulfasalazine were found to have potential clinical value in this subtype. A reliable construction line chart model was constructed based on nine diagnostic markers, and SERPINA3 was identified as the core diagnostic marker. There were significant differences in immune cell infiltration between the two subtypes. SERPINA3 was found to be closely related to immune cells, and the expression of SERPINA3 in AD was found to be regulated by a competing endogenous RNA network that involves eight long non-coding RNAs and seven microRNAs. CONCLUSION Protein glycosylation and its corresponding immune process play an important role in the occurrence and development of AD. Understanding the role of PGRGs in AD may provide a new potential therapeutic target for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaotian Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,National Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jiajia Fan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Honghao Sun
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qiongying Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yueriguli Maihaiti
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqiao Ren
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,Institute of Ethnic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Xiaoqiao Ren,
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18
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Chockanathan U, Padmanabhan K. From synapses to circuits and back: Bridging levels of understanding in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5564-5586. [PMID: 35244297 PMCID: PMC10926359 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by behavioural changes that include memory loss and cognitive decline and is associated with the appearance of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles throughout the brain. Although aspects of the disease percolate across multiple levels of neuronal organization, from the cellular to the behavioural, it is increasingly clear that circuits are a critical junction between the cellular pathology and the behavioural phenotypes that bookend these levels of analyses. In this review, we discuss critical aspects of neural circuit research, beginning with synapses and progressing to network activity and how they influence our understanding of disease processed in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udaysankar Chockanathan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Krishnan Padmanabhan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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19
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Ronan R, Kshirsagar A, Rebelo AL, Sunny A, Kilcoyne M, Flaherty RO, Rudd PM, Schlosser G, Saldova R, Pandit A, McMahon SS. Distinct Glycosylation Responses to Spinal Cord Injury in Regenerative and Nonregenerative Models. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:1449-1466. [PMID: 35506863 PMCID: PMC9171824 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in disruption of tissue integrity and loss of function. We hypothesize that glycosylation has a role in determining the occurrence of regeneration and that biomaterial treatment can influence this glycosylation response. We investigated the glycosylation response to spinal cord transection in Xenopus laevis and rat. Transected rats received an aligned collagen hydrogel. The response compared regenerative success, regenerative failure, and treatment in an established nonregenerative mammalian system. In a healthy rat spinal cord, ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) N-glycoprofiling identified complex, hybrid, and oligomannose N-glycans. Following rat SCI, complex and outer-arm fucosylated glycans decreased while oligomannose and hybrid structures increased. Sialic acid was associated with microglia/macrophages following SCI. Treatment with aligned collagen hydrogel had a minimal effect on the glycosylation response. In Xenopus, lectin histochemistry revealed increased levels of N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) in premetamorphic animals. The addition of GlcNAc is required for processing complex-type glycans and is a necessary foundation for additional branching. A large increase in sialic acid was observed in nonregenerative animals. This work suggests that glycosylation may influence regenerative success. In particular, loss of complex glycans in rat spinal cord may contribute to regeneration failure. Targeting the glycosylation response may be a promising strategy for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Ronan
- SFI
Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
- Discipline
of Anatomy, National University of Ireland, Galway H91 W5P7, Ireland
| | - Aniket Kshirsagar
- SFI
Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Ana Lúcia Rebelo
- SFI
Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Abbah Sunny
- SFI
Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Michelle Kilcoyne
- Discipline
of Microbiology, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Roisin O’ Flaherty
- Department
of Chemistry, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co., Kildare W23 F2H6, Ireland
- The
National Institute for Bioprocessing, Research,
and Training (NIBRT), Dublin A94 X099, Ireland
| | - Pauline M. Rudd
- The
National Institute for Bioprocessing, Research,
and Training (NIBRT), Dublin A94 X099, Ireland
- Conway
Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 D04
PR94, Ireland
| | - Gerhard Schlosser
- School of
Natural Science, National University of
Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Radka Saldova
- SFI
Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
- The
National Institute for Bioprocessing, Research,
and Training (NIBRT), Dublin A94 X099, Ireland
- UCD
School of Medicine, College of Health and Agricultural Science (CHAS), University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin D04 PR94, Ireland
| | - Abhay Pandit
- SFI
Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Siobhan S. McMahon
- SFI
Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
- Discipline
of Anatomy, National University of Ireland, Galway H91 W5P7, Ireland
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20
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Congdon EE, Jiang Y, Sigurdsson EM. Targeting tau only extracellularly is likely to be less efficacious than targeting it both intra- and extracellularly. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 126:125-137. [PMID: 34896021 PMCID: PMC9680670 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of the tau protein is thought to be responsible for the neurodegeneration and subsequent functional impairments in diseases that are collectively named tauopathies. Alzheimer's disease is the most common tauopathy, but the group consists of over 20 different diseases, many of which have tau pathology as their primary feature. The development of tau therapies has mainly focused on preventing the formation of and/or clearing these aggregates. Of these, immunotherapies that aim to either elicit endogenous tau antibodies or deliver exogenous ones are the most common approach in clinical trials. While their mechanism of action can involve several pathways, both extra- and intracellular, pharmaceutical companies have primarily focused on antibody-mediated clearance of extracellular tau. As we have pointed out over the years, this is rather surprising because it is well known that most of pathological tau protein is found intracellularly. It has been repeatedly shown by several groups over the past decades that antibodies can enter neurons and that their cellular uptake can be enhanced by various means, particularly by altering their charge. Here, we will briefly describe the potential extra- and intracellular mechanisms involved in antibody-mediated clearance of tau pathology, discuss these in the context of recent failures of some of the tau antibody trials, and finally provide a brief overview of how the intracellular efficacy of tau antibodies can potentially be further improved by certain modifications that aim to enhance tau clearance via specific intracellular degradation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Congdon
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States.
| | - Yixiang Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Einar M Sigurdsson
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States; Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States.
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21
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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.
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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,
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22
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Islam M, Shen F, Regmi D, Du D. Therapeutic strategies for tauopathies and drug repurposing as a potential approach. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114979. [PMID: 35219701 PMCID: PMC9159505 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the deposition of abnormal tau in the brain. To date, there are no disease-modifying therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for the treatment of tauopathies. In the past decades, extensive efforts have been provided to develop disease-modifying therapies to treat tauopathies. Specifically, exploring existing drugs with the intent of repurposing for the treatment of tauopathies affords a reasonable alternative to discover potent drugs for treating these formidable diseases. Drug repurposing will not only reduce formulation and development stage effort and cost but will also take a key advantage of the established toxicological studies, which is one of the main causes of clinical trial failure of new molecules. In this review, we provide an overview of the current treatment strategies for tauopathies and the recent progress in drug repurposing as an alternative approach to treat tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majedul Islam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States.
| | - Fengyun Shen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States
| | - Deepika Regmi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States
| | - Deguo Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States.
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23
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Klarić TS, Lauc G. The dynamic brain N-glycome. Glycoconj J 2022; 39:443-471. [PMID: 35334027 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-022-10055-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The attachment of carbohydrates to other macromolecules, such as proteins or lipids, is an important regulatory mechanism termed glycosylation. One subtype of protein glycosylation is asparagine-linked glycosylation (N-glycosylation) which plays a key role in the development and normal functioning of the vertebrate brain. To better understand the role of N-glycans in neurobiology, it's imperative we analyse not only the functional roles of individual structures, but also the collective impact of large-scale changes in the brain N-glycome. The systematic study of the brain N-glycome is still in its infancy and data are relatively scarce. Nevertheless, the prevailing view has been that the neuroglycome is inherently restricted with limited capacity for variation. The development of improved methods for N-glycomics analysis of brain tissue has facilitated comprehensive characterisation of the complete brain N-glycome under various experimental conditions on a larger scale. Consequently, accumulating data suggest that it's more dynamic than previously recognised and that, within a general framework, it has a given capacity to change in response to both intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. Here, we provide an overview of the many factors that can alter the brain N-glycome, including neurodevelopment, ageing, diet, stress, neuroinflammation, injury, and disease. Given this emerging evidence, we propose that the neuroglycome has a hitherto underappreciated plasticity and we discuss the therapeutic implications of this regarding the possible reversal of pathological changes via interventions. We also briefly review the merits and limitations of N-glycomics as an analytical method before reflecting on some of the outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordan Lauc
- Genos Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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24
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Ye H, Han Y, Li P, Su Z, Huang Y. The Role of Post-Translational Modifications on the Structure and Function of Tau Protein. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1557-1571. [PMID: 35325356 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Involving addition of chemical groups or protein units to specific residues of the target protein, post-translational modifications (PTMs) alter the charge, hydrophobicity, and conformation of a protein, which in tune influences protein function, protein - protein interaction, and protein aggregation. While the occurrence of PTMs is dynamic and subject to regulations, conformational disorder of the target protein facilitates PTMs. The microtubule-associated protein tau is a typical intrinsically disordered protein that undergoes a variety of PTMs including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, methylation, and oxidation. Accumulated evidence shows that these PTMs play a critical role in regulating tau-microtubule interaction, tau localization, tau degradation and aggregation, and reinforces the correlation between tau PTMs and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease. Here, we review tau PTMs with an emphasis on their influence on tau structure. With available biophysical characterization results, we describe how PTMs induce conformational changes in tau monomer and regulate tau aggregation. Compared to functional analysis of tau PTMs, biophysical characterization of tau PTMs is lagging. While it is challenging, characterizing the specific effects of PTMs on tau conformation and interaction is indispensable to unravel the tau PTM code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqiong Ye
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Yue Han
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Yongqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China. .,Department of Biological Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.
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25
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Feng Y, Jiang H, Li G, He G, Li X. Decreased Expression of Protein O-linked Mannose β 1,2-N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 Contributes to Alzheimer's Disease-like Pathologies. J Neurophysiol 2022; 127:1067-1074. [PMID: 35320023 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00362.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and tau hyperphosphorylation, respectively. Mannosylation, a particular type of post-translational modification, may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Protein O-linked mannose β 1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 (POMGnT1) catalyzes the formation of the N-acetylglucosamine β-1,2-Man linkage of O-mannosylglycan, which can increase the protein post-translational mannosylation level. The defective POMGnT1 gene leads to the hypomannosylation of proteins, which may cause cognitive decline in aged people. This study aimed to investigate whether POMGnT1 participated in the pathogenesis of AD and explore its underlying role using AD mouse and cell models. In this study, the expression of POMGnT1 was measured in AD models [β-amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-1 (PS1) transgenic mice, an AD mouse model; N2a cells stably transfected with Swedish mutant APP (N2a/APP), an AD cell model]. The results revealed that the expression of POMGnT1 decreased in AD mouse and cell models. Additionally, POMGnT1-overexpressing N2a/APP cells were built by retroviral transfection. POMGnT1 overexpression may lower Aβ levels by reducing APP production and downregulating β-and γ-secretase activities. It also promoted clearance of Aβ by upregulating insulin-degrading enzymes and ameliorated tau hyperphosphorylation. Hence, it was concluded that POMGnT1 was involved in the pathogenic process of AD. The decreased expression of POMGnT1 contributes to AD-like pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxue Feng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hanxiao Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gongbo Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guiqiong He
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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26
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Yekta R, Sadeghi L, Dehghan G. The role of non-enzymatic glycation on Tau-DNA interactions: Kinetic and mechanistic approaches. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 207:161-168. [PMID: 35257729 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.02.178] [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: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Despite the regulatory role of Tau protein in the stabilization and assembly of microtubules, this protein has an important function in the protection and stabilizing of DNA molecules in the cell nucleus. In the present study, it has been indicated that glycation of lysine residues (Lys-267, Lys-274, and Lys-280) in the microtubule-binding domain (MBD) can considerably decrease its binding affinity to DNA molecules. The structural analysis also confirmed that the decreased glycated tau-DNA complex's stability was due to structural modification of this protein after the glycation process. The study of hippocampal cells under hyperglycemic conditions showed that near to 70% of Tau proteins glycated in these cells, although the expression of Tau remained unaffected. The assessment of H3K9me2, as a marker for binding of Tau to pericentromeric heterochromatin (PCH), indicated that localization of Tau protein on PCH was remarkably decreased at high glucose conditions relative to the controls. It is suggested that increasing the structural stability of Tau protein limits the ability of this protein for DNA binding, while the molecular and physical barrier of glycated Lys residues should not be neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Yekta
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Leila Sadeghi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran..
| | - Gholamreza Dehghan
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran..
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27
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Nutrient-responsive O-GlcNAcylation dynamically modulates the secretion of glycan-binding protein galectin 3. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101743. [PMID: 35183508 PMCID: PMC8920928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endomembrane glycosylation and cytoplasmic O-GlcNAcylation each play essential roles in nutrient sensing, and characteristic changes in glycan patterns have been described in disease states such as diabetes and cancer. These changes in glycosylation have important functional roles and can drive disease progression. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying how these signals are integrated and transduced into biological effects. Galectins are proteins that bind glycans and that are secreted by a poorly characterized nonclassical secretory mechanism. Once outside the cell, galectins bind to the terminal galactose residues of cell surface glycans and modulate numerous extracellular functions, such as clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE). Originating in the cytoplasm, galectins are predicted substrates for O-GlcNAc addition and removal; and as we have shown, galectin 3 is a substrate for O-GlcNAc transferase. In this study, we also show that galectin 3 secretion is sensitive to changes in O-GlcNAc levels. We determined using immunoprecipitation and Western blotting that there is a significant difference in O-GlcNAcylation status between cytoplasmic and secreted galectin 3. We observed dramatic alterations in galectin 3 secretion in response to nutrient conditions, which were dependent on dynamic O-GlcNAcylation. Importantly, we showed that these O-GlcNAc-driven alterations in galectin 3 secretion also facilitated changes in CIE. These results indicate that dynamic O-GlcNAcylation of galectin 3 plays a role in modulating its secretion and can tune its function in transducing nutrient-sensing information coded in cell surface glycosylation into biological effects.
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28
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Eldeeb MA, Ragheb MA, Soliman MH, Fahlman RP. Regulation of Neurodegeneration-associated Protein Fragments by the N-degron Pathways. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:298-318. [PMID: 35043375 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00396-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Among the most salient features that underpin the development of aging-related neurodegenerative disorders are the accumulation of protein aggregates and the decrease in cellular degradation capacity. Mammalian cells have evolved sophisticated quality control mechanisms to repair or eliminate the otherwise abnormal or misfolded proteins. Chaperones identify unstable or abnormal conformations in proteins and often help them regain their correct conformation. However, if repair is not an option, abnormal proteins are selectively degraded to prevent undesired interactions with other proteins or oligomerization into toxic multimeric complexes. The autophagic-lysosomal system and the ubiquitin-proteasome system mediate the selective and targeted degradation of abnormal or aberrant protein fragments. Despite an increasing understanding regarding the molecular responses that counteract the formation and clearance of dysfunctional protein aggregates, the role of N-degrons in these processes is poorly understood. Previous work demonstrated that the Arg-N-end rule degradation pathway (Arg-N-degron pathway) mediates the degradation of neurodegeneration-associated proteins, thereby regulating crucial signaling hubs that modulate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we discuss the functional interconnection between N-degron pathways and proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. We also highlight some future prospects related to how the molecular insights gained from these processes will help unveil novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Eldeeb
- Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Division), Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. .,Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill Parkinson Program, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Mohamed A Ragheb
- Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Division), Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marwa H Soliman
- Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Division), Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Richard P Fahlman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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29
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Limorenko G, Lashuel HA. Revisiting the grammar of Tau aggregation and pathology formation: how new insights from brain pathology are shaping how we study and target Tauopathies. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 51:513-565. [PMID: 34889934 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00127b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Converging evidence continues to point towards Tau aggregation and pathology formation as central events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other Tauopathies. Despite significant advances in understanding the morphological and structural properties of Tau fibrils, many fundamental questions remain about what causes Tau to aggregate in the first place. The exact roles of cofactors, Tau post-translational modifications, and Tau interactome in regulating Tau aggregation, pathology formation, and toxicity remain unknown. Recent studies have put the spotlight on the wide gap between the complexity of Tau structures, aggregation, and pathology formation in the brain and the simplicity of experimental approaches used for modeling these processes in research laboratories. Embracing and deconstructing this complexity is an essential first step to understanding the role of Tau in health and disease. To help deconstruct this complexity and understand its implication for the development of effective Tau targeting diagnostics and therapies, we firstly review how our understanding of Tau aggregation and pathology formation has evolved over the past few decades. Secondly, we present an analysis of new findings and insights from recent studies illustrating the biochemical, structural, and functional heterogeneity of Tau aggregates. Thirdly, we discuss the importance of adopting new experimental approaches that embrace the complexity of Tau aggregation and pathology as an important first step towards developing mechanism- and structure-based therapies that account for the pathological and clinical heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease and Tauopathies. We believe that this is essential to develop effective diagnostics and therapies to treat these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Limorenko
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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30
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Tang Y, Zhang D, Gong X, Zheng J. A mechanistic survey of Alzheimer's disease. Biophys Chem 2021; 281:106735. [PMID: 34894476 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common, age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder. While AD has been intensively studied from different aspects, there is no effective cure for AD, largely due to a lack of a clear mechanistic understanding of AD. In this mini-review, we mainly focus on the discussion and summary of mechanistic causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While different AD mechanisms illustrate different molecular and cellular pathways in AD pathogenesis, they do not necessarily exclude each other. Instead, some of them could work together to initiate, trigger, and promote the onset and development of AD. In a broader viewpoint, some AD mechanisms (e.g., amyloid aggregation mechanism, microbial infection/neuroinflammation mechanism, and amyloid cross-seeding mechanism) could also be applicable to other amyloid diseases including type II diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and prion disease. Such common mechanisms for AD and other amyloid diseases explain not only the pathogenesis of individual amyloid diseases, but also the spreading of pathologies between these diseases, which will inspire new strategies for therapeutic intervention and prevention for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Tang
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, OH, United States of America
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, OH, United States of America
| | - Xiong Gong
- Department of Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, OH, United States of America
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, OH, United States of America.
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31
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Chen Y, Fang Z, Zhou J, Qin H, Ye M. Mirror-Cutting-Based Digestion Strategy Enables the In-Depth and Accuracy Characterization of N-Linked Protein Glycosylation. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:4948-4958. [PMID: 34636569 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
N-linked glycosylation plays important roles in multiple physiological and pathological processes, while the analysis coverage is still limited due to the insufficient digestion of glycoproteins, as well as incomplete ion fragments for intact glycopeptide determination. Herein, a mirror-cutting-based digestion strategy was proposed by combining two orthogonal proteases of LysargiNase and trypsin to characterize the macro- and micro-heterogeneity of protein glycosylation. Using the above two proteases, the b- or y-ion series of peptide sequences were, respectively, enhanced in MS/MS, generating the complementary spectra for peptide sequence identification. More than 27% (489/1778) of the site-specific glycoforms identified by LysargiNase digestion were not covered by trypsin digestion, suggesting the elevated coverage of protein sequences and site-specific glycoforms by the mirror-cutting method. Totally, 10,935 site-specific glycoforms were identified from mouse brain tissues in the 18 h MS analysis, which significantly enhanced the coverage of protein glycosylation. Intriguingly, 27 mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) glycoforms were determined with core fucosylation, and 23 of them were found with the "Y-HexNAc-Fuc" ions after manual checking. This is hitherto the first report of M6P and fucosylation co-modifications of glycopeptides, in which the mechanism and function still needs further exploration. The mirror-cutting digestion strategy also has great application potential in the exploration of missing glycoproteins from other complex samples to provide rich resources for glycobiology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Dalian 116023, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zheng Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Dalian 116023, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiahua Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Dalian 116023, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hongqiang Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Mingliang Ye
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Dalian 116023, China
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Yu L, Huo Z, Yang J, Palma-Gudiel H, Boyle PA, Schneider JA, Bennett DA, Zhao J. Human Brain and Blood N-Glycome Profiling in Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:765259. [PMID: 34776937 PMCID: PMC8579010 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.765259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation, the process of adding glycans (i.e., sugars) to proteins, is the most abundant post-translational modification. N-glycosylation is the most common form of glycosylation, and the N-glycan moieties play key roles in regulating protein functions and many other biological processes. Thus, identification and quantification of N-glycome (complete repertoire of all N-glycans in a sample) may provide new sources of biomarkers and shed light on health and disease. To date, little is known about the role of altered N-glycome in Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease-related Dementias (AD/ADRD). The current study included 45 older adults who had no cognitive impairment (NCI) at baseline, followed and examined annually, and underwent brain autopsy after death. During about 12-year follow-up, 15 developed mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 15 developed AD, and 15 remained NCI. Relative abundances of N-glycans in serum at 2 time points (baseline and proximate to death, ∼12.3 years apart) and postmortem brain tissue (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) were quantified using MALDI-TOF-MS. Regression models were used to test the associations of N-glycans with AD/ADRD phenotypes. We detected 71 serum and 141 brain N-glycans, of which 46 were in common. Most serum N-glycans had mean fold changes less than one between baseline and proximate to death. The cross-tissue N-glycan correlations were weak. Baseline serum N-glycans were more strongly associated with AD/ADRD compared to change in serum N-glycans over time and brain N-glycans. The N-glycan associations were observed in both AD and non-AD neuropathologies. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive glycomic analysis in both blood and brain in relation to AD pathology. Our results suggest that altered N-glycans may serve as mechanistic biomarkers for early diagnosis and progression of AD/ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Zhiguang Huo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jingyun Yang
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Helena Palma-Gudiel
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Patricia A. Boyle
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Julie A. Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - David A. Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jinying Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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33
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Durairajan SSK, Selvarasu K, Bera MR, Rajaram K, Iyaswamy A, Li M. Alzheimer's Disease and other Tauopathies: Exploring Efficacy of Medicinal Plant-Derived Compounds in Alleviating Tau-Mediated Neurodegeneration. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 15:361-379. [PMID: 34488602 DOI: 10.2174/1874467214666210906125318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a major form of dementia, has been reported to affect more than 50 million people worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and hyperphosphorylated Tau-associated neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Apart from AD, microtubule (MT)-associated protein Tau is also involved in other neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies, including Pick's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal degeneration. The recently unsuccessful phase III clinical trials related to Aβ-targeted therapeutic drugs indicated that alternative targets, such as Tau, should be studied to discover more effective and safer drugs. Recent drug discovery approaches to reduce AD-related Tau pathologies are primarily based on blocking Tau aggregation, inhibiting Tau phosphorylation, compensating impaired Tau function with MT-stabilizing agents, and targeting the degradation pathways in neuronal cells to degrade Tau protein aggregates. Owing to several limitations of the currently-available Tau-directed drugs, further studies are required to generate further effective and safer Tau-based disease-modifying drugs. Here, we review the studies that focused on medicinal plant-derived compounds capable of modulating the Tau protein, which is significantly elevated and hyperphosphorylated in AD and other tauopathies. We mainly considered the studies that focused on Tau protein as a therapeutic target. We reviewed several pertinent papers retrieved from PubMed and ScienceDirect using relevant keywords, with a primary focus on the Tau-targeting compounds from medicinal plants. These compounds include indolines, phenolics, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, and iridoids, which have been scientifically proven to be Tau-targeting candidates for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siva Sundara Kumar Durairajan
- Mycobiology and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Lab, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur. India
| | - Karthikeyan Selvarasu
- Mycobiology and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Lab, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur. India
| | - Minu Rani Bera
- Mycobiology and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Lab, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur. India
| | - Kaushik Rajaram
- Mycobiology and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Lab, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur. India
| | - Ashok Iyaswamy
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR. China
| | - Min Li
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR. China
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Moloney CM, Lowe VJ, Murray ME. Visualization of neurofibrillary tangle maturity in Alzheimer's disease: A clinicopathologic perspective for biomarker research. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:1554-1574. [PMID: 33797838 PMCID: PMC8478697 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibrillary tangles, one of the neuropathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, have a dynamic lifespan of maturity that associates with progressive neuronal dysfunction and cognitive deficits. As neurofibrillary tangles mature, the biology of the neuron undergoes extensive changes that may impact biomarker recognition and therapeutic targeting. Neurofibrillary tangle maturity encompasses three levels: pretangles, mature tangles, and ghost tangles. In this review, we detail distinct and overlapping characteristics observed in the human brain regarding morphologic changes the neuron undergoes, conversion from intracellular to extracellular space, tau immunostaining patterns, and tau isoform expression changes across the lifespan of the neurofibrillary tangle. Post-translational modifications of tau such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, conformational events, and truncations are discussed to contextualize tau immunostaining patterns. We summarize accumulated and emerging knowledge of neurofibrillary tangle maturity, discuss the current tools used to interpret the dynamic nature in the postmortem brain, and consider implications for cognitive dysfunction and tau biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Val J. Lowe
- Department of RadiologyMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
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35
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Zheng J, Tian N, Liu F, Zhang Y, Su J, Gao Y, Deng M, Wei L, Ye J, Li H, Wang JZ. A novel dephosphorylation targeting chimera selectively promoting tau removal in tauopathies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:269. [PMID: 34262014 PMCID: PMC8280143 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00669-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a hallmark pathology shown in over twenty neurodegenerative disorders, collectively termed as tauopathies, including the most common Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, selectively removing or reducing hyperphosphorylated tau is promising for therapies of AD and other tauopathies. Here, we designed and synthesized a novel DEPhosphorylation TArgeting Chimera (DEPTAC) to specifically facilitate the binding of tau to Bα-subunit-containing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A-Bα), the most active tau phosphatase in the brain. The DEPTAC exhibited high efficiency in dephosphorylating tau at multiple AD-associated sites and preventing tau accumulation both in vitro and in vivo. Further studies revealed that DEPTAC significantly improved microtubule assembly, neurite plasticity, and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in transgenic mice with inducible overexpression of truncated and neurotoxic human tau N368. Our data provide a strategy for selective removal of the hyperphosphorylated tau, which sheds new light for the targeted therapy of AD and related-tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zheng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
| | - Na Tian
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yidian Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingfen Su
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingmin Deng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Linyu Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingwang Ye
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Honglian Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.
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36
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Epileptic Mechanisms Shared by Alzheimer's Disease: Viewed via the Unique Lens of Genetic Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137133. [PMID: 34281185 PMCID: PMC8268161 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137133] [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: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Our recent work on genetic epilepsy (GE) has identified common mechanisms between GE and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although both disorders are seemingly unrelated and occur at opposite ends of the age spectrum, it is likely there are shared mechanisms and studies on GE could provide unique insights into AD pathogenesis. Neurodegenerative diseases are typically late-onset disorders, but the underlying pathology may have already occurred long before the clinical symptoms emerge. Pathophysiology in the early phase of these diseases is understudied but critical for developing mechanism-based treatment. In AD, increased seizure susceptibility and silent epileptiform activity due to disrupted excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance has been identified much earlier than cognition deficit. Increased epileptiform activity is likely a main pathology in the early phase that directly contributes to impaired cognition. It is an enormous challenge to model the early phase of pathology with conventional AD mouse models due to the chronic disease course, let alone the complex interplay between subclinical nonconvulsive epileptiform activity, AD pathology, and cognition deficit. We have extensively studied GE, especially with gene mutations that affect the GABA pathway such as mutations in GABAA receptors and GABA transporter 1. We believe that some mouse models developed for studying GE and insights gained from GE could provide unique opportunity to understand AD. These include the pathology in early phase of AD, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and E/I imbalance as well as the contribution to cognitive deficit. In this review, we will focus on the overlapping mechanisms between GE and AD, the insights from mutations affecting GABAA receptors, and GABA transporter 1. We will detail mechanisms of E/I imbalance and the toxic epileptiform generation in AD, and the complex interplay between ER stress, impaired membrane protein trafficking, and synaptic physiology in both GE and AD.
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Zuo R, Liu R, Olguin J, Hudalla GA. Glycosylation of a Nonfibrillizing Appendage Alters the Self-Assembly Pathway of a Synthetic β-Sheet Fibrillizing Peptide. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6559-6571. [PMID: 34128680 PMCID: PMC9191660 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, short synthetic peptides that self-assemble into elongated β-sheet fibers (i.e., peptide nanofibers) are widely used to create biomaterials for diverse medical and biotechnology applications. Glycosylation, which is a common protein post-translational modification, is gaining interest for creating peptide nanofibers that can mimic the function of natural carbohydrate-modified proteins. Recent reports have shown that glycosylation can disrupt the fibrillization of natural amyloid-forming peptides. Here, using transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and thioflavin T spectroscopy, we show that glycosylation at a site external to the fibrillization domain can alter the self-assembly pathway of a synthetic fibrillizing peptide, NSGSGQQKFQFQFEQQ (NQ11). Specifically, an NQ11 variant modified with N-linked N-acetylglucosamine, N(GlcNAc)SGSG-Q11 (GQ11), formed β-sheet nanofibers more slowly than NQ11 in deionized water (pH 5.8), which correlated to the tendency of GQ11 to form a combination of short fibrils and nonfibrillar aggregates, whereas NQ11 formed extended nanofibers. Acidic phosphate buffer slowed the rate of GQ11 fibrillization and altered the morphology of the structures formed yet had no effect on NQ11 fibrillization rate or morphology. The buffer ionic strength had no effect on the fibrillization rate of either peptide, while the diphosphate anion had a similar effect on the rate of fibrillization of both peptides. Collectively, these data demonstrate that a glycan moiety located external to the β-sheet fibrillizing domain can alter the pH-dependent self-assembly pathway of a synthetic peptide, leading to significant changes in the fibril mass and morphology of the structures formed. These observations add to the understanding of the effect of glycosylation on peptide self-assembly and should guide future efforts to develop biomaterials from synthetic β-sheet fibrillizing glycopeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Zuo
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Renjie Liu
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Juanpablo Olguin
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Gregory A. Hudalla
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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38
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Asadi MR, Sadat Moslehian M, Sabaie H, Jalaiei A, Ghafouri-Fard S, Taheri M, Rezazadeh M. Stress Granules and Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Scoping Review. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:650740. [PMID: 34248597 PMCID: PMC8261063 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.650740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic ribonucleoproteins called stress granules (SGs) are considered as one of the main cellular solutions against stress. Their temporary presence ends with stress relief. Any factor such as chronic stress or mutations in the structure of the components of SGs that lead to their permanent presence can affect their interactions with pathological aggregations and increase the degenerative effects. SGs involved in RNA mechanisms are important factors in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), and Alzheimer's diseases (AD). Although many studies have been performed in the field of SGs and neurodegenerative disorders, so far, no systematic studies have been executed in this field. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive perspective of all studies about the role of SGs in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders with a focus on the protein ingredients of these granules. This scoping review is based on a six-stage methodology structure and the PRISMA guideline. A systematic search of seven databases for qualified articles was conducted until December 2020. Publications were screened independently by two reviewers and quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed on the extracted data. Bioinformatics analysis was used to plot the network and predict interprotein interactions. In addition, GO analysis was performed. A total of 48 articles were identified that comply the inclusion criteria. Most studies on neurodegenerative diseases have been conducted on ALS, AD, and FTD using human post mortem tissues. Human derived cell line studies have been used only in ALS. A total 29 genes of protein components of SGs have been studied, the most important of which are TDP-43, TIA-1, PABP-1. Bioinformatics studies have predicted 15 proteins to interact with the protein components of SGs, which may be the constituents of SGs. Understanding the interactions between SGs and pathological aggregations in neurodegenerative diseases can provide new targets for treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Asadi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Sadat Moslehian
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hani Sabaie
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abbas Jalaiei
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Skull Base Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rezazadeh
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Meng X, Li L, Wang X. An integrated strategy for the construction of a species-specific glycan library for mass spectrometry-based intact glycopeptide analyses. Talanta 2021; 234:122626. [PMID: 34364435 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122626] [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: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS)-based strategies and related software tools using glycan mass lists have greatly facilitated the analysis of intact glycopeptides. Most glycan mass lists are derived from normal glycans of mammals and contain limited monosaccharides, which has significantly hindered high throughput studies of unusual glycosylation events observed in other species. In this work, an integrated strategy was developed for the construction of a species-specific glycan mass list from glycan structure databases and published papers. We developed a computational tool called LibGlycan, which could process the different formats of glycans. Then, the software tool generated a glycan library that contained the monoisotope mass, average mass, isotope distribution, and glycan mass list for input into Byonic software. This strategy was applied to analyze the N-glycosylation of rice roots and O-glycosylation of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC17978, leading to the identification of 296 and 145 intact glycopeptides respectively. Combined, these results show that this strategy is a robust computational approach for the determination of glycan diversity within different complex biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbin Meng
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Lijie Li
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Xiayan Wang
- Center of Excellence for Environmental Safety and Biological Effects, Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China.
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40
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Gaunitz S, Tjernberg LO, Schedin-Weiss S. What Can N-glycomics and N-glycoproteomics of Cerebrospinal Fluid Tell Us about Alzheimer Disease? Biomolecules 2021; 11:858. [PMID: 34207636 PMCID: PMC8226827 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteomics-large-scale studies of proteins-has over the last decade gained an enormous interest for studies aimed at revealing proteins and pathways involved in disease. To fully understand biological and pathological processes it is crucial to also include post-translational modifications in the "omics". To this end, glycomics (identification and quantification of glycans enzymatically or chemically released from proteins) and glycoproteomics (identification and quantification of peptides/proteins with the glycans still attached) is gaining interest. The study of protein glycosylation requires a workflow that involves an array of sample preparation and analysis steps that needs to be carefully considered. Herein, we briefly touch upon important steps such as sample preparation and preconcentration, glycan release, glycan derivatization and quantification and advances in mass spectrometry that today are the work-horse for glycomics and glycoproteomics studies. Several proteins related to Alzheimer disease pathogenesis have altered protein glycosylation, and recent glycomics studies have shown differences in cerebrospinal fluid as well as in brain tissue in Alzheimer disease as compared to controls. In this review, we discuss these techniques and how they have been used to shed light on Alzheimer disease and to find glycan biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Gaunitz
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Hospital, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Lars O. Tjernberg
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Sophia Schedin-Weiss
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden;
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41
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Khoder-Agha F, Kietzmann T. The glyco-redox interplay: Principles and consequences on the role of reactive oxygen species during protein glycosylation. Redox Biol 2021; 42:101888. [PMID: 33602616 PMCID: PMC8113034 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) carry out prime physiological roles as intracellular signaling agents, yet pathologically high concentrations of ROS cause irreversible damage to biomolecules, alter cellular programs and contribute to various diseases. While decades of intensive research have identified redox-related patterns and signaling pathways, very few addressed how the glycosylation machinery senses and responds to oxidative stress. A common trait among ROS and glycans residing on glycoconjugates is that they are both highly dynamic, as they are quickly fine-tuned in response to stressors such as inflammation, cancer and infectious diseases. On this account, the delicate balance of the redox potential, which is tightly regulated by dozens of enzymes including NOXs, and the mitochondrial electron transport chain as well as the fluidity of glycan biosynthesis resulting from the cooperation of glycosyltransferases, glycosidases, and nucleotide sugar transporters, is paramount to cell survival. Here, we review the broad spectrum of the interplay between redox changes and glycosylation with respect to their principle consequences on human physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fawzi Khoder-Agha
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Kietzmann
- University of Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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42
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Rani L, Mallajosyula SS. Phosphorylation-Induced Structural Reorganization in Tau-Paired Helical Filaments. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1621-1631. [PMID: 33877805 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Taupathies involve the deposition of abnormal tau protein into neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the human brain. The abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau dissociates from microtubules and forms insoluble aggregates known as paired helical filaments (PHFs), highlighting the importance of post-translational modifications in taupathies. The present study examines the factors responsible for the structural stability of PHFs in native as well as in phosphorylated and O-GlcNAcylated tau. We carried out molecular dynamics simulations on the R3-R4 repeat domains of the human tau protein to gain atomic insights into the key noncovalent interactions responsible for their unique dimeric C-shaped structure. The structural effects upon post-translational modification were found to be prominent for phosphorylation when compared with O-GlcNAcylation. O-GlcNAcylated tau was found to retain the "C conformation" observed in the native tau PHF, whereas upon phosphorylation, we observed a conformational transition to a more opened "H conformation". We found that this conformational transition is brought about by the loss of a key salt bridge between Lys353 and Asp358 due to the phosphorylation at Ser356 that results in the reorganization of the dimeric interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lata Rani
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Sairam S. Mallajosyula
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar 382355, Gujarat, India
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43
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Tau Is Truncated in Five Regions of the Normal Adult Human Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073521. [PMID: 33805376 PMCID: PMC8036332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073521] [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: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The truncation of Tau is thought to be important in promoting aggregation, with this feature characterising the pathology of dementias such as Alzheimer disease. Antibodies to the C-terminal and N-terminal regions of Tau were employed to examine Tau cleavage in five human brain regions: the entorhinal cortex, prefrontal cortex, motor cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These were obtained from normal subjects ranging in age from 18 to 104 years. Tau fragments of approximately 40 kDa and 45 kDa with an intact N-terminus retained were found in soluble and insoluble brain fractions. In addition, smaller C-terminal Tau fragments ranging in mass from 17 kDa to 25 kDa were also detected. These findings are consistent with significant Tau cleavage taking place in brain regions from 18 years onwards. It appears that site-specific cleavage of Tau is widespread in the normal human brain, and that large Tau fragments that contain the N-terminus, as well as shorter C-terminal Tau fragments, are present in brain cells across the age range.
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44
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Losev Y, Frenkel-Pinter M, Abu-Hussien M, Viswanathan GK, Elyashiv-Revivo D, Geries R, Khalaila I, Gazit E, Segal D. Differential effects of putative N-glycosylation sites in human Tau on Alzheimer's disease-related neurodegeneration. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:2231-2245. [PMID: 32926180 PMCID: PMC11072875 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03643-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid assemblies of Tau are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD Tau undergoes several abnormal post-translational modifications, including hyperphosphorylation and glycosylation, which impact disease progression. N-glycosylated Tau was reported to be found in AD brain tissues but not in healthy counterparts. This is surprising since Tau is a cytosolic protein whereas N-glycosylation occurs in the ER-Golgi. Previous in vitro studies indicated that N-glycosylation of Tau facilitated its phosphorylation and contributed to maintenance of its Paired Helical Filament structure. However, the specific Tau residue(s) that undergo N-glycosylation and their effect on Tau-engendered pathology are unknown. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis indicated that both N359 and N410 were N-glycosylated in wild-type (WT) human Tau (hTau) expressed in human SH-SY5Y cells. Asparagine to glutamine mutants, which cannot undergo N-glycosylation, at each of three putative N-glycosylation sites in hTau (N167Q, N359Q, and N410Q) were generated and expressed in SH-SY5Y cells and in transgenic Drosophila. The mutants modulated the levels of hTau phosphorylation in a site-dependent manner in both cell and fly models. Additionally, N359Q ameliorated, whereas N410Q exacerbated various aspects of hTau-engendered neurodegeneration in transgenic flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelena Losev
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Moran Frenkel-Pinter
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Malak Abu-Hussien
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Guru Krishnakumar Viswanathan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Donna Elyashiv-Revivo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rana Geries
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Isam Khalaila
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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45
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Thapa P, Upadhyay SP, Suo WZ, Singh V, Gurung P, Lee ES, Sharma R, Sharma M. Chalcone and its analogs: Therapeutic and diagnostic applications in Alzheimer's disease. Bioorg Chem 2021; 108:104681. [PMID: 33571811 PMCID: PMC7928223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chalcone [(E)-1,3-diphenyl-2-propene-1-one], a small molecule with α, β unsaturated carbonyl group is a precursor or component of many natural flavonoids and isoflavonoids. It is one of the privileged structures in medicinal chemistry. It possesses a wide range of biological activities encouraging many medicinal chemists to study this scaffold for its usefulness to oncology, infectious diseases, virology and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Small molecular size, convenient and cost-effective synthesis, and flexibility for modifications to modulate lipophilicity suitable for blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability make chalcones a preferred candidate for their therapeutic and diagnostic potential in AD. This review summarizes and highlights the importance of chalcone and its analogs as single target small therapeutic agents, multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs) as well as molecular imaging agents for AD. The information summarized here will guide many medicinal chemist and researchers involved in drug discovery to consider chalcone as a potential scaffold for the development of anti-AD agents including theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritam Thapa
- Drug Discovery Program, Midwest Veterans' Biomedical Research Foundation, KCVA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA.
| | - Sunil P Upadhyay
- Drug Discovery Program, Midwest Veterans' Biomedical Research Foundation, KCVA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA
| | - William Z Suo
- Laboratory for Alzheimer's Disease & Aging Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA
| | - Vikas Singh
- Division of Neurology, KCVA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Prajwal Gurung
- Inflammation Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Eung Seok Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 712-749, Republic of Korea
| | - Ram Sharma
- Drug Discovery Program, Midwest Veterans' Biomedical Research Foundation, KCVA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA
| | - Mukut Sharma
- Drug Discovery Program, Midwest Veterans' Biomedical Research Foundation, KCVA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA
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46
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Baker JD, Uhrich RL, Strovas TJ, Saxton AD, Kraemer BC. AlphaScreen Identifies MSUT2 Inhibitors for Tauopathy-Targeting Therapeutic Discovery. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2021; 26:400-409. [PMID: 32981422 PMCID: PMC8592089 DOI: 10.1177/2472555220958387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurological disorders characterized by intracellular tau deposits forming neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads, or other disease-specific aggregates composed of the protein tau. Tauopathy disorders include frontotemporal lobar degeneration, corticobasal degeneration, Pick's disease, and the largest cause of dementia, Alzheimer's disease. The lack of disease-modifying therapeutic strategies to address tauopathies remains a critical unmet need in dementia care. Thus, novel broad-spectrum tau-targeted therapeutics could have a profound impact in multiple tauopathy disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Here we have designed a drug discovery paradigm to identify inhibitors of the pathological tau-enabling protein, MSUT2. We previously showed that activity of the RNA-binding protein MSUT2 drives tauopathy, including tau-mediated neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction, in mouse models. Thus, we hypothesized that MSUT2 inhibitors could be therapeutic for tauopathy disorders. Our pipeline for MSUT2 inhibitory compound identification included a primary AlphaScreen, followed by dose-response validation, a secondary fluorescence polarization orthogonal assay, a tertiary specificity screen, and a preliminary toxicity screen. Our work here serves as a proof-of-principle methodology for finding specific inhibitors of the poly(A) RNA-binding protein MSUT2 interaction. Here we identify 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-sulfonic acid (DIDS) as a potential tool compound for future work probing the mechanism of MSUT2-induced tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D. Baker
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rikki L. Uhrich
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Timothy J. Strovas
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Aleen D. Saxton
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Brian C. Kraemer
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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47
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Devitt G, Crisford A, Rice W, Weismiller HA, Fan Z, Commins C, Hyman BT, Margittai M, Mahajan S, Mudher A. Conformational fingerprinting of tau variants and strains by Raman spectroscopy. RSC Adv 2021; 11:8899-8915. [PMID: 34381596 PMCID: PMC8330415 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00870f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a group of disorders in which the deposition of abnormally folded tau protein accompanies neurodegeneration. The development of methods for detection and classification of pathological changes in protein conformation are desirable for understanding the factors that influence the structural polymorphism of aggregates in tauopathies. We have previously demonstrated the utility of Raman spectroscopy for the characterization and discrimination of different protein aggregates, including tau, based on their unique conformational signatures. Building on this, in the present study, we assess the utility of Raman spectroscopy for characterizing and distinguishing different conformers of the same protein which in the case of tau are unique tau strains generated in vitro. We now investigate the impact of aggregation environment, cofactors, post-translational modification and primary sequence on the Raman fingerprint of tau fibrils. Using quantitative conformational fingerprinting and multivariate statistical analysis, we found that the aggregation of tau in different buffer conditions resulted in the formation of distinct fibril strains. Unique spectral markers were identified for tau fibrils generated using heparin or RNA cofactors, as well as for phosphorylated tau. We also determined that the primary sequence of the tau monomer influenced the conformational signature of the resulting tau fibril, including 2N4R, 0N3R, K18 and P301S tau variants. These results highlight the conformational polymorphism of tau fibrils, which is reflected in the wide range of associated neurological disorders. Furthermore, the analyses presented in this study provide a benchmark for the Raman spectroscopic characterization of tau strains, which may shed light on how the aggregation environment, cofactors and post-translational modifications influence tau conformation in vivo in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Devitt
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK .,School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Anna Crisford
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK .,School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - William Rice
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Hilary A Weismiller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Denver 2190 E. Iliff Ave. Denver CO 80208 USA
| | - Zhanyun Fan
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital Charlestown MA 02129 USA
| | - Caitlin Commins
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital Charlestown MA 02129 USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital Charlestown MA 02129 USA
| | - Martin Margittai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Denver 2190 E. Iliff Ave. Denver CO 80208 USA
| | - Sumeet Mahajan
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Amrit Mudher
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK .,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield Southampton SO17 1BJ UK
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48
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Xu MM, Zhou MT, Li SW, Zhen XC, Yang S. Glycoproteins as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases: A glycoproteomic approach. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1308-1324. [PMID: 33634546 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are incurable and can develop progressively debilitating disorders, including dementia and ataxias. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the most common NDs that mainly affect the elderly people. There is an urgent need to develop new diagnostic tools so that patients can be accurately stratified at an early stage. As a common post-translational modification, protein glycosylation plays a key role in physiological and pathological processes. The abnormal changes in glycosylation are associated with the altered biological pathways in NDs. The pathogenesis-related proteins, like amyloid-β and microtubule-associated protein tau, have altered glycosylation. Importantly, specific glycosylation changes in cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine are valuable for revealing neurodegeneration in the early stages. This review describes the emerging biomarkers based on glycoproteomics in NDs, highlighting the potential applications of glycoprotein biomarkers in the early detection of diseases, monitoring of the disease progression, and measurement of the therapeutic responses. The mass spectrometry-based strategies for characterizing glycoprotein biomarkers are also introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Ming Xu
- Center for Clinical Mass Spectrometry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | | | - Shu-Wei Li
- Nanjing Apollomics Biotech, Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Xue-Chu Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shuang Yang
- Center for Clinical Mass Spectrometry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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49
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Yu CC, Du YJ, Wang SQ, Liu LB, Shen F, Wang L, Lin YF, Kong LH. Experimental Evidence of the Benefits of Acupuncture for Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:549772. [PMID: 33408601 PMCID: PMC7779610 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.549772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As the global population ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is also increasing. At present, there are no widely recognized drugs able to ameliorate the cognitive dysfunction caused by AD. The failure of several promising clinical trials in recent years has highlighted the urgent need for novel strategies to both prevent and treat AD. Notably, a growing body of literature supports the efficacy of acupuncture for AD. In this review, we summarize the previously reported mechanisms of acupuncture's beneficial effects in AD, including the ability of acupuncture to modulate Aβ metabolism, tau phosphorylation, neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, synapse and neuron function, autophagy, neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, cerebral glucose metabolism, and brain responses. Taken together, these findings suggest that acupuncture provides therapeutic effects for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Chao Yu
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan-Jun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Qin Wang
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Le-Bin Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Rongjun Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Shen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan-Fang Lin
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li-Hong Kong
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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50
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Alquezar C, Arya S, Kao AW. Tau Post-translational Modifications: Dynamic Transformers of Tau Function, Degradation, and Aggregation. Front Neurol 2021; 11:595532. [PMID: 33488497 PMCID: PMC7817643 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.595532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) on tau have long been recognized as affecting protein function and contributing to neurodegeneration. The explosion of information on potential and observed PTMs on tau provides an opportunity to better understand these modifications in the context of tau homeostasis, which becomes perturbed with aging and disease. Prevailing views regard tau as a protein that undergoes abnormal phosphorylation prior to its accumulation into the toxic aggregates implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. However, the phosphorylation of tau may, in fact, represent part of the normal but interrupted function and catabolism of the protein. In addition to phosphorylation, tau undergoes another forms of post-translational modification including (but not limited to), acetylation, ubiquitination, glycation, glycosylation, SUMOylation, methylation, oxidation, and nitration. A holistic appreciation of how these PTMs regulate tau during health and are potentially hijacked in disease remains elusive. Recent studies have reinforced the idea that PTMs play a critical role in tau localization, protein-protein interactions, maintenance of levels, and modifying aggregate structure. These studies also provide tantalizing clues into the possibility that neurons actively choose how tau is post-translationally modified, in potentially competitive and combinatorial ways, to achieve broad, cellular programs commensurate with the distinctive environmental conditions found during development, aging, stress, and disease. Here, we review tau PTMs and describe what is currently known about their functional impacts. In addition, we classify these PTMs from the perspectives of protein localization, electrostatics, and stability, which all contribute to normal tau function and homeostasis. Finally, we assess the potential impact of tau PTMs on tau solubility and aggregation. Tau occupies an undoubtedly important position in the biology of neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to provide an integrated perspective of how post-translational modifications actively, purposefully, and dynamically remodel tau function, clearance, and aggregation. In doing so, we hope to enable a more comprehensive understanding of tau PTMs that will positively impact future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aimee W. Kao
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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