1
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Keeley O, Coyne AN. Nuclear and degradative functions of the ESCRT-III pathway: implications for neurodegenerative disease. Nucleus 2024; 15:2349085. [PMID: 38700207 PMCID: PMC11073439 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2349085] [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: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The ESCRT machinery plays a pivotal role in membrane-remodeling events across multiple cellular processes including nuclear envelope repair and reformation, nuclear pore complex surveillance, endolysosomal trafficking, and neuronal pruning. Alterations in ESCRT-III functionality have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases including Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In addition, mutations in specific ESCRT-III proteins have been identified in FTD/ALS. Thus, understanding how disruptions in the fundamental functions of this pathway and its individual protein components in the human central nervous system (CNS) may offer valuable insights into mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis and identification of potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss ESCRT components, dynamics, and functions, with a focus on the ESCRT-III pathway. In addition, we explore the implications of altered ESCRT-III function for neurodegeneration with a primary emphasis on nuclear surveillance and endolysosomal trafficking within the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Keeley
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alyssa N. Coyne
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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Frost B, Dubnau J. The Role of Retrotransposons and Endogenous Retroviruses in Age-Dependent Neurodegenerative Disorders. Annu Rev Neurosci 2024; 47:123-143. [PMID: 38663088 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-082823-020615] [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: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Over 40% of the human genome is composed of retrotransposons, DNA species that hold the potential to replicate via an RNA intermediate and are evolutionarily related to retroviruses. Retrotransposons are most studied for their ability to jump within a genome, which can cause DNA damage and novel insertional mutations. Retrotransposon-encoded products, including viral-like proteins, double-stranded RNAs, and extrachromosomal circular DNAs, can also be potent activators of the innate immune system. A growing body of evidence suggests that retrotransposons are activated in age-related neurodegenerative disorders and that such activation causally contributes to neurotoxicity. Here we provide an overview of retrotransposon biology and outline evidence of retrotransposon activation in age-related neurodegenerative disorders, with an emphasis on those involving TAR-DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) and tau. Studies to date provide the basis for ongoing clinical trials and hold promise for innovative strategies to ameliorate the adverse effects of retrotransposon dysregulation in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA;
| | - Josh Dubnau
- Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA;
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3
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Asada-Utsugi M, Urushitani M. Tau beyond Tangles: DNA Damage Response and Cytoskeletal Protein Crosstalk on Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7906. [PMID: 39063148 PMCID: PMC11277103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the brain are continuously exposed to various sources of DNA damage. Although the mechanisms of DNA damage repair in mitotic cells have been extensively characterized, the repair pathways in post-mitotic neurons are still largely elusive. Moreover, inaccurate repair can result in deleterious mutations, including deletions, insertions, and chromosomal translocations, ultimately compromising genomic stability. Since neurons are terminally differentiated cells, they cannot employ homologous recombination (HR) for double-strand break (DSB) repair, suggesting the existence of neuron-specific repair mechanisms. Our research has centered on the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), a crucial pathological protein implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, and its interplay with neurons' DNA damage response (DDR). This review aims to provide an updated synthesis of the current understanding of the complex interplay between DDR and cytoskeletal proteins in neurons, with a particular focus on the role of tau in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Makoto Urushitani
- Department of Neurology, Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu 520-2192, Shiga, Japan;
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4
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Pérez RF, Tezanos P, Peñarroya A, González-Ramón A, Urdinguio RG, Gancedo-Verdejo J, Tejedor JR, Santamarina-Ojeda P, Alba-Linares JJ, Sainz-Ledo L, Roberti A, López V, Mangas C, Moro M, Cintado Reyes E, Muela Martínez P, Rodríguez-Santamaría M, Ortea I, Iglesias-Rey R, Castilla-Silgado J, Tomás-Zapico C, Iglesias-Gutiérrez E, Fernández-García B, Sanchez-Mut JV, Trejo JL, Fernández AF, Fraga MF. A multiomic atlas of the aging hippocampus reveals molecular changes in response to environmental enrichment. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5829. [PMID: 39013876 PMCID: PMC11252340 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49608-z] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging involves the deterioration of organismal function, leading to the emergence of multiple pathologies. Environmental stimuli, including lifestyle, can influence the trajectory of this process and may be used as tools in the pursuit of healthy aging. To evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in this context, we have generated bulk tissue and single cell multi-omic maps of the male mouse dorsal hippocampus in young and old animals exposed to environmental stimulation in the form of enriched environments. We present a molecular atlas of the aging process, highlighting two distinct axes, related to inflammation and to the dysregulation of mRNA metabolism, at the functional RNA and protein level. Additionally, we report the alteration of heterochromatin domains, including the loss of bivalent chromatin and the uncovering of a heterochromatin-switch phenomenon whereby constitutive heterochromatin loss is partially mitigated through gains in facultative heterochromatin. Notably, we observed the multi-omic reversal of a great number of aging-associated alterations in the context of environmental enrichment, which was particularly linked to glial and oligodendrocyte pathways. In conclusion, our work describes the epigenomic landscape of environmental stimulation in the context of aging and reveals how lifestyle intervention can lead to the multi-layered reversal of aging-associated decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl F Pérez
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Tezanos
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Programa de Doctorado en Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Instituto Cajal, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Peñarroya
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alejandro González-Ramón
- Laboratory of Functional Epi-Genomics of Aging and Alzheimer's disease, Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rocío G Urdinguio
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Gancedo-Verdejo
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Ramón Tejedor
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Santamarina-Ojeda
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Alba-Linares
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lidia Sainz-Ledo
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Annalisa Roberti
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Virginia López
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Mangas
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
| | - María Moro
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Cintado Reyes
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Programa de Doctorado en Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Instituto Cajal, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Muela Martínez
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Programa de Doctorado en Neurociencia, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid-Instituto Cajal, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Rodríguez-Santamaría
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain
- Bioterio y unidad de imagen preclínica, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ortea
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Proteomics Unit, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ramón Iglesias-Rey
- Neuroimaging and Biotechnology Laboratory (NOBEL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan Castilla-Silgado
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Cristina Tomás-Zapico
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Eduardo Iglesias-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Benjamín Fernández-García
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Funcional, Área de Fisiología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jose Vicente Sanchez-Mut
- Laboratory of Functional Epi-Genomics of Aging and Alzheimer's disease, Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (UMH-CSIC), 03550, Alicante, Spain
| | - José Luis Trejo
- Departamento de Neurociencia Translacional, Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC), 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín F Fernández
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Nanomateriales y Nanotecnología-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA-FINBA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33011, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, 33003, Oviedo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Área de Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
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5
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Parra Bravo C, Naguib SA, Gan L. Cellular and pathological functions of tau. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00753-9. [PMID: 39014245 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00753-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Tau protein is involved in various cellular processes, including having a canonical role in binding and stabilization of microtubules in neurons. Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases marked by the abnormal accumulation of tau protein aggregates in neurons, as seen, for example, in conditions such as frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer disease. Mutations in tau coding regions or that disrupt tau mRNA splicing, tau post-translational modifications and cellular stress factors (such as oxidative stress and inflammation) increase the tendency of tau to aggregate and interfere with its clearance. Pathological tau is strongly implicated in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and the propagation of tau aggregates is associated with disease severity. Recent technological advancements, including cryo-electron microscopy and disease models derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, have increased our understanding of tau-related pathology in neurodegenerative conditions. Substantial progress has been made in deciphering tau aggregate structures and the molecular mechanisms that underlie protein aggregation and toxicity. In this Review, we discuss recent insights into the diverse cellular functions of tau and the pathology of tau inclusions and explore the potential for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Parra Bravo
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah A Naguib
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA.
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6
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Sun Y, Xia Q, Du L, Gan Y, Ren X, Liu G, Wang Y, Yan S, Li S, Zhang X, Xiao X, Jin H. Neuroprotective effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup on cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease rat models. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116754. [PMID: 38810401 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116754] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a significant challenge due to its prevalence and lack of cure, driving the quest for effective treatments. Anshen Bunao Syrup, a traditional Chinese medicine known for its neuroprotective properties, shows promise in addressing this need. However, understanding its precise mechanisms in AD remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate Anshen Bunao Syrup's therapeutic potential in AD treatment using a scopolamine-induced AD rat model. Assessments included novel-object recognition and Morris water maze tasks to evaluate spatial learning and memory, alongside Nissl staining and ELISA analyses for neuronal damage and biomarker levels. Results demonstrated that Anshen Bunao Syrup effectively mitigated cognitive dysfunction by inhibiting amyloid-β and phosphorylation Tau aggregation, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Metabolomics profiling of rats cortex revealed alterations in key metabolites implicated in tryptophan and fatty acid metabolism pathways, suggesting a role in the therapeutic effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup. Additionally, ELISA and correlation analyses indicated attenuation of oxidative stress and immune response through metabolic remodeling. In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence for the neuroprotective effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup in AD models, shedding light on its potential as a therapeutic agent for AD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfang Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qi Xia
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lijing Du
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Gan
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaopeng Ren
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Jilin Aodong Yanbian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Yanbian 133700, China
| | - Yongkuan Wang
- Jilin Aodong Yanbian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Yanbian 133700, China
| | - Shikai Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shasha Li
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiuyun Zhang
- Jilin Aodong Yanbian Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Yanbian 133700, China.
| | - Xue Xiao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Huizi Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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7
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Adler GL, Le K, Fu Y, Kim WS. Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:745. [PMID: 38927681 PMCID: PMC11202925 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are DNA transposable elements that have integrated into the human genome via an ancestral germline infection. The potential importance of HERVs is underscored by the fact that they comprise approximately 8% of the human genome. HERVs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, a group of CNS diseases characterized by a progressive loss of structure and function of neurons, resulting in cell death and multiple physiological dysfunctions. Much evidence indicates that HERVs are initiators or drivers of neurodegenerative processes in multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and clinical trials have been designed to target HERVs. In recent years, the role of HERVs has been explored in other major neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, with some interesting discoveries. This review summarizes and evaluates the past and current research on HERVs in neurodegenerative diseases. It discusses the potential role of HERVs in disease manifestation and neurodegeneration. It critically reviews antiretroviral strategies used in the therapeutic intervention of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle L. Adler
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Kelvin Le
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - YuHong Fu
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Woojin Scott Kim
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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8
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Pan X, Dai W, Wang Z, Li S, Sun T, Miao N. PIWI-Interacting RNAs: A Pivotal Regulator in Neurological Development and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:653. [PMID: 38927589 PMCID: PMC11202748 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) with 24-32 nucleotides (nt), were initially identified in the reproductive system. Unlike microRNAs (miRNAs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), piRNAs normally guide P-element-induced wimpy testis protein (PIWI) families to slice extensively complementary transposon transcripts without the seed pairing. Numerous studies have shown that piRNAs are abundantly expressed in the brain, and many of them are aberrantly regulated in central neural system (CNS) disorders. However, the role of piRNAs in the related developmental and pathological processes is unclear. The elucidation of piRNAs/PIWI would greatly improve the understanding of CNS development and ultimately lead to novel strategies to treat neural diseases. In this review, we summarized the relevant structure, properties, and databases of piRNAs and their functional roles in neural development and degenerative disorders. We hope that future studies of these piRNAs will facilitate the development of RNA-based therapeutics for CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nan Miao
- Center for Precision Medicine, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China; (X.P.); (W.D.); (Z.W.); (S.L.); (T.S.)
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9
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Evans TA, Feltrin AS, Benjamin KJ, Katipalli T, Hyde T, Kleinman JE, Weinberger DR, Paquola AC, Erwin JA. Lifespan analysis of repeat expression reveals age-dependent upregulation of HERV-K in the neurotypical human brain. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.17.24307184. [PMID: 38798538 PMCID: PMC11118647 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.17.24307184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
DNA repetitive sequences (or repeats) comprise over 50% of the human genome and have a crucial regulatory role, specifically regulating transcription machinery. The human brain is the tissue with the highest detectable repeat expression and dysregulations on the repeat activity are related to several neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, as repeat-derived products can stimulate a pro-inflammatory response. Even so, it is unclear how repeat expression acts on the aging neurotypical brain. Here, we leverage a large postmortem transcriptome cohort spanning the human lifespan to assess global repeat expression in the neurotypical brain. We identified 21,696 differentially expressed repeats (DERs) that varied across seven age bins (Prenatal; 0-15; 16-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60+) across the caudate nucleus (n=271), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (n=304), and hippocampus (n=310). Interestingly, we found that long interspersed nuclear elements and long terminal repeats (LTRs) DERs were the most abundant repeat families when comparing infants to early adolescence (0-15) with older adults (60+). Of these differentially regulated LTRs, we identified 17 shared across all brain regions, including increased expression of HERV-K-int in older adult brains (60+). Co-expression analysis from each of the three brain regions also showed repeats from the HERV subfamily were intramodular hubs in its subnetworks. While we do not observe a strong global relationship between repeat expression and age, we identified HERV-K as a repeat signature associated with the aging neurotypical brain. Our study is the first global assessment of repeat expression in the neurotypical brain.
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10
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Bukhari H, Nithianandam V, Battaglia RA, Cicalo A, Sarkar S, Comjean A, Hu Y, Leventhal MJ, Dong X, Feany MB. Transcriptional programs mediating neuronal toxicity and altered glial-neuronal signaling in a Drosophila knock-in tauopathy model. Genome Res 2024; 34:590-605. [PMID: 38599684 PMCID: PMC11146598 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278576.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Missense mutations in the gene encoding the microtubule-associated protein TAU (current and approved symbol is MAPT) cause autosomal dominant forms of frontotemporal dementia. Multiple models of frontotemporal dementia based on transgenic expression of human TAU in experimental model organisms, including Drosophila, have been described. These models replicate key features of the human disease but do not faithfully recreate the genetic context of the human disorder. Here we use CRISPR-Cas-mediated gene editing to model frontotemporal dementia caused by the TAU P301L mutation by creating the orthologous mutation, P251L, in the endogenous Drosophila tau gene. Flies heterozygous or homozygous for Tau P251L display age-dependent neurodegeneration, display metabolic defects, and accumulate DNA damage in affected neurons. To understand the molecular events promoting neuronal dysfunction and death in knock-in flies, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on approximately 130,000 cells from brains of Tau P251L mutant and control flies. We found that expression of disease-associated mutant tau altered gene expression cell autonomously in all neuronal cell types identified. Gene expression was also altered in glial cells, suggestive of non-cell-autonomous regulation. Cell signaling pathways, including glial-neuronal signaling, were broadly dysregulated as were brain region and cell type-specific protein interaction networks and gene regulatory programs. In summary, we present here a genetic model of tauopathy that faithfully recapitulates the genetic context and phenotypic features of the human disease, and use the results of comprehensive single-cell sequencing analysis to outline pathways of neurotoxicity and highlight the potential role of non-cell-autonomous changes in glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Bukhari
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
| | - Vanitha Nithianandam
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
| | - Rachel A Battaglia
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
| | - Anthony Cicalo
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Hub, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Souvarish Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Aram Comjean
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Matthew J Leventhal
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- MIT Ph.D. Program in Computational and Systems Biology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Xianjun Dong
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Hub, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
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11
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Gouveia Roque C, Phatnani H, Hengst U. The broken Alzheimer's disease genome. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100555. [PMID: 38697121 PMCID: PMC11099344 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The complex pathobiology of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses significant challenges to therapeutic and preventative interventions. Despite these difficulties, genomics and related disciplines are allowing fundamental mechanistic insights to emerge with clarity, particularly with the introduction of high-resolution sequencing technologies. After all, the disrupted processes at the interface between DNA and gene expression, which we call the broken AD genome, offer detailed quantitative evidence unrestrained by preconceived notions about the disease. In addition to highlighting biological pathways beyond the classical pathology hallmarks, these advances have revitalized drug discovery efforts and are driving improvements in clinical tools. We review genetic, epigenomic, and gene expression findings related to AD pathogenesis and explore how their integration enables a better understanding of the multicellular imbalances contributing to this heterogeneous condition. The frontiers opening on the back of these research milestones promise a future of AD care that is both more personalized and predictive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudio Gouveia Roque
- Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY 10013, USA; The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Hemali Phatnani
- Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease, New York Genome Center, New York, NY 10013, USA; Department of Neurology, Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ulrich Hengst
- The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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12
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Li S, Roy ER, Wang Y, Watkins T, Cao W. DLK-MAPK Signaling Coupled with DNA Damage Promotes Intrinsic Neurotoxicity Associated with Non-Mutated Tau. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2978-2995. [PMID: 37955806 PMCID: PMC11043018 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03720-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of neurodegeneration. Despite the well-established link between tau aggregation and clinical progression, the major pathways driven by this protein to intrinsically damage neurons are incompletely understood. To model AD-relevant neurodegeneration driven by tau, we overexpressed non-mutated human tau in primary mouse neurons and observed substantial axonal degeneration and cell death, a process accompanied by activated caspase 3. Mechanistically, we detected deformation of the nuclear envelope and increased DNA damage response in tau-expressing neurons. Gene profiling analysis further revealed significant alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway; moreover, inhibitors of dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were effective in alleviating wild-type human tau-induced neurodegeneration. In contrast, mutant P301L human tau was less toxic to neurons, despite causing comparable DNA damage. Axonal DLK activation induced by wild-type tau potentiated the impact of DNA damage response, resulting in overt neurotoxicity. In summary, we have established a cellular tauopathy model highly relevant to AD and identified a functional synergy between the DLK-MAPK axis and DNA damage response in the neuronal degenerative process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanming Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ethan R Roy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yanyu Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Trent Watkins
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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13
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Banazadeh M, Abiri A, Poortaheri MM, Asnaashari L, Langarizadeh MA, Forootanfar H. Unexplored power of CRISPR-Cas9 in neuroscience, a multi-OMICs review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 263:130413. [PMID: 38408576 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The neuroscience and neurobiology of gene editing to enhance learning and memory is of paramount interest to the scientific community. The advancements of CRISPR system have created avenues to treat neurological disorders by means of versatile modalities varying from expression to suppression of genes and proteins. Neurodegenerative disorders have also been attributed to non-canonical DNA secondary structures by affecting neuron activity through controlling gene expression, nucleosome shape, transcription, translation, replication, and recombination. Changing DNA regulatory elements which could contribute to the fate and function of neurons are thoroughly discussed in this review. This study presents the ability of CRISPR system to boost learning power and memory, treat or cure genetically-based neurological disorders, and alleviate psychiatric diseases by altering the activity and the irritability of the neurons at the synaptic cleft through DNA manipulation, and also, epigenetic modifications using Cas9. We explore and examine how each different OMIC techniques can come useful when altering DNA sequences. Such insight into the underlying relationship between OMICs and cellular behaviors leads us to better neurological and psychiatric therapeutics by intelligently designing and utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Banazadeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ardavan Abiri
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Integrated Graduate Program in Physical and Engineering Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | | - Lida Asnaashari
- Student Research Committee, Kerman Universiy of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Langarizadeh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Forootanfar
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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14
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Benarroch E. What Is the Role of Nuclear Envelope Proteins in Neurologic Disorders? Neurology 2024; 102:e209202. [PMID: 38330281 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
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15
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Abasi LS, Elathram N, Movva M, Deep A, Corbett KD, Debelouchina GT. Phosphorylation regulates tau's phase separation behavior and interactions with chromatin. Commun Biol 2024; 7:251. [PMID: 38429335 PMCID: PMC10907630 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05920-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein often found in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Beyond this context, mounting evidence suggests that tau localizes into the nucleus, where it may play a role in DNA protection and heterochromatin regulation. The molecular mechanisms behind these observations are currently unclear. Using in vitro biophysical experiments, here we demonstrate that tau can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with DNA, mononucleosomes, and reconstituted nucleosome arrays under low salt conditions. Low concentrations of tau promote chromatin compaction and protect DNA from digestion. While the material state of samples at physiological salt is dominated by chromatin oligomerization, tau can still associate strongly and reversibly with nucleosome arrays. These properties are driven by tau's strong interactions with linker and nucleosomal DNA. In addition, tau co-localizes into droplets formed by nucleosome arrays and phosphorylated HP1α, a key heterochromatin constituent thought to function through an LLPS mechanism. Importantly, LLPS and chromatin interactions are disrupted by aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation. These biophysical properties suggest that tau may directly impact DNA and chromatin accessibility and that loss of these interactions could contribute to the aberrant nuclear effects seen in tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lannah S Abasi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nesreen Elathram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Manasi Movva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Amar Deep
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kevin D Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Galia T Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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16
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Whitson HE, Banks WA, Diaz MM, Frost B, Kellis M, Lathe R, Schmader KE, Spudich SS, Tanzi R, Garden G. New approaches for understanding the potential role of microbes in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 36:100743. [PMID: 38435720 PMCID: PMC10906156 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves a complex pathological process that evolves over years, and its etiology is understood as a classic example of gene-environment interaction. The notion that exposure to microbial organisms may play some role in AD pathology has been proposed and debated for decades. New evidence from model organisms and -omic studies, as well as epidemiological data from the recent COVID-19 pandemic and widespread use of vaccines, offers new insights into the "germ hypothesis" of AD. To review new evidence and identify key research questions, the Duke/University of North Carolina (Duke/UNC) Alzheimer's Disease Research Center hosted a virtual symposium and workshop: "New Approaches for Understanding the Potential Role of Microbes in Alzheimer's disease." Discussion centered around the antimicrobial protection hypothesis of amyloid accumulation, and other mechanisms by which microbes could influence AD pathology including immune cell activation, changes in blood-brain barrier, or direct neurotoxicity. This summary of proceedings reviews the content presented in the symposium and provides a summary of major topics and key questions discussed in the workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E. Whitson
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Busse Bldg Rm 3502, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Durham VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - William A. Banks
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Monica M. Diaz
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Manning Dr, CB 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity & Aging Studies, 4939 Charles Katz Rm 1041, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 32 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Richard Lathe
- Division of Infection Medicine, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Kenneth E. Schmader
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Busse Bldg Rm 3502, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Durham VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Serena S. Spudich
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Room 8300, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Rudolph Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Gwenn Garden
- University of North Carolina - Dept of Neurology, 170 Manning Drive, Campus Box 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7025, USA
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17
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Le Breton A, Bettencourt MP, Gendrel AV. Navigating the brain and aging: exploring the impact of transposable elements from health to disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1357576. [PMID: 38476259 PMCID: PMC10927736 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1357576] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that constitute on average 45% of mammalian genomes. Their presence and activity in genomes represent a major source of genetic variability. While this is an important driver of genome evolution, TEs can also have deleterious effects on their hosts. A growing number of studies have focused on the role of TEs in the brain, both in physiological and pathological contexts. In the brain, their activity is believed to be important for neuronal plasticity. In neurological and age-related disorders, aberrant activity of TEs may contribute to disease etiology, although this remains unclear. After providing a comprehensive overview of transposable elements and their interactions with the host, this review summarizes the current understanding of TE activity within the brain, during the aging process, and in the context of neurological and age-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne-Valerie Gendrel
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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18
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Bukhari H, Nithianandam V, Battaglia RA, Cicalo A, Sarkar S, Comjean A, Hu Y, Leventhal MJ, Dong X, Feany MB. Transcriptional programs mediating neuronal toxicity and altered glial-neuronal signaling in a Drosophila knock-in tauopathy model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.02.578624. [PMID: 38352559 PMCID: PMC10862891 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.578624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Missense mutations in the gene encoding the microtubule-associated protein tau cause autosomal dominant forms of frontotemporal dementia. Multiple models of frontotemporal dementia based on transgenic expression of human tau in experimental model organisms, including Drosophila, have been described. These models replicate key features of the human disease, but do not faithfully recreate the genetic context of the human disorder. Here we use CRISPR-Cas mediated gene editing to model frontotemporal dementia caused by the tau P301L mutation by creating the orthologous mutation, P251L, in the endogenous Drosophila tau gene. Flies heterozygous or homozygous for tau P251L display age-dependent neurodegeneration, metabolic defects and accumulate DNA damage in affected neurons. To understand the molecular events promoting neuronal dysfunction and death in knock-in flies we performed single-cell RNA sequencing on approximately 130,000 cells from brains of tau P251L mutant and control flies. We found that expression of disease-associated mutant tau altered gene expression cell autonomously in all neuronal cell types identified and non-cell autonomously in glial cells. Cell signaling pathways, including glial-neuronal signaling, were broadly dysregulated as were brain region and cell-type specific protein interaction networks and gene regulatory programs. In summary, we present here a genetic model of tauopathy, which faithfully recapitulates the genetic context and phenotypic features of the human disease and use the results of comprehensive single cell sequencing analysis to outline pathways of neurotoxicity and highlight the role of non-cell autonomous changes in glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Bukhari
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
| | - Vanitha Nithianandam
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
| | - Rachel A. Battaglia
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
| | - Anthony Cicalo
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Hub, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Souvarish Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Aram Comjean
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Matthew J. Leventhal
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- MIT Ph.D. Program in Computational and Systems Biology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Xianjun Dong
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Hub, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115
| | - Mel B. Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
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19
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Atrian F, Ramirez P, De Mange J, Marquez M, Gonzalez EM, Minaya M, Karch CM, Frost B. m6A-dependent circular RNA formation mediates tau-induced neurotoxicity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.25.577211. [PMID: 38328044 PMCID: PMC10849734 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.577211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), covalently closed RNA molecules that form due to back-splicing of RNA transcripts, have recently been implicated in Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. circRNAs are regulated by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation, can serve as "sponges" for proteins and RNAs, and can be translated into protein via a cap-independent mechanism. Mechanisms underlying circRNA dysregulation in tauopathies and causal relationships between circRNA and neurodegeneration are currently unknown. In the current study, we aimed to determine whether pathogenic forms of tau drive circRNA dysregulation and whether such dysregulation causally mediates neurodegeneration. We identify circRNAs that are differentially expressed in the brain of a Drosophila model of tauopathy and in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons carrying a tau mutation associated with autosomal dominant tauopathy. We leverage Drosophila to discover that depletion of circular forms of muscleblind (circMbl), a circRNA that is particularly abundant in brains of tau transgenic Drosophila, significantly suppresses tau neurotoxicity, suggesting that tau-induced circMbl elevation is neurotoxic. We detect a general elevation of m6A RNA methylation and circRNA methylation in tau transgenic Drosophila and find that tau-induced m6A methylation is a mechanistic driver of circMbl formation. Interestingly, we find that circRNA and m6A RNA accumulate within nuclear envelope invaginations of tau transgenic Drosophila and in iPSC-derived cerebral organoid models of tauopathy. Taken together, our studies add critical new insight into the mechanisms underlying circRNA dysregulation in tauopathy and identify m6A-modified circRNA as a causal factor contributing to neurodegeneration. These findings add to a growing literature implicating pathogenic forms of tau as drivers of altered RNA metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Atrian
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Paulino Ramirez
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Jasmine De Mange
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Marissa Marquez
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Elias M. Gonzalez
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Miguel Minaya
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St Louis, MO
| | | | - Bess Frost
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX
- University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
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20
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Singh S, Borkar MR, Bhatt LK. Transposable Elements: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurotox Res 2024; 42:9. [PMID: 38270797 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-024-00688-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by the progressive loss of neuronal function and structure. While several genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these disorders, emerging evidence suggests that transposable elements (TEs), once considered "junk DNA," play a significant role in their development and progression. TEs are mobile genetic elements capable of moving within the genome, and their dysregulation has been associated with genomic instability, altered gene expression, and neuroinflammation. This review provides an overview of TEs, including long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), and endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), mechanisms of repression and derepression, and their potential impact on neurodegeneration. The evidence linking TEs to AD, PD, and ALS by shedding light on the complex interactions between TEs and neurodegeneration has been discussed. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of targeting TEs in neurodegenerative diseases has been explored. Understanding the role of TEs in neurodegeneration holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating disease progression and preserving neuronal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrishti Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, SVKM's DrVile Parle (W), Mumbai, India
| | - Maheshkumar R Borkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SVKM's Dr, Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, India
| | - Lokesh Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, SVKM's DrVile Parle (W), Mumbai, India.
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21
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Alonso ADC, El Idrissi A, Candia R, Morozova V, Kleiman FE. Tau: More than a microtubule-binding protein in neurons. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:71-77. [PMID: 37819542 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Tau protein was discovered as a microtubule-associated protein nearly 50 years ago, and our understanding of tau has revolved around that role. Even with tau's rise to stardom as a central player in neurodegenerative disease, therapeutic efforts have largely been targeted toward cytoskeletal changes. While some studies hinted toward non-cytoskeletal roles for tau, it is only fairly recently that these ideas have begun to receive considerable attention. Many new binding partners for tau have been identified, including DNA, RNA, RNA-binding proteins, some receptors, and other tau molecules. The diversity of tau binding partners coupled with the discovery of tau other than axonal compartments such as nucleus, dendrites, and synapses have led to the proposal of novel functions for tau in roles such as nuclear stability, cell signaling, transcriptional processing, and protein synthesis. Tau self-assembly in particular has made an impact, leading to the hypothesis that a prion-like function of hyperphosphorylated tau is central to tauopathies. With tau emerging as a multifaceted protein that operates in many parts of the cell and with many molecular partners, the field of tau biology is primed for discoveries that can provide new perspectives on both the unique biochemistry of tau and the nature of devastating neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Del Carmen Alonso
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Abdeslem El Idrissi
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert Candia
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Viktoriya Morozova
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York, USA
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Helene Fuld College of Nursing, New York, New York, USA
| | - Frida Esther Kleiman
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Chemistry Department, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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22
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Portillo M, Toiber D. Tau's function and dysfunction in the brain: when small changes have big consequences. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:152-153. [PMID: 37488858 PMCID: PMC10479848 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.373682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Portillo
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Debra Toiber
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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23
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Abasi LS, Elathram N, Movva M, Deep A, Corbett KD, Debelouchina GT. Phosphorylation regulates tau's phase separation behavior and interactions with chromatin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.21.572911. [PMID: 38187700 PMCID: PMC10769318 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.21.572911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein often found in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beyond this context, mounting evidence suggests that tau localizes into the nucleus, where it may play a role in DNA protection and heterochromatin regulation. Models of tau depletion or pathology show loss of genetically silent heterochromatin, aberrant expression of heterochromatic genes, and transposable element activation. The molecular mechanisms behind these observations are currently unclear. Using in vitro biophysical experiments, here we demonstrate that tau can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with DNA, mononucleosomes, and reconstituted nucleosome arrays under low salt conditions. Low concentrations of tau promote chromatin compaction and protect DNA from digestion. While the material state of samples at physiological salt is dominated by chromatin oligomerization, tau can still associate strongly and reversibly with nucleosome arrays. These properties are driven by tau's strong interactions with linker and nucleosomal DNA, while magic angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR experiments show that tau binding does not drastically alter nucleosome structure and dynamics. In addition, tau co-localizes into droplets formed by nucleosome arrays and phosphorylated HP1α, a key heterochromatin constituent thought to function through an LLPS mechanism. Importantly, LLPS and chromatin interactions are disrupted by aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation. These biophysical properties suggest that tau may directly impact DNA and chromatin accessibility and that loss of these interactions could contribute to the aberrant nuclear effects seen in tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lannah S. Abasi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nesreen Elathram
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Manasi Movva
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Amar Deep
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kevin D. Corbett
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Galia T. Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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24
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Younas N, Saleem T, Younas A, Zerr I. Nuclear face of Tau: an inside player in neurodegeneration. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:196. [PMID: 38087392 PMCID: PMC10714511 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01702-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau (Tubulin associated unit) protein is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and tauopathies. Tau is predominantly an axonal protein with a crucial role in the stabilization and dynamics of the microtubules. Since the discovery of Tau protein in 1975, research efforts were concentrated on the pathophysiological role of Tau protein in the context of the microtubules. Although, for more than three decades, different localizations of Tau protein have been discovered e.g., in the nuclear compartments. Discovery of the role of Tau protein in various cellular compartments especially in the nucleus opens up a new fold of complexity in tauopathies. Data from cellular models, animal models, and the human brain indicate that nuclear Tau is crucial for genome stability and to cope with cellular distress. Moreover, it's nature of nuclear translocation, its interactions with the nuclear DNA/RNA and proteins suggest it could play multiple roles in the nucleus. To comprehend Tau pathophysiology and efficient Tau-based therapies, there is an urgent need to understand whole repertoire of Tau species (nuclear and cytoplasmic) and their functional relevance. To complete the map of Tau repertoire, understanding of various species of Tau in the nucleus and cytoplasm, identification if specific transcripts of Tau, isoforms and post-translational modifications could foretell Tau's localizations and functions, and how they are modified in neurodegenerative diseases like AD, is urgently required. In this review, we explore the nuclear face of Tau protein, its nuclear localizations and functions and its linkage with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Younas
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany.
| | - Tayyaba Saleem
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Abrar Younas
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Inga Zerr
- University Medical Center Göttingen, National Reference Center for Surveillance of TSE, Department of Neurology, Robert-Koch strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, 37075, Germany
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25
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Reed EG, Keller-Norrell PR. Minding the Gap: Exploring Neuroinflammatory and Microglial Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17377. [PMID: 38139206 PMCID: PMC10743742 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417377] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Research into Alzheimer's Disease (AD) describes a link between AD and the resident immune cells of the brain, the microglia. Further, this suspected link is thought to have underlying sex effects, although the mechanisms of these effects are only just beginning to be understood. Many of these insights are the result of policies put in place by funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) and the move towards precision medicine due to continued lackluster therapeutic options. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated assessment of the current research that summarizes sex differences and the research pertaining to microglia and their varied responses in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin G. Reed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44242, USA
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26
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Scopa C, Barnada SM, Cicardi ME, Singer M, Trotti D, Trizzino M. JUN upregulation drives aberrant transposable element mobilization, associated innate immune response, and impaired neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8021. [PMID: 38049398 PMCID: PMC10696058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43728-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenic decline, inflammation, and neurodegeneration are phenotypic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mobilization of transposable elements (TEs) in heterochromatic regions was recently reported in AD, but the underlying mechanisms are still underappreciated. Combining functional genomics with the differentiation of familial and sporadic AD patient derived-iPSCs into hippocampal progenitors, CA3 neurons, and cerebral organoids, we found that the upregulation of the AP-1 subunit, c-Jun, triggers decondensation of genomic regions containing TEs. This leads to the cytoplasmic accumulation of HERVK-derived RNA-DNA hybrids, the activation of the cGAS-STING cascade, and increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, suggesting the initiation of programmed cell death in AD progenitors and neurons. Notably, inhibiting c-Jun effectively blocks all these downstream molecular processes and rescues neuronal death and the impaired neurogenesis phenotype in AD progenitors. Our findings open new avenues for identifying therapeutic strategies and biomarkers to counteract disease progression and diagnose AD in the early, pre-symptomatic stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Scopa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Samantha M Barnada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria E Cicardi
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mo Singer
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Marco Trizzino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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27
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Wu S, Liu X, Yang H, Ma W, Qin Z. The effect of lipid metabolism on age-associated cognitive decline: Lessons learned from model organisms and human. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 15:165-169. [PMID: 38204577 PMCID: PMC10776322 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.08.2194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipids are required as integral building blocks of cells to support cellular structures and functions. The intricate mechanisms underpinning lipid homeostasis are essential for the health and maintenance of the central nervous system. Here we summarize the recent advances in dissecting the effect of lipid metabolism on cognitive function and its age-associated decline by reviewing relevant studies ranging from invertebrate model organisms to mammals including human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Punan Branch of Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wenlin Ma
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhao Qin
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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28
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Torre M, Bukhari H, Nithianandam V, Zanella CA, Mata DA, Feany MB. A Drosophila model relevant to chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19290. [PMID: 37935827 PMCID: PMC10630312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46616-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common adverse effect of treatment and is characterized by deficits involving multiple cognitive domains including memory. Despite the significant morbidity of CRCI and the expected increase in cancer survivors over the coming decades, the pathophysiology of CRCI remains incompletely understood, highlighting the need for new model systems to study CRCI. Given the powerful array of genetic approaches and facile high throughput screening ability in Drosophila, our goal was to validate a Drosophila model relevant to CRCI. We administered the chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin to adult Drosophila. Neurologic deficits were observed with all tested chemotherapies, with doxorubicin and in particular cisplatin also resulting in memory deficits. We then performed histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of cisplatin-treated Drosophila tissue, demonstrating neuropathologic evidence of increased neurodegeneration, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. Thus, our Drosophila model relevant to CRCI recapitulates clinical, radiologic, and histologic alterations reported in chemotherapy patients. Our new Drosophila model can be used for mechanistic dissection of pathways contributing to CRCI (and chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity more generally) and pharmacologic screens to identify disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Torre
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hassan Bukhari
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Vanitha Nithianandam
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Camila A Zanella
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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29
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Nithianandam V, Bukhari H, Leventhal MJ, Battaglia RA, Dong X, Fraenkel E, Feany MB. Integrative analysis reveals a conserved role for the amyloid precursor protein in proteostasis during aging. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7034. [PMID: 37923712 PMCID: PMC10624868 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42822-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aβ peptides derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. However, the normal function of APP and the importance of that role in neurodegenerative disease is less clear. We recover the Drosophila ortholog of APP, Appl, in an unbiased forward genetic screen for neurodegeneration mutants. We perform comprehensive single cell transcriptional and proteomic studies of Appl mutant flies to investigate Appl function in the aging brain. We find an unexpected role for Appl in control of multiple cellular pathways, including translation, mitochondrial function, nucleic acid and lipid metabolism, cellular signaling and proteostasis. We mechanistically define a role for Appl in regulating autophagy through TGFβ signaling and document the broader relevance of our findings using mouse genetic, human iPSC and in vivo tauopathy models. Our results demonstrate a conserved role for APP in controlling age-dependent proteostasis with plausible relevance to Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanitha Nithianandam
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Hassan Bukhari
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Matthew J Leventhal
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MIT Ph.D. Program in Computational and Systems Biology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rachel A Battaglia
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Xianjun Dong
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Hub, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ernest Fraenkel
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA.
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30
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Passaro ML, Matarazzo F, Abbadessa G, Pezone A, Porcellini A, Tranfa F, Rinaldi M, Costagliola C. Glaucoma as a Tauopathy-Is It the Missing Piece in the Glaucoma Puzzle? J Clin Med 2023; 12:6900. [PMID: 37959365 PMCID: PMC10650423 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder affecting the visual system which can result in vision loss and blindness. The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying glaucomatous optic neuropathy are ultimately enigmatic, prompting ongoing investigations into its potential shared pathogenesis with other neurodegenerative neurological disorders. Tauopathies represent a subclass of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the abnormal deposition of tau protein within the brain and consequent microtubule destabilization. The extended spectrum of tauopathies includes conditions such as frontotemporal dementias, progressive supranuclear palsy, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease. Notably, recent decades have witnessed emerging documentation of tau inclusion among glaucoma patients, providing substantiation that this ocular disease may similarly manifest features of tauopathies. These studies found that: (i) aggregated tau inclusions are present in the somatodendritic compartment of RGCs in glaucoma patients; (ii) the etiology of the disease may affect tau splicing, phosphorylation, oligomerization, and subcellular localization; and (iii) short interfering RNA against tau, administered intraocularly, significantly decreased retinal tau accumulation and enhanced RGC somas and axon survival, demonstrating a crucial role for tau modifications in ocular hypertension-induced neuronal injury. Here, we examine the most recent evidence surrounding the interplay between tau protein dysregulation and glaucomatous neurodegeneration. We explore the novel perspective of glaucoma as a tau-associated disorder and open avenues for cross-disciplinary collaboration and new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Passaro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Gianmarco Abbadessa
- Division of Neurology, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonio Pezone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Porcellini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Fausto Tranfa
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Michele Rinaldi
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Ciro Costagliola
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.L.P.); (F.T.); (C.C.)
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31
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Davidson R, Krider RI, Borsellino P, Noorda K, Alhwayek G, Vida TA. Untangling Tau: Molecular Insights into Neuroinflammation, Pathophysiology, and Emerging Immunotherapies. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:8816-8839. [PMID: 37998730 PMCID: PMC10670294 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation, a core pathological feature observed in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), is rapidly gaining attention as a target in understanding the molecular underpinnings of these disorders. Glial cells, endothelial cells, peripheral immune cells, and astrocytes produce a variety of pro-inflammatory mediators that exacerbate the disease progression. Additionally, microglial cells play a complex role in AD, facilitating the clearance of pathological amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) plaques and aggregates of the tau protein. Tau proteins, traditionally associated with microtubule stabilization, have come under intense scrutiny for their perturbed roles in neurodegenerative conditions. In this narrative review, we focus on recent advances from molecular insights that have revealed aberrant tau post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and acetylation, serving as pathological hallmarks. These modifications also trigger the activation of CNS-resident immune cells, such as microglia and astrocytes substantially contributing to neuroinflammation. This intricate relationship between tau pathologies and neuroinflammation fosters a cascading impact on neural pathophysiology. Furthermore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning tau's influence on neuroinflammation presents a frontier for the development of innovative immunotherapies. Neurodegenerative diseases have been relatively intractable to conventional pharmacology using small molecules. We further comprehensively document the many alternative approaches using immunotherapy targeting tau pathological epitopes and structures with a wide array of antibodies. Clinical trials are discussed using these therapeutic approaches, which have both promising and disappointing outcomes. Future directions for tau immunotherapies may include combining treatments with Aβ immunotherapy, which may result in more significant clinical outcomes for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas A. Vida
- Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, 625 Shadow Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89106, USA; (R.D.); (R.I.K.); (P.B.); (K.N.); (G.A.)
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Park SY, Seo J, Lee S, Kim J, Kim SJ, Lee S, Chun YS. Targeted down-regulation of Hipp1 ameliorates tau-induced deficits in Drosophila melanogaster. Genes Dis 2023; 10:2248-2251. [PMID: 37554213 PMCID: PMC10404943 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sung Yeon Park
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Seo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Seulbee Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohyung Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jeong Kim
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungbok Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang-Sook Chun
- Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
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Xue H, Gate S, Gentry E, Losert W, Cao K. Development of an accelerated cellular model for early changes in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18384. [PMID: 37884611 PMCID: PMC10603068 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45826-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Current cellular models for AD often require several months to exhibit phenotypic features due to the lack of an aging environment in vitro. Lamin A is a key component of the nuclear lamina. Progerin, a truncated protein resulting from specific lamin A mutations, causes Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a disease that prematurely ages individuals. Studies have reported that lamin A expression is induced in the brains of AD patients, and overlapping cellular phenotypes have been observed between HGPS and AD cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous progerin expression on neural progenitor cells carrying familial AD mutations (FAD). Within three to four weeks of differentiation, these cells exhibited robust AD phenotypes, including increased tau phosphorylation, amyloid plaque accumulation, and an elevated Aβ42 to Aβ40 ratio. Additionally, progerin expression significantly increased AD cellular phenotypes such as cell death and cell cycle re-entry. Our results suggest that progerin expression could be used to create an accelerated model for AD development and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijing Xue
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Sylvester Gate
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Emma Gentry
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Kan Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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Marwaha B. Role of Tau protein in long COVID and potential therapeutic targets. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1280600. [PMID: 37953801 PMCID: PMC10634420 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1280600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Long COVID is an emerging public health burden and has been defined as a syndrome with common symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction, and others impacting day-to-day life, fluctuating or relapsing over, occurring for at least two months in patients with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection; usually three months from the onset of illness and cannot be explained by an alternate diagnosis. The actual prevalence of long-term COVID-19 is unknown, but it is believed that more than 17 million patients in Europe may have suffered from it during pandemic. Pathophysiology Currently, there is limited understanding of the pathophysiology of this syndrome, and multiple hypotheses have been proposed. Our literature review has shown studies reporting tau deposits in tissue samples of the brain from autopsies of COVID-19 patients compared to the control group, and the in-vitro human brain organoid model has shown aberrant phosphorylation of tau protein in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tauopathies, a group of neurodegenerative disorders with the salient features of tau deposits, can manifest different symptoms based on the anatomical region of brain involvement and have been shown to affect the peripheral nervous system as well and explained even in rat model studies. Long COVID has more than 203 symptoms, with predominant symptoms of fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive dysfunction, which tauopathy-induced CNS and peripheral nervous system dysfunction can explain. There have been no studies up till now to reveal the pathophysiology of long COVID. Based on our literature review, aberrant tau phosphorylation is a promising hypothesis that can be explored in future studies. Therapeutic approaches for tauopathies have multidimensional aspects, including targeting post-translational modifications, tau aggregation, and tau clearance through the autophagy process with the help of lysosomes, which can be potential targets for developing therapeutic interventions for the long COVID. In addition, future studies can attempt to find the tau proteins in CSF and use those as biomarkers for the long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Marwaha
- Department of Cardiology, Adena Health System, Chillicothe, OH, United States
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Magrin C, Bellafante M, Sola M, Piovesana E, Bolis M, Cascione L, Napoli S, Rinaldi A, Papin S, Paganetti P. Tau protein modulates an epigenetic mechanism of cellular senescence in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1232963. [PMID: 37842084 PMCID: PMC10569482 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1232963] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Progressive Tau deposition in neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads is the hallmark of tauopathies, a disorder group that includes Alzheimer's disease. Since Tau is a microtubule-associated protein, a prevalent concept to explain the pathogenesis of tauopathies is that abnormal Tau modification contributes to dissociation from microtubules, assembly into multimeric β-sheets, proteotoxicity, neuronal dysfunction and cell loss. Tau also localizes in the cell nucleus and evidence supports an emerging function of Tau in DNA stability and epigenetic modulation. Methods: To better characterize the possible role of Tau in regulation of chromatin compaction and subsequent gene expression, we performed a bioinformatics analysis of transcriptome data obtained from Tau-depleted human neuroblastoma cells. Results: Among the transcripts deregulated in a Tau-dependent manner, we found an enrichment of target genes for the polycomb repressive complex 2. We further describe decreased cellular amounts of the core components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 and lower histone 3 trimethylation in Tau deficient cells. Among the de-repressed polycomb repressive complex 2 target gene products, IGFBP3 protein was found to be linked to increased senescence induction in Tau-deficient cells. Discussion: Our findings propose a mechanism for Tau-dependent epigenetic modulation of cell senescence, a key event in pathologic aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Magrin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Martina Bellafante
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Martina Sola
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Ester Piovesana
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Marco Bolis
- Functional Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Luciano Cascione
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Napoli
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Lymphoma and Genomics Research Program, Institute of Oncology Research, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, PhD Program in Neurosciences, Università Della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
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Nassar A, Satarker S, Gurram PC, Upadhya D, Fayaz SM, Nampoothiri M. Repressor Element-1 Binding Transcription Factor (REST) as a Possible Epigenetic Regulator of Neurodegeneration and MicroRNA-Based Therapeutic Strategies. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:5557-5577. [PMID: 37326903 PMCID: PMC10471693 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03437-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) have grabbed significant scientific consideration due to their fast increase in prevalence worldwide. The specific pathophysiology of the disease and the amazing changes in the brain that take place as it advances are still the top issues of contemporary research. Transcription factors play a decisive role in integrating various signal transduction pathways to ensure homeostasis. Disruptions in the regulation of transcription can result in various pathologies, including NDD. Numerous microRNAs and epigenetic transcription factors have emerged as candidates for determining the precise etiology of NDD. Consequently, understanding by what means transcription factors are regulated and how the deregulation of transcription factors contributes to neurological dysfunction is important to the therapeutic targeting of pathways that they modulate. RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) also named neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) has been studied in the pathophysiology of NDD. REST was realized to be a part of a neuroprotective element with the ability to be tuned and influenced by numerous microRNAs, such as microRNAs 124, 132, and 9 implicated in NDD. This article looks at the role of REST and the influence of various microRNAs in controlling REST function in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD) disease. Furthermore, to therapeutically exploit the possibility of targeting various microRNAs, we bring forth an overview of drug-delivery systems to modulate the microRNAs regulating REST in NDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajmal Nassar
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Sairaj Satarker
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Prasada Chowdari Gurram
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Dinesh Upadhya
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - S M Fayaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Cristi AC, Rapuri S, Coyne AN. Nuclear pore complex and nucleocytoplasmic transport disruption in neurodegeneration. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2546-2566. [PMID: 37657945 PMCID: PMC10612469 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) play a critical role in maintaining the equilibrium between the nucleus and cytoplasm, enabling bidirectional transport across the nuclear envelope, and are essential for proper nuclear organization and gene regulation. Perturbations in the regulatory mechanisms governing NPCs and nuclear envelope homeostasis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. The ESCRT-III pathway emerges as a critical player in the surveillance and preservation of well-assembled, functional NPCs, as well as nuclear envelope sealing. Recent studies have provided insights into the involvement of nuclear ESCRT-III in the selective reduction of specific nucleoporins associated with neurodegenerative pathologies. Thus, maintaining quality control of the nuclear envelope and NPCs represents a pivotal element in the pathological cascade leading to neurodegenerative diseases. This review describes the constituents of the nuclear-cytoplasmic transport machinery, encompassing the nuclear envelope, NPC, and ESCRT proteins, and how their structural and functional alterations contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- América Chandía Cristi
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
| | - Sampath Rapuri
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
| | - Alyssa N Coyne
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD 21205, USA
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38
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Frost B. Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies: disorders of disrupted neuronal identity. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:797-813. [PMID: 37591720 PMCID: PMC10528597 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Postmitotic neurons require persistently active controls to maintain terminal differentiation. Unlike dividing cells, aberrant cell cycle activation in mature neurons causes apoptosis rather than transformation. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies, evidence suggests that pathogenic forms of tau drive neurodegeneration via neuronal cell cycle re-entry. Multiple interconnected mechanisms linking tau to cell cycle activation have been identified, including, but not limited to, tau-induced overstabilization of the actin cytoskeleton, consequent changes to nuclear architecture, and disruption of heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing. Cancer- and development-associated pathways are upregulated in human and cellular models of tauopathy, and many tau-induced cellular phenotypes are also present in various cancers and progenitor/stem cells. In this review, I delve into mechanistic parallels between tauopathies, cancer, and development, and highlight the role of tau in cancer and in the developing brain. Based on these studies, I put forth a model by which pathogenic forms of tau disrupt the program that maintains terminal neuronal differentiation, driving cell cycle re-entry and consequent neuronal death. This framework presents tauopathies as conditions involving the profound toxic disruption of neuronal identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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Callari M, Sola M, Magrin C, Rinaldi A, Bolis M, Paganetti P, Colnaghi L, Papin S. Cancer-specific association between Tau (MAPT) and cellular pathways, clinical outcome, and drug response. Sci Data 2023; 10:637. [PMID: 37730697 PMCID: PMC10511431 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02543-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau (MAPT) is a microtubule-associated protein causing common neurodegenerative diseases or rare inherited frontotemporal lobar degenerations. Emerging evidence for non-canonical functions of Tau in DNA repair and P53 regulation suggests its involvement in cancer. To bring new evidence for a relevant role of Tau in cancer, we carried out an in-silico pan-cancer analysis of MAPT transcriptomic profile in over 10000 clinical samples from 32 cancer types and over 1300 pre-clinical samples from 28 cancer types provided by the TCGA and the DEPMAP datasets respectively. MAPT expression associated with key cancer hallmarks including inflammation, proliferation, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, showing cancer-specific patterns. In some cancer types, MAPT functional networks were affected by P53 mutational status. We identified new associations of MAPT with clinical outcomes and drug response in a context-specific manner. Overall, our findings indicate that the MAPT gene is a potential major player in multiple types of cancer. Importantly, the impact of Tau on cancer seems to be heavily influenced by the specific cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Sola
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Magrin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Marco Bolis
- Institute of Oncology Research, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Computational Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milano, Italy
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Core Unit, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Luca Colnaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Laboratory for Aging Disorders, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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40
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Yang M, Zinkgraf M, Fitzgerald-Cook C, Harrison BR, Putzier A, Promislow DEL, Wang AM. Using Drosophila to identify naturally occurring genetic modifiers of amyloid beta 42- and tau-induced toxicity. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad132. [PMID: 37311212 PMCID: PMC10468303 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad132] [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] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by 2 pathological proteins, amyloid beta 42 and tau. The majority of Alzheimer's disease cases in the population are sporadic and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, which exhibits high levels of heritability. While several genetic risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease have been identified and replicated in independent studies, including the ApoE ε4 allele, the great majority of the heritability of late-onset Alzheimer's disease remains unexplained, likely due to the aggregate effects of a very large number of genes with small effect size, as well as to biases in sample collection and statistical approaches. Here, we present an unbiased forward genetic screen in Drosophila looking for naturally occurring modifiers of amyloid beta 42- and tau-induced ommatidial degeneration. Our results identify 14 significant SNPs, which map to 12 potential genes in 8 unique genomic regions. Our hits that are significant after genome-wide correction identify genes involved in neuronal development, signal transduction, and organismal development. Looking more broadly at suggestive hits (P < 10-5), we see significant enrichment in genes associated with neurogenesis, development, and growth as well as significant enrichment in genes whose orthologs have been identified as significantly or suggestively associated with Alzheimer's disease in human GWAS studies. These latter genes include ones whose orthologs are in close proximity to regions in the human genome that are associated with Alzheimer's disease, but where a causal gene has not been identified. Together, our results illustrate the potential for complementary and convergent evidence provided through multitrait GWAS in Drosophila to supplement and inform human studies, helping to identify the remaining heritability and novel modifiers of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthew Zinkgraf
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
| | - Cecilia Fitzgerald-Cook
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Benjamin R Harrison
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Alexandra Putzier
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
| | - Daniel E L Promislow
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Adrienne M Wang
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
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41
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Ravanelli F, Musazzi L, Barbieri SS, Rovati G, Popoli M, Barbon A, Ieraci A. Differential Epigenetic Changes in the Dorsal Hippocampus of Male and Female SAMP8 Mice: A Preliminary Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13084. [PMID: 37685895 PMCID: PMC10488283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment. The causes of the disease are not well understood, as it involves a complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors. SAMP8 mice have been proposed as a model for studying late-onset AD, since they show age-related learning and memory deficits as well as several features of AD pathogenesis. Epigenetic changes have been described in SAMP8 mice, although sex differences have never been evaluated. Here we used western blot and qPCR analyses to investigate whether epigenetic markers are differentially altered in the dorsal hippocampus, a region important for the regulation of learning and memory, of 9-month-old male and female SAMP8 mice. We found that H3Ac was selectively reduced in male SAMP8 mice compared to male SAMR1 control mice, but not in female mice, whereas H3K27me3 was reduced overall in SAMP8 mice. Moreover, the levels of HDAC2 and JmjD3 were increased, whereas the levels of HDAC4 and Dnmt3a were reduced in SAMP8 mice compared to SAMR1. In addition, levels of HDAC1 were reduced, whereas Utx and Jmjd3 were selectively increased in females compared to males. Although our results are preliminary, they suggest that epigenetic mechanisms in the dorsal hippocampus are differentially regulated in male and female SAMP8 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Ravanelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.R.); (G.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Laura Musazzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Silvia Stella Barbieri
- Unit of Brain-Heart Axis: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy;
| | - Gianenrico Rovati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.R.); (G.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Maurizio Popoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.R.); (G.R.); (M.P.)
| | - Alessandro Barbon
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Ieraci
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
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Liu S, Heumüller SE, Hossinger A, Müller SA, Buravlova O, Lichtenthaler SF, Denner P, Vorberg IM. Reactivated endogenous retroviruses promote protein aggregate spreading. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5034. [PMID: 37596282 PMCID: PMC10439213 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40632-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion-like spreading of protein misfolding is a characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases, but the exact mechanisms of intercellular protein aggregate dissemination remain unresolved. Evidence accumulates that endogenous retroviruses, remnants of viral germline infections that are normally epigenetically silenced, become upregulated in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and tauopathies. Here we uncover that activation of endogenous retroviruses affects prion-like spreading of proteopathic seeds. We show that upregulation of endogenous retroviruses drastically increases the dissemination of protein aggregates between cells in culture, a process that can be inhibited by targeting the viral envelope protein or viral protein processing. Human endogenous retrovirus envelopes of four different clades also elevate intercellular spreading of proteopathic seeds, including pathological Tau. Our data support a role of endogenous retroviruses in protein misfolding diseases and suggest that antiviral drugs could represent promising candidates for inhibiting protein aggregate spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Liu
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn (DZNE), Venusberg Campus 1/ 99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - André Hossinger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn (DZNE), Venusberg Campus 1/ 99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephan A Müller
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Oleksandra Buravlova
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn (DZNE), Venusberg Campus 1/ 99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan F Lichtenthaler
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Philip Denner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn (DZNE), Venusberg Campus 1/ 99, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ina M Vorberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn (DZNE), Venusberg Campus 1/ 99, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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43
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Holloway K, Neherin K, Dam KU, Zhang H. Cellular senescence and neurodegeneration. Hum Genet 2023; 142:1247-1262. [PMID: 37115318 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02565-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Advancing age is a major risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The worldwide prevalence of AD is approximately 50 million people, and this number is projected to increase substantially. The molecular mechanisms underlying the aging-associated susceptibility to cognitive impairment in AD are largely unknown. As a hallmark of aging, cellular senescence is a significant contributor to aging and age-related diseases including AD. Senescent neurons and glial cells have been detected to accumulate in the brains of AD patients and mouse models. Importantly, selective elimination of senescent cells ameliorates amyloid beta and tau pathologies and improves cognition in AD mouse models, indicating a critical role of cellular senescence in AD pathogenesis. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying when and how cellular senescence contributes to AD pathogenesis remain unclear. This review provides an overview of cellular senescence and discusses recent advances in the understanding of the impact of cellular senescence on AD pathogenesis, with brief discussions of the possible role of cellular senescence in other neurodegenerative diseases including Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher Holloway
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Kashfia Neherin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Kha Uyen Dam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
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Alves VC, Figueiro-Silva J, Ferrer I, Carro E. Epigenetic silencing of OR and TAS2R genes expression in human orbitofrontal cortex at early stages of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:196. [PMID: 37405535 PMCID: PMC10322771 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04845-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of brain olfactory (OR) and taste receptor (TASR) expression was recently reported in neurological diseases. However, there is still limited evidence of these genes' expression in the human brain and the transcriptional regulation mechanisms involved remain elusive. We explored the possible expression and regulation of selected OR and TASR in the human orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-demented control specimens using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. Global H3K9me3 amounts were measured on OFC total histone extracts, and H3K9me3 binding at each chemoreceptor locus was examined through native chromatin immunoprecipitation. To investigate the potential interactome of the repressive histone mark H3K9me3 in OFC specimens, native nuclear complex co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was combined with reverse phase-liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Interaction between H3K9me3 and MeCP2 was validated by reciprocal Co-IP, and global MeCP2 levels were quantitated. We found that OR and TAS2R genes are expressed and markedly downregulated in OFC at early stages of sporadic AD, preceding the progressive reduction in their protein levels and the appearance of AD-associated neuropathology. The expression pattern did not follow disease progression suggesting transcriptional regulation through epigenetic mechanisms. We discovered an increase of OFC global H3K9me3 levels and a substantial enrichment of this repressive signature at ORs and TAS2Rs proximal promoter at early stages of AD, ultimately lost at advanced stages. We revealed the interaction between H3K9me3 and MeCP2 at early stages and found that MeCP2 protein is increased in sporadic AD. Findings suggest MeCP2 might be implicated in OR and TAS2R transcriptional regulation through interaction with H3K9me3, and as an early event, it may uncover a novel etiopathogenetic mechanism of sporadic AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Cunha Alves
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Figueiro-Silva
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Neuropathology, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Carro
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Present Address: Neurobiology of Alzheimer’s Disease Unit, Functional Unit for Research Into Chronic Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Torre M, Bukhari H, Nithianandam V, Zanella CA, Mata DA, Feany MB. A Drosophila model of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.01.543297. [PMID: 37333281 PMCID: PMC10274738 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.01.543297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common adverse effect of treatment and is characterized by deficits involving multiple cognitive domains including memory. Despite the significant morbidity of CRCI and the expected increase in cancer survivors over the coming decades, the pathophysiology of CRCI remains incompletely understood, highlighting the need for new model systems to study CRCI. Given the powerful array of genetic approaches and facile high throughput screening ability in Drosophila, our goal was to validate a Drosophila model of CRCI. We administered the chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin to adult Drosophila. Neurocognitive deficits were observed with all tested chemotherapies, especially cisplatin. We then performed histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of cisplatin-treated Drosophila tissue, demonstrating neuropathologic evidence of increased neurodegeneration, DNA damage, and oxidative stress. Thus, our Drosophila model of CRCI recapitulates clinical, radiologic, and histologic alterations reported in chemotherapy patients. Our new Drosophila model can be used for mechanistic dissection of pathways contributing to CRCI and pharmacologic screens to identify novel therapies to ameliorate CRCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Torre
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Hassan Bukhari
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Vanitha Nithianandam
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Camila A Zanella
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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46
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Young-Pearse TL, Lee H, Hsieh YC, Chou V, Selkoe DJ. Moving beyond amyloid and tau to capture the biological heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:426-444. [PMID: 37019812 PMCID: PMC10192069 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) manifests along a spectrum of cognitive deficits and levels of neuropathology. Genetic studies support a heterogeneous disease mechanism, with around 70 associated loci to date, implicating several biological processes that mediate risk for AD. Despite this heterogeneity, most experimental systems for testing new therapeutics are not designed to capture the genetically complex drivers of AD risk. In this review, we first provide an overview of those aspects of AD that are largely stereotyped and those that are heterogeneous, and we review the evidence supporting the concept that different subtypes of AD are important to consider in the design of agents for the prevention and treatment of the disease. We then dive into the multifaceted biological domains implicated to date in AD risk, highlighting studies of the diverse genetic drivers of disease. Finally, we explore recent efforts to identify biological subtypes of AD, with an emphasis on the experimental systems and data sets available to support progress in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Hyo Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yi-Chen Hsieh
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vicky Chou
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis J Selkoe
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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47
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Basheer N, Smolek T, Hassan I, Liu F, Iqbal K, Zilka N, Novak P. Does modulation of tau hyperphosphorylation represent a reasonable therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease? From preclinical studies to the clinical trials. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2197-2214. [PMID: 37264120 PMCID: PMC10611587 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02113-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Protein kinases (PKs) have emerged as one of the most intensively investigated drug targets in current pharmacological research, with indications ranging from oncology to neurodegeneration. Tau protein hyperphosphorylation was the first pathological post-translational modification of tau protein described in Alzheimer's disease (AD), highlighting the role of PKs in neurodegeneration. The therapeutic potential of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs)) and protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) activators in AD has recently been explored in several preclinical and clinical studies with variable outcomes. Where a number of preclinical studies demonstrate a visible reduction in the levels of phospho-tau in transgenic tauopathy models, no reduction in neurofibrillary lesions is observed. Amongst the few PKIs and PP2A activators that progressed to clinical trials, most failed on the efficacy front, with only a few still unconfirmed and potential positive trends. This suggests that robust preclinical and clinical data is needed to unequivocally evaluate their efficacy. To this end, we take a systematic look at the results of preclinical and clinical studies of PKIs and PP2A activators, and the evidence they provide regarding the utility of this approach to evaluate the potential of targeting tau hyperphosphorylation as a disease modifying therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Basheer
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | - Tomáš Smolek
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | - Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia.
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia.
| | - Petr Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia.
- AXON Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia.
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48
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Siano G, Madaro G, Caiazza MC, Allouch A, Varisco M, Mignanelli M, Cattaneo A, Di Primio C. Tau-dependent HDAC1 nuclear reduction is associated with altered VGluT1 expression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1151223. [PMID: 37266450 PMCID: PMC10229822 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1151223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During AD pathology, Tau protein levels progressively increase from early pathological stages. Tau altered expression causes an unbalance of Tau subcellular localization in the cytosol and in the nuclear compartment leading to synaptic dysfunction, neuronal cell death and neurodegeneration as a consequence. Due to the relevant role of epigenetic remodellers in synaptic activity in physiology and in neurodegeneration, in particular of TRIM28 and HDAC1, we investigated the relationship between Tau and these epigenetic factors. By molecular, imaging and biochemical approaches, here we demonstrate that Tau altered expression in the neuronal cell line SH-SY5y does not alter TRIM28 and HDAC1 expression but it induces a subcellular reduction of HDAC1 in the nuclear compartment. Remarkably, HDAC1 reduced activity modulates the expression of synaptic genes in a way comparable to that observed by Tau increased levels. These results support a competitive relationship between Tau levels and HDAC1 subcellular localization and nuclear activity, indicating a possible mechanism mediating the alternative role of Tau in the pathological alteration of synaptic genes expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Siano
- Laboratorio di Biologia Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Madaro
- Laboratorio di Biologia Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Claudia Caiazza
- Laboratorio di Biologia Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Awatef Allouch
- Cell Death, Immunity and Therapeutic Innovation Team, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Martina Varisco
- Laboratorio di Biologia Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marianna Mignanelli
- Laboratorio di Biologia Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Laboratorio di Biologia Bio@SNS, Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Rita Levi-Montalcini European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Primio
- Institute of Neuroscience, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
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49
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Schulz L, Ramirez P, Lemieux A, Gonzalez E, Thomson T, Frost B. Tau-Induced Elevation of the Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton Associated Protein Arc1 Causally Mediates Neurodegeneration in the Adult Drosophila Brain. Neuroscience 2023; 518:101-111. [PMID: 35487302 PMCID: PMC9606145 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies are neurodegenerative disorders pathologically defined by aggregated forms of tau protein in the brain. While synaptic degradation is a well-established feature of tau-induced neurotoxicity, the underlying mechanisms of how pathogenic forms of tau drive synaptic dysfunction are incompletely understood. Synaptic function and subsequent memory consolidation are dependent upon synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to adjust their structure and strength in response to changes in activity. The activity regulated cytoskeleton associated protein ARC acts in the nucleus and at postsynaptic densities to regulate various forms of synaptic plasticity. ARC harbors a retrovirus-like Gag domain that facilitates ARC multimerization and capsid formation. Trans-synaptic transfer of RNA-containing ARC capsids is required for synaptic plasticity. While ARC is elevated in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease and genetic variants in ARC increase susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease, mechanistic insight into the role of ARC in Alzheimer's disease is lacking. Using a Drosophila model of tauopathy, we find that pathogenic tau significantly increases multimeric species of the protein encoded by the Drosophila homolog of ARC, Arc1, in the adult fly brain. We find that Arc1 is elevated within nuclei and the neuropil of tau transgenic Drosophila, but does not localize to synaptic vesicles or presynaptic terminals. Lastly, we find that genetic manipulation of Arc1 modifies tau-induced neurotoxicity, suggesting that tau-induced Arc1 elevation mediates neurodegeneration. Taken together, our results suggest that ARC elevation in human Alzheimer's disease is a consequence of tau pathology and is a causal factor contributing to neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Schulz
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX, United States; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, United States; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX, United States; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Paulino Ramirez
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX, United States; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, United States; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX, United States; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Adrienne Lemieux
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Elias Gonzalez
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX, United States; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, United States; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX, United States; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Travis Thomson
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, San Antonio, TX, United States; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Antonio, TX, United States; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, San Antonio, TX, United States; University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
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50
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Rayman JB. Focusing on oligomeric tau as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37140480 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2206561] [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] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tau has commanded much attention as a potential therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases. Tau pathology is a hallmark of primary tauopathies, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and subtypes of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as well as secondary tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The development of tau therapeutics must reconcile with the structural complexity of the tau proteome, as well as an incomplete understanding of the role of tau in both physiology and disease. AREAS COVERED This review offers a current perspective on tau biology, discusses key barriers to the development of effective tau-based therapeutics, and promotes the idea that pathogenic (as opposed to merely pathological) tau should be at the center of drug development efforts. EXPERT OPINION An efficacious tau therapeutic will exhibit several primary features: 1) selectivity for pathogenic tau versus other tau species; 2) blood-brain barrier and cell membrane permeability, enabling access to intracellular tau in disease-relevant brain regions; and 3) minimal toxicity. Oligomeric tau is proposed as a major pathogenic form of tau and a compelling drug target in tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Rayman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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