1
|
Babych M, Garelja ML, Nguyen PT, Hay DL, Bourgault S. Converting the Amyloidogenic Islet Amyloid Polypeptide into a Potent Nonaggregating Peptide Ligand by Side Chain-to-Side Chain Macrocyclization. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 39225636 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), also known as amylin, is a hormone playing key physiological roles. However, its aggregation and deposition in the pancreatic islets are associated with type 2 diabetes. While this peptide adopts mainly a random coil structure in solution, its secondary conformational conversion into α-helix represents a critical step for receptor activation and contributes to amyloid formation and associated cytotoxicity. Considering the large conformational landscape and high amyloidogenicity of the peptide, as well as the complexity of the self-assembly process, it is challenging to delineate the delicate interplay between helical folding, peptide aggregation, and receptor activation. In the present study, we probed the roles of helical folding on the function-toxicity duality of IAPP by restricting its conformational ensemble through side chain-to-side chain stapling via azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Intramolecular macrocyclization (i; i + 4) constrained IAPP into α-helix and inhibited its aggregation into amyloid fibrils. These helical derivatives slowed down the self-assembly of unmodified IAPP. Site-specific macrocyclization modulated the capacity of IAPP to perturb lipid bilayers and cell plasma membrane and reduced, or even fully inhibited, the cytotoxicity associated with aggregation. Furthermore, the α-helical IAPP analogs showed moderate to high potency toward cognate G protein-coupled receptors. Overall, these results indicate that macrocyclization represents a promising strategy to protect an amyloidogenic peptide hormone from aggregation and associated toxicity, while maintaining high receptor activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaryta Babych
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications, PROTEO, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Michael L Garelja
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, 18 Frederick Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Phuong Trang Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications, PROTEO, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Debbie L Hay
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Otago, 18 Frederick Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 92019, New Zealand
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Department of Chemistry, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
- Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications, PROTEO, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal H3C 3P8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li B, Xiao X, Bi M, Jiao Q, Chen X, Yan C, Du X, Jiang H. Modulating α-synuclein propagation and decomposition: Implications in Parkinson's disease therapy. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 98:102319. [PMID: 38719160 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102319] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is closely related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Under pathological conditions, the conformation of α-syn changes and different forms of α-syn lead to neurotoxicity. According to Braak stages, α-syn can propagate in different brain regions, inducing neurodegeneration and corresponding clinical manifestations through abnormal aggregation of Lewy bodies (LBs) and lewy axons in different types of neurons in PD. So far, PD lacks early diagnosis biomarkers, and treatments are mainly targeted at some clinical symptoms. There is no effective therapy to delay the progression of PD. This review first summarized the role of α-syn in physiological and pathological states, and the relationship between α-syn and PD. Then, we focused on the origin, secretion, aggregation, propagation and degradation of α-syn as well as the important regulatory factors in these processes systematically. Finally, we reviewed some potential drug candidates for alleviating the abnormal aggregation of α-syn in order to provide valuable targets for the treatment of PD to cope with the occurrence and progression of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beining Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xue Xiao
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Mingxia Bi
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qian Jiao
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xi Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Chunling Yan
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xixun Du
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Hong Jiang
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China; School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zielke C, Nielsen JE, Lin JS, Barron AE. Between good and evil: Complexation of the human cathelicidin LL-37 with nucleic acids. Biophys J 2024; 123:1316-1328. [PMID: 37919905 PMCID: PMC11163296 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.10.035] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system provides a crucial first line of defense against invading pathogens attacking the body. As the only member of the human cathelicidin family, the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has been shown to have antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. In complexation with nucleic acids, LL-37 is suggested to maintain its beneficial health effects while also acting as a condensation agent for the nucleic acid. Complexes formed by LL-37 and nucleic acids have been shown to be immunostimulatory with a positive impact on the human innate immune system. However, some studies also suggest that in some circumstances, LL-37/nucleic acid complexes may be a contributing factor to autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of research highlighting the beneficial health effects of LL-37/nucleic acid complexes, as well as discussing observed detrimental effects. We will emphasize why it is important to investigate and elucidate structural characteristics, such as condensation patterns of nucleic acids within complexation, and their mechanisms of action, to shed light on the intricate physiological effects of LL-37 and the seemingly contradictory role of LL-37/nucleic acid complexes in the innate immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Zielke
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford, California
| | - Josefine Eilsø Nielsen
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford, California; Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jennifer S Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford, California
| | - Annelise E Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford, California.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kalitnik A, Szefczyk M, Wojciechowska AW, Wojciechowski JW, Gąsior-Głogowska M, Olesiak-Bańska J, Kotulska M. Cytotoxic Staphylococcus aureus PSMα3 inhibits the aggregation of human insulin in vitro. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:15587-15599. [PMID: 38757742 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00669k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) are extracellular short amphipathic peptides secreted by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). They play an essential role in the bacterial lifecycle, biofilm formation, and stabilisation. From the PSM family, PSMα3 has been of special interest recently due to its cytotoxicity and highly stable α-helical conformation, which also remains in its amyloid fibrils. In particular, PSMα3 fibrils were shown to be composed of self-associating "sheets" of α-helices oriented perpendicular to the fibril axis, mimicking the architecture of canonical cross-β fibrils. Therefore, they were called cross-α-fibrils. PSMα3 was synthesised and verified for identity with wild-type sequences (S. aureus). Then, using several experimental techniques, we evaluated its propensity for in vitro aggregation. According to our findings, synthetic PSMα3 (which lacks the N-terminal formyl groups found in bacteria) does not form amyloid fibrils and maintains α-helical conformation in a soluble monomeric form for several days of incubation. We also evaluated the influence of PSMα3 on human insulin fibrillation in vitro, using a variety of experimental approaches in combination with computational molecular studies. First, it was shown that PSMα3 drastically inhibits the fibrillation of human insulin. The anti-fibrillation effect of PSMα3 was concentration-dependent and required a concentration ratio of PSMα3: insulin equal to or above 1 : 100. Molecular modelling revealed that PSMα3 most likely inhibits the production of insulin primary nuclei by competing for residues involved in its dimerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Kalitnik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Monika Szefczyk
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Alicja W Wojciechowska
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Jakub W Wojciechowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Marlena Gąsior-Głogowska
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Joanna Olesiak-Bańska
- Institute of Advanced Materials, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kotulska
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Giarola JF, Santos J, Estevez MC, Ventura S, Pallarès I, Lechuga LM. An α-helical peptide-based plasmonic biosensor for highly specific detection of α-synuclein toxic oligomers. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1304:342559. [PMID: 38637056 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342559] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND α-Synuclein (αS) aggregation is the main neurological hallmark of a group of neurodegenerative disorders, collectively referred to as synucleinopathies, of which Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most prevalent. αS oligomers are elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of PD patients, standing as a biomarker for disease diagnosis. However, methods for early PD detection are still lacking. We have recently identified the amphipathic 22-residue peptide PSMα3 as a high-affinity binder of αS toxic oligomers. PSMα3 displayed excellent selectivity and reproducibility, binding to αS toxic oligomers with affinities in the low nanomolar range and without detectable cross-reactivity with functional monomeric αS. RESULTS In this work, we leveraged these PSMα3 unique properties to design a plasmonic-based biosensor for the direct detection of toxic oligomers under label-free conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY We describe the integration of the peptide in a lab-on-a-chip plasmonic platform suitable for point-of-care measurements of αS toxic oligomers in CSF samples in real-time and at an affordable cost, providing an innovative biosensor for PD early diagnosis in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Fátima Giarola
- Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group (NanoB2A), Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, CIBER-BBN and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia I Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica I Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M-Carmen Estevez
- Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group (NanoB2A), Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, CIBER-BBN and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia I Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica I Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut de Biotecnologia I Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica I Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Laura M Lechuga
- Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group (NanoB2A), Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC, CIBER-BBN and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Santos J, Cuellar J, Pallarès I, Byrd EJ, Lends A, Moro F, Abdul-Shukkoor MB, Pujols J, Velasco-Carneros L, Sobott F, Otzen DE, Calabrese AN, Muga A, Pedersen JS, Loquet A, Valpuesta JM, Radford SE, Ventura S. A Targetable N-Terminal Motif Orchestrates α-Synuclein Oligomer-to-Fibril Conversion. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12702-12711. [PMID: 38683963 PMCID: PMC11082882 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c02262] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Oligomeric species populated during α-synuclein aggregation are considered key drivers of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. However, the development of oligomer-targeting therapeutics is constrained by our limited knowledge of their structure and the molecular determinants driving their conversion to fibrils. Phenol-soluble modulin α3 (PSMα3) is a nanomolar peptide binder of α-synuclein oligomers that inhibits aggregation by blocking oligomer-to-fibril conversion. Here, we investigate the binding of PSMα3 to α-synuclein oligomers to discover the mechanistic basis of this protective activity. We find that PSMα3 selectively targets an α-synuclein N-terminal motif (residues 36-61) that populates a distinct conformation in the mono- and oligomeric states. This α-synuclein region plays a pivotal role in oligomer-to-fibril conversion as its absence renders the central NAC domain insufficient to prompt this structural transition. The hereditary mutation G51D, associated with early onset Parkinson's disease, causes a conformational fluctuation in this region, leading to delayed oligomer-to-fibril conversion and an accumulation of oligomers that are resistant to remodeling by molecular chaperones. Overall, our findings unveil a new targetable region in α-synuclein oligomers, advance our comprehension of oligomer-to-amyloid fibril conversion, and reveal a new facet of α-synuclein pathogenic mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Santos
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jorge Cuellar
- Department
of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional
de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Emily J. Byrd
- Astbury
Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular
Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Alons Lends
- Univ.
Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac 33600, France
| | - Fernando Moro
- Instituto
Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC) y Dpto. de Bioquímica y Biología
Molecular, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena S/N, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | | | - Jordi Pujols
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Lorea Velasco-Carneros
- Instituto
Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC) y Dpto. de Bioquímica y Biología
Molecular, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena S/N, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Frank Sobott
- Astbury
Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular
Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Molecular Biology and
Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Antonio N. Calabrese
- Astbury
Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular
Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Arturo Muga
- Instituto
Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC) y Dpto. de Bioquímica y Biología
Molecular, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco, Barrio Sarriena S/N, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Jan Skov Pedersen
- Interdisciplinary
Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Antoine Loquet
- Univ.
Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, IECB, Pessac 33600, France
| | - Jose María Valpuesta
- Department
of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional
de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Sheena E. Radford
- Astbury
Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular
Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Santos J, Pallarès I, Ventura S. A glimpse into the structural properties of α-synuclein oligomers. Biofactors 2024; 50:439-449. [PMID: 38063360 DOI: 10.1002/biof.2021] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) aggregation is the main neurological hallmark of a group of debilitating neurodegenerative disorders, collectively referred to as synucleinopathies, of which Parkinson's disease is the most prevalent. αS oligomers formed during the initial stages of aggregation are considered key pathogenic drivers of disease onset and progression, standing as privileged targets for therapeutic intervention and diagnosis. However, the structure of αS oligomers and the mechanistic basis of oligomer to fibril conversion are yet poorly understood, thereby precluding the rational formulation of strategies aimed at targeting oligomeric species. In this review, we delve into the recent advances in the structural and mechanistic characterization of αS oligomers. We also discuss how these advances are transforming our understanding of these elusive species and paving the way for oligomer-targeting therapeutics and diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Galkin M, Priss A, Kyriukha Y, Shvadchak V. Navigating α-Synuclein Aggregation Inhibition: Methods, Mechanisms, and Molecular Targets. CHEM REC 2024; 24:e202300282. [PMID: 37919046 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a yet incurable, age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the aggregation of small neuronal protein α-synuclein into amyloid fibrils. Inhibition of this process is a prospective strategy for developing a disease-modifying treatment. We overview here small molecule, peptide, and protein inhibitors of α-synuclein fibrillization reported to date. Special attention was paid to the specificity of inhibitors and critical analysis of their action mechanisms. Namely, the importance of oxidation of polyphenols and cross-linking of α-synuclein into inhibitory dimers was highlighted. We also compared strategies of targeting monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar α-synuclein species, thoroughly discussed the strong and weak sides of different approaches to testing the inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maksym Galkin
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anastasiia Priss
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Yevhenii Kyriukha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
| | - Volodymyr Shvadchak
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Otzen DE. Antibodies and α-synuclein: What to target against Parkinson's Disease? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2024; 1872:140943. [PMID: 37783321 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2023.140943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is strongly linked to the aggregation of the protein α-synuclein (α-syn), an intrinsically disordered protein. However, strategies to combat PD by targeting the aggregation of α-syn are challenged by the multiple types of aggregates formed both in vivo and in vitro, the potential influence of chemical modifications and the as yet unresolved question of which aggregate types (oligomeric or fibrillar) are most cytotoxic. Here I briefly review the social history of α-syn, the many efforts to raise antibodies against α-syn and the disappointing results of clinical trials based on such antibodies. Ultimately a thorough understanding of the molecular and mechanistic properties of mAbs towards aggregated species of α-syn is an essential prerequisite for any clinical trial, but this is missing in most cases. I highlight new microfluidic techniques which may address this need and call for a more concerted effort to standardize antibody studies as the basis to allow us to link molecular insights to clinical efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK - 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dandurand J, Monné M, Samouillan V, Rosa M, Laurita A, Pistone A, Bisaccia D, Matera I, Bisaccia F, Ostuni A. The 75-99 C-Terminal Peptide of URG7 Protein Promotes α-Synuclein Disaggregation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1135. [PMID: 38256207 PMCID: PMC10816444 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Up Regulation Gene seven (URG7) is the pseudogene 2 of the transporter ABCC6. The translated URG7 protein is localized with its single transmembrane α-helix in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, orienting the N- and C-terminal regions in the lumen and cytoplasm, respectively, and it plays a crucial role in the folding of ER proteins. Previously, the C-terminal region of URG7 (PU, residues 75-99) has been shown to modify the aggregation state of α-synuclein in the lysate of HepG2 cells. PU analogs were synthesized, and their anti-aggregation potential was tested in vitro on α-synuclein obtained using recombinant DNA technology. Circular dichroism (CD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and microscopic techniques were used to assess the sample's behavior. The results show that the peptides studied by themselves are prone to clathrate-like structure formation of variable stability. Aggregation of α-synuclein is accompanied by desolvation of its peptide chain and an increase in intermolecular β-sheets. The PU analogs all interact with α-synuclein aggregates and those possessing the most stable clathrate-like structures have the highest disaggregating effect. These findings suggest that the C-terminal region of URG7 may have a role in interacting and modulating α-synuclein structures and could be used to generate interesting therapeutic candidates as disaggregators of α-synuclein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jany Dandurand
- CIRIMAT Physique des Polymères, Université Toulouse 3, Paul Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France; (J.D.); (V.S.)
| | - Magnus Monné
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (M.M.); (M.R.); (A.L.); (A.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Valérie Samouillan
- CIRIMAT Physique des Polymères, Université Toulouse 3, Paul Sabatier, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France; (J.D.); (V.S.)
| | - Martina Rosa
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (M.M.); (M.R.); (A.L.); (A.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Alessandro Laurita
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (M.M.); (M.R.); (A.L.); (A.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Alessandro Pistone
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (M.M.); (M.R.); (A.L.); (A.P.); (I.M.)
| | | | - Ilenia Matera
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (M.M.); (M.R.); (A.L.); (A.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Faustino Bisaccia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (M.M.); (M.R.); (A.L.); (A.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Angela Ostuni
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (M.M.); (M.R.); (A.L.); (A.P.); (I.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
de Raffele D, Ilie IM. Unlocking novel therapies: cyclic peptide design for amyloidogenic targets through synergies of experiments, simulations, and machine learning. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:632-645. [PMID: 38131333 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04630c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Existing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's address only their symptoms and do not prevent disease onset. Common therapeutic agents, such as small molecules and antibodies struggle with insufficient selectivity, stability and bioavailability, leading to poor performance in clinical trials. Peptide-based therapeutics are emerging as promising candidates, with successful applications for cardiovascular diseases and cancers due to their high bioavailability, good efficacy and specificity. In particular, cyclic peptides have a long in vivo stability, while maintaining a robust antibody-like binding affinity. However, the de novo design of cyclic peptides is challenging due to the lack of long-lived druggable pockets of the target polypeptide, absence of exhaustive conformational distributions of the target and/or the binder, unknown binding site, methodological limitations, associated constraints (failed trials, time, money) and the vast combinatorial sequence space. Hence, efficient alignment and cooperation between disciplines, and synergies between experiments and simulations complemented by popular techniques like machine-learning can significantly speed up the therapeutic cyclic-peptide development for neurodegenerative diseases. We review the latest advancements in cyclic peptide design against amyloidogenic targets from a computational perspective in light of recent advancements and potential of machine learning to optimize the design process. We discuss the difficulties encountered when designing novel peptide-based inhibitors and we propose new strategies incorporating experiments, simulations and machine learning to design cyclic peptides to inhibit the toxic propagation of amyloidogenic polypeptides. Importantly, these strategies extend beyond the mere design of cyclic peptides and serve as template for the de novo generation of (bio)materials with programmable properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daria de Raffele
- University of Amsterdam, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Science Park 904, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ioana M Ilie
- University of Amsterdam, van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Science Park 904, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling (ACMM), University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Karachaliou CE, Livaniou E. Neuroprotective Action of Humanin and Humanin Analogues: Research Findings and Perspectives. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1534. [PMID: 38132360 PMCID: PMC10740898 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Humanin is a 24-mer peptide first reported in the early 2000s as a new neuroprotective/cytoprotective factor rescuing neuronal cells from death induced by various Alzheimer's disease-associated insults. Nowadays it is known that humanin belongs to the novel class of the so-called mitochondrial-derived peptides (which are encoded by mitochondrial DNA) and has been shown to exert beneficial cytoprotective effects in a series of in vitro and/or in vivo experimental models of human diseases, including not only neurodegenerative disorders but other human diseases as well (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes mellitus). This review article is focused on the presentation of recent in vitro and in vivo research results associated with the neuroprotective action of humanin as well as of various, mainly synthetic, analogues of the peptide; moreover, the main mode(s)/mechanism(s) through which humanin and humanin analogues may exert in vitro and in vivo regarding neuroprotection have been reported. The prospects of humanin and humanin analogues to be further investigated in the frame of future research endeavors against neurodegenerative/neural diseases have also been briefly discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Evangelia Livaniou
- Immunopeptide Chemistry Lab., Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, P.O. Box 60037, 153 10 Agia Paraskevi, Greece;
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gondelaud F, Lozach PY, Longhi S. Viral amyloids: New opportunities for antiviral therapeutic strategies. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 83:102706. [PMID: 37783197 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102706] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Amyloidoses are an array of diseases associated with the aggregation of proteins into fibrils. While it was previously thought that amyloid fibril-forming proteins are exclusively host-cell encoded, recent studies have revealed that pathogenic viruses can form amyloid-like fibrils too. Intriguingly, viral amyloids are often composed of virulence factors, known for their contribution to cell death and disease progression. In this review, we survey the literature about viral proteins capable of forming amyloid-like fibrils. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation of viral amyloid-like aggregates are explored. In addition, we discuss the functional implications for viral amplification and the complex interplay between viral amyloids, biological functions, virulence, and virus-induced pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Gondelaud
- Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), UMR 7257, Aix Marseille University and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 163 Avenue de Luminy, Case 932, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Lozach
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INRAE, EPHE, IVPC UMR754, Team iWays, 69007, Lyon, France. https://twitter.com/pylozach
| | - Sonia Longhi
- Laboratoire Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), UMR 7257, Aix Marseille University and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 163 Avenue de Luminy, Case 932, 13288 Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Pintado-Grima C, Bárcenas O, Iglesias V, Santos J, Manglano-Artuñedo Z, Pallarès I, Burdukiewicz M, Ventura S. aSynPEP-DB: a database of biogenic peptides for inhibiting α-synuclein aggregation. Database (Oxford) 2023; 2023:baad084. [PMID: 38011719 PMCID: PMC10681447 DOI: 10.1093/database/baad084] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, yet effective treatments able to stop or delay disease progression remain elusive. The aggregation of a presynaptic protein, α-synuclein (aSyn), is the primary neurological hallmark of PD and, thus, a promising target for therapeutic intervention. However, the lack of consensus on the molecular properties required to specifically bind the toxic species formed during aSyn aggregation has hindered the development of therapeutic molecules. Recently, we defined and experimentally validated a peptide architecture that demonstrated high affinity and selectivity in binding to aSyn toxic oligomers and fibrils, effectively preventing aSyn pathogenic aggregation. Human peptides with such properties may have neuroprotective activities and hold a huge therapeutic interest. Driven by this idea, here, we developed a discriminative algorithm for the screening of human endogenous neuropeptides, antimicrobial peptides and diet-derived bioactive peptides with the potential to inhibit aSyn aggregation. We identified over 100 unique biogenic peptide candidates and ensembled a comprehensive database (aSynPEP-DB) that collects their physicochemical features, source datasets and additional therapeutic-relevant information, including their sites of expression and associated pathways. Besides, we provide access to the discriminative algorithm to extend its application to the screening of artificial peptides or new peptide datasets. aSynPEP-DB is a unique repository of peptides with the potential to modulate aSyn aggregation, serving as a platform for the identification of previously unexplored therapeutic agents. Database URL: https://asynpepdb.ppmclab.com/.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Pintado-Grima
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Oriol Bárcenas
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Valentín Iglesias
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Zoe Manglano-Artuñedo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Michał Burdukiewicz
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Białystok, Kilińskiego 1, Białystok 15-369, Poland
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Allen SG, Meade RM, White Stenner LL, Mason JM. Peptide-based approaches to directly target alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:80. [PMID: 37940962 PMCID: PMC10633918 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00675-8] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides and their mimetics are increasingly recognised as drug-like molecules, particularly for intracellular protein-protein interactions too large for inhibition by small molecules, and inaccessible to larger biologics. In the past two decades, evidence associating the misfolding and aggregation of alpha-synuclein strongly implicates this protein in disease onset and progression of Parkinson's disease and related synucleinopathies. The subsequent formation of toxic, intracellular, Lewy body deposits, in which alpha-synuclein is a major component, is a key diagnostic hallmark of the disease. To reach their therapeutic site of action, peptides must both cross the blood-brain barrier and enter dopaminergic neurons to prevent the formation of these intracellular inclusions. In this review, we describe and summarise the current efforts made in the development of peptides and their mimetics to directly engage with alpha-synuclein with the intention of modulating aggregation, and importantly, toxicity. This is a rapidly expanding field with great socioeconomic impact; these molecules harbour significant promise as therapeutics, or as early biomarkers during prodromal disease stages, or both. As these are age-dependent conditions, an increasing global life expectancy means disease prevalence is rising. No current treatments exist to either prevent or slow disease progression. It is therefore crucial that drugs are developed for these conditions before health care and social care capacities become overrun.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott G Allen
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Richard M Meade
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Lucy L White Stenner
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Jody M Mason
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tammara V, Das A. The Molecular Mechanism of PSMα3 Aggregation: A New View. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8317-8330. [PMID: 37734054 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c03806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of a novel cross-α fibrillar structure, unlike the commonly observed sequence-independent cross-β one, of a 22-residue bacterial virulent amphipathic α-helical peptide of the phenol soluble modulin (PSM) family, PSMα3, with many deleterious effects on human life, has infused uncertainty to the paradigm of the intrinsically polymorphic, multivariate, multiphasic, and cross-sequence-cross-disease entangled protein aggregation landscape and hence on the identity of the therapeutic target. We, here, deconvolute the factors contributing to the genesis and hence the transition of lower to higher order aggregates of PSMα3 in its natural state and three noncanonical designed variants using conventional and enhanced sampling approach-based atomistic simulations. PSMα3 shows structural polymorphism with nominal α-helicity, substantial β-propensity, and dominant random-coil features, irrespective of the extent of aggregation. Moreover, the individual features of the overall amphipathicity operate alternatively depending on the extent and organization of aggregation; the dominance gradually moves from charged to hydrophobic residues with the progressive generation of higher order aggregates (dimer to oligomer to fibril) and with increasing orderedness of the self-assembled construct (oligomer vs dimer/fibril). Similarly, the contribution of interchain salt bridges decreases with increasing order of aggregation (dimer to oligomer to fibril). However, the intrachain salt bridges consistently display their role in all phases of aggregation. Such phase-independent features also include equivalent roles of electrostatic and van der Waals forces on intrachain interactions, sole contribution of van der Waals forces on interchain cross-talk, and negligible peptide-water relationship. Finally, we propose a conjugate peptide-based aggregation suppressor having a single-point proline mutation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vaishnavi Tammara
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Atanu Das
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411008, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gorecki AM, Spencer H, Meloni BP, Anderton RS. The Poly-Arginine Peptide R18D Interferes with the Internalisation of α-Synuclein Pre-Formed Fibrils in STC-1 Enteroendocrine Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2089. [PMID: 37626586 PMCID: PMC10452853 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In Parkinson's disease (PD), gut inflammation is hypothesised to contribute to α-synuclein aggregation, but gastrointestinal α-synuclein expression is poorly characterised. Cationic arginine-rich peptides (CARPs) are an emerging therapeutic option that exerts various neuroprotective effects and may target the transmission of protein aggregates. This study aimed to investigate endogenous α-synuclein expression in enteroendocrine STC-1 cells and the potential of the CARP, R18D (18-mer of D-arginine), to prevent internalisation of pre-formed α-synuclein fibrils (PFFs) in enteroendocrine cells in vitro. Through confocal microscopy, the immunoreactivity of full-length α-synuclein and the serine-129 phosphorylated form (pS129) was investigated in STC-1 (mouse enteroendocrine) cells. Thereafter, STC-1 cells were exposed to PFFs tagged with Alexa-Fluor 488 (PFF-488) for 2 and 24 h and R18D-FITC for 10 min. After confirming the uptake of both PFFs and R18D-FITC through fluorescent microscopy, STC-1 cells were pre-treated with R18D (5 or 10 μM) for 10 min prior to 2 h of PFF-488 exposure. Immunoreactivity for endogenous α-synuclein and pS129 was evident in STC-1 cells, with prominent pS129 staining along cytoplasmic processes and in perinuclear areas. STC-1 cells internalised PFFs, confirmed through co-localisation of PFF-488 and human-specific α-synuclein immunoreactivity. R18D-FITC entered STC-1 cells within 10 min and pre-treatment of STC-1 cells with R18D interfered with PFF uptake. The endogenous presence of α-synuclein in enteroendocrine cells, coupled with their rapid uptake of PFFs, demonstrates a potential for pathogenic spread of α-synuclein aggregates in the gut. R18D is a novel therapeutic approach to reduce the intercellular transmission of α-synuclein pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastazja M. Gorecki
- School of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia; (H.S.)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Holly Spencer
- School of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia; (H.S.)
| | - Bruno P. Meloni
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, First Floor, G-Block, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6008, Australia
| | - Ryan S. Anderton
- School of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia; (H.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Huang F, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang C, Lian J, Ding F, Sun Y. Dissecting the Self-assembly Dynamics of Imperfect Repeats in α-Synuclein. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:3591-3600. [PMID: 37253119 PMCID: PMC10363412 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The pathological aggregation of α-synuclein (αS) into amyloid fibrils is the hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The self-assembly and membrane interactions of αS are mainly governed by the seven imperfect 11-residue repeats of the XKTKEGVXXXX motif around residues 1-95. However, the particular role of each repeat in αS fibrillization remains unclear. To answer this question, we studied the aggregation dynamics of each repeat with up to 10 peptides in silico by conducting multiple independent micro-second atomistic discrete molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations revealed that only repeats R3 and R6 readily self-assembled into β-sheet-rich oligomers, while the other repeats remained as unstructured monomers with weak self-assembly and β-sheet propensities. The self-assembly process of R3 featured frequent conformational changes with β-sheet formation mainly in the non-conserved hydrophobic tail, whereas R6 spontaneously self-assembled into extended and stable cross-β structures. These results of seven repeats are consistent with their structures and organization in recently solved αS fibrils. As the primary amyloidogenic core, R6 was buried inside the central cross-β core of all αS fibrils, attracting the hydrophobic tails of adjacent R4, R5, and R7 repeats forming β-sheets around R6 in the core. Further away from R6 in the sequence but with a moderate amyloid aggregation propensity, the R3 tail could serve as a secondary amyloidogenic core and form independent β-sheets in the fibril. Overall, our results demonstrate the critical role of R3 and R6 repeats in αS amyloid aggregation and suggest their potential as targets for the peptide-based and small-molecule amyloid inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengjuan Huang
- Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering (NIIME), Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Jiangfang Lian
- Ningbo Institute of Innovation for Combined Medicine and Engineering (NIIME), Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo 315211, China
- School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| | - Yunxiang Sun
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Behbahanipour M, Benoit R, Navarro S, Ventura S. OligoBinders: Bioengineered Soluble Amyloid-like Nanoparticles to Bind and Neutralize SARS-CoV-2. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:11444-11457. [PMID: 36890692 PMCID: PMC9969896 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c18305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become a primary health concern. Molecules that prevent viral entry into host cells by interfering with the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2r) opened a promising avenue for virus neutralization. Here, we aimed to create a novel kind of nanoparticle that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2. To this purpose, we exploited a modular self-assembly strategy to engineer OligoBinders, soluble oligomeric nanoparticles decorated with two miniproteins previously described to bind to the S protein receptor binding domain (RBD) with high affinity. The multivalent nanostructures compete with the RBD-ACE2r interaction and neutralize SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (SC2-VLPs) with IC50 values in the pM range, preventing SC2-VLPs fusion with the membrane of ACE2r-expressing cells. Moreover, OligoBinders are biocompatible and significantly stable in plasma. Overall, we describe a novel protein-based nanotechnology that might find application in SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics and diagnostics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molood Behbahanipour
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Benoit
- Laboratory
of Nanoscale Biology, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Susanna Navarro
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut
de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica
i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Yang WC, Chen YW, Yu YY, Lin YC, Higashihara T, Chen WC. Enhancing the Performance of Electret-Free Phototransistor Memory by Using All-Conjugated Block Copolymer. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2200756. [PMID: 36281923 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200756] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Conjugated polymers are of great interest owing to their potential in stretchable electronics to function under complex deformation conditions. To improve the performance of conjugated polymers, various structural designs have been proposed and these conjugated polymers are specially applied in exotic optoelectronics. In this work, a series of all-conjugated block copolymers (PII2T-b-PNDI2T) comprising poly(isoindigo-bithiophene) (PII2T) and poly(naphthalenediimide-bithiophene) (PNDI2T) are developed with varied compositions and applied to electret-free phototransistor memory. Accordingly, these memory devices present p-type transport capability and electrical-ON/photo-OFF memory behavior. The efficacy of the all-conjugated block copolymer design in improving the memory-photoresponse properties in phototransistor memory is revealed. By optimizing the composition of the block copolymer, the corresponding device achieves a wide memory window of 36 V and a high memory ratio of 7 × 104 . Collectively, the results of this study indicate a new concept for designing electret-free phototransistor memory by using all-conjugated block copolymer heterojunctions to mitigate the phase separation of conjugated polymer blends. Meanwhile, the intrinsic optoelectronic properties of the constituent conjugated polymers can be well-maintained by using an all-conjugated block copolymer design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chen Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.,Advanced Research Center of Green Materials Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 24301, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Yen Yu
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, 24301, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Cheng Lin
- Advanced Research Center of Green Materials Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.,Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Tomoya Higashihara
- Department of Organic Materials Science, Graduate School of Organic Materials Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, 992-8510, Japan
| | - Wen-Chang Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.,Advanced Research Center of Green Materials Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gagat P, Duda-Madej A, Ostrówka M, Pietluch F, Seniuk A, Mackiewicz P, Burdukiewicz M. Testing Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Short Amyloids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010804. [PMID: 36614244 PMCID: PMC9821130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010804] [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: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have many similarities, e.g., both kill microorganisms by destroying their membranes, form aggregates, and modulate the innate immune system. Given these similarities and the fact that the antimicrobial properties of short amyloids have not yet been investigated, we chose a group of potentially antimicrobial short amyloids to verify their impact on bacterial and eukaryotic cells. We used AmpGram, a best-performing AMP classification model, and selected ten amyloids with the highest AMP probability for our experimental research. Our results indicate that four tested amyloids: VQIVCK, VCIVYK, KCWCFT, and GGYLLG, formed aggregates under the conditions routinely used to evaluate peptide antimicrobial properties, but none of the tested amyloids exhibited antimicrobial or cytotoxic properties. Accordingly, they should be included in the negative datasets to train the next-generation AMP prediction models, based on experimentally confirmed AMP and non-AMP sequences. In the article, we also emphasize the importance of reporting non-AMPs, given that only a handful of such sequences have been officially confirmed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Gagat
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Anna Duda-Madej
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Chałubińskiego 4, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michał Ostrówka
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Filip Pietluch
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Alicja Seniuk
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Chałubińskiego 4, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Paweł Mackiewicz
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michał Burdukiewicz
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Białystok, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.G.); (M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Characterisation of Amyloid Aggregation and Inhibition by Diffusion-Based Single-Molecule Fluorescence Techniques. BIOPHYSICA 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/biophysica2040043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Protein amyloid aggregation has been associated with more than 50 human disorders, including the most common neurodegenerative disorders Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Interfering with this process is considered as a promising therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Our understanding of the process of amyloid aggregation and its role in disease has typically been limited by the use of ensemble-based biochemical and biophysical techniques, owing to the intrinsic heterogeneity and complexity of the process. Single-molecule techniques, and particularly diffusion-based single-molecule fluorescence approaches, have been instrumental to obtain meaningful information on the dynamic nature of the fibril-forming process, as well as the characterisation of the heterogeneity of the amyloid aggregates and the understanding of the molecular basis of inhibition of a number of molecules with therapeutic interest. In this article, we reviewed some recent contributions on the characterisation of the amyloid aggregation process, the identification of distinct structural groups of aggregates in homotypic or heterotypic aggregation, as well as on the study of the interaction of amyloid aggregates with other molecules, allowing the estimation of the binding sites, affinities, and avidities as examples of the type of relevant information we can obtain about these processes using these techniques.
Collapse
|
23
|
Pirhaghi M, Frank SA, Alam P, Nielsen J, Sereikaite V, Gupta A, Strømgaard K, Andreasen M, Sharma D, Saboury AA, Otzen DE. A penetratin-derived peptide reduces the membrane permeabilization and cell toxicity of α-synuclein oligomers. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102688. [PMID: 36370848 PMCID: PMC9791135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102688] [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: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder associated with the intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). Cytotoxicity is mainly associated with the oligomeric species (αSOs) formed at early stages in α-syn aggregation. Consequently, there is an intense focus on the discovery of novel inhibitors such as peptides to inhibit oligomer formation and toxicity. Here, using peptide arrays, we identified nine peptides with high specificity and affinity for αSOs. Of these, peptides p194, p235, and p249 diverted α-syn aggregation from fibrils to amorphous aggregates with reduced β-structures and increased random coil content. However, they did not reduce αSO cytotoxicity and permeabilization of large anionic unilamellar vesicles. In parallel, we identified a non-self-aggregating peptide (p216), derived from the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin, which showed 12-fold higher binding affinity to αSOs than to α-syn monomers (Kdapp 2.7 and 31.2 μM, respectively). p216 reduced αSOs-induced large anionic unilamellar vesicle membrane permeability at 10-1 to 10-3 mg/ml by almost 100%, was not toxic to SH-SY5Y cells, and reduced αSOs cytotoxicity by about 20%. We conclude that p216 is a promising starting point from which to develop peptides targeting toxic αSOs in Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Pirhaghi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Signe Andrea Frank
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Parvez Alam
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Arpit Gupta
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India; G.N. Ramachandran Protein Centre, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Chennai, India
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
The dynamic landscape of peptide activity prediction. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6526-6533. [DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
25
|
Gallego-Villarejo L, Wallin C, Król S, Enrich-Bengoa J, Suades A, Aguilella-Arzo M, Gomara MJ, Haro I, Wärmlander S, Muñoz FJ, Gräslund A, Perálvarez-Marín A. Big dynorphin is a neuroprotector scaffold against amyloid β-peptide aggregation and cell toxicity. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5672-5679. [PMID: 36284704 PMCID: PMC9582793 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.014] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) misfolding into β-sheet structures triggers neurotoxicity inducing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Molecules able to reduce or to impair Aβ aggregation are highly relevant as possible AD treatments since they should protect against Aβ neurotoxicity. We have studied the effects of the interaction of dynorphins, a family of opioid neuropeptides, with Aβ40 the most abundant species of Aβ. Biophysical measurements indicate that Aβ40 interacts with Big Dynorphin (BigDyn), lowering the amount of hydrophobic aggregates, and slowing down the aggregation kinetics. As expected, we found that BigDyn protects against Aβ40 aggregates when studied in human neuroblastoma cells by cell survival assays. The cross-interaction between BigDyn and Aβ40 provides insight into the mechanism of amyloid pathophysiology and may open up new therapy possibilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Gallego-Villarejo
- Unit of Biophysics Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Facultat de Medicina, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Cecilia Wallin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sylwia Król
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jennifer Enrich-Bengoa
- Unit of Biophysics Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Facultat de Medicina, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Albert Suades
- Unit of Biophysics Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Facultat de Medicina, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Catalonia, Spain,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcel Aguilella-Arzo
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Physics, University Jaume I, 12071 Castellón, Spain
| | - María José Gomara
- Unitat de Síntesis i Aplicacions Biomèdiques de Pèptids, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya, IQAC-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Isabel Haro
- Unitat de Síntesis i Aplicacions Biomèdiques de Pèptids, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya, IQAC-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sebastian Wärmlander
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francisco J. Muñoz
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alex Perálvarez-Marín
- Unit of Biophysics Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Facultat de Medicina, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Catalonia, Spain,Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Santos J, Ventura S, Pallarès I. LL-37 and CsgC exemplify the crosstalk between anti-amyloid, antimicrobial, and anti-biofilm protein activities. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1027-1028. [PMID: 36254986 PMCID: PMC9827758 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Santos
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain,Correspondence to: Salvador Ventura, ; Irantzu Pallarès, .
| | - Irantzu Pallarès
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain,Correspondence to: Salvador Ventura, ; Irantzu Pallarès, .
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Single residue modulators of amyloid formation in the N-terminal P1-region of α-synuclein. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4986. [PMID: 36008493 PMCID: PMC9411612 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) is a protein involved in neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease. Amyloid formation of αSyn can be modulated by the ‘P1 region’ (residues 36-42). Here, mutational studies of P1 reveal that Y39A and S42A extend the lag-phase of αSyn amyloid formation in vitro and rescue amyloid-associated cytotoxicity in C. elegans. Additionally, L38I αSyn forms amyloid fibrils more rapidly than WT, L38A has no effect, but L38M does not form amyloid fibrils in vitro and protects from proteotoxicity. Swapping the sequence of the two residues that differ in the P1 region of the paralogue γSyn to those of αSyn did not enhance fibril formation for γSyn. Peptide binding experiments using NMR showed that P1 synergises with residues in the NAC and C-terminal regions to initiate aggregation. The remarkable specificity of the interactions that control αSyn amyloid formation, identifies this region as a potential target for therapeutics, despite their weak and transient nature. The authors of this work characterize the effect of amino acid substitution on α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation. Residues 38 and 42 (in addition to 39) within the P1 region of α-Syn affect amyloid formation. The effect of substitution at position 38 is dependent on the amino-acid introduced, suggesting that specific interactions control α -Syn aggregation.
Collapse
|
28
|
LL-37, a Multi-Faceted Amphipathic Peptide Involved in NETosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152463. [PMID: 35954305 PMCID: PMC9368159 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity responds to infections and inflammatory stimuli through a carefully choreographed set of interactions between cells, stimuli and their specific receptors. Of particular importance are endogenous peptides, which assume roles as defensins or alarmins, growth factors or wound repair inducers. LL-37, a proteolytic fragment of cathelicidin, fulfills the roles of a defensin by inserting into the membranes of bacterial pathogens, functions as alarmin in stimulating chemotaxis of innate immune cells, and alters the structure and efficacy of various cytokines. Here, we draw attention to the direct effect of LL-37 on neutrophils and the release of extracellular traps (NETs), as NETs have been established as mediators of immune defense against pathogens but also as important contributors to chronic disease and tissue pathogenesis. We propose a specific structural basis for LL-37 function, in part by highlighting the structural flexibility of LL-37 and its ability to adapt to distinct microenvironments and interacting counterparts.
Collapse
|
29
|
Gracia P, Polanco D, Tarancón-Díez J, Serra I, Bracci M, Oroz J, Laurents DV, García I, Cremades N. Molecular mechanism for the synchronized electrostatic coacervation and co-aggregation of alpha-synuclein and tau. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4586. [PMID: 35933508 PMCID: PMC9357037 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32350-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid aggregation of α-synuclein (αS) is the hallmark of Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies. Recently, Tau protein, generally associated with Alzheimer's disease, has been linked to αS pathology and observed to co-localize in αS-rich disease inclusions, although the molecular mechanisms for the co-aggregation of both proteins remain elusive. We report here that αS phase-separates into liquid condensates by electrostatic complex coacervation with positively charged polypeptides such as Tau. Condensates undergo either fast gelation or coalescence followed by slow amyloid aggregation depending on the affinity of αS for the poly-cation and the rate of valence exhaustion of the condensate network. By combining a set of advanced biophysical techniques, we have been able to characterize αS/Tau liquid-liquid phase separation and identified key factors that lead to the formation of hetero-aggregates containing both proteins in the interior of the liquid protein condensates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Gracia
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - David Polanco
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Tarancón-Díez
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ilenia Serra
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maruan Bracci
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Javier Oroz
- "Rocasolano" Institute for Physical Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, Madrid, E-28006, Spain
| | - Douglas V Laurents
- "Rocasolano" Institute for Physical Chemistry, CSIC, Serrano 119, Madrid, E-28006, Spain
| | - Inés García
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro Universitario de la Defensa, Academia General Militar, Ctra. de Huesca s/n, 50090, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Nunilo Cremades
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Xuan Q, Zhou J, Jiang F, Zhang W, Wei A, Zhang W, Zhang Q, Shen H, Li H, Chen C, Wang P. Sappanwood-derived polyphenolic antidote of amyloidal toxins achieved detoxification via inhibition/reversion of amyloidal fibrillation. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 214:446-458. [PMID: 35752334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.06.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The formidable virulence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have thrown great challenges to biomedicine, which mainly derives from their autocrine phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) toxins, especially the most toxic member termed phenol-soluble modulins α3 (PSMα3). PSMα3 cytotoxicity is attributed to its amyloidal fibrillation and subsequent formation of cross-α sheet fibrils. Inspired by the multiple biological activity of Sappanwood, herein, we adopted brazilin, a natural polyphenolic compound originated from Caesalpinia sappan, as a potential antidote of PSMα3 toxins, and attempted to prove that the regulation of PSMα3 fibrillation was an effective alexipharmic way for MRSA infections. In vitro results revealed that brazilin suppressed PSMα3 fibrillation and disassembled preformed amyloidal fibrils in a dose-dependent manner, in which molar ratio (brazilin: PSMα3) of efficient inhibition and disassembly were both 1:1. These desired regulations dominated by brazilin benefited from its bonding to core fibrils-forming residues of PSMα3 monomers urged by hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking, and such binding modes facilitated brazilin-mediated inhibition or disruption of interactions between neighboring PSMα3 monomers. In this context, these inhibited and disassembled PSMα3 assemblies could not easily insert into cell membrane and subsequent penetration, and thus alleviating the membrane disruption, cytoplasmic leakage, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in normal cells. As such, brazilin dramatically decreased the cytotoxicity borne by toxic PSMα3 fibrils. In addition, in vivo experiments affirmed that brazilin relieved the toxicity of PSMα3 toxins and thus promoted the skin wound healing of mice. This study provides a new antidote of PSMα3 toxins, and also confirms the feasibility of the assembly-regulation strategy in development of antidotes against supramolecular fibrillation-dependent toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qize Xuan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - JinFeng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Anqi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wenxue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hao Shen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Hui Li
- Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Chao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Biomedical Nanotechnology Center, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomanufacturing Technology, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Institute for Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Vidović M, Rikalovic MG. Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation Pathway in Parkinson's Disease: Current Status and Novel Therapeutic Approaches. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111732. [PMID: 35681426 PMCID: PMC9179656 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Following Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder, sharing an unclear pathophysiology, a multifactorial profile, and massive social costs worldwide. Despite this, no disease-modifying therapy is available. PD is tightly associated with α-synuclein (α-Syn) deposits, which become organised into insoluble, amyloid fibrils. As a typical intrinsically disordered protein, α-Syn adopts a monomeric, random coil conformation in an aqueous solution, while its interaction with lipid membranes drives the transition of the molecule part into an α-helical structure. The central unstructured region of α-Syn is involved in fibril formation by converting to well-defined, β-sheet rich secondary structures. Presently, most therapeutic strategies against PD are focused on designing small molecules, peptides, and peptidomimetics that can directly target α-Syn and its aggregation pathway. Other approaches include gene silencing, cell transplantation, stimulation of intracellular clearance with autophagy promoters, and degradation pathways based on immunotherapy of amyloid fibrils. In the present review, we sum marise the current advances related to α-Syn aggregation/neurotoxicity. These findings present a valuable arsenal for the further development of efficient, nontoxic, and non-invasive therapeutic protocols for disease-modifying therapy that tackles disease onset and progression in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Vidović
- Laboratory for Plant Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +38-16-4276-3221
| | - Milena G. Rikalovic
- Environment and Sustainable Development, Singidunum Univeristy, Danijelova 32, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia;
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Aloul KM, Nielsen JE, Defensor EB, Lin JS, Fortkort JA, Shamloo M, Cirillo JD, Gombart AF, Barron AE. Upregulating Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Expression May Prevent Severe COVID-19 Inflammatory Responses and Reduce Microthrombosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:880961. [PMID: 35634307 PMCID: PMC9134243 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.880961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is characterized by hyperactivation by inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of macrophages, neutrophils, and other immune cells, all hallmarks of a strong inflammatory response that can lead to severe complications and multi-organ damage. Mortality in COVID-19 patients is associated with a high prevalence of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and microthrombosis that are exacerbated by hyperglycemia, diabetes, and old age. SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and non-human primates have revealed long-term neurological consequences of COVID-19, possibly concomitant with the formation of Lewy bodies in the brain and invasion of the nervous system via the olfactory bulb. In this paper, we review the relevance of the human cathelicidin LL-37 in SARS-CoV-2 infections. LL-37 is an immunomodulatory, host defense peptide with direct anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, and pleiotropic effects on the inflammatory response, neovascularization, Lewy body formation, and pancreatic islet cell function. The bioactive form of vitamin D and a number of other compounds induce LL-37 expression and one might predict its upregulation, could reduce the prevalence of severe COVID-19. We hypothesize upregulation of LL-37 will act therapeutically, facilitating efficient NET clearance by macrophages, speeding endothelial repair after inflammatory tissue damage, preventing α-synuclein aggregation, and supporting blood-glucose level stabilization by facilitating insulin release and islet β-cell neogenesis. In addition, it has been postulated that LL-37 can directly bind the S1 domain of SARS-CoV-2, mask angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, and limit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Purposeful upregulation of LL-37 could also serve as a preventative and therapeutic strategy for SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karim M. Aloul
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Josefine Eilsø Nielsen
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Erwin B. Defensor
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer S. Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - John A. Fortkort
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Mehrdad Shamloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey D. Cirillo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, United States
| | - Adrian F. Gombart
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- The Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Annelise E. Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Synhaivska O, Bhattacharya S, Campioni S, Thompson D, Nirmalraj PN. Single-Particle Resolution of Copper-Associated Annular α-Synuclein Oligomers Reveals Potential Therapeutic Targets of Neurodegeneration. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1410-1421. [PMID: 35414168 PMCID: PMC9073932 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Metal ions stabilize
protein–protein interactions and can
modulate protein aggregation. Here, using liquid-based atomic force
microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, we study the concentration-dependent
effect of Cu2+ ions on the aggregation pathway of α-synuclein
(α-Syn) proteins, which play a key role in the pathology of
Parkinson’s disease. The full spectrum of α-Syn aggregates
in the presence and absence of Cu2+ ions from monomers
to mature fibrils was resolved and quantified at the gold–water
interface. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the atomic force microscopy
(AFM) findings on the heterogeneity in aggregated states of α-Syn.
The formation of annular oligomers was exclusively detected upon incubating
α-Syn with Cu2+ ions. Our findings emphasize the
importance of targeting annular α-Syn protein oligomers for
therapeutic intervention and their potential role as biomarkers for
early detection and monitoring progression of neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olena Synhaivska
- Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces Laboratory, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf CH-8600, Switzerland
| | - Shayon Bhattacharya
- Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94T9PX, Ireland
| | - Silvia Campioni
- Functional Materials Laboratory, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf CH-8600, Switzerland
| | - Damien Thompson
- Department of Physics, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick V94T9PX, Ireland
| | - Peter Niraj Nirmalraj
- Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces Laboratory, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf CH-8600, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Lanphere C, Ciccone J, Dorey A, Hagleitner-Ertuğrul N, Knyazev D, Haider S, Howorka S. Triggered Assembly of a DNA-Based Membrane Channel. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:4333-4344. [PMID: 35253434 PMCID: PMC8931747 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c06598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chemistry is in a powerful position to synthetically replicate biomolecular structures. Adding functional complexity is key to increase the biomimetics' value for science and technology yet is difficult to achieve with poorly controlled building materials. Here, we use defined DNA blocks to rationally design a triggerable synthetic nanopore that integrates multiple functions of biological membrane proteins. Soluble triggers bind via molecular recognition to the nanopore components changing their structure and membrane position, which controls the assembly into a defined channel for efficient transmembrane cargo transport. Using ensemble, single-molecule, and simulation analysis, our activatable pore provides insight into the kinetics and structural dynamics of DNA assembly at the membrane interface. The triggered channel advances functional DNA nanotechnology and synthetic biology and will guide the design of controlled nanodevices for sensing, cell biological research, and drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Conor Lanphere
- Department
of Chemistry, Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jonah Ciccone
- Department
of Chemistry, Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Dorey
- Department
of Chemistry, Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Denis Knyazev
- Institute
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Johannes
Kepler University, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Shozeb Haider
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry, University College London School of Pharmacy, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Howorka
- Department
of Chemistry, Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
- Institute
of Applied Experimental Biophysics, Johannes
Kepler University, 4040 Linz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Effects of oligomer toxicity, fibril toxicity and fibril spreading in synucleinopathies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:174. [PMID: 35244787 PMCID: PMC8897347 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04166-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein misfolding is a general hallmark of protein deposition diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, in which different types of aggregated species (oligomers, protofibrils and fibrils) are generated by the cells. Despite widespread interest, the relationship between oligomers and fibrils in the aggregation process and spreading remains elusive. A large variety of experimental evidences supported the idea that soluble oligomeric species of different proteins might be more toxic than the larger fibrillar forms. Furthermore, the lack of correlation between the presence of the typical pathological inclusions and disease sustained this debate. However, recent data show that the β-sheet core of the α-Synuclein (αSyn) fibrils is unable to establish persistent interactions with the lipid bilayers, but they can release oligomeric species responsible for an immediate dysfunction of the recipient neurons. Reversibly, such oligomeric species could also contribute to pathogenesis via neuron-to-neuron spreading by their direct cell-to-cell transfer or by generating new fibrils, following their neuronal uptake. In this Review, we discuss the various mechanisms of cellular dysfunction caused by αSyn, including oligomer toxicity, fibril toxicity and fibril spreading.
Collapse
|
36
|
Santos J, Pallarès I, Ventura S. Is a cure for Parkinson’s disease hiding inside us? Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:641-644. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
37
|
Chau E, Kim JR. Engineering of a protein probe with multiple inputs and multiple outputs for evaluation of alpha synuclein aggregation states. Biochem Eng J 2022; 178:108292. [PMID: 35002469 PMCID: PMC8740893 DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2021.108292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of α-synuclein (αS) into oligomers and fibrils is implicated in the pathology of Parkinson's Disease (PD). While a molecular probe for rapid and comprehensive evaluation of αS aggregation states is critical for a better understanding of PD pathology, identification of therapeutic candidates, and the development of early diagnostic strategies, no such probe has yet to be developed. A structurally flexible αS variant, PG65, was previously developed as a target binding-driven, conformation-switching molecular probe for rapid αS oligomer detection. Though informative, detection using PG65 provides no comprehensive assessment of the αS aggregation states. In the present study, we report engineering of a molecular probe, PG65-MIMO (a PG65 variant with Multiple-Inputs and Multiple-Outputs), that rapidly (within 2 hr) produces comprehensive information on αS aggregation states. PG65-MIMO generates distinct fluorescence responses to the three major αS conformers (monomers, oligomers, and fibrils). PG65-MIMO also displays unique fluorescent signals for αS oligomers, depending on the tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) concentration. Our results suggest that the TCEP dependent signaling of PG65-MIMO may be associated with its conformational states. Overall, our study illustrates engineering of an αS variant to create a molecular probe for handling multiple inputs and multiple outputs, addressing the technological gap in αS detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jin Ryoun Kim
- Corresponding author: Prof. Jin Ryoun Kim, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, New York University, 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. Tel: 1-646-997-3719.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Peptide-Based Vaccines for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Recent Endeavors and Future Perspectives. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111278. [PMID: 34835209 PMCID: PMC8622585 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of peptide-based vaccines for treating human neurodegenerative diseases has been the eventual aim of many research endeavors, although no active immunotherapies have been approved for clinical use till now. A typical example of such endeavors is the effort to develop vaccines for Alzheimer’s disease based on the beta-amyloid peptide, which continues to be intensively investigated despite previous setbacks. In this paper, recent developments in peptide-based vaccines which target beta-amyloid as well as tau protein and α-synuclein are presented. Particular focus has been directed toward peptide epitopes and formulation systems selected/developed and employed to enhance vaccine efficacy and safety. Results from both, human clinical trials and animal preclinical studies conducted mainly in transgenic mice have been included. Future perspectives on the topic are also briefly discussed.
Collapse
|
39
|
Unzipping the Secrets of Amyloid Disassembly by the Human Disaggregase. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102745. [PMID: 34685723 PMCID: PMC8534776 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are increasingly positioned as leading causes of global deaths. The accelerated aging of the population and its strong relationship with neurodegeneration forecast these pathologies as a huge global health problem in the upcoming years. In this scenario, there is an urgent need for understanding the basic molecular mechanisms associated with such diseases. A major molecular hallmark of most NDs is the accumulation of insoluble and toxic protein aggregates, known as amyloids, in extracellular or intracellular deposits. Here, we review the current knowledge on how molecular chaperones, and more specifically a ternary protein complex referred to as the human disaggregase, deals with amyloids. This machinery, composed of the constitutive Hsp70 (Hsc70), the class B J-protein DnaJB1 and the nucleotide exchange factor Apg2 (Hsp110), disassembles amyloids of α-synuclein implicated in Parkinson’s disease as well as of other disease-associated proteins such as tau and huntingtin. We highlight recent studies that have led to the dissection of the mechanism used by this chaperone system to perform its disaggregase activity. We also discuss whether this chaperone-mediated disassembly mechanism could be used to solubilize other amyloidogenic substrates. Finally, we evaluate the implications of the chaperone system in amyloid clearance and associated toxicity, which could be critical for the development of new therapies.
Collapse
|