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Errichiello E, Lecca M, Vantaggiato C, Motta Z, Zanotta N, Zucca C, Bertuzzo S, Piubelli L, Pollegioni L, Bonaglia MC. Further evidence supporting the role of GTDC1 in glycine metabolism and neurodevelopmental disorders. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:920-927. [PMID: 38605125 PMCID: PMC11291697 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-024-01603-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs) represent the genetic cause of about 15-20% of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). We identified a ~67 kb de novo intragenic deletion on chromosome 2q22.3 in a female individual showing a developmental encephalopathy characterised by epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, speech delay, microcephaly, and thin corpus callosum with facial dysmorphisms. The microdeletion involved exons 5-6 of GTDC1, encoding a putative glycosyltransferase, whose expression is particularly enriched in the nervous system. In a previous study, a balanced de novo translocation encompassing GTDC1 was reported in a male child with global developmental delay and delayed speech and language development. Based on these premises, we explored the transcriptomic profile of our proband to evaluate the functional consequences of the novel GTDC1 de novo intragenic deletion in relation to the observed neurodevelopmental phenotype. RNA-seq on the proband's lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) showed expression changes of glycine/serine and cytokine/chemokine signalling pathways, which are related to neurodevelopment and epileptogenesis. Subsequent analysis by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) revealed increased levels of glycine in the proband's LCL and serum compared to matched controls. Given that an increased level of glycine has been observed in the plasma samples of individuals with Rett syndrome, a condition sharing epilepsy, microcephaly, and intellectual disability with our proband, we proposed that the GTDC1 downregulation is implicated in neurodevelopmental impairment by altering glycine metabolism. Furthermore, our findings expanded the phenotypic spectrum of the novel GTDC1-related condition, including microcephaly and epilepsy among relevant clinical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Errichiello
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
- Neurogenetics Research Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Mauro Lecca
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Chiara Vantaggiato
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Zoraide Motta
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Zanotta
- Unit of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Centre, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Claudio Zucca
- Unit of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Centre, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Sara Bertuzzo
- Laboratory of Cytogenetics, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Luciano Piubelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Loredano Pollegioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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2
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Garofalo M, De Simone G, Motta Z, Nuzzo T, De Grandis E, Bruno C, Boeri S, Riccio MP, Pastore L, Bravaccio C, Iasevoli F, Salvatore F, Pollegioni L, Errico F, de Bartolomeis A, Usiello A. Decreased free D-aspartate levels in the blood serum of patients with schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1408175. [PMID: 39050919 PMCID: PMC11266155 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1408175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by different psychopathological manifestations and divergent clinical trajectories. Various alterations at glutamatergic synapses have been reported in both disorders, including abnormal NMDA and metabotropic receptor signaling. Methods We conducted a bicentric study to assess the blood serum levels of NMDA receptors-related glutamatergic amino acids and their precursors, including L-glutamate, L-glutamine, D-aspartate, L-aspartate, L-asparagine, D-serine, L-serine and glycine, in ASD, SCZ patients and their respective control subjects. Specifically, the SCZ patients were subdivided into treatment-resistant and non-treatment-resistant SCZ patients, based on their responsivity to conventional antipsychotics. Results D-serine and D-aspartate serum reductions were found in SCZ patients compared to controls. Conversely, no significant differences between cases and controls were found in amino acid concentrations in the two ASD cohorts analyzed. Discussion This result further encourages future research to evaluate the predictive role of selected D-amino acids as peripheral markers for SCZ pathophysiology and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Garofalo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University Medical School of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Zoraide Motta
- ”The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Tommaso Nuzzo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Elisa De Grandis
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health - DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health - DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Boeri
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal, and Child Health - DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Riccio
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Unità Operativa semplice di Dipartimento (UOSD) of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Bravaccio
- Department of Medical and Translational Sciences, Child Neuropsychiatry, Federico II University, Napoli, Italy
| | - Felice Iasevoli
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University Medical School of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Salvatore
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- Centro Interuniversitario per Malattie Multigeniche e Multifattoriali e loro Modelli Animali (Federico II, Naples; Tor Vergata, Rome and “G. D’Annunzio”, Chieti-Pescara), Naples, Italy
| | - Loredano Pollegioni
- ”The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Francesco Errico
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Portici, Italy
| | - Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University Medical School of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate “Franco Salvatore”, Naples, Italy
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
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Liu HH, Gao Y, Xu D, Du XZ, Wei SM, Hu JZ, Xu Y, Sha L. Asparagine reduces the risk of schizophrenia: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study of aspartate, asparagine and schizophrenia. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:299. [PMID: 38641826 PMCID: PMC11027219 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05765-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite ongoing research, the underlying causes of schizophrenia remain unclear. Aspartate and asparagine, essential amino acids, have been linked to schizophrenia in recent studies, but their causal relationship is still unclear. This study used a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method to explore the causal relationship between aspartate and asparagine with schizophrenia. METHODS This study employed summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted on European populations to examine the correlation between aspartate and asparagine with schizophrenia. In order to investigate the causal effects of aspartate and asparagine on schizophrenia, this study conducted a two-sample bidirectional MR analysis using genetic factors as instrumental variables. RESULTS No causal relationship was found between aspartate and schizophrenia, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.221 (95%CI: 0.483-3.088, P-value = 0.674). Reverse MR analysis also indicated that no causal effects were found between schizophrenia and aspartate, with an OR of 0.999 (95%CI: 0.987-1.010, P-value = 0.841). There is a negative causal relationship between asparagine and schizophrenia, with an OR of 0.485 (95%CI: 0.262-0.900, P-value = 0.020). Reverse MR analysis indicates that there is no causal effect between schizophrenia and asparagine, with an OR of 1.005(95%CI: 0.999-1.011, P-value = 0.132). CONCLUSION This study suggests that there may be a potential risk reduction for schizophrenia with increased levels of asparagine, while also indicating the absence of a causal link between elevated or diminished levels of asparagine in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. There is no potential causal relationship between aspartate and schizophrenia, whether prospective or reverse MR. However, it is important to note that these associations necessitate additional research for further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang-Hui Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yao Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xin-Zhe Du
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Si-Meng Wei
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jian-Zhen Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Liu Sha
- Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, NO.85 Jiefang Nan Road, Taiyuan, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
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4
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Katane M, Homma H. Biosynthesis and Degradation of Free D-Amino Acids and Their Physiological Roles in the Periphery and Endocrine Glands. Biol Pharm Bull 2024; 47:562-579. [PMID: 38432912 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
It was long believed that D-amino acids were either unnatural isomers or laboratory artifacts, and that the important functions of amino acids were exerted only by L-amino acids. However, recent investigations have revealed a variety of D-amino acids in mammals that play important roles in physiological functions, including free D-serine and D-aspartate that are crucial in the central nervous system. The functions of several D-amino acids in the periphery and endocrine glands are also receiving increasing attention. Here, we present an overview of recent advances in elucidating the physiological roles of D-amino acids, especially in the periphery and endocrine glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masumi Katane
- Medicinal Research Laboratories, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University
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5
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Yu M, Lin L, Xu K, Xu M, Ren J, Niu X, Gao X, Zhang M, Yang Z, Dang J, Tao Q, Han S, Wang W, Cheng J, Zhang Y. Changes in aspartate metabolism in the medial-prefrontal cortex of nicotine addicts based on J-edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:6429-6438. [PMID: 37909379 PMCID: PMC10681642 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to explore the changes of the aspartate (Asp) level in the medial-prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of subjects with nicotine addiction (nicotine addicts [NAs]) using the J-edited 1 H MR spectroscopy (MRS), which may provide a positive imaging evidence for intervention of NA. From March to August 2022, 45 males aged 40-60 years old were recruited from Henan Province, including 21 in NA and 24 in nonsmoker groups. All subjects underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and J-edited MRS scans on a 3.0 T MRI scanner. The Asp level in mPFC was quantified with reference to the total creatine (Asp/Cr) and water (Aspwater-corr , with correction of the brain tissue composition) signals, respectively. Two-tailed independent samples t-test was used to analyze the differences in levels of Asp and other coquantified metabolites (including total N-acetylaspartate [tNAA], total cholinine [tCho], total creatine [tCr], and myo-Inositol [mI]) between the two groups. Finally, the correlations of the Asp level with clinical characteristic assessment scales were performed using the Spearman criteria. Compared with the control group (n = 22), NAs (n = 18) had higher levels of Asp (Asp/Cr: p = .005; Aspwater-corr : p = .004) in the mPFC, and the level of Asp was positively correlated with the daily smoking amount (Asp/Cr: p < .001; Aspwater-corr : p = .004). No significant correlation was found between the level of Asp and the years of nicotine use, Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence (FTND), Russell Reason for Smoking Questionnaire (RRSQ), or Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) score. The elevated Asp level was observed in mPFC of NAs in contrast to nonsmokers, and the Asp level was positively correlated with the amount of daily smoking, which suggests that nicotine addiction may result in elevated Asp metabolism in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Yu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Liangjie Lin
- Clinical and Technical SupportPhilips HealthcareBeijingChina
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Man Xu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jianxin Ren
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Xiaoyu Niu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Xinyu Gao
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Mengzhe Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Zhengui Yang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jinghan Dang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Qiuying Tao
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Shaoqiang Han
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Weijian Wang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance ImagingThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
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6
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Souza INDO, Roychaudhuri R, de Belleroche J, Mothet JP. d-Amino acids: new clinical pathways for brain diseases. Trends Mol Med 2023; 29:1014-1028. [PMID: 37770379 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Free d-amino acids (d-AAs) are emerging as a novel and important class of signaling molecules in many organs, including the brain and endocrine systems. There has been considerable progress in our understanding of the fundamental roles of these atypical messengers, with increasingly recognized implications in a wide range of neuropathologies, including schizophrenia (SCZ), epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), substance abuse, and chronic pain, among others. Research has enabled the discovery that d-serine, d-aspartate and more recently d-cysteine are essential for the healthy development and function of the central nervous system (CNS). We discuss recent progress that has profoundly transformed our vision of numerous physiological processes but has also shown how d-AAs are now offering therapeutic promise in clinical settings for several human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Nem de Oliveira Souza
- Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology Team, Laboratoire LuMIn UMR9024 Université Paris-Saclay, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupelec, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robin Roychaudhuri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Birth Defects, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jacqueline de Belleroche
- Neurogenetics Group, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jean-Pierre Mothet
- Biophotonics and Synapse Physiopathology Team, Laboratoire LuMIn UMR9024 Université Paris-Saclay, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupelec, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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7
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Rabattoni V, Motta Z, Miceli M, Molla G, Fissore A, Adinolfi S, Pollegioni L, Sacchi S. On the regulation of human D-aspartate oxidase. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4802. [PMID: 37805834 PMCID: PMC10588558 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The human flavoenzyme D-aspartate oxidase (hDASPO) controls the level of D-aspartate in the brain, a molecule acting as an agonist of NMDA receptors and modulator of AMPA and mGlu5 receptors. hDASPO-induced D-aspartate degradation prevents age-dependent deterioration of brain functions and is related to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Notwithstanding this crucial role, less is known about hDASPO regulation. Here, we report that hDASPO is nitrosylated in vitro, while no evidence of sulfhydration and phosphorylation is apparent: nitrosylation affects the activity of the human flavoenzyme to a limited extent. Furthermore, hDASPO interacts with the primate-specific protein pLG72 (a well-known negative chaperone of D-amino acid oxidase, the enzyme deputed to D-serine degradation in the human brain), yielding a ~114 kDa complex, with a micromolar dissociation constant, promoting the flavoenzyme inactivation. At the cellular level, pLG72 and hDASPO generate a cytosolic complex: the expression of pLG72 negatively affects the hDASPO level by reducing its half-life. We propose that pLG72 binding may represent a protective mechanism aimed at avoiding cytotoxicity due to H2 O2 produced by the hDASPO enzymatic degradation of D-aspartate, especially before the final targeting to peroxisomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Rabattoni
- “The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della VitaUniversità degli studi dell'InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Zoraide Motta
- “The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della VitaUniversità degli studi dell'InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Matteo Miceli
- “The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della VitaUniversità degli studi dell'InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Gianluca Molla
- “The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della VitaUniversità degli studi dell'InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Alex Fissore
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del FarmacoUniversità di TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Salvatore Adinolfi
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del FarmacoUniversità di TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Loredano Pollegioni
- “The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della VitaUniversità degli studi dell'InsubriaVareseItaly
| | - Silvia Sacchi
- “The Protein Factory 2.0”, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della VitaUniversità degli studi dell'InsubriaVareseItaly
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8
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Tripodi F, Motta Z, Murtas G, Rabattoni V, Nonnis S, Grassi Scalvini F, Rinaldi AM, Rizzi R, Bearzi C, Badone B, Sacchi S, Tedeschi G, Maffioli E, Coccetti P, Pollegioni L. Serine metabolism during differentiation of human iPSC-derived astrocytes. FEBS J 2023; 290:4440-4464. [PMID: 37166453 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16816] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are essential players in development and functions, being particularly relevant as regulators of brain energy metabolism, ionic homeostasis and synaptic transmission. They are also the major source of l-serine in the brain, which is synthesized from the glycolytic intermediate 3-phosphoglycerate through the phosphorylated pathway. l-Serine is the precursor of the two main co-agonists of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, glycine and d-serine. Strikingly, dysfunctions in both l- and d-serine metabolism are associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Here, we exploited a differentiation protocol, based on the generation of human mature astrocytes from neural stem cells, and investigated the modification of the proteomic and metabolomic profile during the differentiation process. We show that differentiated astrocytes are more similar to mature rather than to reactive ones, and that axogenesis and pyrimidine metabolism increase up to 30 days along with the folate cycle and sphingolipid metabolism. Consistent with the proliferation and cellular maturation processes that are taking place, also the intracellular levels of l-serine, glycine, threonine, l- and d-aspartate (which level is unexpectedly higher than that of d-serine) show the same biosynthetic time course. A significant utilization of l-serine from the medium is apparent while glycine is first consumed and then released with a peak at 30 days, parallel to its intracellular level. These results underline how metabolism changes during astrocyte differentiation, highlight that d-serine synthesis is restricted in differentiated astrocytes and provide a valuable model for developing potential novel therapeutic approaches to address brain diseases, especially the ones related to serine metabolism alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farida Tripodi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Zoraide Motta
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Giulia Murtas
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Valentina Rabattoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Simona Nonnis
- DIVAS, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milano, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberto Rizzi
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical-Surgical Science and Biotechnologies, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
| | - Claudia Bearzi
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Milan, Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy (ITB-CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Badone
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Silvia Sacchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Gabriella Tedeschi
- DIVAS, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milano, Italy
- CIMAINA, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Maffioli
- DIVAS, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Coccetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Loredano Pollegioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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9
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Liu Y, Wu Z, Armstrong DW, Wolosker H, Zheng Y. Detection and analysis of chiral molecules as disease biomarkers. Nat Rev Chem 2023; 7:355-373. [PMID: 37117811 PMCID: PMC10175202 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00476-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The chirality of small metabolic molecules is important in controlling physiological processes and indicating the health status of humans. Abnormal enantiomeric ratios of chiral molecules in biofluids and tissues occur in many diseases, including cancers and kidney and brain diseases. Thus, chiral small molecules are promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, adverse drug-effect monitoring, pharmacodynamic studies and personalized medicine. However, it remains difficult to achieve cost-effective and reliable analysis of small chiral molecules in clinical procedures, in part owing to their large variety and low concentration. In this Review, we describe current and emerging techniques that detect and quantify small-molecule enantiomers and their biological importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoran Liu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Zilong Wu
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Daniel W Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
| | - Herman Wolosker
- Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Yuebing Zheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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10
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Santillo A, Falvo S, Venditti M, Di Maio A, Chieffi Baccari G, Errico F, Usiello A, Minucci S, Di Fiore MM. D-Aspartate Depletion Perturbs Steroidogenesis and Spermatogenesis in Mice. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040621. [PMID: 37189369 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
High levels of free D-aspartate (D-Asp) are present in vertebrate testis during post-natal development, coinciding with the onset of testosterone production, which suggests that this atypical amino acid might participate in the regulation of hormone biosynthesis. To elucidate the unknown role of D-Asp on testicular function, we investigated steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in a one-month-old knockin mouse model with the constitutive depletion of D-Asp levels due to the targeted overexpression of D-aspartate oxidase (DDO), which catalyzes the deaminative oxidation of D-Asp to generate the corresponding α-keto acid, oxaloacetate, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonium ions. In the Ddo knockin mice, we found a dramatic reduction in testicular D-Asp levels, accompanied by a significant decrease in the serum testosterone levels and testicular 17β-HSD, the enzyme involved in testosterone biosynthesis. Additionally, in the testes of these Ddo knockin mice, the expression of PCNA and SYCP3 proteins decreased, suggesting alterations in spermatogenesis-related processes, as well as an increase in the cytosolic cytochrome c protein levels and TUNEL-positive cell number, which indicate an increase in apoptosis. To further investigate the histological and morphometric testicular alterations in Ddo knockin mice, we analyzed the expression and localization of prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) and disheveled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (DAAM1), two proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization. Our results showed that the testicular levels of DAAM1 and PREP in Ddo knockin mice were different from those in wild-type animals, suggesting that the deficiency of D-Asp is associated with overall cytoskeletal disorganization. Our findings confirmed that physiological D-Asp influences testosterone biosynthesis and plays a crucial role in germ cell proliferation and differentiation, which are required for successful reproduction.
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11
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D-Amino Acids and Cancer: Friends or Foes? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043274. [PMID: 36834677 PMCID: PMC9962368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
α-amino acids exist in two configurations, named D-(dextro) and L-(levo) enantiomers. L-amino acids are used in protein synthesis and play a central role in cell metabolism. The effects of the L-amino acid composition of foods and the dietary modifications of this composition on the efficacy of cancer therapies have been widely investigated in relation to the growth and reproduction of cancerous cells. However, less is known about the involvement of D-amino acids. In recent decades, D-amino acids have been identified as natural biomolecules that play interesting and specific roles as common components of the human diet. Here, we focus on recent investigations showing altered D-amino acid levels in specific cancer types and on the various roles proposed for these biomolecules related to cancer cell proliferation, cell protection during therapy, and as putative, innovative biomarkers. Notwithstanding recent progress, the relationship between the presence of D-amino acids, their nutritional value, and cancer cell proliferation and survival represents an underrated scientific issue. Few studies on human samples have been reported to date, suggesting a need for routine analysis of D-amino acid content and an evaluation of the enzymes involved in regulating their levels in clinical samples in the near future.
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12
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The Role of D-Serine and D-Aspartate in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14235142. [PMID: 36501171 PMCID: PMC9736950 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (Sch) is a severe and widespread mental disorder. Antipsychotics (APs) of the first and new generations as the first-line treatment of Sch are not effective in about a third of cases and are also unable to treat negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of schizophrenics. This explains the search for new therapeutic strategies for a disease-modifying therapy for treatment-resistant Sch (TRS). Biological compounds are of great interest to researchers and clinicians, among which D-Serine (D-Ser) and D-Aspartate (D-Asp) are among the promising ones. The Sch glutamate theory suggests that neurotransmission dysfunction caused by glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) may represent a primary deficiency in this mental disorder and play an important role in the development of TRS. D-Ser and D-Asp are direct NMDAR agonists and may be involved in modulating the functional activity of dopaminergic neurons. This narrative review demonstrates both the biological role of D-Ser and D-Asp in the normal functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and in the pathogenesis of Sch and TRS. Particular attention is paid to D-Ser and D-Asp as promising components of a nutritive disease-modifying therapy for TRS.
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13
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Lombardo B, Pagani M, De Rosa A, Nunziato M, Migliarini S, Garofalo M, Terrile M, D’Argenio V, Galbusera A, Nuzzo T, Ranieri A, Vitale A, Leggiero E, Di Maio A, Barsotti N, Borello U, Napolitano F, Mandarino A, Carotenuto M, Heresco-Levy U, Pasqualetti M, Malatesta P, Gozzi A, Errico F, Salvatore F, Pastore L, Usiello A. D-aspartate oxidase gene duplication induces social recognition memory deficit in mice and intellectual disabilities in humans. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:305. [PMID: 35915065 PMCID: PMC9343392 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02088-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The D-aspartate oxidase (DDO) gene encodes the enzyme responsible for the catabolism of D-aspartate, an atypical amino acid enriched in the mammalian brain and acting as an endogenous NMDA receptor agonist. Considering the key role of NMDA receptors in neurodevelopmental disorders, recent findings suggest a link between D-aspartate dysmetabolism and schizophrenia. To clarify the role of D-aspartate on brain development and functioning, we used a mouse model with constitutive Ddo overexpression and D-aspartate depletion. In these mice, we found reduced number of BrdU-positive dorsal pallium neurons during corticogenesis, and decreased cortical and striatal gray matter volume at adulthood. Brain abnormalities were associated with social recognition memory deficit at juvenile phase, suggesting that early D-aspartate occurrence influences neurodevelopmental related phenotypes. We corroborated this hypothesis by reporting the first clinical case of a young patient with severe intellectual disability, thought disorders and autism spectrum disorder symptomatology, harboring a duplication of a chromosome 6 region, including the entire DDO gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Lombardo
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Pagani
- grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Arianna De Rosa
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Marcella Nunziato
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Migliarini
- grid.5395.a0000 0004 1757 3729Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Garofalo
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Marta Terrile
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Dipartimento di Oncologia, Biologia e Genetica, Università di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,grid.496862.70000 0004 0544 6263Present Address: Novartis Ireland ltd, D04A9N6 Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Valeria D’Argenio
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,Dipartimento di Promozione delle Scienze Umane e della Qualità della Vita, Università San Raffaele, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Galbusera
- grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Tommaso Nuzzo
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Annaluisa Ranieri
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Vitale
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Eleonora Leggiero
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Maio
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Noemi Barsotti
- grid.5395.a0000 0004 1757 3729Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ugo Borello
- grid.5395.a0000 0004 1757 3729Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Napolitano
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mandarino
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80100 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Carotenuto
- grid.9841.40000 0001 2200 8888Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80100 Naples, Italy
| | - Uriel Heresco-Levy
- grid.414060.70000 0004 0470 6676Research and Psychiatry Departments, Ezrath Nashim-Herzog Memorial Hospital, 9190501 Jerusalem, Israel ,grid.9619.70000 0004 1937 0538Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University, 9190501 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 38068 Rovereto, Italy ,grid.5395.a0000 0004 1757 3729Unità di Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- grid.5606.50000 0001 2151 3065Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy ,grid.410345.70000 0004 1756 7871Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 38068 Rovereto, Italy
| | - Francesco Errico
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XCEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy ,grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Francesco Salvatore
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145, Naples, Italy. .,Centro Interuniversitario per Malattie Multigeniche e Multifattoriali e loro modelli animali (Federico II, 80131, Naples; Tor Vergata, Rome and "G. D'Annunzio", Chieti-Pescara), Naples, Italy.
| | - Lucio Pastore
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145, Naples, Italy. .,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145, Naples, Italy. .,Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.
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14
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de Bartolomeis A, Vellucci L, Austin MC, De Simone G, Barone A. Rational and Translational Implications of D-Amino Acids for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: From Neurobiology to the Clinics. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070909. [PMID: 35883465 PMCID: PMC9312470 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia has been conceptualized as a neurodevelopmental disorder with synaptic alterations and aberrant cortical–subcortical connections. Antipsychotics are the mainstay of schizophrenia treatment and nearly all share the common feature of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy, whereas glutamatergic abnormalities are not targeted by the presently available therapies. D-amino acids, acting as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulators, have emerged in the last few years as a potential augmentation strategy in those cases of schizophrenia that do not respond well to antipsychotics, a condition defined as treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), affecting almost 30–40% of patients, and characterized by serious cognitive deficits and functional impairment. In the present systematic review, we address with a direct and reverse translational perspective the efficacy of D-amino acids, including D-serine, D-aspartate, and D-alanine, in poor responders. The impact of these molecules on the synaptic architecture is also considered in the light of dendritic spine changes reported in schizophrenia and antipsychotics’ effect on postsynaptic density proteins. Moreover, we describe compounds targeting D-amino acid oxidase and D-aspartate oxidase enzymes. Finally, other drugs acting at NMDAR and proxy of D-amino acids function, such as D-cycloserine, sarcosine, and glycine, are considered in the light of the clinical burden of TRS, together with other emerging molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-7463673 or +39-081-7463884 or +39-3662745592; Fax: +39-081-7462644
| | - Licia Vellucci
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Mark C. Austin
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Program, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA;
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Annarita Barone
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
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15
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Mechanism of high D-aspartate production in the lactic acid bacterium Latilactobacillus sp. strain WDN19. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:2651-2663. [PMID: 35305124 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-11870-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
D-Aspartate (D-Asp) is a useful compound for a semisynthetic antibiotic and has potentially beneficial effects on humans. Several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species produce D-Asp as a component of cell wall peptidoglycan. We previously isolated a LAB strain (named strain WDN19) that can extracellularly produce a large amount of D-Asp. Here, we show the factors that contribute to high D-Asp production ability. Strain WDN19 was most closely related to Latilactobacillus curvatus. The D-Asp production ability of strain WDN19 in a rich medium was 13.7-fold higher than that of L. curvatus DSM 20019. A major part of D-Asp was synthesized from L-Asp contained in the medium by aspartate racemase (RacD). During their cultivation, the RacD activity in strain WDN19 was higher than in strain DSM 20019, especially much higher in the early exponential growth phase because of the higher racD transcription and the higher activity of RacD itself of strain WDN19. In a synthetic medium, the extracellular production of D,L-Asp was observed in strain WDN19 but not in strain DSM 20019. The addition of L-asparagine (L-Asn) to the medium increased and gave D,L-Asp production in strains WDN19 and DSM 20019, respectively, suggesting L-Asp synthesis by L-asparaginase (AsnA). The L-Asn uptake ability of the strains was similar, but the AsnA activity in the middle exponential and early stationary growth phases and intracellular D,L-Asp was much higher in strain WDN19. In their genome sequences, only an aspartate aminotransferase gene was found among L-Asp-metabolizing enzymes, except for RacD, but was disrupted in strain WDN19 by transposon insertion. These observations indicated that the high D-Asp production ability of strain WDN19 was mainly based on high RacD and AnsA activities and L-Asp supply. KEY POINTS: • Strain WDN19 was suggested to be a strain of Latilactobacillus curvatus. • Extracellular high d-Asp production ability was not a common feature of L. curvatus. • High d-Asp production was due to high RacD and AnsA activities and l-Asp supply.
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16
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Machine Learning algorithm unveils glutamatergic alterations in the post-mortem schizophrenia brain. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2022; 8:8. [PMID: 35217646 PMCID: PMC8881508 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-022-00231-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a disorder of synaptic plasticity and aberrant connectivity in which a major dysfunction in glutamate synapse has been suggested. However, a multi-level approach tackling diverse clusters of interacting molecules of the glutamate signaling in schizophrenia is still lacking. We investigated in the post-mortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus of schizophrenia patients and non-psychiatric controls, the levels of neuroactive d- and l-amino acids (l-glutamate, d-serine, glycine, l-aspartate, d-aspartate) by HPLC. Moreover, by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting we analyzed, respectively, the mRNA and protein levels of pre- and post-synaptic key molecules involved in the glutamatergic synapse functioning, including glutamate receptors (NMDA, AMPA, metabotropic), their interacting scaffolding proteins (PSD-95, Homer1b/c), plasma membrane and vesicular glutamate transporters (EAAT1, EAAT2, VGluT1, VGluT2), enzymes involved either in glutamate-dependent GABA neurotransmitter synthesis (GAD65 and 67), or in post-synaptic NMDA receptor-mediated signaling (CAMKIIα) and the pre-synaptic marker Synapsin-1. Univariable analyses revealed that none of the investigated molecules was differently represented in the post-mortem DLPFC and hippocampus of schizophrenia patients, compared with controls. Nonetheless, multivariable hypothesis-driven analyses revealed that the presence of schizophrenia was significantly affected by variations in neuroactive amino acid levels and glutamate-related synaptic elements. Furthermore, a Machine Learning hypothesis-free unveiled other discriminative clusters of molecules, one in the DLPFC and another in the hippocampus. Overall, while confirming a key role of glutamatergic synapse in the molecular pathophysiology of schizophrenia, we reported molecular signatures encompassing elements of the glutamate synapse able to discriminate patients with schizophrenia and normal individuals.
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17
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Song Y, Lally PJ, Yanez Lopez M, Oeltzschner G, Nebel MB, Gagoski B, Kecskemeti S, Hui SCN, Zöllner HJ, Shukla D, Arichi T, De Vita E, Yedavalli V, Thayyil S, Fallin D, Dean DC, Grant PE, Wisnowski JL, Edden RAE. Edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the neonatal brain. Neuroradiology 2022; 64:217-232. [PMID: 34654960 PMCID: PMC8887832 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-021-02821-9] [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: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
J-difference-edited spectroscopy is a valuable approach for the detection of low-concentration metabolites with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Currently, few edited MRS studies are performed in neonates due to suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio, relatively long acquisition times, and vulnerability to motion artifacts. Nonetheless, the technique presents an exciting opportunity in pediatric imaging research to study rapid maturational changes of neurotransmitter systems and other metabolic systems in early postnatal life. Studying these metabolic processes is vital to understanding the widespread and rapid structural and functional changes that occur in the first years of life. The overarching goal of this review is to provide an introduction to edited MRS for neonates, including the current state-of-the-art in editing methods and editable metabolites, as well as to review the current literature applying edited MRS to the neonatal brain. Existing challenges and future opportunities, including the lack of age-specific reference data, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulu Song
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter J Lally
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maria Yanez Lopez
- Center for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Beth Nebel
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Borjan Gagoski
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Fetal Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Steve C N Hui
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Helge J Zöllner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Deepika Shukla
- Centre for Perinatal Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tomoki Arichi
- Center for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Enrico De Vita
- Center for the Developing Brain, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Biomedical Engineering Department, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas's Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth Wing, 3rd Floor, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Vivek Yedavalli
- Division of Neuroradiology, Park 367G, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St. B-112 D, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sudhin Thayyil
- Centre for Perinatal Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Daniele Fallin
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Douglas C Dean
- Waisman Center, University of WI-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology and Newborn Nursery, University of WI-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.,Department of Medical Physics, University of WI-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - P Ellen Grant
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Fetal Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica L Wisnowski
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.,Department of Radiology and Fetal and Neonatal Institute, CHLA Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Division of Neuroradiology, Park 367G, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St. B-112 D, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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18
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Imanishi D, Zaitsu S, Takahashi S. Regulation of d-Aspartate Oxidase Gene Expression by Pyruvate Metabolism in the Yeast Cryptococcus humicola. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122444. [PMID: 34946046 PMCID: PMC8708985 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122444] [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: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
d-Aspartate oxidase (DDO) is a peroxisomal flavoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of acidic d-amino acids. In the yeast Cryptococcus humicola strain UJ1, the enzyme ChDDO is essential for d-Asp utilization and is expressed only in the presence of d-Asp. Pyruvate carboxylase (Pyc) catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to oxaloacetate and is involved in the import and activation of certain peroxisomal flavoenzymes in yeasts. In this study, we analyzed the role of Pyc in the expression of ChDDO gene in C. humicola strain UJ1. PYC gene disruption (∆Chpyc1) in strain UJ1 resulted in growth retardation on glucose and NH4Cl medium. The growth was restored by supplying oxaloacetate from l-Asp or α-ketoglutarate by a transaminase. On the other hand, the supply of oxaloacetate from d-Asp by ChDDO was not able to prevent growth retardation because of a significant decrease in ChDDO gene expression at the transcriptional level. The addition of pyruvate significantly decreased ChDDO gene transcription in the ∆Chpyc1 strain but increased the same in the wild-type strain, even though the intracellular pyruvate content was similar in both strains. These results suggest that ChDDO gene expression might be regulated by pyruvate metabolism, as well as by the presence of d-Asp.
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19
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d-Amino Acids and pLG72 in Alzheimer's Disease and Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010917. [PMID: 34681579 PMCID: PMC8535920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies over the last several years have shown that d-amino acids, especially d-serine, have been related to brain and neurological disorders. Acknowledged neurological functions of d-amino acids include neurotransmission and learning and memory functions through modulating N-methyl-d-aspartate type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). Aberrant d-amino acids level and polymorphisms of genes related to d-amino acids metabolism are associated with neurodegenerative brain conditions. This review summarizes the roles of d-amino acids and pLG72, also known as d-amino acid oxidase activator, on two neurodegenerative disorders, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The scope includes the changes in d-amino acids levels, gene polymorphisms of G72 genomics, and the role of pLG72 on NMDARs and mitochondria in schizophrenia and AD. The clinical diagnostic value of d-amino acids and pLG72 and the therapeutic importance are also reviewed.
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20
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Pollegioni L, Molla G, Sacchi S, Murtas G. Human D-aspartate Oxidase: A Key Player in D-aspartate Metabolism. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:689719. [PMID: 34250021 PMCID: PMC8260693 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.689719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the D-enantiomers of amino acids have been recognized as natural molecules present in all kingdoms, playing a variety of biological roles. In humans, d-serine and d-aspartate attracted attention for their presence in the central nervous system. Here, we focus on d-aspartate, which is involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission and the synthesis of various hormones. The biosynthesis of d-aspartate is still obscure, while its degradation is due to the peroxisomal flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-containing enzyme d-aspartate oxidase. d-Aspartate emergence is strictly controlled: levels decrease in brain within the first days of life while increasing in endocrine glands postnatally and through adulthood. The human d-aspartate oxidase (hDASPO) belongs to the d-amino acid oxidase-like family: its tertiary structure closely resembles that of human d-amino acid oxidase (hDAAO), the enzyme that degrades neutral and basic d-amino acids. The structure-function relationships of the physiological isoform of hDASPO (named hDASPO_341) and the regulation of gene expression and distribution and properties of the longer isoform hDASPO_369 have all been recently elucidated. Beyond the substrate preference, hDASPO and hDAAO also differ in kinetic efficiency, FAD-binding affinity, pH profile, and oligomeric state. Such differences suggest that evolution diverged to create two different ways to modulate d-aspartate and d-serine levels in the human brain. Current knowledge about hDASPO is shedding light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of d-aspartate levels in human tissues and is pushing novel, targeted therapeutic strategies. Now, it has been proposed that dysfunction in NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission is caused by disrupted d-aspartate metabolism in the nervous system during the onset of various disorders (such as schizophrenia): the design of suitable hDASPO inhibitors aimed at increasing d-aspartate levels thus represents a novel and useful form of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredano Pollegioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Gianluca Molla
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Silvia Sacchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Giulia Murtas
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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21
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Kajitani K, Ishikawa T, Shibata K, Kouya T, Kera Y, Takahashi S. Development of an enzymatic screening method for d-aspartate-producing lactic acid bacteria. Enzyme Microb Technol 2021; 149:109835. [PMID: 34311880 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2021.109835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
d-Aspartate (d-Asp) is an important intermediate for synthetic penicillin and an endogenous amino acid that plays important roles in the endocrine and nervous systems in animals including humans. Lactic acid bacteria (LABs) have been used as probiotics in humans, and some LAB species produce d-Asp as a component of cell wall peptidoglycan. LAB strains with greater d-Asp production would therefore be valuable for industrial d-Asp production. In this study, we developed an enzymatic screening method for d-Asp-producing LABs and isolated a strain with high d-Asp production. The d-Asp concentration in the culture medium was colorimetrically estimated up to 4 mM using d-aspartate oxidase (ChDDO) from the yeast Cryptococcus humicola strain UJ1 coupled with horseradish peroxidase, although a more accurate determination required correction because of interference by the medium component Mn2+. We isolated 628 LAB strains from various foods and screened them for d-Asp production using the enzymatic d-Asp assay method. The screening identified 13 d-Asp-producing LAB strains, which were suggested to belong to the genera Latilactobacillus, Levilactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Enterococcus. d-Asp production ability was likely to widely differ among the strains in the same genera and species. One strain, named strain WDN19, produced much higher d-Asp levels (1.84 mM), and it was closely related to Latilactobacillus curvatus. These results indicated that the enzymatic screening method was useful for identifying and isolating d-Asp-producing LABs rapidly and easily, and it might provide novel findings regarding d-Asp production by LABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kengo Kajitani
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Takumi Ishikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Kimihiko Shibata
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Institute of Technology, Fukushima College, Iwaki, Fukushima, 970-8034, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Kouya
- Department of Materials Chemistry and Bioengineering, National Institute of Technology, Oyama College, Tochigi, 323-0806, Japan
| | - Yoshio Kera
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Shouji Takahashi
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
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22
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High performance liquid chromatography determination of L-glutamate, L-glutamine and glycine content in brain, cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum of patients affected by Alzheimer's disease. Amino Acids 2021; 53:435-449. [PMID: 33616735 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-02943-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Altered glutamatergic neurotransmission is thought to play a crucial role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Accordingly, the identification of peculiar biochemical patterns reflecting AD-related synaptopathy in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could have relevant diagnostic and prognostic implications. In this study, we measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography the amount of glutamate, glutamine and glycine in post-mortem brain samples of AD patients, as well as in CSF and blood serum of drug-free subjects encompassing the whole AD clinical spectrum (pre-clinical AD, n = 18, mild cognitive impairment-AD, n = 29, dementia AD, n = 30). Interestingly, we found that glutamate and glycine levels, as well as total tau protein content, were significantly reduced in the superior frontal gyrus of patients with AD, compared with non-demented controls. No significant change was also found in glutamate, glutamine and glycine CSF concentrations between AD patients and neurological controls. Remarkably, serum glutamate levels were significantly higher in patients affected by early AD phases compared to controls, and were negatively correlated with CSF total tau levels. Conversely, serum glutamine concentration was significantly increased in AD patients, with a negative correlation with MMSE performances. Finally, we reported a significant correlation between serum L-glutamate concentrations and CDR score in female but not in male cohort of AD subjects. Overall, our results suggest that serum glutamate and glutamine levels in AD patients could vary across disease stages, potentially reflecting the progressive alteration of glutamatergic signaling during neurodegenerative processes.
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23
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Piubelli L, Pollegioni L, Rabattoni V, Mauri M, Princiotta Cariddi L, Versino M, Sacchi S. Serum D-serine levels are altered in early phases of Alzheimer's disease: towards a precocious biomarker. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:77. [PMID: 33500383 PMCID: PMC7838302 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01202-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
D-Serine acts as a co-agonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) which appear overactivated in AD, while D-aspartate is a modulatory molecule acting on NMDAR as a second agonist. The aim of this work is to clarify whether the levels of these D-amino acids in serum are deregulated in AD, with the final goal to identify novel and precocious biomarkers in AD. Serum levels of L- and D-enantiomers of serine and aspartate were determined by HPLC using a pre-column derivatization procedure and a selective enzymatic degradation. Experimental data obtained from age-matched healthy subjects (HS) and AD patients were statistically evaluated by considering age, gender, and disease progression, and compared. Minor changes were apparent in the serum L- and D-aspartate levels in AD patients compared to HS. A positive correlation for the D-serine level and age was apparent in the AD cohort. Notably, the serum D-serine level and the D-/total serine ratio significantly increased with the progression of the disease. Gender seems to have a minor effect on the levels of all analytes tested. This work proposes that the serum D-serine level and D-/total serine ratio values as novel and valuable biomarkers for the progression of AD: the latter parameter allows to discriminate CDR 2 and CDR 1 patients from healthy (CDR 0) individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Piubelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
| | - Loredano Pollegioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Valentina Rabattoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Marco Mauri
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Ospedale di Circolo and Fondazione Macchi, ASST Settelaghi, Varese, Italy
| | - Lucia Princiotta Cariddi
- Center of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Maurizio Versino
- Neurology Unit, Ospedale di Circolo and Fondazione Macchi, ASST Settelaghi, Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Silvia Sacchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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24
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Loureiro CM, da Roza DL, Corsi-Zuelli F, Shuhama R, Fachim HA, Simões-Ambrosio LMC, Deminice R, Jordão AA, Menezes PR, Del-Ben CM, Louzada-Junior P. Plasma amino acids profile in first-episode psychosis, unaffected siblings and community-based controls. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21423. [PMID: 33293633 PMCID: PMC7722891 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78559-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations of plasma amino acids in early psychosis and their unaffected siblings are rare. We measured plasma amino acids involved in the co-activation of dopaminergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic, and serotoninergic neurotransmitters in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients (n = 166), unaffected siblings (n = 76), and community-based controls (n = 166) included in a cross-sectional study. Plasma levels of glutamic acid (GLU), glutamine, glycine, proline (PRO), tryptophan (TRP), tyrosine, serine and GABA were quantified by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. We used the generalized linear model adjusted by sex, age, and body mass index for group comparison and paired t-test for FEP-Sibling pairs. FEP had reduced GABA plasma levels compared to siblings and controls (p < 0.05 for both). Siblings had lower GLU, Glx and PRO (p < 0.05 for all) but increased TRP compared to patients and controls (p < 0.05 for both). FEP patients with longer duration of pharmacological treatment and medicated only with antipsychotics had increased GLU compared to FEP with shorter periods, or with those treated with a combination of medications (p < 0.05 for both). Finally, FEP patients treated only with antipsychotics presented higher Glx compared to those with mixed medications (p = 0.026). Our study suggests that FEP have low a GABA plasma profile. Unaffected siblings may be a possible risk group for metabolic abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Marcelino Loureiro
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP: 14049-900, Brazil. .,Population Mental Health Research Centre, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
| | - Daiane Leite da Roza
- Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences and Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Corsi-Zuelli
- Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences and Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rosana Shuhama
- Population Mental Health Research Centre, São Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences and Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Lívia Maria Cordeiro Simões-Ambrosio
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP: 14049-900, Brazil.,Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Rafael Deminice
- Department of Physical Education, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Alceu Afonso Jordão
- Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Health Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Paulo Rossi Menezes
- Population Mental Health Research Centre, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina Marta Del-Ben
- Population Mental Health Research Centre, São Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences and Behaviour, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Paulo Louzada-Junior
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP: 14049-900, Brazil.,Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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25
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Grimaldi M, Marino C, Buonocore M, Santoro A, Sommella E, Merciai F, Salviati E, De Rosa A, Nuzzo T, Errico F, Campiglia P, Usiello A, D'Ursi AM. Prenatal and Early Postnatal Cerebral d-Aspartate Depletion Influences l-Amino Acid Pathways, Bioenergetic processes, and Developmental Brain Metabolism. J Proteome Res 2020; 20:727-739. [PMID: 33274941 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
d-Amino acids were believed to occur only in bacteria and invertebrates. Today, it is well known that d-amino acids are also present in mammalian tissues in a considerable amount. In particular, high levels of free d-serine (d-Ser) and d-aspartate (d-Asp) are found in the brain. While the functions of d-Ser are well known, many questions remain unanswered regarding the role of d-Asp in the central nervous system. d-Asp is very abundant at the embryonic stage, while it strongly decreases after birth because of the expression of d-aspartate oxidase (Ddo) enzyme, which catalyzes the oxidation of this d-amino acid into oxaloacetate, ammonium, and hydrogen peroxide. Pharmacologically, d-Asp acts as an endogenous agonist of N-methyl d-aspartate and mGlu5 receptors, which are known to control fundamental brain processes, including brain development, synaptic plasticity, and cognition. In this work, we studied a recently generated knockin mouse model (R26ddo/ddo), which was designed to express DDO beginning at the zygotic stage. This strategy enables d-Asp to be almost eliminated in both prenatal and postnatal lives. To understand which biochemical pathways are affected by depletion of d-Asp, in this study, we carried out a metabolomic and lipidomic study of ddo knockin brains at different stages of embryonic and postnatal development, combining nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) techniques. Our study shows that d-Asp deficiency in the brain influences amino acid pathways such as threonine, glycine, alanine, valine, and glutamate. Interestingly, d-Asp is also correlated with metabolites involved in brain development and functions such as choline, creatine, phosphocholine (PCho), glycerophosphocholine (GPCho), sphingolipids, and glycerophospholipids, as well as metabolites involved in brain energy metabolism, such as GPCho, glucose, and lactate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmen Marino
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Michela Buonocore
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Angelo Santoro
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Merciai
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Emanuela Salviati
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Arianna De Rosa
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy.,Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania, L. Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Tommaso Nuzzo
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy.,Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania, L. Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesco Errico
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Università, 100-80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno, Via De Renzi 50, 84125 Salerno, Italy
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy.,Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies (DISTABIF), University of Campania, L. Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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26
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Usiello A, Di Fiore MM, De Rosa A, Falvo S, Errico F, Santillo A, Nuzzo T, Chieffi Baccari G. New Evidence on the Role of D-Aspartate Metabolism in Regulating Brain and Endocrine System Physiology: From Preclinical Observations to Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8718. [PMID: 33218144 PMCID: PMC7698810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The endogenous amino acids serine and aspartate occur at high concentrations in free D-form in mammalian organs, including the central nervous system and endocrine glands. D-serine (D-Ser) is largely localized in the forebrain structures throughout pre and postnatal life. Pharmacologically, D-Ser plays a functional role by acting as an endogenous coagonist at N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). Less is known about the role of free D-aspartate (D-Asp) in mammals. Notably, D-Asp has a specific temporal pattern of occurrence. In fact, free D-Asp is abundant during prenatal life and decreases greatly after birth in concomitance with the postnatal onset of D-Asp oxidase expression, which is the only enzyme known to control endogenous levels of this molecule. Conversely, in the endocrine system, D-Asp concentrations enhance after birth during its functional development, thereby suggesting an involvement of the amino acid in the regulation of hormone biosynthesis. The substantial binding affinity for the NMDAR glutamate site has led us to investigate the in vivo implications of D-Asp on NMDAR-mediated responses. Herein we review the physiological function of free D-Asp and of its metabolizing enzyme in regulating the functions of the brain and of the neuroendocrine system based on recent genetic and pharmacological human and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Usiello
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania «L. Vanvitelli», Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.M.D.F.); (S.F.); (A.S.); (T.N.)
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Maria Maddalena Di Fiore
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania «L. Vanvitelli», Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.M.D.F.); (S.F.); (A.S.); (T.N.)
| | - Arianna De Rosa
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy;
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Falvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania «L. Vanvitelli», Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.M.D.F.); (S.F.); (A.S.); (T.N.)
| | - Francesco Errico
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Santillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania «L. Vanvitelli», Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.M.D.F.); (S.F.); (A.S.); (T.N.)
| | - Tommaso Nuzzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania «L. Vanvitelli», Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.M.D.F.); (S.F.); (A.S.); (T.N.)
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Gabriella Chieffi Baccari
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania «L. Vanvitelli», Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (M.M.D.F.); (S.F.); (A.S.); (T.N.)
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27
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Seckler JM, Lewis SJ. Advances in D-Amino Acids in Neurological Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197325. [PMID: 33023061 PMCID: PMC7582301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [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: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
D-amino acids have been known to exist in the human brain for nearly 40 years, and they continue to be a field of active study to today. This review article aims to give a concise overview of the recent advances in D-amino acid research as they relate to the brain and neurological disorders. This work has largely been focused on modulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and its relationship to Alzheimer’s disease and Schizophrenia, but there has been a wealth of novel research which has elucidated a novel role for several D-amino acids in altering brain chemistry in a neuroprotective manner. D-amino acids which have no currently known activity in the brain but which have active derivatives will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M. Seckler
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Stephen J. Lewis
- Department Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
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Nuzzo T, Miroballo M, Casamassa A, Mancini A, Gaetani L, Nisticò R, Eusebi P, Katane M, Homma H, Calabresi P, Errico F, Parnetti L, Usiello A. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum d-serine concentrations are unaltered across the whole clinical spectrum of Alzheimer's disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140537. [PMID: 32896673 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) relies on the presence of amyloidosis and tauopathy, as reflected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), independently from the clinical stage. Recently, CSF d-serine has been proposed as a possible new AD biomarker, reflecting dysfunctional activation of neuronal glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). In this study, we measured blood serum and CSF concentration of two NMDAR modulators, such as d-serine and d-aspartate, in a cohort of drug-free subjects encompassing the whole AD clinical spectrum. In addition, we also analyzed d-serine levels in a cohort of post-mortem AD and control cortex samples. We reported unaltered serum and CSF concentrations of d-serine and d-aspartate in AD patients both during the AD progression and compared to non-demented controls. Accordingly, no correlation was detected between serum or CSF d-serine content and mini-mental state examination or Clinical Dementia Rating. Similarly, cortical d-serine levels were also unaltered in post-mortem samples of AD patients. Overall, our results failed to confirm previous findings indicating the CSF d-serine as a novel biomarker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Nuzzo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy; CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Mattia Miroballo
- IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Mancini
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Gaetani
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Robert Nisticò
- School of Pharmacy, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Pharmacology of synaptic Plasticity Lab, European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Eusebi
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - Masumi Katane
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Neurologia, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Errico
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici, Italy
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy; CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy.
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Dysfunctional d-aspartate metabolism in BTBR mouse model of idiopathic autism. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140531. [PMID: 32853769 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by impairment in social interaction, deviance in communication, and repetitive behaviors. Dysfunctional ionotropic NMDA and AMPA receptors, and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 activity at excitatory synapses has been recently linked to multiple forms of ASD. Despite emerging evidence showing that d-aspartate and d-serine are important neuromodulators of glutamatergic transmission, no systematic investigation on the occurrence of these D-amino acids in preclinical ASD models has been carried out. METHODS Through HPLC and qPCR analyses we investigated d-aspartate and d-serine metabolism in the brain and serum of four ASD mouse models. These include BTBR mice, an idiopathic model of ASD, and Cntnap2-/-, Shank3-/-, and 16p11.2+/- mice, three established genetic mouse lines recapitulating high confidence ASD-associated mutations. RESULTS Biochemical and gene expression mapping in Cntnap2-/-, Shank3-/-, and 16p11.2+/- failed to find gross cerebral and serum alterations in d-aspartate and d-serine metabolism. Conversely, we found a striking and stereoselective increased d-aspartate content in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and serum of inbred BTBR mice. Consistent with biochemical assessments, in the same brain areas we also found a robust reduction in mRNA levels of d-aspartate oxidase, encoding the enzyme responsible for d-aspartate catabolism. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated the presence of disrupted d-aspartate metabolism in a widely used animal model of idiopathic ASD. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Overall, this work calls for a deeper investigation of D-amino acids in the etiopathology of ASD and related developmental disorders.
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Rosini E, D’Antona P, Pollegioni L. Biosensors for D-Amino Acids: Detection Methods and Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4574. [PMID: 32605078 PMCID: PMC7369756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
D-enantiomers of amino acids (D-AAs) are only present in low amounts in nature, frequently at trace levels, and for this reason, their biological function was undervalued for a long time. In the past 25 years, the improvements in analytical methods, such as gas chromatography, HPLC, and capillary electrophoresis, allowed to detect D-AAs in foodstuffs and biological samples and to attribute them specific biological functions in mammals. These methods are time-consuming, expensive, and not suitable for online application; however, life science investigations and industrial applications require rapid and selective determination of D-AAs, as only biosensors can offer. In the present review, we provide a status update concerning biosensors for detecting and quantifying D-AAs and their applications for safety and quality of foods, human health, and neurological research. The review reports the main challenges in the field, such as selectivity, in order to distinguish the different D-AAs present in a solution, the simultaneous assay of both L- and D-AAs, the production of implantable devices, and surface-scanning biosensors. These innovative tools will push future research aimed at investigating the neurological role of D-AAs, a vibrant field that is growing at an accelerating pace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rosini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (P.D.); (L.P.)
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Errico F, Cuomo M, Canu N, Caputo V, Usiello A. New insights on the influence of free d-aspartate metabolism in the mammalian brain during prenatal and postnatal life. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140471. [PMID: 32561430 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Free d-aspartate is abundant in the mammalian embryonic brain. However, following the postnatal onset of the catabolic d-aspartate oxidase (DDO) activity, cerebral d-aspartate levels drastically decrease, remaining constantly low throughout life. d-Aspartate stimulates both glutamatergic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and metabotropic Glu5 receptors. In rodents, short-term d-aspartate exposure increases spine density and synaptic plasticity, and improves cognition. Conversely, persistently high d-Asp levels produce NMDAR-dependent neurotoxic effects, leading to precocious neuroinflammation and cell death. These pieces of evidence highlight the dichotomous impact of d-aspartate signaling on NMDAR-dependent processes and, in turn, unveil a neuroprotective role for DDO in preventing the detrimental effects of excessive d-aspartate stimulation during aging. Here, we will focus on the in vivo influence of altered d-aspartate metabolism on the modulation of glutamatergic functions and its involvement in translational studies. Finally, preliminary data on the role of embryonic d-aspartate in the mouse brain will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Errico
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80055 Portici, Italy.
| | - Mariella Cuomo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nadia Canu
- Department of System Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy; Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR), 00015, Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Caputo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145 Naples, Italy; Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Prenatal expression of d-aspartate oxidase causes early cerebral d-aspartate depletion and influences brain morphology and cognitive functions at adulthood. Amino Acids 2020; 52:597-617. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02839-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Translating preclinical findings in clinically relevant new antipsychotic targets: focus on the glutamatergic postsynaptic density. Implications for treatment resistant schizophrenia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:795-827. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Selective demethylation of two CpG sites causes postnatal activation of the Dao gene and consequent removal of D-serine within the mouse cerebellum. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:149. [PMID: 31661019 PMCID: PMC6819446 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0732-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed epigenetic modifications occurring at early postnatal brain developmental stages may have a long-lasting impact on brain function and complex behavior throughout life. Notably, it is now emerging that several genes that undergo perinatal changes in DNA methylation are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. In this context, we envisaged that epigenetic modifications during the perinatal period may potentially drive essential changes in the genes regulating brain levels of critical neuromodulators such as D-serine and D-aspartate. Dysfunction of this fine regulation may contribute to the genesis of schizophrenia or other mental disorders, in which altered levels of D-amino acids are found. We recently demonstrated that Ddo, the D-aspartate degradation gene, is actively demethylated to ultimately reduce D-aspartate levels. However, the role of epigenetics as a mechanism driving the regulation of appropriate D-ser levels during brain development has been poorly investigated to date. METHODS We performed comprehensive ultradeep DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation profiling along with mRNA expression and HPLC-based D-amino acids level analyses of genes controlling the mammalian brain levels of D-serine and D-aspartate. DNA methylation changes occurring in specific cerebellar cell types were also investigated. We conducted high coverage targeted bisulfite sequencing by next-generation sequencing and single-molecule bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS We report consistent spatiotemporal modifications occurring at the Dao gene during neonatal development in a specific brain region (the cerebellum) and within specific cell types (astrocytes) for the first time. Dynamic demethylation at two specific CpG sites located just downstream of the transcription start site was sufficient to strongly activate the Dao gene, ultimately promoting the complete physiological degradation of cerebellar D-serine a few days after mouse birth. High amount of 5'-hydroxymethylcytosine, exclusively detected at relevant CpG sites, strongly evoked the occurrence of an active demethylation process. CONCLUSION The present investigation demonstrates that robust and selective demethylation of two CpG sites is associated with postnatal activation of the Dao gene and consequent removal of D-serine within the mouse cerebellum. A single-molecule methylation approach applied at the Dao locus promises to identify different cell-type compositions and functions in different brain areas and developmental stages.
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Bastings JJ, van Eijk HM, Olde Damink SW, Rensen SS. d-amino Acids in Health and Disease: A Focus on Cancer. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11092205. [PMID: 31547425 PMCID: PMC6770864 DOI: 10.3390/nu11092205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
d-amino acids, the enantiomeric counterparts of l-amino acids, were long considered to be non-functional or not even present in living organisms. Nowadays, d-amino acids are acknowledged to play important roles in numerous physiological processes in the human body. The most commonly studied link between d-amino acids and human physiology concerns the contribution of d-serine and d-aspartate to neurotransmission. These d-amino acids and several others have also been implicated in regulating innate immunity and gut barrier function. Importantly, the presence of certain d-amino acids in the human body has been linked to several diseases including schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and age-related disorders such as cataract and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, increasing evidence supports a role for d-amino acids in the development, pathophysiology, and treatment of cancer. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the various sources of d-amino acids, their metabolism, as well as their contribution to physiological processes and diseases in man, with a focus on cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacco J.A.J. Bastings
- Department of Surgery, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands (H.M.v.E.); (S.W.O.D.)
- Department of Human Biology, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans M. van Eijk
- Department of Surgery, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands (H.M.v.E.); (S.W.O.D.)
| | - Steven W. Olde Damink
- Department of Surgery, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands (H.M.v.E.); (S.W.O.D.)
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sander S. Rensen
- Department of Surgery, NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands (H.M.v.E.); (S.W.O.D.)
- Correspondence:
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Goudarzvand M, Panahi Y, Yazdani R, Miladi H, Tahmasebi S, Sherafat A, Afraei S, Abouhamzeh K, Jamee M, Al-Hussieni KJMR, Mohammadi H, Mohebbi A, Hossein-Khannazer N, Zaki-Dizaji M, Di Fiore MM, D'Aniello A, Azizi G. The Effects of D-aspartate on Neurosteroids, Neurosteroid Receptors, and Inflammatory Mediators in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2019; 19:316-325. [PMID: 30289086 DOI: 10.2174/1871530318666181005093459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a widely used model for multiple sclerosis. The present study has been designed to compare the efficiencies of oral and intraperitoneal (IP) administration of D-aspartate (D-Asp) on the onset and severity of EAE, the production of neurosteroids, and the expression of neurosteroid receptors and inflammatory mediators in the brain of EAE mice. METHODS In this study, EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice treated with D-Asp orally (D-Asp-Oral) or by IP injection (D-Asp-IP). On the 20th day, brains (cerebrums) and cerebellums of mice were evaluated by histological analyses. The brains of mice were analyzed for: 1) Neurosteroid (Progesterone, Testosterone, 17β-estradiol) concentrations; 2) gene expressions of cytokines and neurosteroid receptors by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and 3) quantitative determination of D-Asp using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Further, some inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were identified in the mouse serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that after D-Asp was administered, it was taken up and accumulated within the brain. Further, IP injection of D-Asp had more beneficial effects on EAE severity than oral gavage. The concentration of the testosterone and 17β-estradiol in D-Asp-IP group was significantly higher than that of the control group. There were no significant differences in the gene expression of cytokine and neurosteroid receptors between control, D-Asp-IP, and D-Asp-Oral groups. However, IP treatment with D-Asp significantly reduced C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and MMP-2 serum levels compared to control mice. CONCLUSION IP injection of D-Asp had more beneficial effects on EAE severity, neurosteroid induction and reduction of inflammatory mediators than oral gavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Goudarzvand
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Yaser Panahi
- North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Reza Yazdani
- Research Centre for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hosein Miladi
- Department of Pathology, Imam Khomeini Hospital affiliated to Social Security Organization, Arak, Iran
| | - Saeed Tahmasebi
- Department of Biology, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
| | - Amin Sherafat
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
| | - Sanaz Afraei
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kosar Abouhamzeh
- Research Centre for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Jamee
- Student Research Committee, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran
| | | | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Mohebbi
- Growth and Development Research Centre, Paediatrics Centre of Excellence, Children's Medical Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikoo Hossein-Khannazer
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Zaki-Dizaji
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maria Maddalena Di Fiore
- Universita della Campania "L. Vanvitelli" Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Antimo D'Aniello
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Gholamreza Azizi
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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The levels of the NMDA receptor co-agonist D-serine are reduced in the substantia nigra of MPTP-lesioned macaques and in the cerebrospinal fluid of Parkinson's disease patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8898. [PMID: 31222058 PMCID: PMC6586824 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45419-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated transmission is supposed to contribute to the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and to L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Besides the main agonist L-glutamate, two other amino acids in the atypical D-configuration, D-serine and D-aspartate, activate NMDARs. In the present work, we investigated the effect of dopamine depletion on D-amino acids metabolism in the brain of MPTP-lesioned Macaca mulatta, and in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of PD patients. We found that MPTP treatment increases D-aspartate and D-serine in the monkey putamen while L-DOPA rescues both D-amino acids levels. Conversely, dopaminergic denervation is associated with selective D-serine reduction in the substantia nigra. Such decrease suggests that the beneficial effect of D-serine adjuvant therapy previously reported in PD patients may derive from the normalization of endogenous D-serine levels and consequent improvement of nigrostriatal hypoglutamatergic transmission at glycine binding site. We also found reduced D-serine concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of L-DOPA-free PD patients. These results further confirm the existence of deep interaction between dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in PD and disclose a possible direct influence of D-amino acids variations in the changes of NMDAR transmission occurring under dopamine denervation and L-DOPA therapy.
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Takahashi S, Osugi K, Shimekake Y, Shinbo A, Abe K, Kera Y. Characterization and improvement of substrate-binding affinity of D-aspartate oxidase of the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces dupontii. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:4053-4064. [PMID: 30937498 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-09787-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
D-Aspartate oxidase (DDO) is a valuable enzyme that can be utilized in the determination of acidic D-amino acids and the optical resolution of a racemic mixture of acidic amino acids, which require its higher stability, higher catalytic activity, and higher substrate-binding affinity. In the present study, we identified DDO gene (TdDDO) of a thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces dupontii, and characterized the recombinant enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli. In addition, we generated a variant that has a higher substrate-binding affinity. The recombinant TdDDO expressed in E. coli exhibited oxidase activity toward acidic D-amino acids and a neutral D-amino acid, D-Gln, with the highest activity toward D-Glu. The Km and kcat values for D-Glu were 2.16 mM and 217 s-1, respectively. The enzyme had an optimum pH and temperature 8.0 and 60 °C, respectively, and was stable between pH 5.0 and 10.0, with a T50 of ca. 51 °C, which was much higher than that in DDOs from other origins. Enzyme stability decreased following a decrease in protein concentration, and externally added FAD could not repress the destabilization. The mutation of Phe248, potentially located in the active site of TdDDO, to Tyr residue, conserved in DDOs and D-amino acid oxidases, markedly increased substrate-binding affinity. The results showed the great potential of TdDDO and the variant for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouji Takahashi
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
| | - Kohei Osugi
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Yuya Shimekake
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Akira Shinbo
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Katsumasa Abe
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Yoshio Kera
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
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Free d-aspartate triggers NMDA receptor-dependent cell death in primary cortical neurons and perturbs JNK activation, Tau phosphorylation, and protein SUMOylation in the cerebral cortex of mice lacking d-aspartate oxidase activity. Exp Neurol 2019; 317:51-65. [PMID: 30822420 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, free d-aspartate (D-Asp) is abundant in the embryonic brain, while levels remain very low during adulthood as a result of the postnatal expression and activity of the catabolizing enzyme d-aspartate oxidase (DDO). Previous studies have shown that long-lasting exposure to nonphysiological, higher D-Asp concentrations in Ddo knockout (Ddo-/-) mice elicits a precocious decay of synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions, along with a dramatic age-dependent expression of active caspase 3, associated with increased cell death in different brain regions, including hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and substantia nigra pars compacta. Here, we investigate the yet unclear molecular and cellular events associated with the exposure of abnormally high D-Asp concentrations in cortical primary neurons and in the brain of Ddo-/- mice. For the first time, our in vitro findings document that D-Asp induces in a time-, dose-, and NMDA receptor-dependent manner alterations in JNK and Tau phosphorylation levels, associated with pronounced cell death in primary cortical neurons. Moreover, observations obtained in Ddo-/- animals confirmed that high in vivo levels of D-Asp altered cortical JNK signaling, Tau phosphorylation and enhanced protein SUMOylation, indicating a robust indirect role of DDO activity in regulating these biochemical NMDA receptor-related processes. Finally, no gross modifications in D-Asp concentrations and DDO mRNA expression were detected in the cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease when compared to age-matched healthy controls.
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Altered mRNA expressions for N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-related genes in WBC of patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2019; 245:1119-1125. [PMID: 30699855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex mental disorder. The lack of well-established biomarkers hinders its diagnosis, treatment, and new-drug development. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD. This study examined whether expressions of the NMDAR-related genes are characteristic of MDD. METHODS Expressions of NMDAR-related genes including SRR, SHMT2, PSAT1, GCAT, GAD1, SLC1A4, NRG1 and COMT in peripheral WBCs of 110 patients with MDD (25 drug-naïve, 21 drug-free, and 64 medicated patients) and 125 healthy individuals were measured using quantitative PCR. RESULTS The mRNA expression levels of SRR, PSAT1, GCAT, GAD1, NRG1 and COMT were significantly different among the four groups (all p < 0.05). For drug-naïve patients, the ΔΔCT values of SRR, PSAT1, GCAT, GAD1, and NRG1 mRNA expressions were significantly different from those in healthy individuals (all p < 0.05). The ROC analysis of the ΔΔCT values of the target genes for differentiating drug-naïve patients from healthy controls showed an excellent sensitivity (0.960) and modest specificity (0.640) (AUC = 0.889). Drug-free and medicated patients obtained less favorable AUC values while compared to healthy controls. The results for the age- and sex-matched cohort were similar to those of the unmatched cohort. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study demonstrating that the peripheral mRNA expression levels of NMDAR-related genes may be altered in patients with MDD, especially drug-naïve individuals. The finding supports the NMDAR hypothesis of depression. Whether mRNA expresssion of NMDAR-related genes could serve as a potential biomarker of MDD deserves further investigations.
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Nicoletti F, Orlando R, Di Menna L, Cannella M, Notartomaso S, Mascio G, Iacovelli L, Matrisciano F, Fazio F, Caraci F, Copani A, Battaglia G, Bruno V. Targeting mGlu Receptors for Optimization of Antipsychotic Activity and Disease-Modifying Effect in Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:49. [PMID: 30890967 PMCID: PMC6413697 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are considered as candidate drug targets for the treatment of schizophrenia. These receptors form a family of eight subtypes (mGlu1 to -8), of which mGlu1 and -5 are coupled to Gq/11, and all other subtypes are coupled to Gi/o. Here, we discuss the possibility that selective ligands of individual mGlu receptor subtypes may be effective in controlling the core symptoms of schizophrenia, and, in some cases, may impact mechanisms underlying the progression of the disorder. Recent evidence indicates that activation of mGlu1 receptors inhibits dopamine release in the meso-striatal system. Hence, selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGlu1 receptors hold promise for the treatment of positive symptoms of schizophrenia. mGlu5 receptors are widely expressed in the CNS and regulate the activity of cells that are involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, such as cortical GABAergic interneurons and microglial cells. mGlu5 receptor PAMs are under development for the treatment of schizophrenia and cater the potential to act as disease modifiers by restraining neuroinflammation. mGlu2 receptors have attracted considerable interest because they negatively modulate 5-HT2A serotonin receptor signaling in the cerebral cortex. Both mGlu2 receptor PAMs and orthosteric mGlu2/3 receptor agonists display antipsychotic-like activity in animal models, and the latter drugs are inactive in mice lacking mGlu2 receptors. So far, mGlu3 receptors have been left apart as drug targets for schizophrenia. However, activation of mGlu3 receptors boosts mGlu5 receptor signaling, supports neuronal survival, and drives microglial cells toward an antiinflammatory phenotype. This strongly encourages research of mGlu3 receptors in schizophrenia. Finally, preclical studies suggest that mGlu4 receptors might be targeted by novel antipsychotic drugs, whereas studies of mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors in animal models of psychosis are still at their infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Orlando
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Luisa Iacovelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Matrisciano
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute (IRCCS), Troina, Italy
| | - Agata Copani
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Bruno
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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Saitoh Y, Katane M, Miyamoto T, Sekine M, Sakamoto T, Imai H, Homma H. Secreted d-aspartate oxidase functions in C. elegans reproduction and development. FEBS J 2018; 286:124-138. [PMID: 30387556 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
d-Aspartate oxidase (DDO) is a degradative enzyme that acts stereospecifically on free acidic D-amino acids such as d-aspartate and d-glutamate. d-Aspartate plays an important role in regulating neurotransmission, developmental processes, hormone secretion, and reproductive functions in mammals. In contrast, the physiological role of d-glutamate in mammals remains unclear. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the enzyme responsible for in vivo metabolism of d-glutamate is DDO-3, one of the three DDO isoforms, which is also required for normal self-fertility, hatching, and lifespan. In general, eukaryotic DDOs localize to subcellular peroxisomes in a peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1)-dependent manner. However, DDO-3 does not contain a PTS1, but instead has a putative N-terminal signal peptide (SP). In this study, we found that DDO-3 is a secreted DDO, the first such enzyme to be described in eukaryotes. In hermaphrodites, DDO-3 was secreted from the proximal gonadal sheath cells in a SP-dependent manner and transferred to the oocyte surface. In males, DDO-3 was secreted from the seminal vesicle into the seminal fluid in a SP-dependent manner during mating with hermaphrodites. In both sexes, DDO-3 was secreted from the cells where it was produced into the body fluid and taken up by scavenger coelomocytes. Full-length DDO-3 transgene rescued all phenotypes elicited by the deletion of ddo-3, whereas a DDO-3 transgene lacking the putative SP did not. Together, these results indicate that secretion of DDO-3 is essential for its physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuaki Saitoh
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Japan
| | - Masumi Katane
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Japan
| | - Masae Sekine
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Japan
| | - Taro Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Imai
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Shirokane, Minato-ku, Japan
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Ball J, Gannavaram S, Gadda G. Structural determinants for substrate specificity of flavoenzymes oxidizing d-amino acids. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 660:87-96. [PMID: 30312594 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The oxidation of d-amino acids is relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, detoxification, and nutrition in microorganisms and mammals. It is also important for the resolution of racemic amino acid mixtures and the preparation of chiral building blocks for the pharmaceutical and food industry. Considerable biochemical and structural knowledge has been accrued in recent years on the enzymes that carry out the oxidation of the Cα-N bond of d-amino acids. These enzymes contain FAD as a required coenzyme, share similar overall three-dimensional folds and highly conserved active sites, but differ in their specificity for substrates with neutral, anionic, or cationic side-chains. Here, we summarize the current biochemical and structural knowledge regarding substrate specificity on d-amino acid oxidase, d-aspartate oxidase, and d-arginine dehydrogenase for which a wealth of biochemical and structural studies is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Ball
- Departments of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA
| | - Swathi Gannavaram
- Departments of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA
| | - Giovanni Gadda
- Departments of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA; Departments of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA; Center for Biotechnology and Drug Design, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA; Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3965, USA.
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Katane M, Ariyoshi M, Tateishi S, Koiwai S, Takaku K, Nagai K, Nakayama K, Saitoh Y, Miyamoto T, Sekine M, Mita M, Hamase K, Matoba S, Homma H. Structural and enzymatic properties of mammalian d-glutamate cyclase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 654:10-18. [PMID: 30003876 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
d-Glutamate cyclase (DGLUCY) is a unique enzyme that reversibly converts free d-glutamate to 5-oxo-d-proline and H2O. Mammalian DGLUCY is highly expressed in the mitochondrial matrix in the heart, and its downregulation disrupts d-glutamate and/or 5-oxo-d-proline levels, contributing to the onset and/or exacerbation of heart failure. However, detailed characterisation of DGLUCY has not yet been performed. Herein, the structural and enzymatic properties of purified recombinant mouse DGLUCY were examined. The results revealed a dimeric oligomerisation state, and both d-glutamate-to-5-oxo-d-proline and 5-oxo-d-proline-to-d-glutamate reactions were catalysed in a stereospecific manner. Catalytic activity is modulated by divalent cations and nucleotides including ATP and ADP. Interestingly, the presence of Mn2+ completely abolished the 5-oxo-d-proline-to-d-glutamate reaction but stimulated the d-glutamate-to-5-oxo-d-proline reaction. The optimum pH is ∼8.0, similar to that in the mitochondrial matrix, and the catalytic efficiency for d-glutamate is markedly higher than that for 5-oxo-d-proline. These findings suggest that DGLUCY functions as a metalloenzyme that degrades d-glutamate in the mitochondrial matrix in mammalian cells. The results also provide insight into the correlation between DGLUCY enzyme activity and the physiological and pathological roles of d-glutamate and 5-oxo-d-proline in cardiac function, which is of relevance to the risk of onset of heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masumi Katane
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Makoto Ariyoshi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Shuhei Tateishi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Sachi Koiwai
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Kaoruko Takaku
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Nagai
- Medicinal Research Laboratories, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nakayama
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Saitoh
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Masae Sekine
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Masashi Mita
- Shiseido Co., Ltd, 1-1-16 Higashi-shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0021, Japan
| | - Kenji Hamase
- Department of Drug Discovery and Evolution, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Satoaki Matoba
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
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Keller S, Punzo D, Cuomo M, Affinito O, Coretti L, Sacchi S, Florio E, Lembo F, Carella M, Copetti M, Cocozza S, Balu DT, Errico F, Usiello A, Chiariotti L. DNA methylation landscape of the genes regulating D-serine and D-aspartate metabolism in post-mortem brain from controls and subjects with schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10163. [PMID: 29976992 PMCID: PMC6033866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28332-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The spatio-temporal regulation of genes involved in the synthesis and degradation of D-serine and D-aspartate such as serine racemase (SR), D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), G72 and D-aspartate oxidase (DDO), play pivotal roles in determining the correct levels of these D-amino acids in the human brain. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of mRNA expression and DNA methylation status of these genes in post-mortem samples from hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum from patients with schizophrenia and non-psychiatric controls. DNA methylation analysis was performed at an ultradeep level, measuring individual epialleles frequency by single molecule approach. Differential CpG methylation and expression was detected across different brain regions, although no significant correlations were found with diagnosis. G72 showed the highest CpG and non-CpG methylation degree, which may explain the repression of G72 transcription in the brain regions considered here. Conversely, in line with the sustained SR mRNA expression in the analyzed areas, very low methylation levels were detected at this gene’s regulatory regions. Furthermore, for DAO and DDO, our single-molecule methylation approach demonstrated that analysis of epiallele distribution was able to detect differences in DNA methylation representing area-specific methylation signatures, which are likely not detectable with targeted or genome-wide classic methylation analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Keller
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.,Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology Institute (I.E.O.S.), National Research Council (C.N.R.), 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Punzo
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Mariella Cuomo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ornella Affinito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.,Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology Institute (I.E.O.S.), National Research Council (C.N.R.), 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Coretti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.,Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology Institute (I.E.O.S.), National Research Council (C.N.R.), 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Sacchi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, 21100, Varese, Italy.,The Protein Factory, Politecnico di Milano and Università degli studi dell'Insubria, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Ermanno Florio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.,Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology Institute (I.E.O.S.), National Research Council (C.N.R.), 80131, Naples, Italy.,Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego UCSD, La Jolla, 95000, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Lembo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Carella
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Unit of Biostatistics, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Sergio Cocozza
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.,Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology Institute (I.E.O.S.), National Research Council (C.N.R.), 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Darrick T Balu
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, MA, USA.,Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Belmont, 02478, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Errico
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145, Naples, Italy.,Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, 80145, Naples, Italy. .,Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100, Caserta, Italy. .,Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy. .,Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology Institute (I.E.O.S.), National Research Council (C.N.R.), 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Distinctive Roles of D-Amino Acids in the Homochiral World: Chirality of Amino Acids Modulates Mammalian Physiology and Pathology. Keio J Med 2018; 68:1-16. [PMID: 29794368 DOI: 10.2302/kjm.2018-0001-ir] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms enantioselectively employ L-amino acids as the molecular architecture of protein synthesized in the ribosome. Although L-amino acids are dominantly utilized in most biological processes, accumulating evidence points to the distinctive roles of D-amino acids in non-ribosomal physiology. Among the three domains of life, bacteria have the greatest capacity to produce a wide variety of D-amino acids. In contrast, archaea and eukaryotes are thought generally to synthesize only two kinds of D-amino acids: D-serine and D-aspartate. In mammals, D-serine is critical for neurotransmission as an endogenous coagonist of N-methyl D-aspartate receptors. Additionally, D-aspartate is associated with neurogenesis and endocrine systems. Furthermore, recognition of D-amino acids originating in bacteria is linked to systemic and mucosal innate immunity. Among the roles played by D-amino acids in human pathology, the dysfunction of neurotransmission mediated by D-serine is implicated in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Non-enzymatic conversion of L-aspartate or L-serine residues to their D-configurations is involved in age-associated protein degeneration. Moreover, the measurement of plasma or urinary D-/L-serine or D-/L-aspartate levels may have diagnostic or prognostic value in the treatment of kidney diseases. This review aims to summarize current understanding of D-amino-acid-associated biology with a major focus on mammalian physiology and pathology.
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Zachar G, Jakó T, Vincze I, Wagner Z, Tábi T, Bálint E, Mezey S, Szökő É, Csillag A. Age-related and function-dependent regional alterations of free L- and D-aspartate in postembryonic chick brain. ACTA BIOLOGICA HUNGARICA 2018; 69:1-15. [PMID: 29575913 DOI: 10.1556/018.68.2018.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
D-aspartate (D-Asp) modulates adult neural plasticity and embryonic brain development by promoting cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. Here, developmental changes of the excitatory amino acids (EAAs) L-Glu, L-Asp and D-Asp were determined during the first postembryonic days, a time window for early learning, in selected brain regions of domestic chickens after chiral separation and capillary electrophoresis. Extracellular concentration (ECC) of EAAs was measured in microdialysis samples from freely moving chicks. ECC of D-Asp (but not L-EAAs) decreased during the first week of age, with no considerable regional or learning-related variation. ECC of L-Asp and L-Glu (but not of D-Asp) were elevated in the mSt/Ac in response to a rewarding stimulus, suggesting importance of Asp-Glu co-release in synaptic plasticity of basal ganglia. Potassium-evoked release of D-Asp, with a protracted transient, was also demonstrated. D-Asp constitutes greater percentage of total aspartate in the extracellular space than in whole tissue extracts, thus the bulk of D-Asp detected in tissue appears in the extracellular space. Conversely, only a fraction of tissue L-EAAs can be detected in extracellular space. The lack of changes in tissue D-Asp following avoidance learning indicates a tonic, rather than phasic, mechanism in the neuromodulatory action of this amino acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Zachar
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and EmbryologySemmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 58, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Jakó
- Department of PharmacodynamicsSemmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Vincze
- Department of PharmacodynamicsSemmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Wagner
- Department of PharmacodynamicsSemmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Tábi
- Department of PharmacodynamicsSemmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Bálint
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and EmbryologySemmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 58, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Mezey
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and EmbryologySemmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 58, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Szökő
- Department of PharmacodynamicsSemmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Csillag
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and EmbryologySemmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 58, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
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Errico F, Nuzzo T, Carella M, Bertolino A, Usiello A. The Emerging Role of Altered d-Aspartate Metabolism in Schizophrenia: New Insights From Preclinical Models and Human Studies. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:559. [PMID: 30459655 PMCID: PMC6232865 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides d-serine, another d-amino acid with endogenous occurrence in the mammalian brain, d-aspartate, has been recently shown to influence NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated transmission. d-aspartate is present in the brain at extracellular level in nanomolar concentrations, binds to the agonist site of NMDARs and activates this subclass of glutamate receptors. Along with its direct effect on NMDARs, d-aspartate can also evoke considerable l-glutamate release in specific brain areas through the presynaptic activation of NMDA, AMPA/kainate and mGlu5 receptors. d-aspartate is enriched in the embryonic brain of rodents and humans and its concentration strongly decreases after birth, due to the post-natal expression of the catabolising enzyme d-aspartate oxidase (DDO). Based on the hypothesis of NMDAR hypofunction in schizophrenia pathogenesis, recent preclinical and clinical studies suggested a relationship between perturbation of d-aspartate metabolism and this psychiatric disorder. Consistently, neurophysiological and behavioral characterization of Ddo knockout (Ddo -/-) and d-aspartate-treated mice highlighted that abnormally higher endogenous d-aspartate levels significantly increase NMDAR-mediated synaptic plasticity, neuronal spine density and memory. Remarkably, increased d-aspartate levels influence schizophrenia-like phenotypes in rodents, as indicated by improved fronto-hippocampal connectivity, attenuated prepulse inhibition deficits and reduced activation of neuronal circuitry induced by phencyclidine exposure. In healthy humans, a genetic polymorphism associated with reduced prefrontal DDO gene expression predicts changes in prefrontal phenotypes including greater gray matter volume and enhanced functional activity during working memory. Moreover, neurochemical detections in post-mortem brain of schizophrenia-affected patients have shown significantly reduced d-aspartate content in prefrontal regions, associated with increased DDO mRNA expression or DDO enzymatic activity. Overall, these findings suggest a possible involvement of dysregulated embryonic d-aspartate metabolism in schizophrenia pathophysiology and, in turn, highlight the potential use of free d-aspartate supplementation as a new add-on therapy for treating the cognitive symptoms of this mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Errico
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Portici, Italy
| | - Tommaso Nuzzo
- Translational Neuroscience Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Massimo Carella
- Translational Neuroscience Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertolino
- Group of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Usiello
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy.,Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università Degli Studi Della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
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Katane M, Kuwabara H, Nakayama K, Saitoh Y, Miyamoto T, Sekine M, Homma H. Rat d-aspartate oxidase is more similar to the human enzyme than the mouse enzyme. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1866:806-812. [PMID: 29292239 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
d-Aspartate oxidase (DDO) is a degradative enzyme that is stereospecific for the acidic amino acid d-aspartate, an endogenous agonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Dysregulation of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission has been implicated in the onset of various neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, as well as chronic pain. Thus, appropriate regulation of d-aspartate is believed to be important for maintaining proper neural activity in the nervous system. Accordingly, much attention has been paid to the role(s) of DDO in the metabolism of d-aspartate in vivo, and the physiological functions of DDO have been actively investigated using experimental rats and mice. However, detailed characterisation of rat DDO has not yet been performed, and little is known about species-specific differences in the properties of mammalian DDOs. In this study, the structural and enzymatic properties of purified recombinant rat, mouse and human DDOs were examined and compared. The results showed that rat DDO is more similar to human DDO than to mouse DDO. This work provides useful insight into the use of rats as an experimental model for investigating the biological significance of human DDO and/or d-aspartate. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: d-Amino acids: biology in the mirror, edited by Dr. Loredano Pollegioni, Dr. Jean-Pierre Mothet and Dr. Molla Gianluca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masumi Katane
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kuwabara
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nakayama
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Saitoh
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Masae Sekine
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
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Katane M, Kanazawa R, Kobayashi R, Oishi M, Nakayama K, Saitoh Y, Miyamoto T, Sekine M, Homma H. Structure-function relationships in human d-aspartate oxidase: characterisation of variants corresponding to known single nucleotide polymorphisms. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017. [PMID: 28629864 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
d-Aspartate oxidase (DDO) is a degradative enzyme that is stereospecific for the acidic amino acid d-aspartate, an endogenous agonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Dysregulation of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission has been implicated in the onset of various neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and in chronic pain. Thus, appropriate regulation of the amount of d-aspartate is believed to be important for maintaining proper neural activity in the nervous system. Herein, the effects of the non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) R216Q and S308N on several properties of human DDO were examined. Analysis of the purified recombinant enzyme showed that the R216Q and S308N substitutions reduce enzyme activity towards acidic d-amino acids, decrease the binding affinity for the coenzyme flavin adenine dinucleotide and decrease the temperature stability. Consistent with these findings, further experiments using cultured mammalian cells revealed elevated d-aspartate in cultures of R216Q and S308N cells compared with cells expressing wild-type DDO. Furthermore, accumulation of several amino acids other than d-aspartate also differed between these cultures. Thus, expression of DDO genes carrying the R216Q or S308N SNP substitutions may increase the d-aspartate content in humans and alter homeostasis of several other amino acids. This work may aid in understanding the correlation between DDO activity and the risk of onset of NMDA receptor-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masumi Katane
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Ryo Kanazawa
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Risa Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Megumi Oishi
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nakayama
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Saitoh
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Miyamoto
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Masae Sekine
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Homma
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
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