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Xu Y, Filice CT, Leonenko Z. Protective effect of trehalose sugar on amyloid-membrane interactions using BLM electrophysiology. Biophys J 2024; 123:1690-1704. [PMID: 38751113 PMCID: PMC11213996 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by dementia and memory loss in the elderly population. The amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is one of the main pathogenic factors in AD and is known to cause damage to neuronal cellular membranes. There is no cure currently available for AD, and new approaches, including preventive strategies, are highly desirable. In this work, we explore the possibility of protecting neuronal membranes from amyloid-induced damage with naturally existing sugar trehalose. Trehalose has been shown to protect plant cellular membranes in extreme conditions and modify Aβ misfolding. We hypothesize that trehalose can protect the neuronal membrane from amyloid toxicity. In this work, we studied the protective effect of trehalose against Aβ1-42-induced damage in model lipid membranes (DPPC/POPC/cholesterol) using atomic force microscopy and black lipid membrane electrophysiology. Our results demonstrate that Aβ1-42 damaged membranes and led to ionic current leakage across these membranes due to the formation of various defects and pores. The presence of trehalose reduced the ion current across membranes caused by Aβ1-42 peptide damage, thus efficiently protecting the membranes. These findings suggest that the trehalose sugar can potentially be useful in protecting neuronal membranes against amyloid toxicity in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xu
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Carina Teresa Filice
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Zoya Leonenko
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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2
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Sallaberry CA, Voss BJ, Stone WB, Estrada F, Bhatia A, Soto JD, Griffin CW, Vander Zanden CM. Curcumin Reduces Amyloid Beta Oligomer Interactions with Anionic Membranes. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4026-4038. [PMID: 37906715 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases involve amyloidogenic proteins forming surface-bound aggregates on anionic membranes, and the peptide amyloid β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease is one prominent example of this. Curcumin is a small polyphenolic molecule that provides an interesting opportunity to understand the fundamental mechanisms of membrane-mediated aggregation because it embeds into membranes to alter their structure while also altering Aβ aggregation in an aqueous environment. The purpose of this work was to understand interactions among curcumin, β-sheet-rich Aβ fibrillar oligomers (FO), and a model anionic membrane. From a combination of liquid surface X-ray scattering experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, we found that curcumin embedded into an anionic 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylglycerol (DMPG) membrane to rest between the lipid headgroups and the tails, causing disorder and membrane thinning. FO accumulation on the membrane was reduced by ∼66% in the presence of curcumin, likely influenced by membrane thinning. Simulation results suggested curcumin clusters near exposed phenylalanine residues on a membrane-embedded FO structure. Altogether, curcumin inhibited FO interactions with a DMPG membrane, likely through a combination of altered membrane structure and interactions with the FO surface. This work elucidates the mechanism of curcumin as a small molecule that inhibits amyloidogenesis through a combination of both membrane and protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad A Sallaberry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
| | - Barbie J Voss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
| | - William B Stone
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
| | - Fabiola Estrada
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
| | - Advita Bhatia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
| | - J Daniel Soto
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
| | - Charles W Griffin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
| | - Crystal M Vander Zanden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918, United States
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Róg T, Girych M, Bunker A. Mechanistic Understanding from Molecular Dynamics in Pharmaceutical Research 2: Lipid Membrane in Drug Design. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1062. [PMID: 34681286 PMCID: PMC8537670 DOI: 10.3390/ph14101062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We review the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation as a drug design tool in the context of the role that the lipid membrane can play in drug action, i.e., the interaction between candidate drug molecules and lipid membranes. In the standard "lock and key" paradigm, only the interaction between the drug and a specific active site of a specific protein is considered; the environment in which the drug acts is, from a biophysical perspective, far more complex than this. The possible mechanisms though which a drug can be designed to tinker with physiological processes are significantly broader than merely fitting to a single active site of a single protein. In this paper, we focus on the role of the lipid membrane, arguably the most important element outside the proteins themselves, as a case study. We discuss work that has been carried out, using MD simulation, concerning the transfection of drugs through membranes that act as biological barriers in the path of the drugs, the behavior of drug molecules within membranes, how their collective behavior can affect the structure and properties of the membrane and, finally, the role lipid membranes, to which the vast majority of drug target proteins are associated, can play in mediating the interaction between drug and target protein. This review paper is the second in a two-part series covering MD simulation as a tool in pharmaceutical research; both are designed as pedagogical review papers aimed at both pharmaceutical scientists interested in exploring how the tool of MD simulation can be applied to their research and computational scientists interested in exploring the possibility of a pharmaceutical context for their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Róg
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Mykhailo Girych
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Alex Bunker
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
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Zou X, Himbert S, Dujardin A, Juhasz J, Ros S, Stöver HDH, Rheinstädter MC. Curcumin and Homotaurine Suppress Amyloid-β 25-35 Aggregation in Synthetic Brain Membranes. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1395-1405. [PMID: 33826295 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides spontaneously aggregate into β- and cross-β-sheets in model brain membranes. These nanometer sized can fuse into larger micrometer sized clusters and become extracellular and serve as nuclei for further plaque and fibril growth. Curcumin and homotaurine represent two different types of Aβ aggregation inhibitors. While homotaurine is a peptic antiaggregant that binds to amyloid peptides, curcumin is a nonpeptic molecule that can inhibit aggregation by changing membrane properties. By using optical and fluorescent microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis spectroscopy, we study the effect of curcumin and homotaurine on Aβ25-35 aggregates in synthetic brain membranes. Both molecules partition spontaneously and uniformly in membranes and do not lead to observable membrane defects or disruption in our experiments. Both curcumin and homotaurine were found to significantly reduce the number of small, nanoscopic Aβ aggregates and the corresponding β- and cross-β-sheet signals. While a number of research projects focus on potential drug candidates that target Aβ peptides directly, membrane-lipid therapy explores membrane-mediated pathways to suppress peptide aggregation. Based on the results obtained, we conclude that membrane active drugs can be as efficient as peptide targeting drugs in inhibiting amyloid aggregation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyuan Zou
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Sebastian Himbert
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Alix Dujardin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Janos Juhasz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Department of Medical Physics, Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada
| | - Samantha Ros
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Harald D. H. Stöver
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Maikel C. Rheinstädter
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
- Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
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5
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Gastaldo IP, Himbert S, Ram U, Rheinstädter MC. The Effects of Resveratrol, Caffeine, β-Carotene, and Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) on Amyloid- β 25 -- 35 Aggregation in Synthetic Brain Membranes. Mol Nutr Food Res 2020; 64:e2000632. [PMID: 32981185 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition marked by the formation and aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides. There exists, to this day, no cure or effective prevention for the disease; however, there is evidence that a healthy diet and certain food products can slow down first occurrence and progression. To investigate if food ingredients can interact with peptide aggregates, synthetic membranes that contained aggregates consisting of cross-β sheets of the membrane active fragment A β 25 -- 35 are prepared. METHODS AND RESULTS The impact of resveratrol, found in grapes, caffeine, the main active ingredient in coffee, β-carotene, found in orange fruits and vegetables, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a component of green tea, on the size and volume fraction of Aβ aggregates is studied using optical and fluorescence microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. All compounds are membrane active and spontaneously partitioned in the synthetic brain membranes. While resveratrol and caffeine lead to membrane thickening and reduced membrane fluidity, β-carotene and EGCG preserve or increase fluidity. CONCLUSION Resveratrol and caffeine do not reduce the volume fraction of peptide aggregates while β-carotene significantly reduces plaque size. Interestingly, EGCG dissolves peptide aggregates and significantly decreases the corresponding cross-β and β-sheet signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella P Gastaldo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.,Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Sebastian Himbert
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.,Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Udbhav Ram
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.,Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Maikel C Rheinstädter
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada.,Origins Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada
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Bucciantini M, Leri M, Stefani M, Melki R, Zecchi-Orlandini S, Nosi D. The Amphipathic GM1 Molecule Stabilizes Amyloid Aggregates, Preventing their Cytotoxicity. Biophys J 2020; 119:326-336. [PMID: 32579964 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid aggregates have been demonstrated to exert cytotoxic effects in several diseases. It is widely accepted that the complex and fascinating aggregation pathway involves a series of steps during which many heterogeneous intermediates are generated. This process may be greatly potentiated by the presence of amphipathic components of plasma membrane because they may serve as interaction, condensation, and nucleation points. However, there are few data regarding structural alterations induced by the binding between the amyloid fibrils and membrane components and its direct effects on cell integrity. In this study, we found, by 1-anilinonaphthalene 8-sulfonic acid and transmission electron microscopy/fast Fourier transform, that yeast prion Sup35 oligomers showed higher structural uniformity and altered surface properties when grown in the presence of monosialotetrahexosylganglioside, a component of the cell membrane. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and confocal/sensitized Förster resonance energy transfer analyses revealed that these fibrils showed low cytotoxicity and affinity to plasma membrane. Moreover, time-lapse analysis of Sup35 oligomer fibrillation on cells suggested that the amyloid aggregation process per se exerts cytotoxic effects through the interaction of amyloid intermediates with plasma membrane components. These data provide, to our knowledge, new insights to understand the mechanism of amyloid growth and cytotoxicity in the pathogenesis of amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bucciantini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Manuela Leri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Area of Medicine and Health of the Child of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Stefani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut Francois Jacob, CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS 92265, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Daniele Nosi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Sahoo A, Matysiak S. Computational insights into lipid assisted peptide misfolding and aggregation in neurodegeneration. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:22679-22694. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp02765c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
An overview of recent advances in computational investigation of peptide–lipid interactions in neurodegeneration – Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash Sahoo
- Biophysics Program
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology
- University of Maryland
- College Park
- USA
| | - Silvina Matysiak
- Biophysics Program
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology
- University of Maryland
- College Park
- USA
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