1
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Pagano K, De Rosa L, Tomaselli S, Molinari H, D'Andrea LD, Ragona L. Characterizing the Oligomers Distribution along the Aggregation Pathway of Amyloid Aβ1-40 by NMR. Chemistry 2024:e202400594. [PMID: 38712990 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
This study delves into the early aggregation process of the Aβ1-40 amyloid peptide, elucidating the associated oligomers distribution. Motivated by the acknowledged role of small oligomers in the neurotoxic damage linked to Alzheimer's disease, we present an experimental protocol for preparing 26-O-acyl isoAβ1-40, a modified Aβ1-40 peptide facilitating rapid isomerization to the native amide form at neutral pH. This ensures seed-free solutions, minimizing experimental variability. Additionally, we demonstrate the efficacy of coupling NMR diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) with the Inverse Laplace Transform (ILT) reconstruction method, for effective characterization of early aggregation processes. This innovative approach efficiently maps oligomers distributions across a wide spectrum of initial peptide concentrations offering unique insights into the evolution of oligomers relative populations. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the efficacy of our approach assessing the impact of Epigallocathechin gallate, a known remodeling agent of amyloid fibrils, on the oligomeric distributions of aggregated Aβ1-40. The DOSY-ILT proposed approach stands as a robust and discriminating asset, providing a powerful strategy for rapidly gaining insight into potential inhibitors' impact on the aggregation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katiuscia Pagano
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" CNR, via Alfonso Corti, 12, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Napoli, Italy
| | - Simona Tomaselli
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" CNR, via Alfonso Corti, 12, Milano, Italy
| | - Henriette Molinari
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" CNR, via Alfonso Corti, 12, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Domenico D'Andrea
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" CNR, Via Mario Bianco, 9, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Ragona
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" CNR, via Alfonso Corti, 12, Milano, Italy
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2
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Yun Q, Ma SF, Zhang WN, Gu M, Wang J. FoxG1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease: Modulating NLRP3 Inflammasome via AMPK/mTOR Autophagy Pathway. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:35. [PMID: 38630150 PMCID: PMC11023968 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01467-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
An increasing body of research suggests that promoting microglial autophagy hinders the neuroinflammation initiated though the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The function of FoxG1, a crucial transcription factor involved in cell survival by regulating mitochondrial function, remains unknown during the AD process and neuroinflammation occurs. In the present study, we firstly found that Aβ peptides induced AD-like neuroinflammation upregulation and downregulated the level of autophagy. Following low-dose Aβ25-35 stimulation, FoxG1 expression and autophagy exhibited a gradual increase. Nevertheless, with high-concentration Aβ25-35 treatment, progressive decrease in FoxG1 expression and autophagy levels as the concentration of Aβ25-35 escalated. In addition, FoxG1 has a positive effect on cell viability and autophagy in the nervous system. In parallel with the Aβ25-35 stimulation, we employed siRNA to decrease the expression of FoxG1 in N2A cells. A substantial reduction in autophagy level (Beclin1, LC3II, SQSTM1/P62) and a notable growth in inflammatory response (NLRP3, TNF-α, and IL-6) were observed. In addition, we found FoxG1 overexpression owned the effect on the activation of AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway and siRNA-FoxG1 successfully abolished this effect. Lastly, FoxG1 suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome and enhanced the cognitive function in AD-like mouse model induced by Aβ25-35. Confirmed by cellular and animal experiments, FoxG1 suppressed NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation, which was strongly linked to autophagy regulated by AMPK/mTOR. Taken together, FoxG1 may be a critical node in the pathologic progression of AD and has the potential to serve as therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yun
- Changzhou Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, 958 Zhongwu Avenue, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Si-Fei Ma
- Changzhou Blood Center, 118 Canal Road, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei-Ning Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng Gu
- Changzhou Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, 958 Zhongwu Avenue, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 213000, Jiangsu Province, China.
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
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3
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Zhang D, Zhang J, Ma Z, Wu Q, Liu M, Fan T, Ding L, Ren D, Wen A, Wang J. Luteoloside inhibits Aβ1-42 fibrillogenesis, disintegrates preformed fibrils, and alleviates amyloid-induced cytotoxicity. Biophys Chem 2024; 306:107171. [PMID: 38194817 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2023.107171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal aggregation and fibrillogenesis of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) can cause Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the discovery of effective drugs that inhibit Aβ fibrillogenesis in the brain is crucial for the treatment of AD. Luteoloside, as one of the polyphenolic compounds, is found to have a certain therapeutic effect on nervous system diseases. However, it remains unknown whether luteoloside is a potential drug for treating AD by modulating Aβ aggregation pathway. In this study, we performed diverse biophysical and biochemical methods to explore the inhibition of luteoloside on Aβ1-42 which is linked to AD. The results demonstrated that luteoloside efficiently prevented amyloid oligomerization and cross-β-sheet formation, reduced the rate of amyloid growth and the length of amyloid fibrils in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, luteoloside was able to influence aggregation and conformation of Aβ1-42 during different fiber-forming phases, and it could disintegrate already preformed fibrils of Aβ1-42 and convert them into nontoxic aggregates. Furthermore, luteoloside protected cells from amyloid-induced cytotoxicity and hemolysis, and attenuated the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The molecular docking study showed that luteoloside interacted with Aβ1-42 mainly via Conventional Hydrogen Bond, Carbon Hydrogen Bond, Pi-Pi T-shaped, Pi-Alkyl and Pi-Anion, thereby possibly preventing it from forming the aggregates. These observations indicate that luteoloside, a natural anti-oxidant molecule, may be applicable as an effective inhibitor of Aβ, and promote further exploration of the therapeutic strategy against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Juanli Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Zhongying Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Qianwen Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Meiyou Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Tingting Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Likun Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Danjun Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Aidong Wen
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Jingwen Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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4
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Sehra N, Parmar R, Maurya IK, Kumar V, Tikoo K, Jain R. Synthesis and mechanistic study of ultrashort peptides that inhibits Alzheimer's Aβ-aggregation-induced neurotoxicity. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107159. [PMID: 38309001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Misfolding/aggregation of β-amyloid peptide lead to the formation of toxic oligomers or accumulation of amyloid plaques, which is a seminal step in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite continuous efforts in the development of therapeutic agents, the cure for AD remains a major challenge. Owing to specific binding affinity of structure-based peptides, we report the synthesis of new peptide-based inhibitors derived from the C-terminal sequences, Aβ38-40 and Aβ40-42. Preliminary screening using MTT cell viability assay and corroborative results from ThT fluorescence assay revealed a tripeptide showing significantly effective inhibition towards Aβ1-42 aggregation and induced toxicity. Peptide 3 exhibited excellent cell viability of 94.3 % at 2 μM and of 100 % at 4 μM and 10 μM. CD study showed that peptide 3 restrict the conformation transition of Aβ1-42 peptide towards cross-β-sheet structure and electron microscopy validated the absence of Aβ aggregates as indicated by the altered morphology of Aβ1-42 in the presence of peptide 3. The HRMS-ESI, DLS and ANS studies were performed to gain mechanistic insights into the effect of inhibitor against Aβ aggregation. This Aβ-derived ultrashort motif provides impetus for the development of peptide-based anti-AD agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Sehra
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Rajesh Parmar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Indresh K Maurya
- Center of Infectious Disease, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Kulbhushan Tikoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
| | - Rahul Jain
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India.
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5
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Grasso N, Graziano R, Marzano S, D'Aria F, Merlino F, Grieco P, Randazzo A, Pagano B, Amato J. Unveiling the interaction between DNA G-quadruplexes and RG-rich peptides. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126749. [PMID: 37689293 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are non-canonical DNA secondary structures formed within guanine-rich strands that play important roles in various biological processes, including gene regulation, telomere maintenance and DNA replication. The biological functions and formation of these DNA structures are strictly controlled by several proteins that bind and stabilize or resolve them. Many G-quadruplex-binding proteins feature an arginine and glycine-rich motif known as the RGG or RG-rich motif. Although this motif plays a crucial role in the recognition of such non-canonical structures, their interaction is still poorly understood. Here, we employed a combination of several biophysical techniques to provide valuable insights into the interaction between a peptide containing an RGG motif shared by numerous human G-quadruplex-binding proteins (NIQI) and various biologically relevant G-quadruplex DNA structures with different topologies. We also shed light on the key amino acids involved in the binding process. Our findings contribute to lay the basis for the development of a new class of peptide-based G-quadruplex ligands as an alternative to small molecules. These ligands may serve as valid tools for interfering in DNA-protein interactions, with potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Grasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Graziano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica D'Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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6
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Zhao Y, Rao PPN. Small Molecules N-Phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxamide and N-Phenylbenzo[ b]thiophene-2-carboxamide Promote Beta-Amyloid (Aβ42) Aggregation and Mitigate Neurotoxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4185-4198. [PMID: 37972377 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00576] [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: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This study reports the unusual ability of small molecules N-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxamide (7a) and N-phenylbenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide (7b) to promote and accelerate Aβ42 aggregation. In the in vitro aggregation kinetic assays, 7a was able to demonstrate rapid increases in Aβ42 fibrillogenesis ranging from 1.5- to 4.7-fold when tested at 1, 5, 10, and 25 μM compared to Aβ42-alone control. Similarly, compound 7b also exhibited 2.9- to 4.3-fold increases in Aβ42 fibrillogenesis at the concentration range tested. Electron microscopy studies at 1, 5, 10, and 25 μM also demonstrate the ability of compounds 7a and 7b to promote and accelerate Aβ42 aggregation with the formation of long, elongated fibril structures. Both 7a and 7b were not toxic to HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells and strikingly were able to prevent Aβ42-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells (cell viability ∼74%) compared to the Aβ42-treated group (cell viability ∼20%). Fluorescence imaging studies using BioTracker 490 green, Hoeschst 33342, and the amyloid binding dye ProteoStat further demonstrate the ability of 7a and 7b to promote Aβ42 fibrillogenesis and prevent Aβ42-induced cytotoxicity to HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells. Computational modeling studies suggest that both 7a and 7b can interact with the Aβ42 oligomer and pentamers and have the potential to modulate the self-assembly pathways. The 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) dye binding assay also demonstrates the ability of 7a and 7b to expose the hydrophobic surface of Aβ42 to the solvent surface that promotes self-assembly and rapid fibrillogenesis. These studies demonstrate the unique ability of small molecules 7a and 7b to alter the self-assembly and misfolding pathways of Aβ42 by promoting the formation of nontoxic aggregates. These findings have direct implications in the discovery and development of novel small-molecule-based chemical and pharmacological tools to study the Aβ42 aggregation mechanisms, and in the design of novel antiamyloid therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Praveen P N Rao
- School of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Campus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada
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7
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Kumar M, Ivanova MI, Ramamoorthy A. Non-micellar ganglioside GM1 induces an instantaneous conformational change in Aβ 42 leading to the modulation of the peptide amyloid-fibril pathway. Biophys Chem 2023; 301:107091. [PMID: 37549471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2023.107091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative condition that mainly affects cognition and memory. Recently, distinct clinical and neuropathological phenotypes have been identified in AD. Studies revealed that structural variation in Aβ fibrillar aggregates correlates with distinct disease phenotypes. Moreover, environmental surroundings, including other biomolecules such as proteins and lipids, have been shown to interact and modulate Aβ aggregation. Model membranes containing ganglioside (GM1) clusters are specifically known to promote Aβ fibrillogenesis. This study unravels the modulatory effect of non-micellar GM1, a glycosphingolipid frequently released from the damaged neuronal membranes, on Aβ42 amyloid fibril formation. Using far-UV circular dichroism experiments, we observed a change in the peptide secondary structure from random-coil to β-turn structures with subsequent generation of predominantly β-sheet-rich species upon interaction with GM1. Thioflavin-T (ThT) fluorescence assays further indicated that GM1 likely interacts with an amyloidogenic Aβ42 intermediate species leading to a possible formation of GM1-modified Aβ42 fibril. Statistically, no significant difference in toxicity to RA-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells was observed between Aβ42 fibrils and GM1-tweaked Aβ42 aggregates. Moreover, GM1-modified Aβ42 aggregates exhibited prion-like properties in catalyzing the amyloid fibril formation of both major isomers of Aβ, Aβ40, and Aβ42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjeet Kumar
- Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA
| | - Magdalena I Ivanova
- Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics, Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, USA.
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8
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Wang C, Shao S, Li N, Zhang Z, Zhang H, Liu B. Advances in Alzheimer's Disease-Associated Aβ Therapy Based on Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13110. [PMID: 37685916 PMCID: PMC10487952 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) urgently needs innovative treatments due to the increasing aging population and lack of effective drugs and therapies. The amyloid fibrosis of AD-associated β-amyloid (Aβ) that could induce a series of cascades, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, is a critical factor in the progression of AD. Recently, peptide-based therapies for AD are expected to be great potential strategies for the high specificity to the targets, low toxicity, fast blood clearance, rapid cell and tissue permeability, and superior biochemical characteristics. Specifically, various chiral amino acids or peptide-modified interfaces draw much attention as effective manners to inhibit Aβ fibrillation. On the other hand, peptide-based inhibitors could be obtained through affinity screening such as phage display or by rational design based on the core sequence of Aβ fibrosis or by computer aided drug design based on the structure of Aβ. These peptide-based therapies can inhibit Aβ fibrillation and reduce cytotoxicity induced by Aβ aggregation and some have been shown to relieve cognition in AD model mice and reduce Aβ plaques in mice brains. This review summarizes the design method and characteristics of peptide inhibitors and their effect on the amyloid fibrosis of Aβ. We further describe some analysis methods for evaluating the inhibitory effect and point out the challenges in these areas, and possible directions for the design of AD drugs based on peptides, which lay the foundation for the development of new effective drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunli Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Lingshui Road, Dalian 116024, China; (C.W.); (S.S.); (N.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.Z.)
| | - Shuai Shao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Lingshui Road, Dalian 116024, China; (C.W.); (S.S.); (N.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.Z.)
- Liaoning Key Lab of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Na Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Lingshui Road, Dalian 116024, China; (C.W.); (S.S.); (N.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.Z.)
- Liaoning Key Lab of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhengyao Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Lingshui Road, Dalian 116024, China; (C.W.); (S.S.); (N.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.Z.)
- School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Hangyu Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Lingshui Road, Dalian 116024, China; (C.W.); (S.S.); (N.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.Z.)
- Liaoning Key Lab of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Lingshui Road, Dalian 116024, China; (C.W.); (S.S.); (N.L.); (Z.Z.); (H.Z.)
- Liaoning Key Lab of Integrated Circuit and Biomedical Electronic System, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
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9
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D'Andrea C, Cazzaniga FA, Bistaffa E, Barucci A, de Angelis M, Banchelli M, Farnesi E, Polykretis P, Marzi C, Indaco A, Tiraboschi P, Giaccone G, Matteini P, Moda F. Impact of seed amplification assay and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined approach on the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:35. [PMID: 37438825 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00367-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is based on a series of analyses which involve clinical, instrumental and laboratory findings. However, signs, symptoms and biomarker alterations observed in AD might overlap with other dementias, resulting in misdiagnosis. METHODS Here we describe a new diagnostic approach for AD which takes advantage of the boosted sensitivity in biomolecular detection, as allowed by seed amplification assay (SAA), combined with the unique specificity in biomolecular recognition, as provided by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). RESULTS The SAA-SERS approach supported by machine learning data analysis allowed efficient identification of pathological Aβ oligomers in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD. CONCLUSIONS Such analytical approach can be used to recognize disease features, thus allowing early stratification and selection of patients, which is fundamental in clinical treatments and pharmacological trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiano D'Andrea
- Institute of Applied Physics "Nello Carrara", National Research Council, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Federico Angelo Cazzaniga
- Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Bistaffa
- Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Barucci
- Institute of Applied Physics "Nello Carrara", National Research Council, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Marella de Angelis
- Institute of Applied Physics "Nello Carrara", National Research Council, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Martina Banchelli
- Institute of Applied Physics "Nello Carrara", National Research Council, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Edoardo Farnesi
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Panagis Polykretis
- Institute of Applied Physics "Nello Carrara", National Research Council, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Chiara Marzi
- Institute of Applied Physics "Nello Carrara", National Research Council, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Antonio Indaco
- Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Tiraboschi
- Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giaccone
- Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Matteini
- Institute of Applied Physics "Nello Carrara", National Research Council, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
| | - Fabio Moda
- Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Zimbone S, Giuffrida ML, Sabatino G, Di Natale G, Tosto R, Consoli GML, Milardi D, Pappalardo G, Sciacca MFM. Aβ 8-20 Fragment as an Anti-Fibrillogenic and Neuroprotective Agent: Advancing toward Efficient Alzheimer's Disease Treatment. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:1126-1136. [PMID: 36857606 PMCID: PMC10020970 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by a spectrum of symptoms associated with memory loss and cognitive decline with deleterious consequences in everyday life. The lack of specific drugs for the treatment and/or prevention of this pathology makes AD an ever-increasing economic and social emergency. Oligomeric species of amyloid-beta (Aβ) are recognized as the primary cause responsible for synaptic dysfunction and neuronal degeneration, playing a crucial role in the onset of the pathology. Several studies have been focusing on the use of small molecules and peptides targeting oligomeric species to prevent Aβ aggregation and toxicity. Among them, peptide fragments derived from the primary sequence of Aβ have also been used to exploit any eventual recognition abilities toward the full-length Aβ parent peptide. Here, we test the Aβ8-20 fragment which contains the self-recognizing Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe sequence and lacks Arg 5 and Asp 7 and the main part of the C-terminus, key points involved in the aggregation pathway and stabilization of the fibrillary structure of Aβ. In particular, by combining chemical and biological techniques, we show that Aβ8-20 does not undergo random coil to β sheet conformational transition, does not form amyloid fibrils by itself, and is not toxic for neuronal cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that Aβ8-20 mainly interacts with the 4-11 region of Aβ1-42 and inhibits the formation of toxic oligomeric species and Aβ fibrils. Finally, our data show that Aβ8-20 protects neuron-like cells from Aβ1-42 oligomer toxicity. We propose Aβ8-20 as a promising drug candidate for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zimbone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Giuffrida
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sabatino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Natale
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Rita Tosto
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Grazia M L Consoli
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Danilo Milardi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pappalardo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Michele F M Sciacca
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
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11
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Kabir ER, Chowdhury NM, Yasmin H, Kabir MT, Akter R, Perveen A, Ashraf GM, Akter S, Rahman MH, Sweilam SH. Unveiling the Potential of Polyphenols as Anti-Amyloid Molecules in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:787-807. [PMID: 36221865 PMCID: PMC10227919 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666221010113812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that mostly affects the elderly population. Mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis are yet to be fully revealed, but there are several hypotheses regarding AD. Even though free radicals and inflammation are likely to be linked with AD pathogenesis, still amyloid-beta (Aβ) cascade is the dominant hypothesis. According to the Aβ hypothesis, a progressive buildup of extracellular and intracellular Aβ aggregates has a significant contribution to the AD-linked neurodegeneration process. Since Aβ plays an important role in the etiology of AD, therefore Aβ-linked pathways are mainly targeted in order to develop potential AD therapies. Accumulation of Aβ plaques in the brains of AD individuals is an important hallmark of AD. These plaques are mainly composed of Aβ (a peptide of 39-42 amino acids) aggregates produced via the proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein. Numerous studies have demonstrated that various polyphenols (PPHs), including cyanidins, anthocyanins, curcumin, catechins and their gallate esters were found to markedly suppress Aβ aggregation and prevent the formation of Aβ oligomers and toxicity, which is further suggesting that these PPHs might be regarded as effective therapeutic agents for the AD treatment. This review summarizes the roles of Aβ in AD pathogenesis, the Aβ aggregation pathway, types of PPHs, and distribution of PPHs in dietary sources. Furthermore, we have predominantly focused on the potential of food-derived PPHs as putative anti-amyloid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Rahman Kabir
- School of Pharmacy, BRAC University, 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | | | - Hasina Yasmin
- School of Pharmacy, BRAC University, 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Tanvir Kabir
- School of Pharmacy, BRAC University, 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Rokeya Akter
- Department of Pharmacy, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Asma Perveen
- Glocal School of Life Sciences, Glocal University, Mirzapur Pole, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ghulam Md. Ashraf
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shamima Akter
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, USA
| | | | - Sherouk Hussein Sweilam
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Cairo-Suez Road, Badr City 11829, Egypt
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