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Lou QM, Lai FF, Li JW, Mao KJ, Wan HT, He Y. Mechanisms of cuproptosis and its relevance to distinct diseases. Apoptosis 2024:10.1007/s10495-024-01983-0. [PMID: 38824478 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-01983-0] [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] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Copper is a trace element required by the organism, but once the level of copper exceeds the threshold, it becomes toxic and even causes death. The underlying mechanisms of copper-induced death are inconclusive, with different studies showing different opinions on the mechanism of copper-induced death. Multiple investigations have shown that copper induces oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, nucleolar stress, and proteasome inhibition, all of which can result in cell death. The latest research elucidates a copper-dependent death and denominates it as cuproptosis. Cuproptosis takes place through the combination of copper and lipoylated proteins of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, triggering agglomeration of lipoylated proteins and loss of iron-sulfur cluster proteins, leading to proteotoxic stress and ultimately death. Given the toxicity and necessity of copper, abnormal levels of copper lead to diseases such as neurological diseases and cancer. The development of cancer has a high demand for copper, neurological diseases involve the change of copper contents and the binding of copper to proteins. There is a close relationship between these two kinds of diseases and copper. Here, we summarize the mechanisms of copper-related death, and the association between copper and diseases, to better figure out the influence of copper in cell death and diseases, thus advancing the clinical remedy of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Mei Lou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Fei-Fan Lai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jing-Wei Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Kun-Jun Mao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Hai-Tong Wan
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Yu He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Luo S, Dong X, Guo S, Wang Q, Dai X, Jiang Y, Zhu W, Zhou W, Song W. Regulation of the Human IL-10RB Gene Expression by Sp8 and Sp9. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:1469-1485. [PMID: 35811529 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220321] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a classic anti-inflammatory cytokine that exerts its effects via the receptor complexes IL-10RA and IL-10RB. Loss of IL-10RB results in many diseases. Moreover, IL-10RB is closely associated with neuronal survival and synaptic formation. However, the regulation of IL-10RB gene expression remains elusive. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the expression of IL-10RB gene is increased in brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its transcriptional regulation. METHODS We examined the gene expression of AD patient brain from public database and detected the protein expression of AD model mouse brain by western blot. We constructed a variety of reporter gene plasmids with different lengths or mutation sites, tested the promoter activity and defined the functional region of the promoter with the luciferase reporter assay. The protein-DNA binding between transcription factors and the promoter was analyzed using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). RESULTS We found that the IL-10RB is elevated in the brain of AD patient and AD model mice. The minimal promoter of the IL-10RB gene is located in the -90 to +51 bp region (relative to the transcriptional start site) and is sufficient for high-level expression of the IL-10RB gene. Transcription factors Sp8 and Sp9 bind to the IL-10RB promoter in vitro. The overexpression or knockdown of Sp8 and Sp9 affected the IL-10RB promoter activity and its gene expression. CONCLUSION Our study functionally characterized the promoter of the IL-10RB gene and demonstrated that Sp8 and Sp9 regulated its expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiangjun Dong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shipeng Guo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qunxian Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi Dai
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanshuang Jiang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiyi Zhu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weihui Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weihong Song
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, School of Mental Health and Kangning Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Li H, Zhou X, Chen R, Xiao Y, Zhou T. The Src-Kinase Fyn is Required for Cocaine-Associated Memory Through Regulation of Tau. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:769827. [PMID: 35185557 PMCID: PMC8850722 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.769827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-associated context-induced relapse of cocaine-seeking behaviour requires the retrieval of drug-associated memory. Studies exploring the underlying neurobiological mechanism of drug memory formation will likely contribute to the development of treatments for drug addiction and the prevention of relapse. In our study, we applied a cocaine-conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm and a self-administration paradigm (two drug-associated memory formation model) to confirm the hypothesis that the Src kinase Fyn critically regulates cocaine-associated memory formation in the hippocampus. For this experiment, we administered the Src kinase inhibitor PP2 into the bilateral hippocampus before cocaine-CPP and self-administration training, and the results showed that pharmacological manipulation of the Src kinase Fyn activity significantly attenuated the response to cocaine-paired cues in the cocaine-CPP and self-administration paradigms, indicating that hippocampal Fyn activity contributes to cocaine-associated memory formation. In addition, the regulation of cocaine-associated memory formation by Fyn depends on Tau expression, as restoring Tau to normal levels disrupted cocaine memory formation. Together, these results indicate that hippocampal Fyn activity plays a key role in the formation of cocaine-associated memory, which underlies cocaine-associated contextual stimulus-mediated regulation of cocaine-seeking behaviour, suggesting that Fyn represents a promising therapeutic target for weakening cocaine-related memory and treating cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchun Li
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Hongchun Li,
| | - Xinglong Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Chen
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuzhou Xiao
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Department of Drug and Equipment, China Rongtong Bayi Orthopaedic Hospital, Chengdu, China
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Prachayasittikul V, Pingaew R, Prachayasittikul S, Prachayasittikul V. 8-Hydroxyquinolines: A Promising Pharmacophore Potentially Developed as Disease-Modifying Agents for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review. HETEROCYCLES 2022. [DOI: 10.3987/rev-22-sr(r)6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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5
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Zgórzyńska E, Krawczyk K, Bełdzińska P, Walczewska A. Molecular basis of proteinopathies: Etiopathology
of dementia and motor disorders. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2021. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.9513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most important medical and social problems affecting
elderly people, the percentage of which is significantly increasing in the total world population.
The cause of these diseases is the destruction of neurons by protein aggregates that form pathological
deposits in neurons, glial cells and in the intercellular space. Proteins whose molecules
are easily destabilized by point mutations or endogenous processes are alpha-synuclein (ASN),
tau and TDP-43. Pathological forms of these proteins form characteristic aggregates, which accumulate
in the neurons and are the cause of various forms of dementia and motor disorders.
The most common causes of dementia are tauopathies. In primary tauopathies, which include
progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), Pick’s disease (PiD), and
frontotemporal dementia (FTD), modified tau molecules disrupt axonal transport and protein
distribution in neurons. Ultimately, the helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles of tau lead to
neuron death in various structures of the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease hyperphosphorylated tau tangles along with β amyloid plaques are responsible for the degeneration of the hippocampus,
entorhinal cortex and amygdala. The most prevalent synucleinopathies are Parkinson’s disease,
multiple system atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy bodies, where there is a degeneration of
neurons in the extrapyramidal tracts or, as in MSA, autonomic nerves. TDP-43 inclusions in the
cytoplasm cause the degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and
in one of the frontotemporal dementia variant (FTLD-TDP). In this work ASN, tau and TDP-43
structures are described, as well as the genetic and sporadic factors that lead to the destabilization
of molecules, their aggregation and incorrect distribution in neurons, which are the causes
of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Klaudia Krawczyk
- Zakład Interakcji Międzykomórkowych, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi
| | | | - Anna Walczewska
- Zakład Interakcji Międzykomórkowych, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi
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Das R, Chinnathambi S. Actin-mediated Microglial Chemotaxis via G-Protein Coupled Purinergic Receptor in Alzheimer's Disease. Neuroscience 2020; 448:325-336. [PMID: 32941933 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease mainly associated with aging, oxidative stress and genetic mutations. There are two pathological proteins involved in AD; Amyloid-β peptide and microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT). The β- and γ-secretase enzyme cleaves the Amyloid precursor protein, which results in the formation of extracellular plaques in brain. While, Tau undergoes hyperphosphorylation and other post-translational modifications (PTMs), which eventually generates Tau oligomers, and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in neurons. Moreover, the brain-resident glia and infiltrated macrophages elevate the level of CNS inflammation, which trigger the oxidative damage of neuronal circuits by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Nitric oxide (NO). Microglia is the primary immune cell in the CNS, which is continuously surveilling the neuronal synapses and pathogen invasion. Microglia in the resting state is called 'Ramified', which possess long surveilling extensions with a small cell body. But, upon activation, microglia retracts the cellular extensions and transform into round migratory cells, called as 'Amoeboid' state. Activated microglia undergoes actin remodeling by forming lamellipodia and filopodia, which directs the migratory axis while podosomes formed are involved in extracellular matrix degradation for invasion. Protein-aggregates in malfunctioning synapses and in CNS milieu can be detected by microglia, which results in its activation and migration. Subsequently, the phagocytosis of synapses leads to the inflammatory burst and memory loss. The extracellular nucleotides released from damaged neurons and the cytokine-chemokine gradients allow the neighboring microglia and macrophages to migrate-infiltrate at the site of neuronal-damage. The ionotropic (P2XR) and metabotropic (P2YR) purinergic receptor recognize extracellular ATP/ADP, which propagates through the intracellular calcium signaling, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and inflammation. The P2Y receptors give 'find me' or 'eat me' signals to microglia to either migrate or phagocytose cellular debris. Further, the actin cytoskeleton helps microglia to mediate directed chemotaxis and neuronal repair during neurodegeneration. Hence, we aim to emphasize the connection between purinergic signaling and actin-driven mechanical movements of microglia for migration and inflammation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Das
- Neurobiology Group, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, 411008 Pune, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), 411008 Pune, India
| | - Subashchandrabose Chinnathambi
- Neurobiology Group, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, 411008 Pune, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), 411008 Pune, India.
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7
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Francistiová L, Bianchi C, Di Lauro C, Sebastián-Serrano Á, de Diego-García L, Kobolák J, Dinnyés A, Díaz-Hernández M. The Role of P2X7 Receptor in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:94. [PMID: 32581707 PMCID: PMC7283947 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive cognitive decline associated with global brain damage. Initially, intracellular paired helical filaments composed by hyperphosphorylated tau and extracellular deposits of amyloid-β (Aβ) were postulated as the causing factors of the synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal death, detected in AD patients. Therefore, the vast majority of clinical trials were focused on targeting Aβ and tau directly, but no effective treatment has been reported so far. Consequently, only palliative treatments are currently available for AD patients. Over recent years, several studies have suggested the involvement of the purinergic receptor P2X7 (P2X7R), a plasma membrane ionotropic ATP-gated receptor, in the AD brain pathology. In this line, altered expression levels and function of P2X7R were found both in AD patients and AD mouse models. Consequently, genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of P2X7R ameliorated the hallmarks and symptoms of different AD mouse models. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge about the role of the P2X7R in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Francistiová
- BioTalentum Ltd., Gödöllõ, Hungary
- Szent István University, Gödöllõ, Hungary
| | - Carolina Bianchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Caterina Di Lauro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Sebastián-Serrano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura de Diego-García
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - András Dinnyés
- BioTalentum Ltd., Gödöllõ, Hungary
- Szent István University, Gödöllõ, Hungary
- HCEMM-USZ StemCell Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Miguel Díaz-Hernández
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Wang L, Yin YL, Liu XZ, Shen P, Zheng YG, Lan XR, Lu CB, Wang JZ. Current understanding of metal ions in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2020; 9:10. [PMID: 32266063 PMCID: PMC7119290 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-020-00189-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The homeostasis of metal ions, such as iron, copper, zinc and calcium, in the brain is crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions. Studies have shown that imbalance of these metal ions in the brain is closely related to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly. Main body Erroneous deposition/distribution of the metal ions in different brain regions induces oxidative stress. The metal ions imbalance and oxidative stress together or independently promote amyloid-β (Aβ) overproduction by activating β- or γ-secretases and inhibiting α-secretase, it also causes tau hyperphosphorylation by activating protein kinases, such as glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), cyclin-dependent protein kinase-5 (CDK5), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), etc., and inhibiting protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). The metal ions imbalances can also directly or indirectly disrupt organelles, causing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress; mitochondrial and autophagic dysfunctions, which can cause or aggravate Aβ and tau aggregation/accumulation, and impair synaptic functions. Even worse, the metal ions imbalance-induced alterations can reversely exacerbate metal ions misdistribution and deposition. The vicious cycles between metal ions imbalances and Aβ/tau abnormalities will eventually lead to a chronic neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits, such as seen in AD patients. Conclusion The metal ions imbalance induces Aβ and tau pathologies by directly or indirectly affecting multiple cellular/subcellular pathways, and the disrupted homeostasis can reversely aggravate the abnormalities of metal ions transportation/deposition. Therefore, adjusting metal balance by supplementing or chelating the metal ions may be potential in ameliorating AD pathologies, which provides new research directions for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- 1Key Laboratory of Brain Research of Henan Province, Sino-UK Joint Laboratory of Brain Function and Injury of Henan Province, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 China
| | - Ya-Ling Yin
- 1Key Laboratory of Brain Research of Henan Province, Sino-UK Joint Laboratory of Brain Function and Injury of Henan Province, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 China
| | - Xin-Zi Liu
- 1Key Laboratory of Brain Research of Henan Province, Sino-UK Joint Laboratory of Brain Function and Injury of Henan Province, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 China
| | - Peng Shen
- 1Key Laboratory of Brain Research of Henan Province, Sino-UK Joint Laboratory of Brain Function and Injury of Henan Province, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 China
| | - Yan-Ge Zheng
- 1Key Laboratory of Brain Research of Henan Province, Sino-UK Joint Laboratory of Brain Function and Injury of Henan Province, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 China
| | - Xin-Rui Lan
- 1Key Laboratory of Brain Research of Henan Province, Sino-UK Joint Laboratory of Brain Function and Injury of Henan Province, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 China
| | - Cheng-Biao Lu
- 1Key Laboratory of Brain Research of Henan Province, Sino-UK Joint Laboratory of Brain Function and Injury of Henan Province, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- 2Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
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9
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Masoud AM, Bihaqi SW, Alansi B, Dash M, Subaiea GM, Renehan WE, Zawia NH. Altered microRNA, mRNA, and Protein Expression of Neurodegeneration-Related Biomarkers and Their Transcriptional and Epigenetic Modifiers in a Human Tau Transgenic Mouse Model in Response to Developmental Lead Exposure. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 63:273-282. [PMID: 29614648 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid deposits originating from the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) and aggregates of the microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT) are the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animal studies have demonstrated a link between early life exposure to lead (Pb) and latent overexpression of the AβPP and MAPT genes and their products via epigenetic reprogramming. The present study monitored APP gene and epigenetic mediators and transcription factors known to regulate it. Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to study the mRNA, miRNA, and proteins levels of AβPP, specificity protein 1 (SP1; a transcriptional regulator of amyloid and tau pathway), and epigenetic intermediates namely: DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1, DNMT3a and Methyl- CpG protein binding 2 (MeCP2) in the cerebral cortex of transgenic mice (Knock-in for human MAPT). These transgenic mice were developmentally exposed to Pb and the impact on mRNA, miRNA, and protein levels was scrutinized on postnatal days (PND) 20 and 50. The data revealed a consistent inverse relationship between miRNA and protein levels for SP1 and AβPP both in the basal and exposed conditions, which may influence the levels of their corresponding proteins. On the other hand, the relationship between miRNA and protein levels was not correlative for DNMT1 and DNMT3a. MeCP2 miRNA protein levels corresponded only following environmental exposure. These results suggest that developmental exposure to Pb and subsequent AβPP protein levels may be controlled through transcriptional regulators and epigenetic mechanisms that mainly involve miRNA regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwar M Masoud
- Biochemical Technology Program, Faculty of Applied Science, Thamar University, Thamar, Yemen
| | - Syed W Bihaqi
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Bothaina Alansi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Miriam Dash
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Gehad M Subaiea
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - William E Renehan
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
| | - Nasser H Zawia
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA.,Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA.,George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston RI, USA
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10
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of adult neurode-generation and is characterised by progressive loss of cognitive function leading to death. The neuropathological hallmarks include extracellular amyloid plaque accumulation in affected regions of the brain, formation of intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal biometal homeostasis. Of the latter, major changes in copper (Cu) levels and localisation have been identified in AD brain, with accumulation of Cu in amyloid deposits, together with deficiency of Cu in some brain regions. The amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide both have Cu binding sites, and interaction with Cu can lead to potentially neurotoxic outcomes through generation of reactive oxygen species. In addition, AD patients have systemic changes to Cu metabolism, and altered Cu may also affect neuroinflammatory outcomes in AD. Although we still have much to learn about Cu homeostasis in AD patients and its role in disease aetiopathology, therapeutic approaches for regulating Cu levels and interactions with Cu-binding proteins in the brain are currently being developed. This review will examine how Cu is associated with pathological changes in the AD brain and how these may be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
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11
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Readhead B, Haure-Mirande JV, Zhang B, Haroutunian V, Gandy S, Schadt EE, Dudley JT, Ehrlich ME. Molecular systems evaluation of oligomerogenic APP(E693Q) and fibrillogenic APP(KM670/671NL)/PSEN1(Δexon9) mouse models identifies shared features with human Alzheimer's brain molecular pathology. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:1099-111. [PMID: 26552589 PMCID: PMC4862938 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Identification and characterization of molecular mechanisms that connect genetic risk factors to initiation and evolution of disease pathophysiology represent major goals and opportunities for improving therapeutic and diagnostic outcomes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Integrative genomic analysis of the human AD brain transcriptome holds potential for revealing novel mechanisms of dysfunction that underlie the onset and/or progression of the disease. We performed an integrative genomic analysis of brain tissue-derived transcriptomes measured from two lines of mice expressing distinct mutant AD-related proteins. The first line expresses oligomerogenic mutant APP(E693Q) inside neurons, leading to the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers and behavioral impairment, but never develops parenchymal fibrillar amyloid deposits. The second line expresses APP(KM670/671NL)/PSEN1(Δexon9) in neurons and accumulates fibrillar Aβ amyloid and amyloid plaques accompanied by neuritic dystrophy and behavioral impairment. We performed RNA sequencing analyses of the dentate gyrus and entorhinal cortex from each line and from wild-type mice. We then performed an integrative genomic analysis to identify dysregulated molecules and pathways, comparing transgenic mice with wild-type controls as well as to each other. We also compared these results with datasets derived from human AD brain. Differential gene and exon expression analysis revealed pervasive alterations in APP/Aβ metabolism, epigenetic control of neurogenesis, cytoskeletal organization and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation. Comparative molecular analysis converged on FMR1 (Fragile X Mental Retardation 1), an important negative regulator of APP translation and oligomerogenesis in the post-synaptic space. Integration of these transcriptomic results with human postmortem AD gene networks, differential expression and differential splicing signatures identified significant similarities in pathway dysregulation, including ECM regulation and neurogenesis, as well as strong overlap with AD-associated co-expression network structures. The strong overlap in molecular systems features supports the relevance of these findings from the AD mouse models to human AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Readhead
- Department of Genetics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomic Sciences and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - J-V Haure-Mirande
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - B Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomic Sciences and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - V Haroutunian
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - S Gandy
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Cognitive Health and NFL Neurological Care, Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA
| | - E E Schadt
- Department of Genetics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomic Sciences and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - J T Dudley
- Department of Genetics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomic Sciences and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - M E Ehrlich
- Department of Genetics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn Institute of Genomic Sciences and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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12
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Karnati HK, Panigrahi MK, Gutti RK, Greig NH, Tamargo IA. miRNAs: Key Players in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Epilepsy. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 48:563-80. [PMID: 26402105 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, ∼22 nucleotide, non-coding RNA molecules that function as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. miRNA dysregulation has been observed in cancer and in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the neurological disorder, epilepsy. Neuronal degradation and death are important hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, abnormalities in metabolism, synapsis and axonal transport have been associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and frontotemporal dementia. A number of recently published studies have demonstrated the importance of miRNAs in the nervous system and have contributed to the growing body of evidence on miRNA dysregulation in neurological disorders. Knowledge of the expressions and activities of such miRNAs may aid in the development of novel therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the significance of miRNA dysregulation in the development of neurodegenerative disorders and the use of miRNAs as targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanuma Kumar Karnati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Manas Kumar Panigrahi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Gutti
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Nigel H Greig
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ian A Tamargo
- Drug Design & Development Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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13
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Wei C, Zhang W, Zhou Q, Zhao C, Du Y, Yan Q, Li Z, Miao J. Mithramycin A Alleviates Cognitive Deficits and Reduces Neuropathology in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:1924-38. [PMID: 27072684 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-1903-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has shown that specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is abnormally increased in the brains of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and transgenic AD models. However, whether the Sp1 activation plays a critical role in the AD pathogenesis and selective inhibition of Sp1 activation may have a disease-modifying effect on the AD-like phenotypes remain elusive. In this study, we reported that Sp1 mRNA and protein expression were markedly increased in the brain of APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice, whereas chronic administration of mithramycin A (MTM), a selective Sp1 inhibitor, potently inhibited Sp1 activation in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice down to the levels of wild-type mice. Specifically, we found that MTM treatment resulted in a significant improvement of learning and memory deficits, a dramatic reduction in cerebral Aβ levels and plaque burden, a profound reduction in tau hyperphosphorylation, and a marked increase in synaptic marker in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. In addition, MTM treatment was powerfully effective in inhibiting amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing via suppressing APP, beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and presenilin-1 (PS1) mRNA and protein expression to preclude Aβ production in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Furthermore, MTM treatment strongly inhibited phosphorylated CDK5 and GSK3β signal pathways to reduce tau hyperphosphorylation in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that Sp1 activation may contribute to the AD pathogenesis and may serve as a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of AD. The present study highlights that selective Sp1 inhibitors may be considered as disease-modifying therapeutic agents for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wei
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.,Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.,Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ying Du
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.,Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qi Yan
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.,Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Zhuyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China. .,Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Jianting Miao
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
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14
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Caillet-Boudin ML, Buée L, Sergeant N, Lefebvre B. Regulation of human MAPT gene expression. Mol Neurodegener 2015; 10:28. [PMID: 26170022 PMCID: PMC4499907 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-015-0025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of known pathologies involving deregulated Tau expression/metabolism is increasing. Indeed, in addition to tauopathies, which comprise approximately 30 diseases characterized by neuronal aggregation of hyperphosphorylated Tau in brain neurons, this protein has also been associated with various other pathologies such as cancer, inclusion body myositis, and microdeletion/microduplication syndromes, suggesting its possible function in peripheral tissues. In addition to Tau aggregation, Tau deregulation can occur at the expression and/or splicing levels, as has been clearly demonstrated in some of these pathologies. Here, we aim to review current knowledge regarding the regulation of human MAPT gene expression at the DNA and RNA levels to provide a better understanding of its possible deregulation. Several aspects, including repeated motifs, CpG island/methylation, and haplotypes at the DNA level, as well as the key regions involved in mRNA expression and stability and the splicing patterns of different mRNA isoforms at the RNA level, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luc Buée
- Univ. Lille, UMR-S 1172, Inserm, CHU, 59000, Lille, France
| | | | - Bruno Lefebvre
- Univ. Lille, UMR-S 1172, Inserm, CHU, 59000, Lille, France
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15
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Liu SY, Zhao HD, Wang JL, Huang T, Tian HW, Yao LF, Tao H, Chen ZW, Wang CY, Sheng ST, Li H, Zhao B, Li KS. Association between Polymorphisms of the AKT1 Gene Promoter and Risk of the Alzheimer's Disease in a Chinese Han Population with Type 2 Diabetes. CNS Neurosci Ther 2015; 21:619-25. [PMID: 26178916 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactor disease that has been reported to have a close association with type 2 diabetes (T2D) where the v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT1) plays an important role in the protein synthesis pathways and cell apoptosis processes. Evidence has been shown that AKT1 protein may be related to AD risk among patients with T2D. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of AKT1 promoter and the risk of AD among patients with T2D. METHODS The association between AKT1 polymorphisms and AD risk in patients with T2D was assessed among 574 consecutive unrelated subjects including 112 AD patients with T2D, 231 patients with AD, and 231 healthy controls in a case-control study. The cognitive function of all subjects was assessed using MMSE. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms with minor allele frequency >0.2 (rs2498786, rs74090038, rs2494750, rs2494751, rs5811155, and rs2494752) in AKT1 promoter were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the concentration of AKT1 protein in serum was tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Overall, there was statistically significant difference in AKT1 rs2498786 polymorphism. The CC frequency of AKT1 rs2498786 polymorphism in AD with T2D group and AD control group was significantly higher than that in healthy control group (PAD+T2D vs. health < 0.0001, PAD vs. health < 0.0001). However, the difference was not found between AD with T2D group and AD control group. Compared with healthy control group, the plasma levels of AKT1 protein in AD with T2D group (PAD+T2D vs. health < 0.0001) and AD control group (PAD vs. health = 0.0003) decreased significantly. Among genotypes of AKT1 rs2498786 polymorphism, the AKT1 protein level in GG genotype was significantly higher than that in GC genotype (PGG vs. GC < 0.0001) and CC genotype (PGG vs. CC < 0.0001). CONCLUSION The study suggests that AKT1 rs2498786 polymorphism in insulin signaling pathway may be associated with AD risk and different genotypes may affects levels of protein expression. However, the polymorphism is not shown to be exclusive in AD patients with T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Yuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Aging-related cardio-cerebral Diseases of Guangdong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - He-Dan Zhao
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Kangci Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Jin-Long Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Kangci Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Tong Huang
- Community Health Service Center of Nanyou, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hua-Wei Tian
- Department of Prevention and Health, The Futian People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li-Fen Yao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hua Tao
- Key Laboratory of Aging-related cardio-cerebral Diseases of Guangdong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Chen
- Department of Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang-Yi Wang
- Department of Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control, Shenzhen Nanshan Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
| | - Si-Tong Sheng
- College of Life Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hua Li
- HYK High-throughput Biotechnology Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Institute of Neurology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ke-Shen Li
- Key Laboratory of Aging-related cardio-cerebral Diseases of Guangdong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, China
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16
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Adwan L, Subaiea GM, Basha R, Zawia NH. Tolfenamic acid reduces tau and CDK5 levels: implications for dementia and tauopathies. J Neurochem 2014; 133:266-72. [PMID: 25279694 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tau and its aggregates are linked to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies and, therefore, are explored as therapeutic targets for such disorders. Tau belongs to a family of microtubule-associated proteins that promote microtubule assembly. When hyperphosphorylated, tau becomes prone to forming aggregates. Increased brain levels of hyperphosphorylated tau correlate with dementia. Specificity protein 1 (Sp1), a transcription factor elevated in AD, is responsible for the transcription of AD-related proteins including the amyloid precursor protein, tau, and its cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (CDK5) activators. Tolfenamic acid promotes the degradation of Sp1, our previous studies demonstrated its ability to down-regulate transcriptional targets of Sp1 like amyloid precursor protein and reduce amyloid beta (Aβ), the main component of AD plaques. In this study, we administered tolfenamic acid daily to hemizygous R1.40 transgenic mice for 34 days, and examined tau and CDK5 gene and protein expression within the brain. Our results demonstrate that tolfenamic acid lowers tau mRNA and protein, as well as the levels of its phosphorylated form and CDK5. Thus, we present a drug candidate that inhibits the transcription of multiple major intermediates in AD pathology, thereby helping uncover a new mechanism-based approach for targeting AD. A new approach for targeting Alzheimer's disease through a transcriptional based mechanism is presented. Tolfenamic acid lowers the levels of tau, which forms pathological aggregates in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, by promoting the degradation of the transcription factor specificity protein 1 which regulates tau transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Adwan
- Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
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17
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Li MD, Burns TC, Morgan AA, Khatri P. Integrated multi-cohort transcriptional meta-analysis of neurodegenerative diseases. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2014; 2:93. [PMID: 25187168 PMCID: PMC4167139 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-014-0093-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurodegenerative diseases share common pathologic features including neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and protein aggregation, suggesting common underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration. We undertook a meta-analysis of public gene expression data for neurodegenerative diseases to identify a common transcriptional signature of neurodegeneration. Results Using 1,270 post-mortem central nervous system tissue samples from 13 patient cohorts covering four neurodegenerative diseases, we identified 243 differentially expressed genes, which were similarly dysregulated in 15 additional patient cohorts of 205 samples including seven neurodegenerative diseases. This gene signature correlated with histologic disease severity. Metallothioneins featured prominently among differentially expressed genes, and functional pathway analysis identified specific convergent themes of dysregulation. MetaCore network analyses revealed various novel candidate hub genes (e.g. STAU2). Genes associated with M1-polarized macrophages and reactive astrocytes were strongly enriched in the meta-analysis data. Evaluation of genes enriched in neurons revealed 70 down-regulated genes, over half not previously associated with neurodegeneration. Comparison with aging brain data (3 patient cohorts, 221 samples) revealed 53 of these to be unique to neurodegenerative disease, many of which are strong candidates to be important in neuropathogenesis (e.g. NDN, NAP1L2). ENCODE ChIP-seq analysis predicted common upstream transcriptional regulators not associated with normal aging (REST, RBBP5, SIN3A, SP2, YY1, ZNF143, IKZF1). Finally, we removed genes common to neurodegeneration from disease-specific gene signatures, revealing uniquely robust immune response and JAK-STAT signaling in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Conclusions Our results implicate pervasive bioenergetic deficits, M1-type microglial activation and gliosis as unifying themes of neurodegeneration, and identify numerous novel genes associated with neurodegenerative processes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40478-014-0093-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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18
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Genetic markers for diagnosis and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Gene 2014; 545:185-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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19
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Adwan L, Subaiea GM, Zawia NH. Tolfenamic acid downregulates BACE1 and protects against lead-induced upregulation of Alzheimer's disease related biomarkers. Neuropharmacology 2014; 79:596-602. [PMID: 24462621 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Environmental exposure to lead (Pb) early in life results in a latent upregulation of genes and products associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly the plaque forming protein amyloid beta (Aβ). Furthermore, animals exposed to Pb as infants develop cognitive decline and memory impairments in old age. Studies from our lab demonstrated that tolfenamic acid lowers the levels of the amyloid β precursor protein (APP) and its aggregative cleavage product Aβ by inducing the degradation of the transcription factor specificity protein 1 (Sp1). These changes were accompanied by cognitive improvement in transgenic APP knock-in mice. In this study, we examined the effects of tolfenamic acid on beta site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) which is responsible for Aβ production and tested its ability to reverse Pb-induced upregulation in the amyloidogenic pathway. Mice were administered tolfenamic acid for one month and BACE1 gene expression as well as its enzymatic activity were analyzed in the cerebral cortex. Tolfenamic acid was also tested for its ability to reverse changes in Sp1, APP and Aβ that were upregulated by Pb in vitro. Differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were either left unexposed, or sequentially exposed to Pb followed by tolfenamic acid. Our results show that tolfenamic acid reduced BACE1 gene expression and enzyme activity in mice. In neuroblastoma cells, Pb upregulated Sp1, APP and Aβ, while tolfenamic acid lowered their expression. These results along with previous data from our lab provide evidence that tolfenamic acid, a drug that has been used for decades for migraine, represents a candidate which can reduce the pathology of AD and may mitigate the damage of environmental risk factors associated with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Adwan
- Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Gehad M Subaiea
- Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Nasser H Zawia
- Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
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20
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Cragg CL, Kalisch BE. Nerve Growth Factor Enhances Tau Isoform Expression and Transcription in IMR32 Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4236/nm.2014.52015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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21
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Chen RJ, Chang WW, Lin YC, Cheng PL, Chen YR. Alzheimer's amyloid-β oligomers rescue cellular prion protein induced tau reduction via the Fyn pathway. ACS Chem Neurosci 2013; 4:1287-96. [PMID: 23805846 DOI: 10.1021/cn400085q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau are the pathogenic hallmarks in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ oligomers are considered the actual toxic entities, and the toxicity relies on the presence of tau. Recently, Aβ oligomers have been shown to specifically interact with cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) where the role of PrP(C) in AD is still not fully understood. To investigate the downstream mechanism of PrP(C) and Aβ oligomer interaction and their possible relationships to tau, we examined tau expression in human neuroblastoma BE(2)-C cells transfected with murine PrP(C) and studied the effect under Aβ oligomer treatment. By Western blotting, we found that PrP(C) overexpression down-regulated tau protein and Aβ oligomer binding alleviated the tau reduction induced by wild type but not M128V PrP(C), the high AD risk polymorphic allele in human prion gene. PrP(C) lacking the Aβ oligomer binding site was incapable of rescuing the level of tau reduction. Quantitative RT-PCR showed the PrP(C) effect was attributed to tau reduction at the transcription level. Treatment with Fyn pathway inhibitors, Fyn kinase inhibitor PP2 and MEK inhibitor U0126, reversed the PrP(C)-induced tau reduction and Aβ oligomer treatment modulated Fyn kinase activity. The results suggested Fyn pathway regulated Aβ-PrP(C)-tau signaling. Overall, our results demonstrated that PrP(C) down-regulated tau via the Fyn pathway and the effect can be regulated by Aβ oligomers. Our study facilitated the understanding of molecular mechanisms among PrP(C), tau, and Aβ oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Jie Chen
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Wei Chang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lin
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Lin Cheng
- Institute
of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica,
Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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22
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Dorval V, Nelson PT, Hébert SS. Circulating microRNAs in Alzheimer's disease: the search for novel biomarkers. Front Mol Neurosci 2013; 6:24. [PMID: 24009553 PMCID: PMC3757537 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2013.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. While advancements have been made in understanding the genetic and molecular basis of AD, the clinical diagnosis of AD remains difficult, and post-mortem confirmation is often required. Furthermore, the onset of neurodegeneration precedes clinical symptoms by approximately a decade. Consequently, there is a crucial need for an early and accurate diagnosis of AD, which can potentially lead to strategies that can slow down or stop the progression of neurodegeneration and dementia. Recent advances in the non-coding RNA field have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) can function as powerful biomarkers in human diseases. Studies are emerging suggesting that circulating miRNAs in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum have characteristic changes in AD patients. Whether miRNAs can be used in AD diagnosis, alone or in combination with other AD biomarkers (e.g., amyloid and tau), warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Dorval
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval), Québec QC, Canada ; Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec QC, Canada
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23
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Bihaqi SW, Zawia NH. Enhanced taupathy and AD-like pathology in aged primate brains decades after infantile exposure to lead (Pb). Neurotoxicology 2013; 39:95-101. [PMID: 23973560 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2013.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Late Onset Alzheimer Disease (LOAD) constitutes the majority of AD cases (∼90%). Amyloidosis and tau pathology, which are present in AD brains, appear to be sporadic in nature. We have previously shown that infantile lead (Pb) exposure is associated with a change in the expression and regulation of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its beta amyloid (Aβ) products in old age. Here we report that infantile Pb exposure elevated the mRNA and protein levels of tau as well as its transcriptional regulators namely specificity protein 1 and 3 (Sp1 and Sp3) in aged primates. These changes were also accompanied by an enhancement in site-specific tau phosphorylation as well as an increase in the mRNA and protein levels of cyclin dependent kinase 5 (cdk5). There was also a change in the protein ratio of p35/p25 with more Serine/Threonine phosphatase activity present in aged primates exposed to Pb as infants. These molecular alterations favored abundant tau phosphorylation and immunoreactivity in the frontal cortex of aged primates with prior Pb exposure. These findings provide more evidence that neurodegenerative diseases may be products of environmental influences that occur during the development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Waseem Bihaqi
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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24
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Hung YH, Bush AI, La Fontaine S. Links between copper and cholesterol in Alzheimer's disease. Front Physiol 2013; 4:111. [PMID: 23720634 PMCID: PMC3655288 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered copper homeostasis and hypercholesterolemia have been identified independently as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abnormal copper and cholesterol metabolism are implicated in the genesis of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), which are two key pathological signatures of AD. Amyloidogenic processing of a sub-population of amyloid precursor protein (APP) that produces Aβ occurs in cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in copper deficient AD brains. Co-localization of Aβ and a paradoxical high concentration of copper in lipid rafts fosters the formation of neurotoxic Aβ:copper complexes. These complexes can catalytically oxidize cholesterol to generate H2O2, oxysterols and other lipid peroxidation products that accumulate in brains of AD cases and transgenic mouse models. Tau, the core protein component of NFTs, is sensitive to interactions with copper and cholesterol, which trigger a cascade of hyperphosphorylation and aggregation preceding the generation of NFTs. Here we present an overview of copper and cholesterol metabolism in the brain, and how their integrated failure contributes to development of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Hui Hung
- Oxidation Biology Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Parkville, VIC, Australia ; Centre for Neuroscience Research, The University of Melbourne Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Subaiea GM, Adwan LI, Ahmed AH, Stevens KE, Zawia NH. Short-term treatment with tolfenamic acid improves cognitive functions in Alzheimer's disease mice. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 34:2421-30. [PMID: 23639209 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Tolfenamic acid lowers the levels of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid beta (Aβ) when administered to C57BL/6 mice by lowering their transcriptional regulator specificity protein 1 (SP1). To determine whether changes upstream in the amyloidogenic pathway that forms Aβ plaques would improve cognitive outcomes, we administered tolfenamic acid for 34 days to hemizygous R1.40 transgenic mice. After the characterization of cognitive deficits in these mice, assessment of spatial learning and memory functions revealed that treatment with tolfenamic acid attenuated long-term memory and working memory deficits, determined using Morris water maze and the Y-maze. These improvements occurred within a shorter period of exposure than that seen with clinically approved drugs. Cognitive enhancement was accompanied by reduction in the levels of the SP1 protein (but not messenger RNA [mRNA]), followed by lowering both the mRNA and the protein levels of APP and subsequent Aβ levels. These findings provide evidence that tolfenamic acid can disrupt the pathologic processes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are relevant to its scheduled biomarker study in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gehad M Subaiea
- Neurodegeneration Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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26
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Veo BL, Krushel LA. Secondary RNA structure and nucleotide specificity contribute to internal initiation mediated by the human tau 5' leader. RNA Biol 2012; 9:1344-60. [PMID: 22995835 DOI: 10.4161/rna.22181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms by which eukaryotic internal ribosomal entry sites (IRESs) initiate translation have not been well described. Viral IRESs utilize a combination of secondary/tertiary structure concomitant with sequence specific elements to initiate translation. Eukaryotic IRESs are proposed to utilize the same components, although it appears that short sequence specific elements are more common. In this report we perform an extensive analysis of the IRES in the human tau mRNA. We demonstrate that the tau IRES exhibits characteristics similar to viral IRESs. It contains two main structural domains that exhibit secondary interactions, which are essential for internal initiation. Moreover, the tau IRES is extremely sensitive to small nucleotide substitutions. Our data also indicates that the 40S ribosome is recruited to the middle of the IRES, but whether it scans to the initiation codon in a linear fashion is questioned. Overall, these results identify structural and sequence elements critical for tau IRES activity and consequently, provide a novel target to regulate tau protein expression in disease states including Alzheimer disease and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany L Veo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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27
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Liang D, Han G, Feng X, Sun J, Duan Y, Lei H. Concerted perturbation observed in a hub network in Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40498. [PMID: 22815752 PMCID: PMC3398025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the alteration of gene expression at the whole genome level. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of AD has been conducted by many groups on several relevant brain regions. However, identifying the most critical dys-regulated genes has been challenging. In this work, we addressed this issue by deriving critical genes from perturbed subnetworks. Using a recent microarray dataset on six brain regions, we applied a heaviest induced subgraph algorithm with a modular scoring function to reveal the significantly perturbed subnetwork in each brain region. These perturbed subnetworks were found to be significantly overlapped with each other. Furthermore, the hub genes from these perturbed subnetworks formed a connected hub network consisting of 136 genes. Comparison between AD and several related diseases demonstrated that the hub network was robustly and specifically perturbed in AD. In addition, strong correlation between the expression level of these hub genes and indicators of AD severity suggested that this hub network can partially reflect AD progression. More importantly, this hub network reflected the adaptation of neurons to the AD-specific microenvironment through a variety of adjustments, including reduction of neuronal and synaptic activities and alteration of survival signaling. Therefore, it is potentially useful for the development of biomarkers and network medicine for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Liang
- CAS key laboratory of genome sciences and information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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28
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Loef M, Mendoza LF, Walach H. Lead (Pb) and the Risk of Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline: A systematic review. TOXIN REV 2011. [DOI: 10.3109/15569543.2011.624664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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29
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Sachrajda I, Ratajewski M. Mithramycin A suppresses expression of the human melanoma-associated gene ABCB8. Mol Genet Genomics 2010; 285:57-65. [PMID: 21046154 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-010-0586-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Accepted: 10/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The role of the ABCB8 gene in human cells is poorly understood, although it has been suggested to be involved in multidrug resistance in some types of cancers (e.g., melanomas). In this study, the main mechanism of transcriptional regulation of the ABCB8 gene was characterized. EMSA and ChIP assays revealed that the transcription factor Sp1 binds to the ABCB8 core promoter region, and Sp1 consensus elements were crucial for promoter activity in a luciferase reporter gene assay. Mithramycin A, an inhibitor of Sp1 binding, downregulated the expression of ABCB8 (and other ABC genes) in a concentration-dependent manner and sensitized a melanoma cell line to doxorubicin treatment. These findings may have therapeutic applications in at least a subset of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Sachrajda
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
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30
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Dosunmu R, Wu J, Adwan L, Maloney B, Basha MR, McPherson CA, Harry GJ, Rice DC, Zawia NH, Lahiri DK. Lifespan profiles of Alzheimer's disease-associated genes and products in monkeys and mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2010; 18:211-30. [PMID: 19584442 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2009-1138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by plaques of amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide, cleaved from amyloid-beta protein precursor (AbetaPP). Our hypothesis is that lifespan profiles of AD-associated mRNA and protein levels in monkeys would differ from mice and that differential lifespan expression profiles would be useful to understand human AD pathogenesis. We compared profiles of AbetaPP mRNA, AbetaPP protein, and Abeta levels in rodents and primates. We also tracked a transcriptional regulator of the AbetaPP gene, specificity protein 1 (SP1), and the beta amyloid precursor cleaving enzyme (BACE1). In mice, AbetaPP and SP1 mRNA and their protein products were elevated late in life; Abeta levels declined in old age. In monkeys, SP1, AbetaPP, and BACE1 mRNA declined in old age, while protein products and Abeta levels rose. Proteolytic processing in both species did not match production of Abeta. In primates, AbetaPP and SP1 mRNA levels coordinate, but an inverse relationship exists with corresponding protein products as well as Abeta levels. Comparison of human DNA and mRNA sequences to monkey and mouse counterparts revealed structural features that may explain differences in transcriptional and translational processing. These findings are important for selecting appropriate models for AD and other age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remi Dosunmu
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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31
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Lahiri DK, Maloney B, Zawia NH. The LEARn model: an epigenetic explanation for idiopathic neurobiological diseases. Mol Psychiatry 2009; 14:992-1003. [PMID: 19851280 PMCID: PMC5875732 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2009.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2009] [Revised: 05/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Neurobiological disorders have diverse manifestations and symptomology. Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, manifest late in life and are characterized by, among other symptoms, progressive loss of synaptic markers. Developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum, appear in childhood. Neuropsychiatric and affective disorders, such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, respectively, have broad ranges of age of onset and symptoms. However, all share uncertain etiologies, with opaque relationships between genes and environment. We propose a 'Latent Early-life Associated Regulation' (LEARn) model, positing latent changes in expression of specific genes initially primed at the developmental stage of life. In this model, environmental agents epigenetically disturb gene regulation in a long-term manner, beginning at early developmental stages, but these perturbations might not have pathological results until significantly later in life. The LEARn model operates through the regulatory region (promoter) of the gene, specifically through changes in methylation and oxidation status within the promoter of specific genes. The LEARn model combines genetic and environmental risk factors in an epigenetic pathway to explain the etiology of the most common, that is, sporadic, forms of neurobiological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Lahiri
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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32
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DNA methylation of Alzheimer disease and tauopathy-related genes in postmortem brain. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2009; 68:880-91. [PMID: 19606065 DOI: 10.1097/nen.0b013e3181af2e46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation occurs predominantly at cytosines that precede guanines in dinucleotide CpG sites; it is one of the most important mechanisms for epigenetic DNA regulation during normal development and for aberrant DNA in cancer. To determine the feasibility of DNA methylation studies in the postmortem human brain, we evaluated brain samples with variable postmortem artificially increased delays up to 48 hours. DNA methylation was analyzed in selected regions of MAPT, APP, and PSEN1 in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of controls (n=26) and those with Alzheimer disease at Stages I to II (n=17); Alzheimer disease at Stages III to IV (n=15); Alzheimer disease at Stages V to VI (n=12); argyrophilic grain disease (n=10); frontotemporal lobar degeneration linked to tau mutations (n=6); frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-immunoreactive inclusions (n=4); frontotemporal lobar degeneration with motor neuron disease (n=3); Pick disease (n=3); Parkinson disease (n=8); dementia with Lewy bodies, pure form (n=5); and dementia with Lewy bodies, common form (n=15). UCHL1 (ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 gene) was analyzed in the frontal cortex of controls and those with Parkinson disease and related synucleinopathies. DNA methylation sites were very reproducible in every case. No differences in the percentage of CpG methylation were found between control and disease samples or among the different pathological entities in any region analyzed. Because small changes in methylation of DNA promoters in vulnerable cells might have not been detected in total homogenates, however, these results should be interpreted with caution, particularly as they relate to chronic degenerative diseases in which small modifications may be sufficient to modulate disease progression.
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Valin A, Cook JD, Ross S, Saklad CL, Gill G. Sp1 and Sp3 regulate transcription of the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit 2 (p39) promoter in neuronal cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2009; 1789:204-11. [PMID: 19437621 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2009.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5) activity is critical for development and function of the nervous system. Cdk5 activity is dependent on association with the regulators p35 and p39 whose expression is highly regulated in the developing nervous system.We have identified a small 200 bp fragment of the p39 promoter that is sufficient for cell type-specific expression in neuronal cells. Mutational analysis revealed that a cluster of predicted binding sites for Sp1, AP-1/CREB/ATF and E box-binding transcription factors is essential for full activity of the p39 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that Sp1 and Sp3 bound to sequences required for p39 promoter function and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed binding of these proteins to the endogenous p39 promoter. Furthermore, depletion of either Sp1 or Sp3 by siRNA reduced expression from the p39 promoter. Our data suggest that the ubiquitously expressed transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 regulate transcription of the cdk5 regulator p39 in neuronal cells, possibly in cooperation with tissue-specific transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Valin
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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34
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Bellingham SA, Coleman LA, Masters CL, Camakaris J, Hill AF. Regulation of prion gene expression by transcription factors SP1 and metal transcription factor-1. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:1291-301. [PMID: 18990686 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m804755200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are associated with the conformational conversion of the host-encoded cellular prion protein into an abnormal pathogenic isoform. Reduction in prion protein levels has potential as a therapeutic approach in treating these diseases. Key targets for this goal are factors that affect the regulation of the prion protein gene. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies have suggested a role for prion protein in copper homeostasis. Copper can also induce prion gene expression in rat neurons. However, the mechanism involved in this regulation remains to be determined. We hypothesized that transcription factors SP1 and metal transcription factor-1 (MTF-1) may be involved in copper-mediated regulation of human prion gene. To test the hypothesis, we utilized human fibroblasts that are deleted or overexpressing the Menkes protein (MNK), a major mammalian copper efflux protein. Menkes deletion fibroblasts have high intracellular copper, whereas Menkes overexpressed fibroblasts have severely depleted intracellular copper. We have utilized this system previously to demonstrate copper-dependent regulation of the Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein. Here we demonstrate that copper depletion in MNK overexpressed fibroblasts decreases cellular prion protein and PRNP gene levels. Conversely, expression of transcription factors SP1 and/or MTF-1 significantly increases prion protein levels and up-regulates prion gene expression in copper-replete MNK deletion cells. Furthermore, siRNA "knockdown" of SP1 or MTF-1 in MNK deletion cells decreases prion protein levels and down-regulates prion gene expression. These data support a novel mechanism whereby SP1 and MTF-1 act as copper-sensing transcriptional activators to regulate human prion gene expression and further support a role for the prion protein to function in copper homeostasis. Expression of the prion protein is a vital component for the propagation of prion diseases; thus SP1 and MTF-1 represent new targets in the development of key therapeutics toward modulating the expression of the cellular prion protein and ultimately the prevention of prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayne A Bellingham
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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35
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Citron BA, Dennis JS, Zeitlin RS, Echeverria V. Transcription factor Sp1 dysregulation in Alzheimer's disease. J Neurosci Res 2008; 86:2499-504. [PMID: 18449948 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Altered gene expression occurs in central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Transcription factor Sp1 may be involved insofar as it can regulate the expression of several AD-related proteins, including amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau. Sp1 could itself be regulated by inflammatory and other factors associated with AD, such as interleukin-1beta. We measured an almost threefold elevation in the number of mRNA molecules of this cytokine in the AD frontal cortex. Sp1 mRNA was found to be up-regulated in these AD brains (along with Sp1-regulated COX-2), and the Sp1 increase was also seen at the protein level by Western immunoblotting. To determine whether this would also occur in transgenic mice developing AD pathology, we examined the expression of Sp1 in the cortex and hippocampus and observed higher levels of Sp1 mRNA and protein. These results indicate that elements of regulatory pathways involving transcription factor Sp1 may be useful targets for therapeutic intervention to prevent or reverse AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Citron
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Research and Development 151, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Bay Pines, Florida 33744-4125, USA.
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36
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Liu F, Gong CX. Tau exon 10 alternative splicing and tauopathies. Mol Neurodegener 2008; 3:8. [PMID: 18616804 PMCID: PMC2483273 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-3-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2008] [Accepted: 07/10/2008] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities of microtubule-associated protein tau play a central role in neurofibrillary degeneration in several neurodegenerative disorders that collectively called tauopathies. Six isoforms of tau are expressed in adult human brain, which result from alternative splicing of pre-mRNA generated from a single tau gene. Alternative splicing of tau exon 10 results in tau isoforms containing either three or four microtubule-binding repeats (3R-tau and 4R-tau, respectively). Approximately equal levels of 3R-tau and 4R-tau are expressed in normal adult human brain, but the 3R-tau/4R-tau ratio is altered in the brains in several tauopathies. Discovery of silence mutations and intronic mutations of tau gene in some individuals with frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17), which only disrupt tau exon 10 splicing but do not alter tau's primary sequence, demonstrates that dysregulation of tau exon 10 alternative splicing and consequently of 3R-tau/4R-tau balance is sufficient to cause neurodegeneration and dementia. Here, we review the gene structure, transcripts and protein isoforms of tau, followed by the regulation of exon 10 splicing that determines the expression of 3R-tau or 4R-tau. Finally, dysregulation of exon 10 splicing of tau in several tauopathies is discussed. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which tau exon 10 splicing is regulated and how it is disrupted in tauopathies will provide new insight into the mechanisms of these tauopathies and help identify new therapeutic targets to treat these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York 10314, USA.
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37
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Milagre I, Nunes MJ, Gama MJ, Silva RF, Pascussi JM, Lechner MC, Rodrigues E. Transcriptional regulation of the human CYP46A1 brain-specific expression by Sp transcription factors. J Neurochem 2008; 106:835-49. [PMID: 18445135 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05442.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Brain defective cholesterol homeostasis has been associated with neurologic diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. The elimination of cholesterol from the brain involves its conversion into 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol by CYP46A1, and the efflux of this oxysterol across the blood-brain barrier. Herein, we identified the regulatory elements and factors involved the human CYP46A1 expression. Functional 5'deletion analysis mapped a region spanning from nucleotides -236/-64 that is indispensable for basal expression of this TATA-less gene. Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with mithramycin A resulted in a significant reduction of promoter activity, suggesting a role of Sp family of transcription factors in CYP46A1 regulation. Combination of Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 over-expression studies in Drosophila SL-2 cells, and systematic promoter mutagenesis identified Sp3 and Sp4 binding to four GC-boxes as required and sufficient for high levels of promoter activity. Moreover, Sp3 and Sp4 were demonstrated to be the major components of the protein-DNA complexes observed in primary rat cortical extracts. Our results suggest that the cell-type specific expression of Sp transcription factors - substitution of Sp1 by Sp4 in neurons - is responsible for the basal expression of the CYP46A1 gene. This study delineates for the first time the mechanisms underlying the human CYP46A1 transcription and thereby elucidates potential pathways underlying cholesterol homeostasis in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Milagre
- iMed - Institute for Medicines and Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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38
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A novel transgenic mouse expressing double mutant tau driven by its natural promoter exhibits tauopathy characteristics. Exp Neurol 2008; 212:71-84. [PMID: 18490011 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 02/20/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The neurofibrillary-tangles (NTFs), characteristic of tauopathies including Alzheimer's-disease (AD), are the pathological features which correlate best with dementia. The objective of our study was to generate an authentic transgenic (tg) animal model for NFT pathology in tauopathy/AD. Previous NFT-tg mice were driven by non-related/non-homologous promoters. Our strategy was to use the natural tau promoter for expressing the human-tau (htau) gene with two mutations K257T/P301S (double mutant, DM) associated with severe phenotypes of frontotemporal-dementia in humans. Cellular, biochemical, behavioral and electrophysiological studies were subsequently conducted. The tg mice showed a tolerated physiological level of the DM-htau protein, mostly in cortex and hippocampus. The mice demonstrated tauopathy-like characteristics, which increased with age, that included NFT-related pathology, astrogliosis, argyrophilic plaque-like (amyloid-free) structures in brain, with memory deficits and signs of anxiety. Moreover, the tg mice showed a robust synaptic plasticity deficit selectively expressed in a severe impairment in their ability to maintain hippocampal long-term-potentiation (LTP) in response to stimulation of the perforant path, providing evidence that "tau-pathology only" is sufficient to cause this memory and learning-associated deficit. This is a unique mutant-htau-tg model which presents a wide spectrum of features characteristic of tauopathy/AD, which does not show unrelated motor deficits described in other models of tauopathy. In addition, expressing the DM-htau in a neuronal cell model resulted in tau-aggregation, as well as impaired microtubule arrangement. Both animal and cell models, which were regulated under the natural tau promoter (of rat origin), provide authentic and reliable models for tauopathy, and offer valuable tools for understanding the molecular events underlying tauopathies including AD.
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39
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Boutillier S, Lannes B, Buée L, Delacourte A, Rouaux C, Mohr M, Bellocq JP, Sellal F, Larmet Y, Boutillier AL, Loeffler JP. Sp3 and sp4 transcription factor levels are increased in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. NEURODEGENER DIS 2007; 4:413-23. [PMID: 17934324 DOI: 10.1159/000107701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2006] [Accepted: 01/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular Abeta peptide deposition originating from amyloid precursor protein cleavage and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles resulting from pathological tau protein aggregation. These processes are accompanied by dramatic neuronal losses, further leading to different cognitive impairments. Neuronal death signalings involve gene expression modifications that rely on transcription factor alterations. Herein, we investigated the fate of the Sp family of transcription factors in postmortem brains from patients with AD disease and in different contexts of neuronal death. METHODS/RESULTS By immunohistochemistry we found that the Sp3 and Sp4 levels were dramatically increased and associated with neurofibrillary tangles and pathological tau presence in neurons from the CA1 region of the hippocampus, as well as the entorhinal cortex of AD patient brains. The Sp transcription factor expression levels were further analyzed in cortical neurons in which death is induced by amyloid precursor protein signaling targeting. While the Sp1 levels remained constant, the Sp4 levels were slightly upregulated in response to the death signal. The Sp3 isoforms were rather degraded. Interestingly, when overexpressed by transfection experiments, the three Sp family members induced neuronal apoptosis, Sp3 and Sp4 being the most potent proapoptotic factors over Sp1. CONCLUSION Our data evidence Sp3 and Sp4 as new hallmarks of AD in postmortem human brains and further point out that Sp proteins are potential triggers of neuronal death signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Boutillier
- Inserm, U692, Laboratoire de Signalisations Moléculaires et Neurodégénérescence, Strasbourg, France
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40
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Santpere G, Nieto M, Puig B, Ferrer I. Abnormal Sp1 transcription factor expression in Alzheimer disease and tauopathies. Neurosci Lett 2006; 397:30-4. [PMID: 16378688 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.11.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2005] [Revised: 11/12/2005] [Accepted: 11/30/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Sp1 transcription factor expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy in Alzheimer disease (AD), Pick disease (PiD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Parkinson disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Sp1 partly co-localizes with hyper-phosphorylated tau deposits in neurofibrillary tangles, dystrophic neurites of senile plaques and neuropil threads in AD, and in neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes bearing hyper-phosphorylated tau in PiD and PSP. Sp1 is not found in alpha-synuclein inclusions in PD and DLB. These modifications are not associated with changes in the total expression levels of Sp1, as revealed with gel electrophoresis and Western blotting of brain homogenates. Furthermore, no co-immunoprecipitation of Sp1 and phospho-tau was observed in AD and PiD cases. Since Sp1 binding sites are present in the promoters of several genes involved in amyloid and tau, and Sp1 is regulated by oxidative stress, the present findings suggest that Sp1 deposition in hyper-phosphorylated tau deposits may have functional consequences in the pathology of AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Santpere
- Institut Neuropatologia, Servei Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, carrer Feixa Larga sn, 08907 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
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41
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Papadodima O, Sergaki M, Hurel C, Mamalaki A, Matsas R. Characterization of the BM88 promoter and identification of an 88 bp fragment sufficient to drive neurone-specific expression. J Neurochem 2005; 95:146-59. [PMID: 16181419 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03350.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BM88 is a neurone-specific protein implicated in cell cycle exit and differentiation of neuronal precursors. It is widely expressed in terminally differentiated neurones but also in neuronal progenitors, albeit in lower levels. Thus BM88 expression shows a tight correlation with the progression of progenitor cells towards neuronal differentiation. Here we report the genomic organization and proximal promoter characterization of the human and mouse BM88 genes. Both promoters lie in a CpG island, are TATA-less and have multiple transcription start sites. Deletion analysis performed on the human BM88 gene revealed an 88 bp minimal promoter fragment that is preferentially active in neural cells. Importantly, this minimal promoter is sufficient to confer specific transcriptional activity in primary neurones, but not in glial cells. Within the promoter region there are four functional Sp1-binding sites. Simultaneous mutations to all four Sp1 sites results in complete loss of promoter activity. Transactivation experiments revealed that Sp1 directly activates the BM88 promoter while activation also occurs in the presence of neurogenin-1. Characterization of the promoter elements that control neurone-specific and developmental expression of BM88 should contribute to the elucidation of the transcriptional networks that regulate the transition from a proliferative neural progenitor to a post-mitotic neurone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Papadodima
- Department of Biochemistry, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
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Karl C, Couillard-Despres S, Prang P, Munding M, Kilb W, Brigadski T, Plötz S, Mages W, Luhmann H, Winkler J, Bogdahn U, Aigner L. Neuronal precursor-specific activity of a human doublecortin regulatory sequence. J Neurochem 2005; 92:264-82. [PMID: 15663475 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2004.02879.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The doublecortin (DCX) gene encodes a 40-kDa microtubule-associated protein specifically expressed in neuronal precursors of the developing and adult CNS. Due to its specific expression pattern, attention was drawn to DCX as a marker for neuronal precursors and neurogenesis, thereby underscoring the importance of its promoter identification and promoter analysis. Here, we analysed the human DCX regulatory sequence and confined it to a 3.5-kb fragment upstream of the ATG start codon. We demonstrate by transient transfection experiments that this fragment is sufficient and specific to drive expression of reporter genes in embryonic and adult neuronal precursors. The activity of this regulatory fragment overlapped with the expression of endogenous DCX and with the young neuronal markers class III beta-tubulin isotype and microtubule-associated protein Map2ab but not with glial or oligodendroglial markers. Electrophysiological data further confirmed the immature neuronal nature of these cells. Deletions within the 3.5-kb region demonstrated the relevance of specific regions containing transcription factor-binding sites. Moreover, application of neurogenesis-related growth factors in the neuronal precursor cultures suggested the lack of direct signalling of these factors on the DCX promoter construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Karl
- Volkswagen-Foundation-Research Group, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Sergeant N, Delacourte A, Buée L. Tau protein as a differential biomarker of tauopathies. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2005; 1739:179-97. [PMID: 15615637 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2004.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2004] [Accepted: 06/16/2004] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated Tau proteins are the basic component of intraneuronal and glial inclusions observed in many neurological disorders, the so-called tauopathies. Many etiological factors, phosphorylation, splicing, and mutations, relate Tau proteins to neurodegeneration. Molecular analysis has revealed that hyperphosphorylation and abnormal phosphorylation might be one of the important events in the process leading to tau intracellular aggregation. Specific set of pathological tau proteins exhibiting a typical biochemical pattern, and a different regional and laminar distribution, could characterize five main classes of tauopathies. A direct correlation has been established between the regional brain distribution of tau pathology and clinical symptoms; for instance progressive involvement of neocortical areas is well correlated to the severity of dementia in Alzheimer's disease, overall suggesting that pathological tau proteins are reliable marker of the neurodegenerative process. Recent discovery of tau gene mutations in frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 has reinforced the predominant role attributed to tau proteins in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, and underlined the fact that distinct sets of tau isoforms expressed in different neuronal populations could lead to different pathologies. Overall, a better knowledge of the etiological factors responsible for the aggregation of tau proteins in brain diseases is essential for development of future differential diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. They would hopefully find their application against Alzheimer's disease but also in all neurological disorders for which a dysfunction of Tau biology has been identified.
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Schraen-Maschke S, Dhaenens CM, Delacourte A, Sablonnière B. Microtubule-associated protein tau gene: a risk factor in human neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2004; 15:449-60. [PMID: 15056452 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2003.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2003] [Revised: 12/10/2003] [Accepted: 12/10/2003] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein mainly expressed in neurons of central nervous system, which is crucial in the maintenance of these cells. It has a central role in the polymerization and stabilization of microtubules and in the traffic of organelles along axons and dendrites. Aggregates of hyperphosphorylated forms of tau protein participate in the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, which characterize numerous neurodegenerative disorders named tauopathies. The analysis of tau gene and the study of familial cases of tauopathies have led to the discovery of tau gene mutations that cause inherited dementia designated as Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). However, these familial cases remain rare compared to the sporadic tauopathies, the later involving both genetic and environmental etiologic factors. As tau pathology represents a primary pathogenic event in various neurodegenerative diseases, the hypothesis that tau genotype could influence the development of these diseases was tested by several groups. This review summarizes advances in the molecular genetics of the tau gene, as well as recent studies addressing the disease incidence of novel tau polymorphisms in different neurodegenerative diseases. Hopefully, the identification of several genetic defects of the tau gene will be helpful in improving our understanding of the role of tau protein in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Schraen-Maschke
- INSERM U422 and Département de Biochimie et de Biologie moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille 2, Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille Cedex, France
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Simić G, Diana A, Hof PR. Phosphorylation pattern of tau associated with distinct changes of the growth cone cytoskeleton. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2003; 32:33-48. [PMID: 12827970 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-55557-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G Simić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Zagreb University Medical School, Salata 12, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
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Rademakers R, Cruts M, Dermaut B, Sleegers K, Rosso SM, Van den Broeck M, Backhovens H, van Swieten J, van Duijn CM, Van Broeckhoven C. Tau negative frontal lobe dementia at 17q21: significant finemapping of the candidate region to a 4.8 cM interval. Mol Psychiatry 2003; 7:1064-74. [PMID: 12476321 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2002] [Revised: 04/25/2002] [Accepted: 05/09/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We report the results of a genome-wide search in a four-generation pedigree with autosomal dominant early-onset dementia (mean onset age: 64.9 years, range 53-79 years). In this family we previously excluded the known Alzheimer's disease genes based on linkage analysis and mutation screening of the amyloid precursor protein gene (exons 16 and 17) and the presenilin 1 and 2 genes. In addition we excluded mutations in the prion protein gene and exons 9-13 of the microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT) gene. We obtained conclusive linkage with chromosome 17q21 markers with a maximum multi-point LOD score of 5.51 at D17S951 and identified a candidate region of 4.8 cM between D17S1787 and D17S958 containing MAPT. Recent clinical and neuropathological follow-up of the family showed that the phenotype most closely resembled frontotemporal dementia (FTD) characterized by dense ubiquitin-positive neuronal inclusions that were tau negative. Extensive mutation analysis of MAPT identified 38 sequence variations in exons, introns, untranslated regions and the 5' regulatory sequence, however none was comprised within the disease haplotype. Although our findings do not entirely exclude a mutation in a yet unanalyzed region of MAPT, the apparent absence of MAPT mutations combined with the lack of tau pathology is highly suggestive for another defective gene at 17q21 responsible for FTD in this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Rademakers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), University of Antwerp (UIA), Antwerpen, Belgium
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Katsuyama Y, Matsumoto J, Okada T, Ohtsuka Y, Chen L, Okado H, Okamura Y. Regulation of synaptotagmin gene expression during ascidian embryogenesis. Dev Biol 2002; 244:293-304. [PMID: 11944938 DOI: 10.1006/dbio.2002.0584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ascidian embryo, a model for the primitive mode of chordate development, rapidly forms a dorsal nervous system which consists of a small number of neurons. Here, we have characterized the transcriptional regulation of an ascidian synaptotagmin (syt) gene to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying development of synaptic transmission. In situ hybridization showed that syt is expressed in all neurons described in previous studies and transiently in the embryonic epidermis. Neuronal expression of syt requires induction from the vegetal side of the embryo, whereas epidermal expression occurs autonomously in isolated ectodermal blastomeres. Introduction of green fluorescent protein reporter gene constructs into the ascidian embryos indicates that a genomic fragment of the 3.4-kb 5' upstream region contains promoter elements of syt gene. Deletion analysis of the promoter suggests that syt expression in neurons and in the embryonic epidermis depends on distinct cis-regulatory regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Katsuyama
- Molecular Neurobiology Group, Neuroscience Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Central 6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-8566, Japan
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Ross S, Tienhaara A, Lee MS, Tsai LH, Gill G. GC box-binding transcription factors control the neuronal specific transcription of the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulator p35. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:4455-64. [PMID: 11724806 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110771200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5)/p35 kinase activity is highest in post-mitotic neurons of the central nervous system and is critical for development and function of the brain. The neuronal specific activity of the cdk5/p35 kinase is achieved through the regulated expression of p35 mRNA. We have identified a small 200-bp fragment of the p35 promoter that is sufficient for high levels of neuronal specific expression. Mutational analysis of this TATA-less promoter has identified a 17-bp GC-rich element, present twice, that is both required for promoter activity and sufficient for neuronal specific transcription. A GC box within the 17-bp element is critical for both promoter activity and protein-DNA complex formation. The related transcription factors Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 constitute most of the GC box DNA binding activity in neurons. We have found that both the relative contribution of the Sp family proteins to GC box binding and the transcriptional activity of these proteins is regulated during neuronal differentiation. Thus, our data show that the GC box-binding Sp proteins contribute to the regulation of p35 expression in neurons, suggesting changes in the Sp transcription factors level and activity may contribute to cell type-specific expression of many genes in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ross
- Department of Pathology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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