1
|
Li X, Hernandez I, Koyuncu S, Kis B, Häggblad M, Lidemalm L, Abbas AA, Bendegúz S, Göblös A, Brautigam L, Lucas JJ, Carreras-Puigvert J, Hühn D, Pircs K, Vilchez D, Fernandez-Capetillo O. The anti-leprosy drug clofazimine reduces polyQ toxicity through activation of PPARγ. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105124. [PMID: 38701619 PMCID: PMC11088276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PolyQ diseases are autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorders caused by the expansion of CAG repeats. While of slow progression, these diseases are ultimately fatal and lack effective therapies. METHODS A high-throughput chemical screen was conducted to identify drugs that lower the toxicity of a protein containing the first exon of Huntington's disease (HD) protein huntingtin (HTT) harbouring 94 glutamines (Htt-Q94). Candidate drugs were tested in a wide range of in vitro and in vivo models of polyQ toxicity. FINDINGS The chemical screen identified the anti-leprosy drug clofazimine as a hit, which was subsequently validated in several in vitro models. Computational analyses of transcriptional signatures revealed that the effect of clofazimine was due to the stimulation of mitochondrial biogenesis by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). In agreement with this, clofazimine rescued mitochondrial dysfunction triggered by Htt-Q94 expression. Importantly, clofazimine also limited polyQ toxicity in developing zebrafish and neuron-specific worm models of polyQ disease. INTERPRETATION Our results support the potential of repurposing the antimicrobial drug clofazimine for the treatment of polyQ diseases. FUNDING A full list of funding sources can be found in the acknowledgments section.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuexin Li
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivó Hernandez
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | - Seda Koyuncu
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Balázs Kis
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Maria Häggblad
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Louise Lidemalm
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna A Abbas
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sramkó Bendegúz
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anikó Göblös
- Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation, University of Szeged, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Lars Brautigam
- Zebrafish Core Facility, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jose J Lucas
- Center for Molecular Biology, "Severo Ochoa" (CBMSO) CSIC/UAM, Madrid, 28049, Spain; Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Carreras-Puigvert
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniela Hühn
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Pircs
- HCEMM-SU, Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, BMC A11, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - David Vilchez
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, S-171 21, Stockholm, Sweden; Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, 28029, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Muthinja MJ, Guelngar CO, Fall M, Jama F, Shuja HA, Nambafu J, Massi DG, Ojo OO, Okubadejo NU, Taiwo FT, Diop AM, de Chacus CJDG, Cissé FA, Cissé A, Hooker J, Sokhi D, Houlden H, Rizig M. An exploration of the genetics of the mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) gene in a cohort of patients with chorea from different ethnic groups in sub-Saharan Africa. Ann Hum Genet 2024. [PMID: 38563088 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Africans are underrepresented in Huntington's disease (HD) research. A European ancestor was postulated to have introduced the mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) gene to the continent; however, recent work has shown the existence of a unique Htt haplotype in South-Africa specific to indigenous Africans. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the CAG trinucleotide repeats expansion in the Htt gene in a geographically diverse cohort of patients with chorea and unaffected controls from sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS We evaluated 99 participants: 43 patients with chorea, 21 asymptomatic first-degree relatives of subjects with chorea, and 35 healthy controls for the presence of the mHtt. Participants were recruited from 5 African countries. Additional data were collected from patients positive for the mHtt gene; these included demographics, the presence of psychiatric and (or) cognitive symptoms, family history, spoken languages, and ethnic origin. Additionally, their pedigrees were examined to estimate the number of people at risk of developing HD and to trace back the earliest account of the disease in each region. RESULTS HD cases were identified in all countries. Overall, 53.4% of patients with chorea were carriers for the mHTT; median tract size was 45 CAG repeats. Of the asymptomatic relatives, 28.6% (6/21) were carriers for the mHTT; median tract size was 40 CAG. No homozygous carries were identified. Median CAG tract size in controls was 17 CAG repeats. Men and women were equally affected by HD. All patients with HD-bar three who were juvenile onset of <21 years-were defined as adult onset (median age of onset was 40 years). HD transmission followed an autosomal dominant pattern in 84.2% (16/19) of HD families. In familial cases, maternal transmission was higher 52.6% (10/19) than paternal transmission 36.8% (7/19). The number of asymptomatic individuals at risk of developing HD was estimated at ten times more than the symptomatic patients. HD could be traced back to the early 1900s in most African sites. HD cases spread over seven ethnic groups belonging to two distinct linguistic lineages separated from each other approximately 54-16 kya ago: Nilo-Sahara and Niger-Congo. CONCLUSION This is the first study examining HD in multiple sites in sub-Saharan Africa. We demonstrated that HD is found in multiple ethnic groups residing in five sub-Saharan African countries including the first genetically confirmed HD cases from Guinea and Kenya. The prevalence of HD in the African continent, its associated socio-economic impact, and genetic origins need further exploration and reappraisal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Othon Guelngar
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Ignace Deen, University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Maouly Fall
- Centre Hospitalier National de Pikine, Service de Neurologie, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Fatumah Jama
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Huda Aldeen Shuja
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Jamila Nambafu
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Medical College of East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Gams Massi
- Doula General Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Oluwadamilola O Ojo
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Njideka U Okubadejo
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Fodé Abass Cissé
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Ignace Deen, University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Amara Cissé
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Ignace Deen, University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Juzar Hooker
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Medical College of East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dilraj Sokhi
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Medical College of East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mie Rizig
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oh YM, Lee SW. Patient-derived neuron model: Capturing age-dependent adult-onset degenerative pathology in Huntington's disease. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100046. [PMID: 38492889 PMCID: PMC11021366 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2024.100046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs play a crucial role in directly reprogramming (converting) human fibroblasts into neurons. Specifically, miR-9/9* and miR-124 (miR-9/9*-124) display neurogenic and cell fate-switching activities when ectopically expressed in human fibroblasts by erasing fibroblast identity and inducing a pan-neuronal state. These converted neurons maintain the biological age of the starting fibroblasts and thus provide a human neuron-based platform to study cellular properties in aged neurons and model adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders using patient-derived cells. Furthermore, the expression of striatal-enriched transcription factors in conjunction with miR-9/9*-124 guides the identity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs), the primary targets in Huntington's disease (HD). Converted MSNs from HD patient-derived fibroblasts (HD-MSNs) can replicate HD-related phenotypes including neurodegeneration associated with age-related declines in critical cellular functions such as autophagy. Here, we review the role of microRNAs in the direct conversion of patient-derived fibroblasts into MSNs and the practical application of converted HD-MSNs as a model for studying adult-onset neuropathology in HD. We provide valuable insights into age-related, cell-intrinsic changes contributing to neurodegeneration in HD-MSNs. Ultimately, we address a comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular landscape underlying HD pathology, offering potential avenues for therapeutic application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Oh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
| | - Seong Won Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ahamad S, Bano N, Khan S, Hussain MK, Bhat SA. Unraveling the Puzzle of Therapeutic Peptides: A Promising Frontier in Huntington's Disease Treatment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:783-815. [PMID: 38207096 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder characterized by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, resulting in the production of a mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). The accumulation of mHTT leads to the development of toxic aggregates in neurons, causing cell dysfunction and, eventually, cell death. Peptide therapeutics target various aspects of HD pathology, including mHTT reduction and aggregation inhibition, extended CAG mRNA degradation, and modulation of dysregulated signaling pathways, such as BDNF/TrkB signaling. In addition, these peptide therapeutics also target the detrimental interactions of mHTT with InsP3R1, CaM, or Caspase-6 proteins to mitigate HD. This Perspective provides a detailed perspective on anti-HD therapeutic peptides, highlighting their design, structural characteristics, neuroprotective effects, and specific mechanisms of action. Peptide therapeutics for HD exhibit promise in preclinical models, but further investigation is required to confirm their effectiveness as viable therapeutic strategies, recognizing that no approved peptide therapy for HD currently exists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Nargis Bano
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Sameera Khan
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | | | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jackson WS, Bauer S, Kaczmarczyk L, Magadi SS. Selective Vulnerability to Neurodegenerative Disease: Insights from Cell Type-Specific Translatome Studies. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:67. [PMID: 38392286 PMCID: PMC10886597 DOI: 10.3390/biology13020067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) manifest a wide variety of clinical symptoms depending on the affected brain regions. Gaining insights into why certain regions are resistant while others are susceptible is vital for advancing therapeutic strategies. While gene expression changes offer clues about disease responses across brain regions, the mixture of cell types therein obscures experimental results. In recent years, methods that analyze the transcriptomes of individual cells (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing or scRNAseq) have been widely used and have provided invaluable insights into specific cell types. Concurrently, transgene-based techniques that dissect cell type-specific translatomes (CSTs) in model systems, like RiboTag and bacTRAP, offer unique advantages but have received less attention. This review juxtaposes the merits and drawbacks of both methodologies, focusing on the use of CSTs in understanding conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and specific prion diseases like fatal familial insomnia (FFI), genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (gCJD), and acquired prion disease. We conclude by discussing the emerging trends observed across multiple diseases and emerging methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Walker S Jackson
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Susanne Bauer
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lech Kaczmarczyk
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Srivathsa S Magadi
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Javed H, Meeran MFN, Jha NK, Ashraf GM, Ojha S. Sesamol: A Phenolic Compound of Health Benefits and Therapeutic Promise in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Top Med Chem 2024; 24:797-809. [PMID: 38141184 DOI: 10.2174/0115680266273944231213070916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Sesamol, one of the key bioactive ingredients of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.), is responsible for many of its possible nutritional benefits. Both the Chinese and Indian medical systems have recognized the therapeutic potential of sesame seeds. It has been shown to have significant therapeutic potential against oxidative stress, inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurodegeneration, and mental disorders. Sesamol is a benign molecule that inhibits the expression of inflammatory indicators like numerous enzymes responsible for inducing inflammation, protein kinases, cytokines, and redox status. This review summarises the potential beneficial effects of sesamol against neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Recently, sesamol has been shown to reduce amyloid peptide accumulation and attenuate cognitive deficits in AD models. Sesamol has also been demonstrated to reduce the severity of PD and HD in animal models by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. The mechanism of sesamol's pharmacological activities against neurodegenerative diseases will also be discussed in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayate Javed
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Fizur Nagoor Meeran
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering & Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida, 201310, UP, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, 248007, India
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pandey NK, Varkey J, Ajayan A, George G, Chen J, Langen R. Fluorescent protein tagging promotes phase separation and alters the aggregation pathway of huntingtin exon-1. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105585. [PMID: 38141760 PMCID: PMC10825056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent protein tags are convenient tools for tracking the aggregation states of amyloidogenic or phase separating proteins, but the effect of the tags is often not well understood. Here, we investigated the impact of a C-terminal red fluorescent protein (RFP) tag on the phase separation of huntingtin exon-1 (Httex1), an N-terminal portion of the huntingtin protein that aggregates in Huntington's disease. We found that the RFP-tagged Httex1 rapidly formed micron-sized, phase separated states in the presence of a crowding agent. The formed structures had a rounded appearance and were highly dynamic according to electron paramagnetic resonance and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, suggesting that the phase separated state was largely liquid in nature. Remarkably, the untagged protein did not undergo any detectable liquid condensate formation under the same conditions. In addition to strongly promoting liquid-liquid phase separation, the RFP tag also facilitated fibril formation, as the tag-dependent liquid condensates rapidly underwent a liquid-to-solid transition. The rate of fibril formation under these conditions was significantly faster than that of the untagged protein. When expressed in cells, the RFP-tagged Httex1 formed larger aggregates with different antibody staining patterns compared to untagged Httex1. Collectively, these data reveal that the addition of a fluorescent protein tag significantly impacts liquid and solid phase separations of Httex1 in vitro and leads to altered aggregation in cells. Considering that the tagged Httex1 is commonly used to study the mechanisms of Httex1 misfolding and toxicity, our findings highlight the importance to validate the conclusions with untagged protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nitin K Pandey
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jobin Varkey
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anakha Ajayan
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gincy George
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jeannie Chen
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ralf Langen
- Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Van Raamsdonk JM, Al-Shekaili HH, Wagner L, Bredy TW, Chan L, Pearson J, Schwab C, Murphy Z, Devon RS, Lu G, Kobor MS, Hayden MR, Leavitt BR. Huntingtin Decreases Susceptibility to a Spontaneous Seizure Disorder in FVN/B Mice. Aging Dis 2023; 14:2249-2266. [PMID: 37199581 PMCID: PMC10676795 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene that codes for the protein huntingtin (HTT in humans or Htt in mice). HTT is a multi-functional, ubiquitously expressed protein that is essential for embryonic survival, normal neurodevelopment, and adult brain function. The ability of wild-type HTT to protect neurons against various forms of death raises the possibility that loss of normal HTT function may worsen disease progression in HD. Huntingtin-lowering therapeutics are being evaluated in clinical trials for HD, but concerns have been raised that decreasing wild-type HTT levels may have adverse effects. Here we show that Htt levels modulate the occurrence of an idiopathic seizure disorder that spontaneously occurs in approximately 28% of FVB/N mice, which we have called FVB/N Seizure Disorder with SUDEP (FSDS). These abnormal FVB/N mice demonstrate the cardinal features of mouse models of epilepsy including spontaneous seizures, astrocytosis, neuronal hypertrophy, upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and sudden seizure-related death. Interestingly, mice heterozygous for the targeted inactivation of Htt (Htt+/- mice) exhibit an increased frequency of this disorder (71% FSDS phenotype), while over-expression of either full length wild-type HTT in YAC18 mice or full length mutant HTT in YAC128 mice completely prevents it (0% FSDS phenotype). Examination of the mechanism underlying huntingtin's ability to modulate the frequency of this seizure disorder indicated that over-expression of full length HTT can promote neuronal survival following seizures. Overall, our results demonstrate a protective role for huntingtin in this form of epilepsy and provide a plausible explanation for the observation of seizures in the juvenile form of HD, Lopes-Maciel-Rodan syndrome, and Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Adverse effects caused by decreasing huntingtin levels have ramifications for huntingtin-lowering therapies that are being developed to treat HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M. Van Raamsdonk
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC) and Brain Repair and Integrated Neuroscience (BRaIN) Programs, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Hilal H. Al-Shekaili
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Laura Wagner
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Tim W Bredy
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia..
| | - Laura Chan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Jacqueline Pearson
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Claudia Schwab
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Zoe Murphy
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Rebecca S. Devon
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Ge Lu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Michael S. Kobor
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Michael R. Hayden
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| | - Blair R. Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ahmad M, Ríos-Anillo MR, Acosta-López JE, Cervantes-Henríquez ML, Martínez-Banfi M, Pineda-Alhucema W, Puentes-Rozo P, Sánchez-Barros C, Pinzón A, Patel HR, Vélez JI, Villarreal-Camacho JL, Pineda DA, Arcos-Burgos M, Sánchez-Rojas M. Uncovering the Genetic and Molecular Features of Huntington's Disease in Northern Colombia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16154. [PMID: 38003344 PMCID: PMC10671691 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Juan de Acosta, Atlántico, a city located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, is home to the world's second-largest HD pedigree. Here, we include 291 descendants of this pedigree with at least one family member with HD. Blood samples were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. We quantified the HTT CAG expansion using an amplicon sequencing protocol. The genetic heterogeneity was measured as the ratio of the mosaicism allele's read peak and the slippage ratio of the allele's read peak from our sequence data. The statistical and bioinformatic analyses were performed with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. We found that the average HTT CAG repeat length in all participants was 21.91 (SD = 8.92). Of the 291 participants, 33 (11.3%, 18 females) had a positive molecular diagnosis for HD. Most affected individuals were adults, and the most common primary and secondary alleles were 17/7 (CAG/CCG) and 17/10 (CAG/CCG), respectively. The mosaicism increased with age in the participants with HD, while the slippage analyses revealed differences by the HD allele type only for the secondary allele. The slippage tended to increase with the HTT CAG repeat length in the participants with HD, but the increase was not statistically significant. This study analyzed the genetic and molecular features of 291 participants, including 33 with HD. We found that the mosaicism increased with age in the participants with HD, particularly for the secondary allele. The most common haplotype was 17/7_17/10. The slippage for the secondary allele varied by the HD allele type, but there was no significant difference in the slippage by sex. Our findings offer valuable insights into HD and could have implications for future research and clinical management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostapha Ahmad
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Margarita R Ríos-Anillo
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Médica Residente de Neurología, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Johan E Acosta-López
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Martha L Cervantes-Henríquez
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Martha Martínez-Banfi
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Wilmar Pineda-Alhucema
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Pedro Puentes-Rozo
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Grupo de Neurociencias del Caribe, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla 080001, Colombia
| | - Cristian Sánchez-Barros
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Life Science Research Center, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Departamento de Neurofisiología Clínica Palma de Mallorca, Hospital Juaneda Miramar, Islas Baleares, 07011 Palma, Spain
| | - Andrés Pinzón
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute for Genetics, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota 111321, Colombia
| | - Hardip R Patel
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Jorge I Vélez
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 081007, Colombia
| | - José Luis Villarreal-Camacho
- Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla, Barranquilla 081007, Colombia
| | - David A Pineda
- Grupo de Investigación en Neuropsicología y Conducta, Universidad de San Buenaventura, Medellin 050010, Colombia
- Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Mauricio Arcos-Burgos
- Grupo de Investigación en Psiquiatría (GIPSI), Departamento de Psiquiatría, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Manuel Sánchez-Rojas
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kachkin DV, Lashkul VV, Gorsheneva NA, Fedotov SA, Rubel MS, Chernoff YO, Rubel AA. The Aβ42 Peptide and IAPP Physically Interact in a Yeast-Based Assay. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14122. [PMID: 37762425 PMCID: PMC10531723 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (associated with IAPP peptide aggregation) show an increased incidence of Alzheimer's disease (associated with Aβ aggregation), but the mechanism responsible for this correlation is presently unknown. Here, we applied a yeast-based model to study the interactions of IAPP with PrP (associated with TSEs) and with the Aβ42 peptide. We demonstrated that fluorescently tagged IAPP forms detergent-resistant aggregates in yeast cells. Using the FRET approach, we showed that IAPP and Aβ aggregates co-localize and physically interact in yeast cells. We also showed that this interaction is specific and that there is no interaction between IAPP and PrP in the yeast system. Our data confirmed a direct physical interaction between IAPP and Aβ42 aggregates in a living cell. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that this interaction may play a crucial role in seeding Aβ42 aggregation in T2DM patients, thereby promoting the development of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel V. Kachkin
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.V.K.); (S.A.F.)
| | - Veronika V. Lashkul
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.V.K.); (S.A.F.)
| | - Natalia A. Gorsheneva
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.V.K.); (S.A.F.)
| | - Sergey A. Fedotov
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.V.K.); (S.A.F.)
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Maria S. Rubel
- Laboratory of DNA-Nanosensor Diagnostics, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, St. Petersburg 191002, Russia;
| | - Yury O. Chernoff
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA;
| | - Aleksandr A. Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.V.K.); (S.A.F.)
- Pediatric Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Microbiology and Molecular Epidemiology, St. Petersburg 197022, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hu B, Younes L, Bu X, Liu CF, Ratnanather JT, Paulsen J, Georgiou-Karistianis N, Miller MI, Ross C, Faria AV. Mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of deep gray matter and white matter using diffusion weighted images in premanifest and manifest Huntington's disease. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 39:103493. [PMID: 37582307 PMCID: PMC10448214 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the brain of patients with Huntington's disease (HD) begin years before clinical onset, so it remains critical to identify biomarkers to track these early changes. Metrics derived from tensor modeling of diffusion-weighted MRIs (DTI), that indicate the microscopic brain structure, can add important information to regional volumetric measurements. This study uses two large-scale longitudinal, multicenter datasets, PREDICT-HD and IMAGE-HD, to trace changes in DTI of HD participants with a broad range of CAP scores (a product of CAG repeat expansion and age), including those with pre-manifest disease (i.e., prior to clinical onset). Utilizing a fully automated data-driven approach to study the whole brain divided in regions of interest, we traced changes in DTI metrics (diffusivity and fractional anisotropy) versus CAP scores, using sigmoidal and linear regression models. We identified points of inflection in the sigmoidal regression using change-point analysis. The deep gray matter showed more evident and earlier changes in DTI metrics over CAP scores, compared to the deep white matter. In the deep white matter, these changes were more evident and occurred earlier in superior and posterior areas, compared to anterior and inferior areas. The curves of mean diffusivity vs. age of HD participants within a fixed CAP score were different from those of controls, indicating that the disease has an additional effect to age on the microscopic brain structure. These results show the regional and temporal vulnerability of the white matter and deep gray matter in HD, with potential implications for experimental therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beini Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laurent Younes
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xuan Bu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chin-Fu Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Tilak Ratnanather
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jane Paulsen
- Department of Psychiatry, Neurology, Psychological Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, USA; Department Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis
- School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute of Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Australia
| | - Michael I Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Ross
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andreia V Faria
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Elena-Real CA, Sagar A, Urbanek A, Popovic M, Morató A, Estaña A, Fournet A, Doucet C, Lund XL, Shi ZD, Costa L, Thureau A, Allemand F, Swenson RE, Milhiet PE, Crehuet R, Barducci A, Cortés J, Sinnaeve D, Sibille N, Bernadó P. The structure of pathogenic huntingtin exon 1 defines the bases of its aggregation propensity. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:309-320. [PMID: 36864173 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00920-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion in the first exon of the HTT gene, resulting in an extended polyglutamine (poly-Q) tract in huntingtin (httex1). The structural changes occurring to the poly-Q when increasing its length remain poorly understood due to its intrinsic flexibility and the strong compositional bias. The systematic application of site-specific isotopic labeling has enabled residue-specific NMR investigations of the poly-Q tract of pathogenic httex1 variants with 46 and 66 consecutive glutamines. Integrative data analysis reveals that the poly-Q tract adopts long α-helical conformations propagated and stabilized by glutamine side chain to backbone hydrogen bonds. We show that α-helical stability is a stronger signature in defining aggregation kinetics and the structure of the resulting fibrils than the number of glutamines. Our observations provide a structural perspective of the pathogenicity of expanded httex1 and pave the way to a deeper understanding of poly-Q-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Elena-Real
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Amin Sagar
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Annika Urbanek
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Matija Popovic
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Anna Morató
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Alejandro Estaña
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- LAAS-CNRS, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Aurélie Fournet
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Christine Doucet
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Xamuel L Lund
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- Institute of Laue Langevin, Grenoble, France
| | - Zhen-Dan Shi
- The Chemistry and Synthesis Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Luca Costa
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Frédéric Allemand
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Rolf E Swenson
- The Chemistry and Synthesis Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Ramon Crehuet
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alessandro Barducci
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Juan Cortés
- LAAS-CNRS, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Davy Sinnaeve
- Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS, EMR9002, Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Nathalie Sibille
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Pau Bernadó
- Centre for Structural Biology, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Liu Y, Wan L, Ngai CK, Wang Y, Lam SL, Guo P. Structures and conformational dynamics of DNA minidumbbells in pyrimidine-rich repeats associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1584-1592. [PMID: 36874156 PMCID: PMC9975016 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Expansions of short tandem repeats (STRs) are associated with approximately 50 human neurodegenerative diseases. These pathogenic STRs are prone to form non-B DNA structure, which has been considered as one of the causative factors for repeat expansions. Minidumbbell (MDB) is a relatively new type of non-B DNA structure formed by pyrimidine-rich STRs. An MDB is composed of two tetraloops or pentaloops, exhibiting a highly compact conformation with extensive loop-loop interactions. The MDB structures have been found to form in CCTG tetranucleotide repeats associated with myotonic dystrophy type 2, ATTCT pentanucleotide repeats associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 10, and the recently discovered ATTTT/ATTTC repeats associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 37 and familial adult myoclonic epilepsy. In this review, we first introduce the structures and conformational dynamics of MDBs with a focus on the high-resolution structural information determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Then we discuss the effects of sequence context, chemical environment, and nucleobase modification on the structure and thermostability of MDBs. Finally, we provide perspectives on further explorations of sequence criteria and biological functions of MDBs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, China
| | - Liqi Wan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Cheuk Kit Ngai
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC) Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Sik Lok Lam
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Pei Guo
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC) Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chan LL, Hill A, Lu G, Van Raamsdonk J, Gascoyne R, Hayden MR, Leavitt BR. Huntingtin Overexpression Does Not Alter Overall Survival in Murine Cancer Models. J Huntingtons Dis 2022; 11:383-389. [PMID: 36442204 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-220554] [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: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A reduced incidence of various forms of cancer has been reported in Huntington's disease patients and may be due to pro-apoptotic effects of mutant huntingtin. We tested this hypothesis by assessing the effects of huntingtin protein overexpression on survival in two murine cancer models. We generated YAC HD mice containing human huntingtin transgenes with various CAG tract lengths (YAC18, YAC72, YAC128) on either an Msh2 or p53 null background which have increased cancer incidence. In both mouse models of cancer, the overexpression of either mutant or wild-type huntingtin had no significant effect on overall survival. These results do not support the hypothesis that mutant huntingtin expression is protective against cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lynn Chan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Austin Hill
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ge Lu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeremy Van Raamsdonk
- Laboratory of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease, Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, and Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Randy Gascoyne
- Center for Lymphoid Cancer, British Columbia Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael R Hayden
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gil‐Polo C, Martinez‐Horta S, Sampedro Santalo F, Martín‐Palencia M, Gundín‐Menéndez S, Alvarez‐Baños P, Maza‐Pereg L, Calvo S, Collazo C, Alonso‐García E, Riñones‐Mena E, Arrabal‐Alonso A, Núñez Rodriguez J, Saiz‐Rodriguez M, Aguado L, Mariscal N, Muñoz‐Siscart I, Piñeiro D, Rivadeneyra J, Diez‐Fairen M, Miguel‐Pérez I, Cubo E. Association Between Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Social Cognition in Huntington's Disease. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2022; 10:279-284. [PMID: 36825059 PMCID: PMC9941927 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) seems to be involved in the neural circuits associated with social cognition and brain structure. Objectives To investigate the association of IGF-1 levels with social cognition and brain structure in Huntington's disease (HD). Methods We evaluated social cognition using the Ekman test in 22 HD patients and 19 matched controls. Brain structure was assessed using standard volume-based voxel-based morphometry and surface-based cortical thickness pipeline. We analyzed the association of IGF-1 levels with social cognition and brain structure using adjusted regression analysis. Results Social cognition was worse in HD patients (P < 0.001), on antidopaminergic drugs (P = 0.02), and with lower IGF-1 levels (P = 0.04). In neuroimaging analyses, lower IGF-1 levels were associated with social cognition impairment and atrophy mainly in frontotemporal regions (P < 0.05 corrected). Conclusions In HD, abnormal IGF-1 function seems to be associated with brain atrophy leading to clinical deficits in social cognition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Maza‐Pereg
- Endocrinology DepartmentHospital Universitario BurgosBurgosSpain
| | - Sara Calvo
- Research UnitHospital Universitario BurgosBurgosSpain
| | - Carla Collazo
- Research UnitHospital Universitario BurgosBurgosSpain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Aguado
- Neurology DepartmentHospital Universitario BurgosBurgosSpain
| | | | | | - Dolores Piñeiro
- Psychiatry DepartmentHospital Universitario BurgosBurgosSpain
| | | | | | | | - Esther Cubo
- Neurology DepartmentHospital Universitario BurgosBurgosSpain,University of BurgosBurgosSpain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gropp MHM, Klaips CL, Hartl FU. Formation of toxic oligomers of polyQ-expanded Huntingtin by prion-mediated cross-seeding. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4290-4306.e11. [PMID: 36272412 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Manifestation of aggregate pathology in Huntington's disease is thought to be facilitated by a preferential vulnerability of affected brain cells to age-dependent proteostatic decline. To understand how specific cellular backgrounds may facilitate pathologic aggregation, we utilized the yeast model in which polyQ-expanded Huntingtin forms aggregates only when the endogenous prion-forming protein Rnq1 is in its amyloid-like prion [PIN+] conformation. We employed optogenetic clustering of polyQ protein as an orthogonal method to induce polyQ aggregation in prion-free [pin-] cells. Optogenetic aggregation circumvented the prion requirement for the formation of detergent-resistant polyQ inclusions but bypassed the formation of toxic polyQ oligomers, which accumulated specifically in [PIN+] cells. Reconstitution of aggregation in vitro suggested that these polyQ oligomers formed through direct templating on Rnq1 prions. These findings shed light on the mechanism of prion-mediated formation of oligomers, which may play a role in triggering polyQ pathology in the patient brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael H M Gropp
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Courtney L Klaips
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany; Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713AV Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - F Ulrich Hartl
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhou Z, Fan Y, Zong R, Tan K. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response: A multitasking giant in the fight against human diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 81:101702. [PMID: 35908669 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria, which serve as the energy factories of cells, are involved in cell differentiation, calcium homeostasis, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism and apoptosis. In response to environmental stresses, mitochondrial homeostasis is regulated at both the organelle and molecular levels to effectively maintain the number and function of mitochondria. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is an adaptive intracellular stress mechanism that responds to stress signals by promoting the transcription of genes encoding mitochondrial chaperones and proteases. The mechanism of the UPRmt in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been clarified over time, and the main regulatory factors include ATFS-1, UBL-5 and DVE-1. In mammals, the activation of the UPRmt involves eIF2α phosphorylation and the uORF-regulated expression of CHOP, ATF4 and ATF5. Several additional factors, such as SIRT3 and HSF1, are also involved in regulating the UPRmt. A deep and comprehensive exploration of the UPRmt can provide new directions and strategies for the treatment of human diseases, including aging, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In this review, we mainly discuss the function of UPRmt, describe the regulatory mechanisms of UPRmt in C. elegans and mammals, and summarize the relationship between UPRmt and various human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yumei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, China
| | - Ruikai Zong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, China
| | - Ke Tan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology of Ministry of Education, Hebei Province Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Oh YM, Lee SW, Kim WK, Chen S, Church VA, Cates K, Li T, Zhang B, Dolle RE, Dahiya S, Pak SC, Silverman GA, Perlmutter DH, Yoo AS. Age-related Huntington's disease progression modeled in directly reprogrammed patient-derived striatal neurons highlights impaired autophagy. Nat Neurosci 2022; 25:1420-1433. [PMID: 36303071 PMCID: PMC10162007 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder with adult-onset clinical symptoms, but the mechanism by which aging drives the onset of neurodegeneration in patients with HD remains unclear. In this study we examined striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) directly reprogrammed from fibroblasts of patients with HD to model the age-dependent onset of pathology. We found that pronounced neuronal death occurred selectively in reprogrammed MSNs from symptomatic patients with HD (HD-MSNs) compared to MSNs derived from younger, pre-symptomatic patients (pre-HD-MSNs) and control MSNs from age-matched healthy individuals. We observed age-associated alterations in chromatin accessibility between HD-MSNs and pre-HD-MSNs and identified miR-29b-3p, whose age-associated upregulation promotes HD-MSN degeneration by impairing autophagic function through human-specific targeting of the STAT3 3' untranslated region. Reducing miR-29b-3p or chemically promoting autophagy increased the resilience of HD-MSNs against neurodegeneration. Our results demonstrate miRNA upregulation with aging in HD as a detrimental process driving MSN degeneration and potential approaches for enhancing autophagy and resilience of HD-MSNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Oh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Seong Won Lee
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Woo Kyung Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shawei Chen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Victoria A Church
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kitra Cates
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tiandao Li
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Roland E Dolle
- Department of Biochemistry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sonika Dahiya
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen C Pak
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gary A Silverman
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Perlmutter
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Manini A, Gagliardi D, Meneri M, Antognozzi S, Del Bo R, Scaglione C, Comi GP, Corti S, Ronchi D. Analysis of
HTT
CAG
repeat expansion in Italian patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022; 9:1820-1825. [DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Manini
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Delia Gagliardi
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology Unit IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milan Italy
| | - Megi Meneri
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Sara Antognozzi
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Roberto Del Bo
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - Cesa Scaglione
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
- Department of Neuroscience IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit Milan Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology Unit IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milan Italy
| | - Dario Ronchi
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation University of Milan Milan Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology Unit IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milan Italy
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Podvin S, Rosenthal SB, Poon W, Wei E, Fisch KM, Hook V. Mutant Huntingtin Protein Interaction Map Implicates Dysregulation of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Neurodegeneration of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2022; 11:243-267. [PMID: 35871359 PMCID: PMC9484122 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-220538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease caused by trinucleotide repeat (CAG) expansions in the human HTT gene encoding the huntingtin protein (Htt) with an expanded polyglutamine tract. OBJECTIVE HD models from yeast to transgenic mice have investigated proteins interacting with mutant Htt that may initiate molecular pathways of cell death. There is a paucity of datasets of published Htt protein interactions that include the criteria of 1) defining fragments or full-length Htt forms, 2) indicating the number of poly-glutamines of the mutant and wild-type Htt forms, and 3) evaluating native Htt interaction complexes. This research evaluated such interactor data to gain understanding of Htt dysregulation of cellular pathways. METHODS Htt interacting proteins were compiled from the literature that meet our criteria and were subjected to network analysis via clustering, gene ontology, and KEGG pathways using rigorous statistical methods. RESULTS The compiled data of Htt interactors found that both mutant and wild-type Htt interact with more than 2,971 proteins. Application of a community detection algorithm to all known Htt interactors identified significant signal transduction, membrane trafficking, chromatin, and mitochondrial clusters, among others. Binomial analyses of a subset of reported protein interactor information determined that chromatin organization, signal transduction and endocytosis were diminished, while mitochondria, translation and membrane trafficking had enriched overall edge effects. CONCLUSION The data support the hypothesis that mutant Htt disrupts multiple cellular processes causing toxicity. This dataset is an open resource to aid researchers in formulating hypotheses of HD mechanisms of pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Podvin
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sara Brin Rosenthal
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - William Poon
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Enlin Wei
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen M Fisch
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vivian Hook
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Dept of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tabrizi SJ, Estevez-Fraga C, van Roon-Mom WMC, Flower MD, Scahill RI, Wild EJ, Muñoz-Sanjuan I, Sampaio C, Rosser AE, Leavitt BR. Potential disease-modifying therapies for Huntington's disease: lessons learned and future opportunities. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:645-658. [PMID: 35716694 PMCID: PMC7613206 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00121-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is the most frequent autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder; however, no disease-modifying interventions are available for patients with this disease. The molecular pathogenesis of Huntington's disease is complex, with toxicity that arises from full-length expanded huntingtin and N-terminal fragments of huntingtin, which are both prone to misfolding due to proteolysis; aberrant intron-1 splicing of the HTT gene; and somatic expansion of the CAG repeat in the HTT gene. Potential interventions for Huntington's disease include therapies targeting huntingtin DNA and RNA, clearance of huntingtin protein, DNA repair pathways, and other treatment strategies targeting inflammation and cell replacement. The early termination of trials of the antisense oligonucleotide tominersen suggest that it is time to reflect on lessons learned, where the field stands now, and the challenges and opportunities for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Tabrizi
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Carlos Estevez-Fraga
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Michael D Flower
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rachael I Scahill
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Edward J Wild
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Cristina Sampaio
- CHDI Management, CHDI Foundation Los Angeles, CA, USA; Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anne E Rosser
- BRAIN unit, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Centre for Huntington's disease, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Naranjo-Galindo FJ, Ai R, Fang EF, Nilsen HL, SenGupta T. C. elegans as an Animal Model to Study the Intersection of DNA Repair, Aging and Neurodegeneration. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 3:916118. [PMID: 35821838 PMCID: PMC9261396 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.916118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Since its introduction as a genetic model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans has yielded insights into the causes of aging. In addition, it has provided a molecular understanding of mechanisms of neurodegeneration, one of the devastating effects of aging. However, C. elegans has been less popular as an animal model to investigate DNA repair and genomic instability, which is a major hallmark of aging and also a cause of many rare neurological disorders. This article provides an overview of DNA repair pathways in C. elegans and the impact of DNA repair on aging hallmarks, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere maintenance, and autophagy. In addition, we discuss how the combination of biological characteristics, new technical tools, and the potential of following precise phenotypic assays through a natural life-course make C. elegans an ideal model organism to study how DNA repair impact neurodegeneration in models of common age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco José Naranjo-Galindo
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Ruixue Ai
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Evandro Fei Fang
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hilde Loge Nilsen
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Hilde Loge Nilsen, ; Tanima SenGupta,
| | - Tanima SenGupta
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- *Correspondence: Hilde Loge Nilsen, ; Tanima SenGupta,
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Maffi S, Scaricamazza E, Migliore S, Casella M, Ceccarelli C, Squitieri F. Sleep Quality and Related Clinical Manifestations in Huntington Disease. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060864. [PMID: 35743649 PMCID: PMC9224745 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Sleep patterns are frequently disrupted in neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington disease (HD); however, they are still poorly understood, especially their association with clinic features. Our study aimed to explore potential correlations between sleep features and motor, cognitive, behavioural and functional changes in manifest HD subjects. (2) Methods: We enrolled 42 patients who were assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires; clinical features were evaluated by the validated ENROLL-HD platform assay, including the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) and the Problem Behaviours Assessment Short Form (PBA-s). (3) Results: We found a significant association between the patients’ perception of sleep abnormalities and scores of impaired independence, cognitive and motor performances. Specifically, sleep efficiency (PSQI—C4 subscores) and the use of sleep medications (PSQI—C6 subscores) seem to be more frequently associated with the severity of the disease progression. (4) Conclusion: sleep abnormalities represent an important part of the HD clinical profile and can impair patients’ quality of life by affecting their level of independence, cognition performance and mental well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Maffi
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (S.M.); (E.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Eugenia Scaricamazza
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (S.M.); (E.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Simone Migliore
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (S.M.); (E.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Melissa Casella
- Italian League for Research on Huntington (LIRH) Foundation, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Consuelo Ceccarelli
- Italian League for Research on Huntington (LIRH) Foundation, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Ferdinando Squitieri
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (S.M.); (E.S.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Calabrese G, Molzahn C, Mayor T. Protein interaction networks in neurodegenerative diseases: from physiological function to aggregation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102062. [PMID: 35623389 PMCID: PMC9234719 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of protein inclusions is linked to many neurodegenerative diseases that typically develop in older individuals, due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In rare familial neurodegenerative disorders, genes encoding for aggregation-prone proteins are often mutated. While the underlying mechanism leading to these diseases still remains to be fully elucidated, efforts in the past 20 years revealed a vast network of protein–protein interactions that play a major role in regulating the aggregation of key proteins associated with neurodegeneration. Misfolded proteins that can oligomerize and form insoluble aggregates associate with molecular chaperones and other elements of the proteolytic machineries that are the frontline workers attempting to protect the cells by promoting clearance and preventing aggregation. Proteins that are normally bound to aggregation-prone proteins can become sequestered and mislocalized in protein inclusions, leading to their loss of function. In contrast, mutations, posttranslational modifications, or misfolding of aggregation-prone proteins can lead to gain of function by inducing novel or altered protein interactions, which in turn can impact numerous essential cellular processes and organelles, such as vesicle trafficking and the mitochondria. This review examines our current knowledge of protein–protein interactions involving several key aggregation-prone proteins that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We aim to provide an overview of the protein interaction networks that play a central role in driving or mitigating inclusion formation, while highlighting some of the key proteomic studies that helped to uncover the extent of these networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Calabrese
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4 Vancouver BC, Canada.
| | - Cristen Molzahn
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4 Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Thibault Mayor
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4 Vancouver BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Chan JCS, Stout JC, Shirbin CA, Vogel AP. Listener Detection of Objectively Validated Acoustic Features of Speech in Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2022; 11:71-79. [PMID: 34974436 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-210501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subtle progressive changes in speech motor function and cognition begin prior to diagnosis of Huntington's disease (HD). OBJECTIVE To determine the nature of listener-rated speech differences in premanifest and early-stage HD (i.e., PreHD and EarlyHD), compared to neurologically healthy controls. METHODS We administered a speech battery to 60 adults (16 people with PreHD, 14 with EarlyHD, and 30 neurologically healthy controls), and conducted a cognitive test of processing speed/visual attention, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) on participants with HD. Voice recordings were rated by expert listeners and analyzed for acoustic and perceptual speech features. RESULTS Listeners perceived subtle differences in the speech of PreHD compared to controls, including abnormal pitch level and speech rate, reduced loudness and loudness inflection, altered voice quality, hypernasality, imprecise articulation, and reduced naturalness of speech. Listeners detected abnormal speech rate in PreHD compared to healthy speakers on a reading task, which correlated with slower speech rate from acoustic analysis and a lower cognitive performance score. In early-stage HD, continuous speech was characterized by longer pauses, a higher proportion of silence, and slower rate. CONCLUSION Differences in speech and voice acoustic features are detectable in PreHD by expert listeners and align with some acoustically-derived objective speech measures. Slower speech rate in PreHD suggests altered oral motor control and/or subtle cognitive deficits that begin prior to diagnosis. Speakers with EarlyHD exhibited more silences compared to the PreHD and control groups, raising the likelihood of a link between speech and cognition that is not yet well characterized in HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jess C S Chan
- Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie C Stout
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher A Shirbin
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam P Vogel
- Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Division of Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Germany & Center for Neurology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.,Redenlab, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Nguyen QTR, Ortigoza Escobar JD, Burgunder JM, Mariotti C, Saft C, Hjermind LE, Youssov K, Landwehrmeyer GB, Bachoud-Lévi AC. Combining Literature Review With a Ground Truth Approach for Diagnosing Huntington's Disease Phenocopy. Front Neurol 2022; 13:817753. [PMID: 35222250 PMCID: PMC8866848 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.817753] [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: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One percent of patients with a Huntington's disease (HD) phenotype do not have the Huntington (HTT) gene mutation. These are known as HD phenocopies. Their diagnosis is still a challenge. Our objective is to provide a diagnostic approach to HD phenocopies based on medical expertise and a review of the literature. We employed two complementary approaches sequentially: a review of the literature and two surveys analyzing the daily clinical practice of physicians who are experts in movement disorders. The review of the literature was conducted from 1993 to 2020, by extracting articles about chorea or HD-like disorders from the database Pubmed, yielding 51 articles, and analyzing 20 articles in depth to establish the surveys. Twenty-eight physicians responded to the first survey exploring the red flags suggestive of specific disease entities. Thirty-three physicians completed the second survey which asked for the classification of paraclinical tests according to their diagnostic significance. The analysis of the results of the second survey used four different clustering algorithms and the density-based clustering algorithm DBSCAN to classify the paraclinical tests into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-line recommendations. In addition, we included suggestions from members of the European Reference Network-Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND Chorea & Huntington disease group). Finally, we propose guidance that integrate the detection of clinical red flags with a classification of paraclinical testing options to improve the diagnosis of HD phenocopies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quang Tuan Rémy Nguyen
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Centre National de Référence Maladie de Huntington, Service de Neurologie, Créteil, France
- Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM U955, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Laboratoire de Neuropsychologie Interventionnelle, Creteil, France
- Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École normale supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Quang Tuan Rémy Nguyen
| | - Juan Dario Ortigoza Escobar
- Movement Disorders Unit, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERER-ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
- European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jean-Marc Burgunder
- European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Tübingen, Germany
- Siloah and Department of Neurology, Department of Clinical Research, Swiss Huntington's Disease Centre, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Caterina Mariotti
- European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Tübingen, Germany
- Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases, Carlo Besta Neurological Institute IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Carsten Saft
- European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Huntington Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University, St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Lena Elisabeth Hjermind
- European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Danish Dementia Research Centre, Clinic of Neurogenetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katia Youssov
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Centre National de Référence Maladie de Huntington, Service de Neurologie, Créteil, France
- Univ Paris Est Creteil, INSERM U955, Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, Laboratoire de Neuropsychologie Interventionnelle, Creteil, France
| | - G. Bernhard Landwehrmeyer
- European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anne-Catherine Bachoud-Lévi
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor-Albert Chenevier, Centre National de Référence Maladie de Huntington, Service de Neurologie, Créteil, France
- Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École normale supérieure, PSL University, Paris, France
- European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Tübingen, Germany
- Anne-Catherine Bachoud-Lévi
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Shenoy SA, Zheng S, Liu W, Dai Y, Liu Y, Hou Z, Mori S, Tang Y, Cheng J, Duan W, Li C. A novel and accurate full-length HTT mouse model for Huntington's disease. eLife 2022; 11:e70217. [PMID: 35023827 PMCID: PMC8758142 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the generation and characterization of a novel Huntington's disease (HD) mouse model BAC226Q by using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) system, expressing full-length human HTT with ~226 CAG-CAA repeats and containing endogenous human HTT promoter and regulatory elements. BAC226Q recapitulated a full-spectrum of age-dependent and progressive HD-like phenotypes without unwanted and erroneous phenotypes. BAC226Q mice developed normally, and gradually exhibited HD-like psychiatric and cognitive phenotypes at 2 months. From 3 to 4 months, BAC226Q mice showed robust progressive motor deficits. At 11 months, BAC226Q mice showed significant reduced life span, gradual weight loss and exhibited neuropathology including significant brain atrophy specific to striatum and cortex, striatal neuronal death, widespread huntingtin inclusions, and reactive pathology. Therefore, the novel BAC226Q mouse accurately recapitulating robust, age-dependent, progressive HD-like phenotypes will be a valuable tool for studying disease mechanisms, identifying biomarkers, and testing gene-targeting therapeutic approaches for HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sushila A Shenoy
- Department of Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical SciencesNew YorkUnited States
| | - Sushuang Zheng
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Wencheng Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical SciencesNew YorkUnited States
| | - Yuanyi Dai
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yuanxiu Liu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhipeng Hou
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Susumu Mori
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Yi Tang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Jerry Cheng
- Department of Computer Science, New York Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUnited States
| | - Wenzhen Duan
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Solomon H.Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of medicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Chenjian Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Asla MM, Nawar AA, Abdelsalam A, Elsayed E, Rizk MA, Hussein MA, Kamel WA. The Efficacy and Safety of Pridopidine on Treatment of Patients with Huntington's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2022; 9:20-30. [PMID: 35005061 PMCID: PMC8721839 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pridopidine is a novel drug that helps stabilize psychomotor function in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) by activating the cortical glutamate pathway. It promises to achieve the unmet needs of current therapies of HD without worsening other symptoms. OBJECTIVE To review the literature discussing the efficacy of pridopidine in alleviating motor symptoms and its safety in patients with HD. METHODS We searched Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Wiley, and PubMed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pridopidine on HD. Data from eligible studies were extracted and pooled as mean differences for efficacy and risk ratios (RRs) for safety using RevMan software version 5.3. RESULTS A total of 4 relevant RCTs with 1130 patients were selected (816 in the pridopidine group and 314 in the placebo group). The pooled effect size favored pridopidine over placebo insignificantly in the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale Total Motor Score (mean difference [MD], -0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.01 to 0.14; P = 0.09), whereas the effect size of 3 studies significantly favored pridopidine over placebo in the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale Modified Motor Score (MD, -0.81; 95% CI, -1.48 to -0.13; P = 0.02). Pridopidine generally was well tolerated. None of the adverse effects were considerably higher in the case of pridopidine compared with placebo in overall adverse events (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.13; P = 0.49) and serious adverse events (RR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.88-2.99; P = 0.12). CONCLUSION The effects of pridopidine on motor functions (especially voluntary movements) in patients with HD are encouraging and provide a good safety profile that motivates further clinical trials on patients to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alaa Abdelsalam
- Faculty of Human MedicineZagazig UniversityZagazig CityEgypt
| | - Esraa Elsayed
- Faculty of Human MedicineZagazig UniversityZagazig CityEgypt
| | | | | | - Walaa A. Kamel
- Neurology Department, Faculty of MedicineBeni‐Suef UniversityBeni SuefEgypt
- Neurology DepartmentIbn Sina HospitalKuwait cityKuwait
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Huntingtin Ubiquitination Mechanisms and Novel Possible Therapies to Decrease the Toxic Effects of Mutated Huntingtin. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121309. [PMID: 34945781 PMCID: PMC8709430 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington Disease (HD) is a dominant, lethal neurodegenerative disorder caused by the abnormal expansion (>35 copies) of a CAG triplet located in exon 1 of the HTT gene encoding the huntingtin protein (Htt). Mutated Htt (mHtt) easily aggregates, thereby inducing ER stress that in turn leads to neuronal injury and apoptosis. Therefore, both the inhibition of mHtt aggregate formation and the acceleration of mHtt degradation represent attractive strategies to delay HD progression, and even for HD treatment. Here, we describe the mechanism underlying mHtt degradation by the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), which has been shown to play a more important role than the autophagy–lysosomal pathway. In particular, we focus on E3 ligase proteins involved in the UPS and detail their structure–function relationships. In this framework, we discuss the possible exploitation of PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) for HD therapy. PROTACs are heterobifunctional small molecules that comprise two different ligands joined by an appropriate linker; one of the ligands is specific for a selected E3 ubiquitin ligase, the other ligand is able to recruit a target protein of interest, in this case mHtt. As a consequence of PROTAC binding, mHtt and the E3 ubiquitin ligase can be brought to a relative position that allows mHtt to be ubiquitinated and, ultimately, allows a reduction in the amount of mHtt in the cell.
Collapse
|
30
|
Nuclear and cytoplasmic huntingtin inclusions exhibit distinct biochemical composition, interactome and ultrastructural properties. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6579. [PMID: 34772920 PMCID: PMC8589980 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26684-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the strong evidence linking the aggregation of the Huntingtin protein (Htt) to the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD), the mechanisms underlying Htt aggregation and neurodegeneration remain poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the ultrastructural properties and protein composition of Htt cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions in mammalian cells and primary neurons overexpressing mutant exon1 of the Htt protein. Our findings provide unique insight into the ultrastructural properties of cytoplasmic and nuclear Htt inclusions and their mechanisms of formation. We show that Htt inclusion formation and maturation are complex processes that, although initially driven by polyQ-dependent Htt aggregation, also involve the polyQ and PRD domain-dependent sequestration of lipids and cytoplasmic and cytoskeletal proteins related to HD dysregulated pathways; the recruitment and accumulation of remodeled or dysfunctional membranous organelles, and the impairment of the protein quality control and degradation machinery. We also show that nuclear and cytoplasmic Htt inclusions exhibit distinct biochemical compositions and ultrastructural properties, suggesting different mechanisms of aggregation and toxicity.
Collapse
|
31
|
Wagner AH, Babb L, Alterovitz G, Baudis M, Brush M, Cameron DL, Cline M, Griffith M, Griffith OL, Hunt SE, Kreda D, Lee JM, Li S, Lopez J, Moyer E, Nelson T, Patel RY, Riehle K, Robinson PN, Rynearson S, Schuilenburg H, Tsukanov K, Walsh B, Konopko M, Rehm HL, Yates AD, Freimuth RR, Hart RK. The GA4GH Variation Representation Specification: A computational framework for variation representation and federated identification. CELL GENOMICS 2021; 1. [PMID: 35311178 PMCID: PMC8929418 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2021.100027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Maximizing the personal, public, research, and clinical value of genomic information will require the reliable exchange of genetic variation data. We report here the Variation Representation Specification (VRS, pronounced "verse"), an extensible framework for the computable representation of variation that complements contemporary human-readable and flat file standards for genomic variation representation. VRS provides semantically precise representations of variation and leverages this design to enable federated identification of biomolecular variation with globally consistent and unique computed identifiers. The VRS framework includes a terminology and information model, machine-readable schema, data sharing conventions, and a reference implementation, each of which is intended to be broadly useful and freely available for community use. VRS was developed by a partnership among national information resource providers, public initiatives, and diagnostic testing laboratories under the auspices of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex H. Wagner
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Lawrence Babb
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Gil Alterovitz
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael Baudis
- University of Zurich and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthew Brush
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Daniel L. Cameron
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Melissa Cline
- UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Malachi Griffith
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Obi L. Griffith
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Sarah E. Hunt
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - David Kreda
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Lee
- Essex Management LLC and National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Stephanie Li
- The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Eric Moyer
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | | | | | - Kevin Riehle
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Shawn Rynearson
- Utah Center for Genetic Discovery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Helen Schuilenburg
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Kirill Tsukanov
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Brian Walsh
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Melissa Konopko
- The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Heidi L. Rehm
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Andrew D. Yates
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Robert R. Freimuth
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Reece K. Hart
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- MyOme, Inc., Menlo Park, CA 94070, USA
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Najafi S, Tan SC, Raee P, Rahmati Y, Asemani Y, Lee EHC, Hushmandi K, Zarrabi A, Aref AR, Ashrafizadeh M, Kumar AP, Ertas YN, Ghani S, Aghamiri S. Gene regulation by antisense transcription: A focus on neurological and cancer diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 145:112265. [PMID: 34749054 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in high-throughput sequencing over the past decades have led to the identification of thousands of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which play a major role in regulating gene expression. One emerging class of ncRNAs is the natural antisense transcripts (NATs), the RNA molecules transcribed from the opposite strand of a protein-coding gene locus. NATs are known to concordantly and discordantly regulate gene expression in both cis and trans manners at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic levels. Aberrant expression of NATs can therefore cause dysregulation in many biological pathways and has been observed in many genetic diseases. This review outlines the involvements and mechanisms of NATs in the pathogenesis of various diseases, with a special emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. We also summarize recent findings on NAT knockdown and/or overexpression experiments and discuss the potential of NATs as promising targets for future gene therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Najafi
- Student research committee, Department of medical biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shing Cheng Tan
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pourya Raee
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yazdan Rahmati
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yahya Asemani
- Department of Immunology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - E Hui Clarissa Lee
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, Sariyer 34396, Turkey
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vice President at Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc, 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey; Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey; ERNAM-Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Sepideh Ghani
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Archie SR, Al Shoyaib A, Cucullo L. Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in CNS Disorders and Putative Therapeutic Targets: An Overview. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111779. [PMID: 34834200 PMCID: PMC8622070 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a fundamental component of the central nervous system (CNS). Its functional and structural integrity is vital to maintain the homeostasis of the brain microenvironment by controlling the passage of substances and regulating the trafficking of immune cells between the blood and the brain. The BBB is primarily composed of highly specialized microvascular endothelial cells. These cells’ special features and physiological properties are acquired and maintained through the concerted effort of hemodynamic and cellular cues from the surrounding environment. This complex multicellular system, comprising endothelial cells, astrocytes, pericytes, and neurons, is known as the neurovascular unit (NVU). The BBB strictly controls the transport of nutrients and metabolites into brain parenchyma through a tightly regulated transport system while limiting the access of potentially harmful substances via efflux transcytosis and metabolic mechanisms. Not surprisingly, a disruption of the BBB has been associated with the onset and/or progression of major neurological disorders. Although the association between disease and BBB disruption is clear, its nature is not always evident, specifically with regard to whether an impaired BBB function results from the pathological condition or whether the BBB damage is the primary pathogenic factor prodromal to the onset of the disease. In either case, repairing the barrier could be a viable option for treating and/or reducing the effects of CNS disorders. In this review, we describe the fundamental structure and function of the BBB in both healthy and altered/diseased conditions. Additionally, we provide an overview of the potential therapeutic targets that could be leveraged to restore the integrity of the BBB concomitant to the treatment of these brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Rahman Archie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA; (S.R.A.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Abdullah Al Shoyaib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA; (S.R.A.); (A.A.S.)
| | - Luca Cucullo
- Department of Foundational Medical Studies, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-248-370-3884; Fax: +1-248-370-4060
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
The emerging role of miRNA-132/212 cluster in neurologic and cardiovascular diseases: Neuroprotective role in cells with prolonged longevity. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 199:111566. [PMID: 34517022 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
miRNA-132/212 are small regulators of gene expression with a function that fulfills a vital function in diverse biological processes including neuroprotection of cells with prolonged longevity in neurons and the cardiovascular system. In neurons, miRNA-132 appears to be essential for controlling differentiation, development, and neural functioning. Indeed, it also universally promotes axon evolution, nervous migration, plasticity as well, it is suggested to be neuroprotective against neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, miRNA-132/212 disorder leads to neural developmental perturbation, and the development of degenerative disorders covering Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and epilepsy's along with psychiatric perturbations including schizophrenia. Furthermore, the cellular mechanisms of the miRNA-132/212 have additionally been explored in cardiovascular diseases models. Also, the miRNA-132/212 family modulates cardiac hypertrophy and autophagy in cardiomyocytes. The protective and effective clinical promise of miRNA-132/212 in these systems is discussed in this review. To sum up, the current progress in innovative miRNA-based therapies for human pathologies seems of extreme concern and reveals promising novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
35
|
Kaur J, Parveen S, Shamim U, Sharma P, Suroliya V, Sonkar AK, Ahmad I, Garg J, Anand KS, Laskar S, Chowdhury D, Kushwaha S, Goyal V, Srivastava AK, Singh G, Faruq M. Investigations of Huntington's Disease and Huntington's Disease-Like Syndromes in Indian Choreatic Patients. J Huntingtons Dis 2021; 9:283-289. [PMID: 32675418 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-200398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnostic workup for choreiform movement disorders including Huntington's disease (HD) and those mimicking HD like phenotype is complex. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to genetically define HD and HD-like presentations in an Indian cohort. We also describe HTT-CAG expansion manifesting as neuroferritinopathy-like disorder in four families from Punjab in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS 159 patients clinically diagnosed as HD and HD-like presentations from various tertiary neurology clinics were referred to our centre (CSIR-IGIB) for genetic investigations. As a first tier test, CAG-TNR for HTT was performed and subsequently HD-negative samples were screened for JPH3 (HDL2), TBP (SCA17), ATN1 (DRPLA), PPP2R2B (SCA12) and GGGGCC expansion in C9orf72 gene. Four families presenting as neuroferritinopathy-like disorder were also investigated for HTT-CAG expansion. RESULTS 94 of 159 (59%) patients were found to have expanded HTT-CAG repeats. Pathogenic repeat expansion in JPH3, TBP, ATN1 and C9orf72 were not found in HD negative cases. Two patients were positive for SCA12-CAG expansion in pathogenic length, whereas 5 cases harboured TBP-CAG repeats falling in reduced penetrance range of 41- 48 repeats for SCA17. Four unrelated families, presented with atypical chorea and brain MRI findings suggestive of basal ganglia abnormalities mimicking neuroferritinopathy were found to harbour HTT-CAG expansion. CONCLUSION We present SCA12 as a new reported phenocopy of HD which should be considered for diagnostic workout along with SCA17 for HD-like syndromes. This study also illustrates the necessity, to consider evolving HD like phenotype, as a clinical diagnosis for cases with initial manifestations depicting neuroferritinopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaslovleen Kaur
- Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, India
| | - Shaista Parveen
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
| | - Uzma Shamim
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
| | - Pooja Sharma
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
| | - Varun Suroliya
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Akhilesh Kumar Sonkar
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Istaq Ahmad
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jyoti Garg
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Kuljeet Singh Anand
- Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Suman Kushwaha
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Vinay Goyal
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Achal K Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, India
| | - Mohd Faruq
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, CSIR - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Murthy M, Cheng YY, Holton JL, Bettencourt C. Neurodegenerative movement disorders: An epigenetics perspective and promise for the future. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:897-909. [PMID: 34318515 PMCID: PMC9291277 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative movement disorders (NMDs) are age‐dependent disorders that are characterised by the degeneration and loss of neurons, typically accompanied by pathological accumulation of different protein aggregates in the brain, which lead to motor symptoms. NMDs include Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Huntington's disease, among others. Epigenetic modifications are responsible for functional gene regulation during development, adult life and ageing and have progressively been implicated in complex diseases such as cancer and more recently in neurodegenerative diseases, such as NMDs. DNA methylation is by far the most widely studied epigenetic modification and consists of the reversible addition of a methyl group to the DNA without changing the DNA sequence. Although this research field is still in its infancy in relation to NMDs, an increasing number of studies point towards a role for DNA methylation in disease processes. This review addresses recent advances in epigenetic and epigenomic research in NMDs, with a focus on human brain DNA methylation studies. We discuss the current understanding of the DNA methylation changes underlying these disorders, the potential for use of these DNA modifications in peripheral tissues as biomarkers in early disease detection, classification and progression as well as a promising role in future disease management and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megha Murthy
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Yun Yung Cheng
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Janice L Holton
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Conceição Bettencourt
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Chiki A, Zhang Z, Rajasekhar K, Abriata LA, Rostami I, Krapp LF, Boudeffa D, Dal Peraro M, Lashuel HA. Investigating Crosstalk Among PTMs Provides Novel Insight Into the Structural Basis Underlying the Differential Effects of Nt17 PTMs on Mutant Httex1 Aggregation. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:686086. [PMID: 34381813 PMCID: PMC8352439 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.686086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) within the first 17 amino acids (Nt17) of the Huntingtin protein (Htt) have been shown to inhibit the aggregation and attenuate the toxicity of mutant Htt proteins in vitro and in various models of Huntington’s disease. Here, we expand on these studies by investigating the effect of methionine eight oxidation (oxM8) and its crosstalk with lysine 6 acetylation (AcK6) or threonine 3 phosphorylation (pT3) on the aggregation of mutant Httex1 (mHttex1). We show that M8 oxidation delays but does not inhibit the aggregation and has no effect on the final morphologies of mHttex1aggregates. The presence of both oxM8 and AcK6 resulted in dramatic inhibition of Httex1 fibrillization. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation studies show that PTMs that lower the mHttex1 aggregation rate (oxM8, AcK6/oxM8, pT3, pT3/oxM8, and pS13) result in increased population of a short N-terminal helix (first eight residues) in Nt17 or decreased abundance of other helical forms, including long helix and short C-terminal helix. PTMs that did not alter the aggregation rate (AcK6) of mHttex1 exhibit a similar distribution of helical conformation as the unmodified peptides. These results show that the relative abundance of N- vs. C-terminal helical conformations and long helices, rather than the overall helicity of Nt17, better explains the effect of different Nt17 PTMs on mHttex1; thus, explaining the lack of correlation between the effect of PTMs on the overall helicity of Nt17 and mHttex1 aggregation in vitro. Taken together, our results provide novel structural insight into the differential effects of single PTMs and crosstalk between different PTMs in regulating mHttex1 aggregation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zhidian Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kolla Rajasekhar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luciano A Abriata
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Iman Rostami
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Lucien F Krapp
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Driss Boudeffa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Dal Peraro
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Huntington's Chorea-a Rare Neurodegenerative Autosomal Dominant Disease: Insight into Molecular Genetics, Prognosis and Diagnosis. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2021; 193:2634-2648. [PMID: 34235640 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-021-03523-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative autosomal disease results due to expansion of polymorphic CAG repeats in the huntingtin gene. Phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor 4E-BP results in the alteration of the translation control leading to unwanted protein synthesis and neuronal function. Consequences of mutant huntington (mhtt) gene transcription are not well known. Variability of age of onset is an important factor of Huntington's disease separating adult and juvenile types. The factors which are taken into account are-genetic modifiers, maternal protection i.e excessive paternal transmission, superior ageing genes and environmental threshold. A major focus has been given to the molecular pathogenesis which includes-motor disturbance, cognitive disturbance and neuropsychiatric disturbance. The diagnosis part has also been taken care of. This includes genetic testing and both primary and secondary symptoms. The present review also focuses on the genetics and pathology of Huntington's disease.
Collapse
|
39
|
Dahlenburg H, Cameron D, Yang S, Bachman A, Pollock K, Cary W, Pham M, Hendrix K, White J, Nelson H, Deng P, Anderson JS, Fink K, Nolta J. A novel Huntington's disease mouse model to assess the role of neuroinflammation on disease progression and to develop human cell therapies. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:1033-1043. [PMID: 33710799 PMCID: PMC8235129 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion of the huntingtin gene (HTT) that affects 1 in every 10 000 individuals in the United States. Our lab developed a novel immune deficient HD mouse strain, the YACNSG, from a commonly used line, the YAC128 mouse, to enable transplantation studies using engineered human cells in addition to studying the impact of the immune system on disease progression. The primary goal of this project was to characterize this novel immune deQficient HD mouse model, using behavioral assays and histology to compare this new model to the immune competent YAC128 and immune deficient mice that had engraftment of a human immune system. Flow cytometry was used to confirm that the YACNSG strain lacked immune cells, and in vivo imaging was used to assess human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) retention compared with a commonly used immune deficient line, the NSG mouse. We found that YACNSG were able to retain human MSCs longer than the immune competent YAC128 mice. We performed behavioral assessments starting at 4 months of age and continued testing monthly until 12 months on the accelerod and in the open field. At 12 months, brains were isolated and evaluated using immunohistochemistry for striatal volume. Results from these studies suggest that the novel immune deficient YACNSG strain of mice could provide a good model for human stem-cell based therapies and that the immune system appears to play an important role in the pathology of HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Dahlenburg
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - David Cameron
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sheng Yang
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Angelica Bachman
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kari Pollock
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Whitney Cary
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Missy Pham
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kyle Hendrix
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jeannine White
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Haley Nelson
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Peter Deng
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joseph S. Anderson
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kyle Fink
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jan Nolta
- Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative CuresUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of California Davis HealthSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Gupta S, Khan A, Vishwas S, Gulati M, Gurjeet Singh T, Dua K, Kumar Singh S, Najda A, Sayed AA, Almeer R, Abdel-Daim MM. Demethyleneberberine: A possible treatment for Huntington's disease. Med Hypotheses 2021; 153:110639. [PMID: 34229236 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a type of neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by presence of multiple repeats (more than 36) of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) trinucleotides and mutated huntingtin (mHtt). This can further lead to oxidative stress, enhancement in level of ROS/RNS, mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammations. Many clinical and preclinical trials have been conducted so far for the effective treatment of HD however, none of the drugs has shown complete relief. The regeneration of neurons is a very complicated process and associated with multiple pathological pathways. Hence, finding a unique solution using single drug that could act on multiple pathological pathways is really cumbersome. In the proposed hypothesis the use of demethyleneberberine (DMB) as a potential anti-HD agent has been explained. It is a metabolite of berberine and reported to act on multiple mechanistic pathways that are responsible for HD. Present article highlights new mechanistic insights through which DMB inhibits ROS/RNS, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions and neuroinflammation such as NFκB, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, cytokinin. Further its action on cellular apoptosis and neuronal cell death are also reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Gupta
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Arzoo Khan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Sukriti Vishwas
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Monica Gulati
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab 144411, India
| | | | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab 144411, India.
| | - Agnieszka Najda
- Laboratory of Quality of Vegetables and Medicinal Plants, Department of Vegetable Crops and Medicinal Plants, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 15 Akademicka Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Amany A Sayed
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Rafa Almeer
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M Abdel-Daim
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Atkinson SP. A preview of selected articles-July 2021. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:939-942. [PMID: 34174022 PMCID: PMC8235125 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.21-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
|
42
|
Adanyeguh IM, Branzoli F, Delorme C, Méneret A, Monin ML, Luton MP, Durr A, Sabidussi E, Mochel F. Multiparametric characterization of white matter alterations in early stage Huntington disease. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13101. [PMID: 34162958 PMCID: PMC8222368 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92532-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a monogenic, fully penetrant neurodegenerative disorder. Widespread white matter damage affects the brain of patients with HD at very early stages of the disease. Fixel-based analysis (FBA) is a novel method to investigate the contribution of individual crossing fibers to the white matter damage and to detect possible alterations in both fiber density and fiber-bundle morphology. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DW-MRS), on the other hand, quantifies the motion of brain metabolites in vivo, thus enabling the investigation of microstructural alteration of specific cell populations. The aim of this study was to identify novel specific microstructural imaging markers of white matter degeneration in HD, by combining FBA and DW-MRS. Twenty patients at an early stage of HD and 20 healthy controls were recruited in a monocentric study. Using diffusion imaging we observed alterations to the brain microstructure and their morphology in patients with HD. Furthermore, FBA revealed specific fiber populations that were affected by the disease. Moreover, the mean diffusivity of the intra-axonal metabolite N-acetylaspartate, co-measured with N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNAA), was significantly reduced in the corpus callosum of patients compared to controls. FBA and DW-MRS of tNAA provided more specific information about the biological mechanisms underlying HD and showed promise for early investigation of white matter degeneration in HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac M Adanyeguh
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Francesca Branzoli
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France.,Center for NeuroImaging Research (CENIR), Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Delorme
- Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Méneret
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France.,Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Lorraine Monin
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Luton
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Durr
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Emanoel Sabidussi
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Fanny Mochel
- INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau Et de La Moelle Épinière, ICM, 75013, Paris, France. .,Department of Genetics, Center for Neurometabolic Diseases, AP-HP, La Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Han R, Liang J, Zhou B. Glucose Metabolic Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases-New Mechanistic Insights and the Potential of Hypoxia as a Prospective Therapy Targeting Metabolic Reprogramming. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115887. [PMID: 34072616 PMCID: PMC8198281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucose is the main circulating energy substrate for the adult brain. Owing to the high energy demand of nerve cells, glucose is actively oxidized to produce ATP and has a synergistic effect with mitochondria in metabolic pathways. The dysfunction of glucose metabolism inevitably disturbs the normal functioning of neurons, which is widely observed in neurodegenerative disease. Understanding the mechanisms of metabolic adaptation during disease progression has become a major focus of research, and interventions in these processes may relieve the neurons from degenerative stress. In this review, we highlight evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased glucose uptake, and diminished glucose metabolism in different neurodegeneration models such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD). We also discuss how hypoxia, a metabolic reprogramming strategy linked to glucose metabolism in tumor cells and normal brain cells, and summarize the evidence for hypoxia as a putative therapy for general neurodegenerative disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Han
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Interdisciplinary Innovation Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; (R.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Jing Liang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Interdisciplinary Innovation Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; (R.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Bing Zhou
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Interdisciplinary Innovation Institute of Medicine and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China; (R.H.); (J.L.)
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Vinkšel M, Writzl K, Maver A, Peterlin B. Improving diagnostics of rare genetic diseases with NGS approaches. J Community Genet 2021; 12:247-256. [PMID: 33452619 PMCID: PMC8141085 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-020-00500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
According to a rough estimate, one in fifteen people worldwide is affected by a rare disease. Rare diseases are therefore common in clinical practice; however, timely diagnosis of rare diseases is still challenging. Introduction of novel methods based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology offers a successful diagnosis of genetically heterogeneous disorders, even in case of unclear clinical diagnostic hypothesis. However, the application of novel technology differs among the centres and health systems significantly. Our goal is to discuss the impact of the implementation of NGS in the diagnosis of rare diseases and present advantages along with challenges of diagnostic approach. Systematic implementation of NGS in health systems can significantly improve the access of patients with rare diseases to diagnosis and reduce the dependence of national health systems for cross-border collaboration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateja Vinkšel
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 7, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Karin Writzl
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 7, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Maver
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 7, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Borut Peterlin
- Clinical Institute of Genomic Medicine, University medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 7, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Lee K, Jo YY, Chung G, Jung JH, Kim YH, Park CK. Functional Importance of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels in Neurological Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:611773. [PMID: 33748103 PMCID: PMC7969799 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.611773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are transmembrane protein complexes that play important roles in the physiology and pathophysiology of both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nerve system (PNS). TRP channels function as non-selective cation channels that are activated by several chemical, mechanical, and thermal stimuli as well as by pH, osmolarity, and several endogenous or exogenous ligands, second messengers, and signaling molecules. On the pathophysiological side, these channels have been shown to play essential roles in the reproductive system, kidney, pancreas, lung, bone, intestine, as well as in neuropathic pain in both the CNS and PNS. In this context, TRP channels have been implicated in several neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and epilepsy. Herein, we focus on the latest involvement of TRP channels, with a special emphasis on the recently identified functional roles of TRP channels in neurological disorders related to the disruption in calcium ion homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kihwan Lee
- Gachon Pain Center and Department of Physiology, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Youn Yi Jo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Gehoon Chung
- Department of Oral Physiology and Program in Neurobiology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung Hoon Jung
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yong Ho Kim
- Gachon Pain Center and Department of Physiology, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Chul-Kyu Park
- Gachon Pain Center and Department of Physiology, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Despotov K, Zádori D, Veres G, Jakab K, Gárdián G, Tóth E, Kincses TZ, Vécsei L, Ajtay A, Bereczki D, Klivényi P. Genetic epidemiological characteristics of a Hungarian subpopulation of patients with Huntington's disease. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:79. [PMID: 33602179 PMCID: PMC7890867 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02089-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent advances in therapeutic options may prevent deterioration related to Huntington’s disease (HD), even at the pre-symptomatic stage. Be that as it may, a well-characterized patient population is essential for screening and monitoring outcome. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of a Hungarian subpopulation of HD patients and mutation carriers diagnosed at the University of Szeged. Methods We conducted a search for International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code G10H0 in the local medical database for the period of 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2018. Results We identified 90 HD cases (male: 45, female: 45) and 34 asymptomatic carriers (male: 15, female: 19). The median age of onset was 45 years (range: 16–79). There were 3 cases of juvenile onset (3.3%), and 7 of late disease onset (7.8%). The median repeat length was 43 (range: 36–70) for the pathological and 19 for the non-pathological alleles (range: 9–35). 17.5% of the pathological alleles were in the decreased penetrance range, while 7% of non-pathological alleles were intermediate. Conclusions The genetic and clinical features of the population examined in the present study were in line with the previous Hungarian study, as well as with international literature. The exceptions were the higher ratio of reduced penetrance and intermediate alleles. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-021-02089-9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Despotov
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - Dénes Zádori
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - Gábor Veres
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - Katalin Jakab
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Gárdián
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - Eszter Tóth
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - Tamás Zsigmond Kincses
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - László Vécsei
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - András Ajtay
- Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-SE Neuroepidemiological Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dániel Bereczki
- Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-SE Neuroepidemiological Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Klivényi
- Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, 6 Semmelweis Street, Szeged, 6725, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Leavitt BR, Kordasiewicz HB, Schobel SA. Huntingtin-Lowering Therapies for Huntington Disease: A Review of the Evidence of Potential Benefits and Risks. JAMA Neurol 2021; 77:764-772. [PMID: 32202594 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.0299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is caused by a cytosine-adenine-guanine trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT, that results in expression of variant (mutant) huntingtin protein (HTT). Therapeutic strategies that reduce HTT levels are currently being pursued to slow or stop disease progression in people with HD. These approaches are supported by robust preclinical data indicating that reducing variant huntingtin protein is associated with decreased HD pathology. However, the risk-benefit profile of reducing either variant HTT or both variant and wild-type HTT is currently an open question that is being addressed in ongoing clinical trials. This review aims to examine the current data available regarding altered HTT in humans, normal animals, and animal models of HD. Studies indexed in PubMed were searched using the MeSH term Huntington disease or the text words huntington or huntingtin from August 31, 1999, to August 31, 2019, with no language restrictions. Additional studies were included from the reference lists of relevant studies and the authors' personal files. Articles describing at least 1 aspect of HTT reduction were included, prioritizing those published within the last 10 years. In vivo studies were also prioritized, with a focus on studies that examined the consequences of wild-type HTT reduction in adults. In a recently completed phase 1/2a study of RG6042 in 46 adults with early manifest HD, antisense oligonucleotide-mediated partial reduction of HTT was reported to be generally safe and well tolerated over the course of 4-monthly RG6042 doses. In case studies of people with rare genetic variations in huntingtin alleles, the loss of 1 wild-type allele was not associated with HD. People with homozygous cytosine-adenine-guanine expansions developed normally until the onset of HD, although they may have experienced a more aggressive disease course. In mouse models of HD, partial reduction of HTT was beneficial, with improvements in motor, cognitive, and behavioral phenotypes. The partial reduction of wild-type HTT in normal adult rodents and nonhuman primates was generally safe and well tolerated. The body of evidence reviewed in this article indicates a positive risk-benefit profile for the partial reduction of either variant HTT alone or both variant and wild-type HTT. These strategies target the underlying cause of HD and are currently being tested in several investigational clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blair R Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
De Luca A, Morella A, Consoli F, Fanelli S, Thibert JR, Statt S, Latham GJ, Squitieri F. A Novel Triplet-Primed PCR Assay to Detect the Full Range of Trinucleotide CAG Repeats in the Huntingtin Gene ( HTT). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041689. [PMID: 33567536 PMCID: PMC7916029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The expanded CAG repeat number in HTT gene causes Huntington disease (HD), which is a severe, dominant neurodegenerative illness. The accurate determination of the expanded allele size is crucial to confirm the genetic status in symptomatic and presymptomatic at-risk subjects and avoid genetic polymorphism-related false-negative diagnoses. Precise CAG repeat number determination is critical to discriminate the cutoff between unexpanded and intermediate mutable alleles (IAs, 27–35 CAG) as well as between IAs and pathological, low-penetrance alleles (i.e., 36–39 CAG repeats), and it is also critical to detect large repeat expansions causing pediatric HD variants. We analyzed the HTT-CAG repeat number of 14 DNA reference materials and of a DNA collection of 43 additional samples carrying unexpanded, IAs, low and complete penetrance alleles, including large (>60 repeats) and very large (>100 repeats) expansions using a novel triplet-primed PCR-based assay, the AmplideX PCR/CE HTT Kit. The results demonstrate that the method accurately genotypes both normal and expanded HTT-CAG repeat numbers and reveals previously undisclosed and very large CAG expansions >200 repeats. We also show that this technique can improve genetic test reliability and accuracy by detecting CAG expansions in samples with sequence variations within or adjacent to the repeat tract that cause allele drop-outs or inaccuracies using other PCR methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro De Luca
- Medical Genetics Division, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (A.D.L.); (A.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Annunziata Morella
- Medical Genetics Division, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (A.D.L.); (A.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Federica Consoli
- Medical Genetics Division, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; (A.D.L.); (A.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Sergio Fanelli
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy;
| | - Julie R. Thibert
- Asuragen, Inc., Austin, TX 78744, USA; (J.R.T.); (S.S.); (G.J.L.)
| | - Sarah Statt
- Asuragen, Inc., Austin, TX 78744, USA; (J.R.T.); (S.S.); (G.J.L.)
| | - Gary J. Latham
- Asuragen, Inc., Austin, TX 78744, USA; (J.R.T.); (S.S.); (G.J.L.)
| | - Ferdinando Squitieri
- Huntington and Rare Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-44160536
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Chiki A, Ricci J, Hegde R, Abriata LA, Reif A, Boudeffa D, Lashuel HA. Site-Specific Phosphorylation of Huntingtin Exon 1 Recombinant Proteins Enabled by the Discovery of Novel Kinases. Chembiochem 2021; 22:217-231. [PMID: 32805086 PMCID: PMC8698011 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) within the first 17 amino acids (Nt17) of exon 1 of the Huntingtin protein (Httex1) play important roles in modulating its cellular properties and functions in health and disease. In particular, phosphorylation of threonine and serine residues (T3, S13, and/or S16) has been shown to inhibit Htt aggregation in vitro and inclusion formation in cellular and animal models of Huntington's disease (HD). In this paper, we describe a new and simple methodology for producing milligram quantities of highly pure wild-type or mutant Httex1 proteins that are site-specifically phosphorylated at T3 or at both S13 and S16. This advance was enabled by 1) the discovery and validation of novel kinases that efficiently phosphorylate Httex1 at S13 and S16 (TBK1), at T3 (GCK) or T3 and S13 (TNIK and HGK), and 2) the development of an efficient methodology for producing recombinant native Httex1 proteins by using a SUMO-fusion expression and purification strategy.[26] As a proof of concept, we demonstrate how this method can be applied to produce Httex1 proteins that are both site-specifically phosphorylated and fluorescently or isotopically labeled. Together, these advances should increase access to these valuable tools and expand the range of methods and experimental approaches that can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which phosphorylation influences Httex1 or HTT structure, aggregation, interactome, and function(s) in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Jonathan Ricci
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Ramanath Hegde
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Luciano A. Abriata
- Protein Production and Structure Core Facility and Laboratory for Biomolecular ModelingEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB)1015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Andreas Reif
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Driss Boudeffa
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Hilal A. Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences Brain Mind InstituteEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Station 191015LausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Shan L, Fronczek R, Lammers GJ, Swaab DF. The tuberomamillary nucleus in neuropsychiatric disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 180:389-400. [PMID: 34225943 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-820107-7.00024-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN) is located within the posterior part of the hypothalamus. The histamine neurons in it synthesize histamine by means of the key enzyme histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and from the TMN, innervate a large number of brain areas, such as the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amygdala as well as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and basal ganglia. Brain histamine is reduced to an inactivated form, tele-methylhistamine (t-MeHA), by histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT). In total, there are four types of histamine receptors (H1-4Rs) in the brain, all of which are G-protein coupled. The histaminergic system controls several basal physiological functions, including the sleep-wake cycle, energy and endocrine homeostasis, sensory and motor functions, and cognitive functions such as attention, learning, and memory. Histaminergic dysfunction may contribute to clinical disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, narcolepsy type 1, schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder. In the current chapter, we focus on the role of the histaminergic system in these neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders. For each disorder, we first discuss human data, including genetic, postmortem brain, and cerebrospinal fluid studies. Then, we try to interpret the human changes by reviewing related animal studies and end by discussing, if present, recent progress in clinical studies on novel histamine-related therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Shan
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Sleep Wake Centre SEIN, Heemstede, The Netherlands; Department Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Rolf Fronczek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Sleep Wake Centre SEIN, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Jan Lammers
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Sleep Wake Centre SEIN, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Department Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|