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Zhang Q, Liu M, Xu Y, Lee J, Jones B, Li B, Huang W, Ye Y, Zheng W. Tilorone mitigates the propagation of α-synucleinopathy in a midbrain-like organoid model. J Transl Med 2024; 22:816. [PMID: 39223664 PMCID: PMC11370279 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05551-7] [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: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the accumulation of Lewy-body protein aggregates containing misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) in a phosphorylated form. The lack of effective models for drug screens has hindered drug development studies for PD. However, the recent development of in vitro brain-like organoids provides a new opportunity for evaluating therapeutic agents to slow the progression of this chronic disease. METHODS In this study, we used a 3D brain-like organoid model to investigate the potential of repurposing Tilorone, an anti-viral drug, for impeding the propagation of α-synucleinopathy. We assessed the effect of Tilorone on the uptake of fluorescently labeled α-syn preformed fibrils (sPFF) and sPFF-induced apoptosis using confocal microscopy. We also examined Tilorone's impact on the phosphorylation of endogenous α-syn induced by pathogenic sPFF by immunoblotting midbrain-like organoid extracts. Additionally, quantitative RT-PCR and proteomic profiling of sPFF-treated organoids were conducted to evaluate the global impact of Tilorone treatment on tissue homeostasis in the 3D organoid model. RESULTS Tilorone inhibits the uptake of sPFF in both mouse primary neurons and human midbrain-like organoids. Tilorone also reduces the phosphorylation of endogenous α-syn induced by pathogenic α-syn fibrils and mitigates α-syn fibril-induced apoptosis in midbrain-like organoids. Proteomic profiling of fibril-treated organoids reveals substantial alterations in lipid homeostasis by α-syn fibrils, which are reversed by Tilorone treatment. Given its safety profile in clinics, Tilorone may be further developed as a therapeutic intervention to alleviate the propagation of synucleinopathy in PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Meng Liu
- Cancer Data Science laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yue Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Juhyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Brothely Jones
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Bing Li
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Wenwei Huang
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Yihong Ye
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Wei Zheng
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA.
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Li B, Xiao X, Bi M, Jiao Q, Chen X, Yan C, Du X, Jiang H. Modulating α-synuclein propagation and decomposition: Implications in Parkinson's disease therapy. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 98:102319. [PMID: 38719160 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102319] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is closely related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Under pathological conditions, the conformation of α-syn changes and different forms of α-syn lead to neurotoxicity. According to Braak stages, α-syn can propagate in different brain regions, inducing neurodegeneration and corresponding clinical manifestations through abnormal aggregation of Lewy bodies (LBs) and lewy axons in different types of neurons in PD. So far, PD lacks early diagnosis biomarkers, and treatments are mainly targeted at some clinical symptoms. There is no effective therapy to delay the progression of PD. This review first summarized the role of α-syn in physiological and pathological states, and the relationship between α-syn and PD. Then, we focused on the origin, secretion, aggregation, propagation and degradation of α-syn as well as the important regulatory factors in these processes systematically. Finally, we reviewed some potential drug candidates for alleviating the abnormal aggregation of α-syn in order to provide valuable targets for the treatment of PD to cope with the occurrence and progression of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beining Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xue Xiao
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Mingxia Bi
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qian Jiao
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xi Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Chunling Yan
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xixun Du
- School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Hong Jiang
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China; School of Basic Medicine, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
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3
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Mao X, Gu H, Kim D, Kimura Y, Wang N, Xu E, Kumbhar R, Ming X, Wang H, Chen C, Zhang S, Jia C, Liu Y, Bian H, Karuppagounder SS, Akkentli F, Chen Q, Jia L, Hwang H, Lee SH, Ke X, Chang M, Li A, Yang J, Rastegar C, Sriparna M, Ge P, Brahmachari S, Kim S, Zhang S, Shimoda Y, Saar M, Liu H, Kweon SH, Ying M, Workman CJ, Vignali DAA, Muller UC, Liu C, Ko HS, Dawson VL, Dawson TM. Aplp1 interacts with Lag3 to facilitate transmission of pathologic α-synuclein. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4663. [PMID: 38821932 PMCID: PMC11143359 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49016-3] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathologic α-synuclein (α-syn) spreads from cell-to-cell, in part, through binding to the lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (Lag3). Here we report that amyloid β precursor-like protein 1 (Aplp1) interacts with Lag3 that facilitates the binding, internalization, transmission, and toxicity of pathologic α-syn. Deletion of both Aplp1 and Lag3 eliminates the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the accompanying behavioral deficits induced by α-syn preformed fibrils (PFF). Anti-Lag3 prevents the internalization of α-syn PFF by disrupting the interaction of Aplp1 and Lag3, and blocks the neurodegeneration induced by α-syn PFF in vivo. The identification of Aplp1 and the interplay with Lag3 for α-syn PFF induced pathology deepens our insight about molecular mechanisms of cell-to-cell transmission of pathologic α-syn and provides additional targets for therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease and related α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Mao
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA.
| | - Hao Gu
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, PR China
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225001, PR China
| | - Donghoon Kim
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, 32 Daesin Gongwwon-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, 49201, Republic of Korea
| | - Yasuyoshi Kimura
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Enquan Xu
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ramhari Kumbhar
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA
| | - Xiaotian Ming
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Haibo Wang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Chan Chen
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. The Research Units of West China (2018RU012)-Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, PR China
| | - Shengnan Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26 Qiuyue Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Chunyu Jia
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26 Qiuyue Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Hetao Bian
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Senthilkumar S Karuppagounder
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Fatih Akkentli
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA
| | - Qi Chen
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Longgang Jia
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Heehong Hwang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Su Hyun Lee
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Xiyu Ke
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Michael Chang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Amanda Li
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jun Yang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Cyrus Rastegar
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Manjari Sriparna
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Preston Ge
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Harvard-MIT MD/PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Saurav Brahmachari
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sangjune Kim
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Shu Zhang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Yasushi Shimoda
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomiokamachi, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Martina Saar
- Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Department of Functional Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Haiqing Liu
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences (Institute of Basic Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Sin Ho Kweon
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Mingyao Ying
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, 707 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Creg J Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
| | - Ulrike C Muller
- Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Department of Functional Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 26 Qiuyue Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Han Seok Ko
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA.
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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4
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Hu C, Yan Y, Jin Y, Yang J, Xi Y, Zhong Z. Decoding the Cellular Trafficking of Prion-like Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:241-254. [PMID: 37755677 PMCID: PMC10838874 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01115-9] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation and spread of prion-like proteins is a key feature of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In a process known as 'seeding', prion-like proteins such as amyloid beta, microtubule-associated protein tau, α-synuclein, silence superoxide dismutase 1, or transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa, propagate their misfolded conformations by transforming their respective soluble monomers into fibrils. Cellular and molecular evidence of prion-like propagation in NDs, the clinical relevance of their 'seeding' capacities, and their levels of contribution towards disease progression have been intensively studied over recent years. This review unpacks the cyclic prion-like propagation in cells including factors of aggregate internalization, endo-lysosomal leaking, aggregate degradation, and secretion. Debates on the importance of the role of prion-like protein aggregates in NDs, whether causal or consequent, are also discussed. Applications lead to a greater understanding of ND pathogenesis and increased potential for therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenjun Hu
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yiqun Yan
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yanhong Jin
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Physiology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yongmei Xi
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
| | - Zhen Zhong
- Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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5
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Li D, Liu C. Molecular rules governing the structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils in neurodegenerative diseases. Structure 2023; 31:1335-1347. [PMID: 37657437 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.08.006] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are hallmarks of various neurodegenerative diseases. The structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils holds significant pathological importance in diseases. This review aims to provide an in-depth overview on the complexity of amyloid fibrils' structural polymorphism and its implications in disease pathogenesis. We firstly decipher the molecular rules governing the structural polymorphism of amyloid fibrils. We then discuss pivotal factors that contribute to the assortment of fibril structural polymorphs, including post-translational modifications (PTMs), disease mutations, and interacting molecules, and elucidate the structural basis of how these determinants influence amyloid fibril polymorphism. Furthermore, we underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between diverse fibril polymorphs and pathological activities, as well as their potential roles in therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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6
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Zhang Q, Tang W, Stancanelli E, Jung E, Syed Z, Pagadala V, Saidi L, Chen CZ, Gao P, Xu M, Pavlinov I, Li B, Huang W, Chen L, Liu J, Xie H, Zheng W, Ye Y. Host heparan sulfate promotes ACE2 super-cluster assembly and enhances SARS-CoV-2-associated syncytium formation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5777. [PMID: 37723160 PMCID: PMC10507024 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41453-w] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes spike-dependent fusion of infected cells with ACE2 positive neighboring cells, generating multi-nuclear syncytia that are often associated with severe COVID. To better elucidate the mechanism of spike-induced syncytium formation, we combine chemical genetics with 4D confocal imaging to establish the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as a critical stimulator for spike-induced cell-cell fusion. We show that HS binds spike and promotes spike-induced ACE2 clustering, forming synapse-like cell-cell contacts that facilitate fusion pore formation between ACE2-expresing and spike-transfected human cells. Chemical or genetic inhibition of HS mitigates ACE2 clustering, and thus, syncytium formation, whereas in a cell-free system comprising purified HS and lipid-anchored ACE2, HS stimulates ACE2 clustering directly in the presence of spike. Furthermore, HS-stimulated syncytium formation and receptor clustering require a conserved ACE2 linker distal from the spike-binding site. Importantly, the cell fusion-boosting function of HS can be targeted by an investigational HS-binding drug, which reduces syncytium formation in vitro and viral infection in mice. Thus, HS, as a host factor exploited by SARS-CoV-2 to facilitate receptor clustering and a stimulator of infection-associated syncytium formation, may be a promising therapeutic target for severe COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Weichun Tang
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Virus Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Eduardo Stancanelli
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Eunkyung Jung
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Zulfeqhar Syed
- Electron Microscopy Core, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Vijayakanth Pagadala
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Glycan Therapeutics Corp, 617 Hutton Street, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA
| | - Layla Saidi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Catherine Z Chen
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Peng Gao
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Miao Xu
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Ivan Pavlinov
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Bing Li
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Wenwei Huang
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Liqiang Chen
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Hang Xie
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Virus Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Yihong Ye
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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7
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Fu L, Zou Y, Yu B, Hong D, Guan T, Hu J, Xu Y, Wu Y, Kou J, Lv Y. Background and roles: myosin in autoimmune diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1220672. [PMID: 37691828 PMCID: PMC10484797 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1220672] [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: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The myosin superfamily is a group of molecular motors. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by dysregulation or deficiency of the immune tolerance mechanism, resulting in an immune response to the human body itself. The link between myosin and autoimmune diseases is much more complex than scientists had hoped. Myosin itself immunization can induce experimental autoimmune diseases of animals, and myosins were abnormally expressed in a number of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, myosin takes part in the pathological process of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, autoimmune myocarditis, myositis, hemopathy, inclusion body diseases, etc. However, research on myosin and its involvement in the occurrence and development of diseases is still in its infancy, and the underlying pathological mechanisms are not well understood. We can reasonably predict that myosin might play a role in new treatments of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longsheng Fu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yonghui Zou
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Boyang Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangxi, China
| | - Daojun Hong
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Teng Guan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jinfang Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yaoqi Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Junping Kou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yanni Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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8
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Li X, Du Y, Chen X, Liu C. Emerging roles of O-glycosylation in regulating protein aggregation, phase separation, and functions. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 75:102314. [PMID: 37156204 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Protein O-glycosylation is widely identified in various proteins involved in diverse biological processes. Recent studies have demonstrated that O-glycosylation plays crucial and multifaceted roles in modulating protein amyloid aggregation and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) under physiological conditions. Dysregulation of these processes is closely associated with human diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and cancers. In this review, we first summarize the distinct roles of O-glycosylation in regulating pathological aggregation of different amyloid proteins related to NDs and elaborate the underlying mechanisms of how O-glycosylation modulates protein aggregation kinetics, induces new aggregated structures, and mediates the pathogenesis of amyloid aggregates under diseased conditions. Furthermore, we introduce recent discoveries on O-GlcNAc-mediated regulation of synaptic LLPS and phase separation potency of low-complexity domain-enriched proteins. Finally, we identify challenges in future research and highlight the potential for developing new therapeutic strategies of NDs by targeting protein O-glycosylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifei Du
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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9
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Zhang Q, Tang WC, Stancanelli E, Jung E, Syed Z, Pagadala V, Saidi L, Chen CZ, Gao P, Xu M, Pavlinov I, Li B, Huang W, Chen L, Liu J, Xie H, Zheng W, Ye Y. Heparan sulfate promotes ACE2 super-cluster assembly to enhance SARS-CoV-2-associated syncytium formation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2693563. [PMID: 37034606 PMCID: PMC10081376 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2693563/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of syncytium formation, caused by spike-induced cell-cell fusion in severe COVID-19, is largely unclear. Here we combine chemical genetics with 4D confocal imaging to establish the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as a critical host factor exploited by SARS-CoV-2 to enhance spike’s fusogenic activity. HS binds spike to facilitate ACE2 clustering, generating synapse-like cell-cell contacts to promote fusion pore formation. ACE2 clustering, and thus, syncytium formation is significantly mitigated by chemical or genetic elimination of cell surface HS, while in a cell-free system consisting of purified HS, spike, and lipid-anchored ACE2, HS directly induces ACE2 clustering. Importantly, the interaction of HS with spike allosterically enables a conserved ACE2 linker in receptor clustering, which concentrates spike at the fusion site to overcome fusion-associated activity loss. This fusion-boosting mechanism can be effectively targeted by an investigational HS-binding drug, which reduces syncytium formation in vitro and viral infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Wei-Chun Tang
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Viral Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research & Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, US Food & Drug Administration
| | | | | | | | | | - Layla Saidi
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
| | | | - Peng Gao
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Miao Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Ivan Pavlinov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Bing Li
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | - Wenwei Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
| | | | | | - Hang Xie
- Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Viral Diseases, Division of Viral Products, Office of Vaccines Research & Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, US Food & Drug Administration
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10
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Lee RMQ, Koh TW. Genetic modifiers of synucleinopathies-lessons from experimental models. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2023; 2:kvad001. [PMID: 38596238 PMCID: PMC10913850 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a pleiotropic protein underlying a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Together, these are known as synucleinopathies. Like all neurological diseases, understanding of disease mechanisms is hampered by the lack of access to biopsy tissues, precluding a real-time view of disease progression in the human body. This has driven researchers to devise various experimental models ranging from yeast to flies to human brain organoids, aiming to recapitulate aspects of synucleinopathies. Studies of these models have uncovered numerous genetic modifiers of α-synuclein, most of which are evolutionarily conserved. This review discusses what we have learned about disease mechanisms from these modifiers, and ways in which the study of modifiers have supported ongoing efforts to engineer disease-modifying interventions for synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Min Qi Lee
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Tong-Wey Koh
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Block S3 #05-01, 16 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117558, Singapore
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11
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Neupane S, De Cecco E, Aguzzi A. The Hidden Cell-to-Cell Trail of α-Synuclein Aggregates. J Mol Biol 2022:167930. [PMID: 36566800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The progressive accumulation of insoluble aggregates of the presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), Multiple System Atrophy, and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, commonly referred to as synucleinopathies. Despite considerable progress on the structural biology of these aggregates, the molecular mechanisms mediating their cell-to-cell transmission, propagation, and neurotoxicity remain only partially understood. Numerous studies have highlighted the stereotypical spatiotemporal spreading of pathological α-Syn aggregates across different tissues and anatomically connected brain regions over time. Experimental evidence from various cellular and animal models indicate that α-Syn transfer occurs in two defined steps: the release of pathogenic α-Syn species from infected cells, and their uptake via passive or active endocytic pathways. Once α-Syn aggregates have been internalized, little is known about what drives their toxicity or how they interact with the endogenous protein to promote its misfolding and subsequent aggregation. Similarly, unknown genetic factors modulate different cellular responses to the aggregation and accumulation of pathogenic α-Syn species. Here we discuss the current understanding of the molecular phenomena associated with the intercellular spreading of pathogenic α-Syn seeds and summarize the evidence supporting the transmission hypothesis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in α-Syn aggregates transmission is essential to develop novel targeted therapeutics against PD and related synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh Neupane
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. https://twitter.com/neuron_sandesh
| | - Elena De Cecco
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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12
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Tao Y, Sun Y, Lv S, Xia W, Zhao K, Xu Q, Zhao Q, He L, Le W, Wang Y, Liu C, Li D. Heparin induces α-synuclein to form new fibril polymorphs with attenuated neuropathology. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4226. [PMID: 35869048 PMCID: PMC9307803 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31790-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstractα-Synuclein (α-syn), as a primary pathogenic protein in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies, exhibits a high potential to form polymorphic fibrils. Chemical ligands have been found to involve in the assembly of α-syn fibrils in patients’ brains. However, how ligands influence the fibril polymorphism remains vague. Here, we report the near-atomic structures of α-syn fibrils in complex with heparin, a representative glycosaminoglycan (GAG), determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The structures demonstrate that the presence of heparin completely alters the fibril assembly via rearranging the charge interactions of α-syn both at the intramolecular and the inter-protofilamental levels, which leads to the generation of four fibril polymorphs. Remarkably, in one of the fibril polymorphs, α-syn folds into a distinctive conformation that has not been observed previously. Moreover, the heparin-α-syn complex fibrils exhibit diminished neuropathology in primary neurons. Our work provides the structural mechanism for how heparin determines the assembly of α-syn fibrils, and emphasizes the important role of biological polymers in the conformational selection and neuropathology regulation of amyloid fibrils.
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13
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Tortorella I, Argentati C, Emiliani C, Morena F, Martino S. Biochemical Pathways of Cellular Mechanosensing/Mechanotransduction and Their Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases Pathogenesis. Cells 2022; 11:3093. [PMID: 36231055 PMCID: PMC9563116 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we shed light on recent advances regarding the characterization of biochemical pathways of cellular mechanosensing and mechanotransduction with particular attention to their role in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. While the mechanistic components of these pathways are mostly uncovered today, the crosstalk between mechanical forces and soluble intracellular signaling is still not fully elucidated. Here, we recapitulate the general concepts of mechanobiology and the mechanisms that govern the mechanosensing and mechanotransduction processes, and we examine the crosstalk between mechanical stimuli and intracellular biochemical response, highlighting their effect on cellular organelles' homeostasis and dysfunction. In particular, we discuss the current knowledge about the translation of mechanosignaling into biochemical signaling, focusing on those diseases that encompass metabolic accumulation of mutant proteins and have as primary characteristics the formation of pathological intracellular aggregates, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease. Overall, recent findings elucidate how mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways may be crucial to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and emphasize the importance of these pathways for identifying potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Tortorella
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Chiara Argentati
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carla Emiliani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- Centro di Eccellenza CEMIN (Materiali Innovativi Nanostrutturali per Applicazioni Chimica Fisiche e Biomediche), University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesco Morena
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sabata Martino
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06123 Perugia, Italy
- Centro di Eccellenza CEMIN (Materiali Innovativi Nanostrutturali per Applicazioni Chimica Fisiche e Biomediche), University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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14
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Bluhm A, Schrempel S, Schilling S, von Hörsten S, Schulze A, Roßner S, Hartlage-Rübsamen M. Immunohistochemical Demonstration of the pGlu79 α-Synuclein Fragment in Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Tg2576 Mouse Model. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12071006. [PMID: 35883562 PMCID: PMC9312983 DOI: 10.3390/biom12071006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The deposition of β-amyloid peptides and of α-synuclein proteins is a neuropathological hallmark in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) subjects, respectively. However, there is accumulative evidence that both proteins are not exclusive for their clinical entity but instead co-exist and interact with each other. Here, we investigated the presence of a newly identified, pyroglutamate79-modified α-synuclein variant (pGlu79-aSyn)—along with the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and glutaminyl cyclase (QC) implicated in its formation—in AD and in the transgenic Tg2576 AD mouse model. In the human brain, pGlu79-aSyn was detected in cortical pyramidal neurons, with more distinct labeling in AD compared to control brain tissue. Using immunohistochemical double and triple labelings and confocal laser scanning microscopy, we demonstrate an association of pGlu79-aSyn, MMP-3 and QC with β-amyloid plaques. In addition, pGlu79-aSyn and QC were present in amyloid plaque-associated reactive astrocytes that were also immunoreactive for the chaperone heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). Our data are consistent for the transgenic mouse model and the human clinical condition. We conclude that pGlu79-aSyn can be generated extracellularly or within reactive astrocytes, accumulates in proximity to β-amyloid plaques and induces an astrocytic protein unfolding mechanism involving HSP27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bluhm
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.B.); (Sa.S.); (M.H.-R.)
| | - Sarah Schrempel
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.B.); (Sa.S.); (M.H.-R.)
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (S.S.); (A.S.)
- Faculty of Applied Biosciences and Process Engineering, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, 06366 Köthen, Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Department for Experimental Therapy, University Clinics Erlangen and Preclinical Experimental Center, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Anja Schulze
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (S.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.B.); (Sa.S.); (M.H.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-341-9725758
| | - Maike Hartlage-Rübsamen
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (A.B.); (Sa.S.); (M.H.-R.)
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15
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Bayati A, Banks E, Han C, Luo W, Reintsch WE, Zorca CE, Shlaifer I, Del Cid Pellitero E, Vanderperre B, McBride HM, Fon EA, Durcan TM, McPherson PS. Rapid macropinocytic transfer of α-synuclein to lysosomes. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111102. [PMID: 35858558 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The nervous system spread of alpha-synuclein fibrils is thought to cause Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies; however, the mechanisms underlying internalization and cellular spread are enigmatic. Here, we use confocal and superresolution microscopy, subcellular fractionation, and electron microscopy (EM) of immunogold-labeled α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) to demonstrate that this form of the protein undergoes rapid internalization and is targeted directly to lysosomes in as little as 2 min. Uptake of PFFs is disrupted by macropinocytic inhibitors and circumvents classical endosomal pathways. Immunogold-labeled PFFs are seen at the highly curved inward edge of membrane ruffles, in newly formed macropinosomes, in multivesicular bodies and in lysosomes. While most fibrils remain in lysosomes, a portion is transferred to neighboring naive cells along with markers of exosomes. These data indicate that PFFs use a unique internalization mechanism as a component of cell-to-cell propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Bayati
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Emily Banks
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Chanshuai Han
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Wen Luo
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Wolfgang E Reintsch
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Cornelia E Zorca
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Esther Del Cid Pellitero
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Benoit Vanderperre
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Heidi M McBride
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Peter S McPherson
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
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16
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α-Synuclein Conformational Plasticity: Physiologic States, Pathologic Strains, and Biotechnological Applications. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070994. [PMID: 35883550 PMCID: PMC9313095 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) is remarkable for both its extensive conformational plasticity and pathologic prion-like properties. Physiologically, αS may populate disordered monomeric, helically folded tetrameric, or membrane-bound oligomeric states. Pathologically, αS may assemble into toxic oligomers and subsequently fibrils, the prion-like transmission of which is implicated in a class of neurodegenerative disorders collectively termed α-synucleinopathies. Notably, αS does not adopt a single "amyloid fold", but rather exists as structurally distinct amyloid-like conformations referred to as "strains". The inoculation of animal models with different strains induces distinct pathologies, and emerging evidence suggests that the propagation of disease-specific strains underlies the differential pathologies observed in patients with different α-synucleinopathies. The characterization of αS strains has provided insight into the structural basis for the overlapping, yet distinct, symptoms of Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. In this review, we first explore the physiological and pathological differences between conformational states of αS. We then discuss recent studies on the influence of micro-environmental factors on αS species formation, propagation, and the resultant pathological characteristics. Lastly, we review how an understanding of αS conformational properties has been translated to emerging strain amplification technologies, which have provided further insight into the role of specific strains in distinct α-synucleinopathies, and show promise for the early diagnosis of disease.
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17
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Quantum-dot-labeled synuclein seed assay identifies drugs modulating the experimental prion-like transmission. Commun Biol 2022; 5:636. [PMID: 35768587 PMCID: PMC9243017 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03590-8] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) that involve deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. The inoculation of α-syn aggregates derived from synucleinopathy or preformed fibrils (PFF) formed in vitro induces misfolding and deposition of endogenous α-syn. This is referred to as prion-like transmission, and the mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we label α-syn PFF with quantum dots and visualize their movement directly in acute slices of brain tissue inoculated with α-syn PFF seeds. Using this system, we find that the trafficking of α-syn seeds is dependent on fast axonal transport and the seed spreading is dependent on endocytosis and neuronal activity. We also observe pharmacological effects on α-syn seed spreading; clinically available drugs including riluzole are effective in reducing the spread of α-syn seeds and this effect is also observed in vivo. Our quantum-dot-labeled α-syn seed assay system combined with in vivo transmission experiment reveals an early phase of transmission, in which uptake and spreading of seeds occur depending on neuronal activity, and a later phase, in which seeds induce the propagation of endogenous misfolded α-syn.
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18
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Hivare P, Gadhavi J, Bhatia D, Gupta S. α-Synuclein fibrils explore actin mediated macropinocytosis for cellular entry into model neuroblastoma neurons. Traffic 2022; 23:391-410. [PMID: 35604355 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12859] [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: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn), an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD) or other α-synucleinopathies. Recent investigations propose the transmission of α-Syn protein fibrils, in a prion-like manner, by entering proximal cells to seed further fibrillization in PD. Despite the recent advances, the mechanisms by which extracellular protein aggregates internalize into the cells remain poorly understood. Using a simple cell-based model of human neuroblastoma-derived differentiated neurons, we present the cellular internalization of α-Syn PFF to check cellular uptake and recycling kinetics along with the standard endocytic markers Transferrin (Tf) marking clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) and Galectin3 (Gal3) marking clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE). Specific inhibition of endocytic pathways using chemical inhibitors reveals no significant involvement of CME, CIE, and caveolae-mediated endocytosis (CvME). A substantial reduction in cellular uptake was observed after perturbation of actin polymerization and treatment with macropinosomes inhibitor. Our results show that α-Syn PFF mainly internalizes into the SH-SY5Y cells and differentiated neurons via the macropinocytosis pathway. The elucidation of the molecular and cellular mechanism involved in the α-Syn PFF internalization will help improve the understanding of α-synucleinopathies including PD, and further design specific inhibitors for the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravin Hivare
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, India
| | - Joshna Gadhavi
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, India
| | - Dhiraj Bhatia
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, India.,Center for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, India
| | - Sharad Gupta
- Biological Engineering Discipline, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, India.,Center for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, India
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19
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Moretto E, Stuart S, Surana S, Vargas JNS, Schiavo G. The Role of Extracellular Matrix Components in the Spreading of Pathological Protein Aggregates. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:844211. [PMID: 35573838 PMCID: PMC9100790 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.844211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Several neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated misfolded proteins. These pathological agents have been suggested to propagate in the brain via mechanisms similar to that observed for the prion protein, where a misfolded variant is transferred from an affected brain region to a healthy one, thereby inducing the misfolding and/or aggregation of correctly folded copies. This process has been characterized for several proteins, such as α-synuclein, tau, amyloid beta (Aβ) and less extensively for huntingtin and TDP-43. α-synuclein, tau, TDP-43 and huntingtin are intracellular proteins, and their aggregates are located in the cytosol or nucleus of neurons. They have been shown to spread between cells and this event occurs, at least partially, via secretion of these protein aggregates in the extracellular space followed by re-uptake. Conversely, Aβ aggregates are found mainly extracellularly, and their spreading occurs in the extracellular space between brain regions. Due to the inherent nature of their spreading modalities, these proteins are exposed to components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including glycans, proteases and core matrix proteins. These ECM components can interact with or process pathological misfolded proteins, potentially changing their properties and thus regulating their spreading capabilities. Here, we present an overview of the documented roles of ECM components in the spreading of pathological protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases with the objective of identifying the current gaps in knowledge and stimulating further research in the field. This could potentially lead to the identification of druggable targets to slow down the spreading and/or progression of these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Moretto
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, CNR, Milan, Italy
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Edoardo Moretto,
| | - Skye Stuart
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sunaina Surana
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Norberto S. Vargas
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Giampietro Schiavo,
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20
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Gao P, Xu M, Zhang Q, Chen CZ, Guo H, Ye Y, Zheng W, Shen M. Graph Convolutional Network-Based Screening Strategy for Rapid Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Cell-Entry Inhibitors. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:1988-1997. [PMID: 35404596 PMCID: PMC9016773 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as an attractive drug development target. We previously reported that the entry of SARS-CoV-2 depends on the cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) and the cortex actin, which can be targeted by therapeutic agents identified by conventional drug repurposing screens. However, this drug identification strategy requires laborious library screening, which is time consuming, and often limited number of compounds can be screened. As an alternative approach, we developed and trained a graph convolutional network (GCN)-based classification model using information extracted from experimentally identified HSPG and actin inhibitors. This method allowed us to virtually screen 170,000 compounds, resulting in ∼2000 potential hits. A hit confirmation assay with the uptake of a fluorescently labeled HSPG cargo further shortlisted 256 active compounds. Among them, 16 compounds had modest to strong inhibitory activities against the entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped particles into Vero E6 cells. These results establish a GCN-based virtual screen workflow for rapid identification of new small molecule inhibitors against validated drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Miao Xu
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Qi Zhang
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Catherine Z Chen
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Hui Guo
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Yihong Ye
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Wei Zheng
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
| | - Min Shen
- The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland 20850, United States
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21
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Mitoxantrone modulates a heparan sulfate-spike complex to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6294. [PMID: 35440680 PMCID: PMC9016215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10293-x] [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: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Spike-mediated entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human airway epithelial cells is an attractive therapeutic target for COVID-19. In addition to protein receptors, the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein also interacts with heparan sulfate, a negatively charged glycosaminoglycan (GAG) attached to certain membrane proteins on the cell surface. This interaction facilitates the engagement of spike with a downstream receptor to promote viral entry. Here, we show that Mitoxantrone, an FDA-approved topoisomerase inhibitor, targets a heparan sulfate-spike complex to compromise the fusogenic function of spike in viral entry. As a single agent, Mitoxantrone inhibits the infection of an authentic SARS-CoV-2 strain in a cell-based model and in human lung EpiAirway 3D tissues. Gene expression profiling supports the plasma membrane as a major target of Mitoxantrone but also underscores an undesired activity targeting nucleosome dynamics. We propose that Mitoxantrone analogs bearing similar heparan sulfate-binding activities but with reduced affinity for DNA topoisomerases may offer an alternative therapy to overcome breakthrough infections in the post-vaccine era.
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22
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Zhou Y, Xie Q, Pan S, Wu J, Wang X, Cao Z, Wang M, Zha L, Zhou M, Li Q, Wang Q, Cheng X, Wu G, Tu X. Small extracellular vesicles containing LDLR Q722* protein reconstructed the lipid metabolism via heparan sulphate proteoglycans and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e773. [PMID: 35343078 PMCID: PMC8958347 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Heart Center, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Silin Pan
- Heart Center, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianfei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhubing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengru Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingfeng Zha
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengchen Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Tu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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23
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α-Synuclein at the Presynaptic Axon Terminal as a Double-Edged Sword. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12040507. [PMID: 35454096 PMCID: PMC9029495 DOI: 10.3390/biom12040507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
α-synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic, lipid-binding protein strongly associated with the neuropathology observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In normal physiology, α-syn plays a pivotal role in facilitating endocytosis and exocytosis. Interestingly, mutations and modifications of precise α-syn domains interfere with α-syn oligomerization and nucleation that negatively affect presynaptic vesicular dynamics, protein expressions, and mitochondrial profiles. Furthermore, the integration of the α-syn oligomers into the presynaptic membrane results in pore formations, ion influx, and excitotoxicity. Targeted therapies against specific domains of α-syn, including the use of small organic molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and synthetic peptides, are being screened and developed. However, the prospect of an effective α-syn targeted therapy is still plagued by low permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and poor entry into the presynaptic axon terminals. The present review proposes a modification of current strategies, which includes the use of novel encapsulation technology, such as lipid nanoparticles, to bypass the BBB and deliver such agents into the brain.
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24
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Yoshida S, Hasegawa T. Deciphering the prion-like behavior of pathogenic protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurochem Int 2022; 155:105307. [PMID: 35181393 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are hitherto classified based on their core clinical features, the anatomical distribution of neurodegeneration, and the cell populations mainly affected. On the other hand, the wealth of neuropathological, genetic, molecular and biochemical studies have identified the existence of distinct insoluble protein aggregates in the affected brain regions. These findings have spread the use of a collective term, proteinopathy, for neurodegenerative disorders with particular type of structurally altered protein accumulation. Particularly, a recent breakthrough in this field came with the discovery that these protein aggregates can transfer from one cell to another, thereby converting normal proteins to potentially toxic, misfolded species in a prion-like manner. In this review, we focus specifically on the molecular and cellular basis that underlies the seeding activity and transcellular spreading phenomenon of neurodegeneration-related protein aggregates, and discuss how these events contribute to the disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Yoshida
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience & Sensory Organs, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, 9808574, Japan; Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Yonezawa Hospital, Yonezawa, Yamagata, 992-1202, Japan
| | - Takafumi Hasegawa
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience & Sensory Organs, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, 9808574, Japan.
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25
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Modeling the cellular fate of alpha-synuclein aggregates: A pathway to pathology. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 72:171-177. [PMID: 35131527 PMCID: PMC9235864 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by pathological protein inclusions that form in the brains of patients, leading to neuron loss and the observed clinical symptoms. These inclusions, containing aggregates of the protein α-Synuclein, spread throughout the brain as the disease progresses. This spreading follows patterns that inform our understanding of the disease. One way to further our understanding of disease progression is to model the discrete steps from when a cell first encounters an aggregate to when those aggregates propagate to new cells. This review will serve to highlight the recent progress made in the effort to better understand the mechanistic steps that determine how this propagation happens at the cellular level.
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26
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Wang P, Ye Y. Astrocytes in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Perspective from Tauopathy and α-Synucleinopathy. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11090938. [PMID: 34575087 PMCID: PMC8471224 DOI: 10.3390/life11090938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are aging-associated chronic pathological conditions affecting primarily neurons in humans. Inclusion bodies containing misfolded proteins have emerged as a common pathologic feature for these diseases. In many cases, misfolded proteins produced by a neuron can be transmitted to another neuron or a non-neuronal cell, leading to the propagation of disease-associated pathology. While undergoing intercellular transmission, misfolded proteins released from donor cells can often change the physiological state of recipient cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that astrocytes are highly sensitive to neuron-originated proteotoxic insults, which convert them into an active inflammatory state. Conversely, activated astrocytes can release a plethora of factors to impact neuronal functions. This review summarizes our current understanding of the complex molecular interplays between astrocyte and neuron, emphasizing on Tau and α-synuclein (α-syn), the disease-driving proteins for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yihong Ye
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-301-594-0845; Fax: +1-301-496-0201
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27
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Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Viral Infection and Treatment: A Special Focus on SARS-CoV-2. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126574. [PMID: 34207476 PMCID: PMC8235362 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) encompass a group of glycoproteins composed of unbranched negatively charged heparan sulfate (HS) chains covalently attached to a core protein. The complex HSPG biosynthetic machinery generates an extraordinary structural variety of HS chains that enable them to bind a plethora of ligands, including growth factors, morphogens, cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, matrix proteins, and bacterial and viral pathogens. These interactions translate into key regulatory activity of HSPGs on a wide range of cellular processes such as receptor activation and signaling, cytoskeleton assembly, extracellular matrix remodeling, endocytosis, cell-cell crosstalk, and others. Due to their ubiquitous expression within tissues and their large functional repertoire, HSPGs are involved in many physiopathological processes; thus, they have emerged as valuable targets for the therapy of many human diseases. Among their functions, HSPGs assist many viruses in invading host cells at various steps of their life cycle. Viruses utilize HSPGs for the attachment to the host cell, internalization, intracellular trafficking, egress, and spread. Recently, HSPG involvement in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been established. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying HSPG/SARS-CoV-2 interaction and downstream effects, and we provide an overview of the HSPG-based therapeutic strategies that could be used to combat such a fearsome virus.
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28
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Song N, Chen L, Xie J. Alpha-Synuclein Handling by Microglia: Activating, Combating, and Worsening. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:751-753. [PMID: 33743127 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Song
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Leilei Chen
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Junxia Xie
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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29
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Streubel-Gallasch L, Giusti V, Sandre M, Tessari I, Plotegher N, Giusto E, Masato A, Iovino L, Battisti I, Arrigoni G, Shimshek D, Greggio E, Tremblay ME, Bubacco L, Erlandsson A, Civiero L. Parkinson's Disease-Associated LRRK2 Interferes with Astrocyte-Mediated Alpha-Synuclein Clearance. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3119-3140. [PMID: 33629273 PMCID: PMC8257537 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative, progressive disease without a cure. To prevent PD onset or at least limit neurodegeneration, a better understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular disease mechanisms is crucial. Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene represent one of the most common causes of familial PD. In addition, LRRK2 variants are risk factors for sporadic PD, making LRRK2 an attractive therapeutic target. Mutations in LRRK2 have been linked to impaired alpha-synuclein (α-syn) degradation in neurons. However, in which way pathogenic LRRK2 affects α-syn clearance by astrocytes, the major glial cell type of the brain, remains unclear. The impact of astrocytes on PD progression has received more attention and recent data indicate that astrocytes play a key role in α-syn-mediated pathology. In the present study, we aimed to compare the capacity of wild-type astrocytes and astrocytes carrying the PD-linked G2019S mutation in Lrrk2 to ingest and degrade fibrillary α-syn. For this purpose, we used two different astrocyte culture systems that were exposed to sonicated α-syn for 24 h and analyzed directly after the α-syn pulse or 6 days later. To elucidate the impact of LRRK2 on α-syn clearance, we performed various analyses, including complementary imaging, transmission electron microscopy, and proteomic approaches. Our results show that astrocytes carrying the G2019S mutation in Lrrk2 exhibit a decreased capacity to internalize and degrade fibrillar α-syn via the endo-lysosomal pathway. In addition, we demonstrate that the reduction of α-syn internalization in the Lrrk2 G2019S astrocytes is linked to annexin A2 (AnxA2) loss of function. Together, our findings reveal that astrocytic LRRK2 contributes to the clearance of extracellular α-syn aggregates through an AnxA2-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michele Sandre
- Parkinson and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.,PNC, Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Anna Masato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Battisti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Giorgio Arrigoni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.,CRIBI Biotechnology Center, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Derya Shimshek
- Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elisa Greggio
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Bubacco
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Erlandsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Laura Civiero
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy. .,IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy.
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30
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Choi YR, Park SJ, Park SM. Molecular events underlying the cell-to-cell transmission of α-synuclein. FEBS J 2020; 288:6593-6602. [PMID: 33332736 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is associated with the formation of protein inclusion bodies called Lewy bodies (LB) or Lewy neurites (LN). α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is a major component of LB and LN. The formation of LB or LN is mediated by formation of α-Syn fibrils, which are formed from α-Syn monomers and oligomers. Additionally, intercellular α-Syn propagation has been proposed to be important for the progression of PD. Thus, various studies have focused on elucidating the role of α-Syn propagation in the pathogenesis of PD. Previous studies have reported that α-Syn species are released from the cells through various pathways, including the unconventional secretion pathways. The released α-Syn species are internalized by the cells through multiple mechanisms, including receptor-mediated endocytosis. Some molecular processes involved in intercellular α-Syn propagation have been recently elucidated. This review discusses the current studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying the release and uptake of α-Syn and their physiological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ree Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.,Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.,BK21 Plus Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Soo Jin Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.,Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.,Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Sang Myun Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.,Center for Convergence Research of Neurological Disorders, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.,BK21 Plus Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
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31
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Zhang Q, Chen CZ, Swaroop M, Xu M, Wang L, Lee J, Wang AQ, Pradhan M, Hagen N, Chen L, Shen M, Luo Z, Xu X, Xu Y, Huang W, Zheng W, Ye Y. Heparan sulfate assists SARS-CoV-2 in cell entry and can be targeted by approved drugs in vitro. Cell Discov 2020; 6:80. [PMID: 33298900 PMCID: PMC7610239 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-020-00222-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as an attractive drug repurposing target for COVID-19. Here we combine genetics and chemical perturbation to demonstrate that ACE2-mediated entry of SARS-Cov and CoV-2 requires the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as an assisting cofactor: ablation of genes involved in HS biosynthesis or incubating cells with a HS mimetic both inhibit Spike-mediated viral entry. We show that heparin/HS binds to Spike directly, and facilitates the attachment of Spike-bearing viral particles to the cell surface to promote viral entry. We screened approved drugs and identified two classes of inhibitors that act via distinct mechanisms to target this entry pathway. Among the drugs characterized, Mitoxantrone is a potent HS inhibitor, while Sunitinib and BNTX disrupt the actin network to indirectly abrogate HS-assisted viral entry. We further show that drugs of the two classes can be combined to generate a synergized activity against SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effect. Altogether, our study establishes HS as an attachment factor that assists SARS coronavirus cell entry and reveals drugs capable of targeting this important step in the viral life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Catherine Zhengzheng Chen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Manju Swaroop
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Miao Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Lihui Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Juhyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Amy Qiu Wang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Manisha Pradhan
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Natalie Hagen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Lu Chen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Min Shen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Zhiji Luo
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Yue Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Wenwei Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Yihong Ye
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Zhang Q, Chen CZ, Swaroop M, Xu M, Wang L, Lee J, Wang AQ, Pradhan M, Hagen N, Chen L, Shen M, Luo Z, Xu X, Xu Y, Huang W, Zheng W, Ye Y. Heparan sulfate assists SARS-CoV-2 in cell entry and can be targeted by approved drugs in vitro. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.07.14.202549. [PMID: 32699847 PMCID: PMC7373127 DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.14.202549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as an attractive drug repurposing target for COVID-19. Here we combine genetics and chemical perturbation to demonstrate that ACE2-mediated entry of SARS-CoV and CoV-2 requires the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) as an assisting cofactor: ablation of genes involved in HS biosynthesis or incubating cells with a HS mimetic both inhibit Spike-mediated viral entry. We show that heparin/HS binds to Spike directly, facilitates the attachment of viral particles to the cell surface to promote cell entry. We screened approved drugs and identified two classes of inhibitors that act via distinct mechanisms to target this entry pathway. Among the drugs characterized, Mitoxantrone is a potent HS inhibitor, while Sunitinib and BNTX disrupt the actin network to indirectly abrogate HS-assisted viral entry. We further show that drugs of the two classes can be combined to generate a synergized activity against SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effect. Altogether, our study establishes HS as an attachment factor that assists SARS coronavirus cell entry, and reveals drugs capable of targeting this important step in the viral life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Catherine Z. Chen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Manju Swaroop
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Miao Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Lihui Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Juhyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Amy Q. Wang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Manisha Pradhan
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Natalie Hagen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Lu Chen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Min Shen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Zhiji Luo
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Xin Xu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Yue Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Wenwei Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Wei Zheng
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Yihong Ye
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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Fouka M, Mavroeidi P, Tsaka G, Xilouri M. In Search of Effective Treatments Targeting α-Synuclein Toxicity in Synucleinopathies: Pros and Cons. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:559791. [PMID: 33015057 PMCID: PMC7500083 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.559791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) represent pathologically similar, progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the pathological aggregation of the neuronal protein α-synuclein. PD and DLB are characterized by the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein in proteinaceous inclusions within neurons named Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs), whereas in MSA α-synuclein inclusions are mainly detected within oligodendrocytes named glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs). The presence of pathologically aggregated α-synuclein along with components of the protein degradation machinery, such as ubiquitin and p62, in LBs and GCIs is considered to underlie the pathogenic cascade that eventually leads to the severe neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation that characterizes these diseases. Importantly, α-synuclein is proposed to undergo pathogenic misfolding and oligomerization into higher-order structures, revealing self-templating conformations, and to exert the ability of "prion-like" spreading between cells. Therefore, the manner in which the protein is produced, is modified within neural cells and is degraded, represents a major focus of current research efforts in the field. Given that α-synuclein protein load is critical to disease pathogenesis, the identification of means to limit intracellular protein burden and halt α-synuclein propagation represents an obvious therapeutic approach in synucleinopathies. However, up to date the development of effective therapeutic strategies to prevent degeneration in synucleinopathies is limited, due to the lack of knowledge regarding the precise mechanisms underlying the observed pathology. This review critically summarizes the recent developed strategies to counteract α-synuclein toxicity, including those aimed to increase protein degradation, to prevent protein aggregation and cell-to-cell propagation, or to engage antibodies against α-synuclein and discuss open questions and unknowns for future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Xilouri
- Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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