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Chen CH, Weng TH, Huang KY, Kao HJ, Liao KW, Weng SL. Anticancer peptide Q7 suppresses the growth and migration of human endometrial cancer by inhibiting DHCR24 expression and modulating the AKT-mediated pathway. Int J Med Sci 2022; 19:2008-2021. [PMID: 36483599 PMCID: PMC9724248 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.78349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is one of the most common malignancy affecting women in developed countries. Resection uterus or lesion area is usually the first option for a simple and efficient therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to find a new therapeutic drug to reduce surgery areas to preserve fertility. Anticancer peptides (ACP) are bioactive amino acids with lower toxicity and higher specificity than chemical drugs. This study is to address an ACP, herein named Q7, which could downregulate 24-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase (DHCR24) to disrupt lipid rafts formation, and sequentially affect the AKT signal pathway of HEC-1-A cells to suppress their tumorigenicity such as proliferation and migration. Moreover, lipo-PEI-PEG-complex (LPPC) was used to enhance Q7 anticancer activity in vitro and efficiently show its effects on HEC-1-A cells. Furthermore, LPPC-Q7 exhibited a synergistic effect in combination with doxorubicin or paclitaxel. To summarize, Q7 was firstly proved to exhibit an anticancer effect on endometrial cancer cells and combined with LPPC efficiently improved the cytotoxicity of Q7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hung Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tzu-Hsiang Weng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei city 104, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kai-Yao Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hui-Ju Kao
- Department of Medical Research, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Kuang-Wen Liao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu City 30068, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shun-Long Weng
- Department of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan, ROC.,Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei City 11260, Taiwan, ROC
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2
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Keillor JW, Johnson GVW. Transglutaminase 2 as a therapeutic target for neurological conditions. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:721-731. [PMID: 34607527 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1989410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has been implicated in numerous neurological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, and CNS injury. Early studies on the role of TG2 in neurodegenerative conditions focused on its ability to 'crosslink' proteins into insoluble aggregates. However, more recent studies have suggested that this is unlikely to be the primary mechanism by which TG2 contributes to the pathogenic processes. Although the specific mechanisms by which TG2 is involved in neurological conditions have not been clearly defined, TG2 regulates numerous cellular processes through which it could contribute to a specific disease. Given the fact that TG2 is a stress-induced gene and elevated in disease or injury conditions, TG2 inhibitors may be useful neurotherapeutics. AREAS COVERED Overview of TG2 and different TG2 inhibitors. A brief review of TG2 in neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis and CNS injury and inhibitors that have been tested in different models. Database search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov prior to 1 July 2021. EXPERT OPINION Currently, it appears unlikely that inhibiting TG2 in the context of neurodegenerative diseases would be therapeutically advantageous. However, for multiple sclerosis and CNS injuries, TG2 inhibitors may have the potential to be therapeutically useful and thus there is rationale for their further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gail V W Johnson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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3
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Abstract
Lipoproteins mediate the transport of apolar lipids in the hydrophilic environment of physiological fluids such as the vertebrate blood and the arthropod hemolymph. In this overview, we will focus on the hemolymph lipoproteins in Crustacea that have received most attention during the last years: the high density lipoprotein/β-glucan binding proteins (HDL-BGBPs), the vitellogenins (VGs), the clotting proteins (CPs) and the more recently discovered large discoidal lipoproteins (dLPs). VGs are female specific lipoproteins which supply both proteins and lipids as storage material for the oocyte for later use by the developing embryo. Unusual within the invertebrates, the crustacean yolk proteins-formerly designated VGs-are more related to the ApoB type lipoproteins of vertebrates and are now termed apolipocrustaceins. The CPs on the other hand, which are present in both sexes, are related to the (sex specific) VGs of insects and vertebrates. CPs serve in hemostasis and wound closure but also as storage proteins in the oocyte. The HDL-BGBPs are the main lipid transporters, but are also involved in immune defense. Most crustacean lipoproteins belong to the family of the large lipid transfer proteins (LLTPs) such as the intracellular microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, the VGs, CPs and the dLPs. In contrast, the HDL-BGBPs do not belong to the LLTPs and their relationship with other lipoproteins is unknown. However, they originate from a common precursor with the dLPs, whose functions are as yet unknown. The majority of lipoprotein studies have focused on decapod crustaceans, especially shrimps, due to their economic importance. However, we will present evidence that the HDL-BGBPs are restricted to the decapod crustaceans which raises the question as to the main lipid transporting proteins of the other crustacean groups. The diversity of crustaceans lipoproteins thus appears to be more complex than reflected by the present state of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Hoeger
- Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55099, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Sven Schenk
- MAX F. PERUTZ LABORATORIES, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9/4, 1030, Vienna, Austria
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4
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Carvalho NCD, Pessato TB, Negrão F, Eberlin MN, Behrens JH, Zollner RDL, Netto FM. Physicochemical changes and bitterness of whey protein hydrolysates after transglutaminase cross-linking. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2019.108291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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5
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André W, Nondier I, Valensi M, Guillonneau F, Federici C, Hoffner G, Djian P. Identification of brain substrates of transglutaminase by functional proteomics supports its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 101:40-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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6
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Lai TS, Lin CJ, Greenberg CS. Role of tissue transglutaminase-2 (TG2)-mediated aminylation in biological processes. Amino Acids 2016; 49:501-515. [PMID: 27270573 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modification (PTM) is an important mechanism in modulating a protein's structure and can lead to substantial diversity in biological function. Compared to other forms of PTMs such as phosphorylation, acetylation and glycosylation, the physiological significance of aminylation is limited. Aminylation refers to the covalent incorporation of biogenic/polyamines into target protein by calcium-dependent transglutaminases (TGs). The development of novel and more sensitive techniques has led to more proteins identified as tissue transglutaminase (TG2) substrates and potential targets for aminylation. Many of these substrate proteins play a role in cell signaling, cytoskeleton organization, muscle contraction, and inflammation. TG2 is well studied and widely expressed in a variety of tissues and will be the primary focus of this review on recent advance in transglutaminase-mediated aminylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thung-S Lai
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, Mackay Medical College, No. 46, Sec. 3, Jhong-Jheng Rd., Sanzhi Dist, New Taipei City, 25200, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Cheng-Jui Lin
- Nephrology/Department of Internal Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Nursing and Management, Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Charles S Greenberg
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
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7
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Cui H, Liu GL, Padua GW. Cell spreading and viability on zein films may be facilitated by transglutaminase. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2016; 145:839-844. [PMID: 27315332 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Zein is a biocompatible corn protein potentially useful in the development of biomaterials. In this study, the deposition of zein on oxygen plasma treated glass cover slips significantly enhanced cell spreading and viability. The mechanism for cellular response to zein coated surfaces was thought to involve the polyglutamine peptides on the zein structure. We hypothesized that zein was a substrate for tissue transglutaminase (tTG), an extracellular enzyme involved in cell-surface interactions. SDS-PAGE results suggested an interaction between zein and tTG, where zein was the glutamine donor. Cross-linking between zein and tTG may be the first step in successful cell adhesion and spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemiao Cui
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Gang L Liu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Graciela W Padua
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
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8
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Kerkis I, Haddad MS, Valverde CW, Glosman S. Neural and mesenchymal stem cells in animal models of Huntington's disease: past experiences and future challenges. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 6:232. [PMID: 26667114 PMCID: PMC4678723 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited disease that causes progressive nerve cell degeneration. It is triggered by a mutation in the HTT gene that strongly influences functional abilities and usually results in movement, cognitive and psychiatric disorders. HD is incurable, although treatments are available to help manage symptoms and to delay the physical, mental and behavioral declines associated with the condition. Stem cells are the essential building blocks of life, and play a crucial role in the genesis and development of all higher organisms. Ablative surgical procedures and fetal tissue cell transplantation, which are still experimental, demonstrate low rates of recovery in HD patients. Due to neuronal cell death caused by accumulation of the mutated huntingtin (mHTT) protein, it is unlikely that such brain damage can be treated solely by drug-based therapies. Stem cell-based therapies are important in order to reconstruct damaged brain areas in HD patients. These therapies have a dual role: stem cell paracrine action, stimulating local cell survival, and brain tissue regeneration through the production of new neurons from the intrinsic and likely from donor stem cells. This review summarizes current knowledge on neural stem/progenitor cell and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, which has been carried out in several animal models of HD, discussing cell distribution, survival and differentiation after transplantation, as well as functional recovery and anatomic improvements associated with these approaches. We also discuss the usefulness of this information for future preclinical and clinical studies in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kerkis
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, 1500 Av. Vital Brasil, São Paulo, 05503-900, Brazil.
| | - Monica Santoro Haddad
- Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, 455 Av. Dr. Arnaldao, São Paulo, 01246903, Brazil
| | | | - Sabina Glosman
- SoluBest Ltd, Weizmann Science Park, POB 4053 18 Einstein Street, Ness Ziona, 74140, Israel
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9
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Hu Q, Guo W, Gao Y, Tang R, Li D. Molecular cloning and characterization of amh and dax1 genes and their expression during sex inversion in rice-field eel Monopterus albus. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16667. [PMID: 26578091 PMCID: PMC4649613 DOI: 10.1038/srep16667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The full-length cDNAs of amh and dax1 in the hermaphrodite, rice-field eel (Monopterus albus), were cloned and characterized in this study. Multiple sequence alignment revealed Dax1 was well conserved among vertebrates, whereas Amh had a low degree of similarity between different vertebrates. Their expression profiles in gonads during the course of sex inversion and tissues were investigated. The tissue distribution indicated amh was expressed mostly in gonads and was scarcely detectable in other tissues, whereas the expression of dax1 was widespread among the different tissues, especially liver and gonads. amh was scarcely detectable in ovaries whereas it was abundantly expressed in both ovotestis and testis. By contrast, dax1 was highly expressed in ovaries, especially in ♀IV (ovaries in IV stage), but it was decreased significantly in ♀/♂I (ovotestis in I stage). Its expression was increased again in ♀/♂III (ovotestis in III stage), and then decreased to a low level in testis. These significant different expression patterns of amh and dax1 suggest the increase of amh expression and the decline of dax1 expression are important for the activation of testis development, and the high level of amh and a low level of dax1 expression are necessary for maintenance of testis function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Hu
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.,Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China.,Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wei Guo
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.,Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China.,Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yu Gao
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.,Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China.,Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Rong Tang
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.,Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China.,Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.,Life Science College, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde 415000, China.,Freshwater Aquaculture Collaborative Innovation Center of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430070, China.,Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan 430070, China
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10
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Kim BH, Kim HN, Roh SJ, Lee MK, Yang S, Lee SK, Sung YA, Chung HW, Cho NH, Shin C, Sung J, Kim HL. GWA meta-analysis of personality in Korean cohorts. J Hum Genet 2015; 60:455-60. [PMID: 25994864 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2015.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Personality is a determinant of behavior and lifestyle that is associated with health and human diseases. Despite the heritability of personality traits is well established, the understanding of the genetic contribution to personality trait variation is extremely limited. To identify genetic variants associated with each of the five dimensions of personality, we performed a genome-wide association (GWA) meta-analysis of three cohorts, followed by comparison of a family cohort. Personality traits were measured with the Revised NEO Personality Inventory for the five-factor model (FFM) of personality. We investigated the top five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for each trait, and revealed the most highly association with neuroticism and TACC2 (rs1010657, P=8.79 × 10(-7)), extraversion and PTPN12 (rs12537271, P=1.47 × 10(-7)), openness and IMPAD1 (rs16921695, P=5 × 10(-8)), agreeableness and RPS29 (rs8015351, P=1.27 × 10(-6)) and conscientiousness and LMO4 (rs912765, P=2.91 × 10(-6)). It had no SNP reached the GWA study threshold (P<5 × 10(-8)). When expanded the SNPs up to top 100, the correlation of PTPRD (rs1029089) and agreeableness was confirmed in Healthy Twin cohort with other 13 SNPs. This GWA meta-analysis on FFM personality traits is meaningful as it was the first on a non-Caucasian population targeted to FFM of personality traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Hye Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Na Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ju Roh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Kyeong Lee
- Complex Disease and Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Department of Epidemiology and Institute of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarah Yang
- Complex Disease and Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Department of Epidemiology and Institute of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ku Lee
- Institute of Human Genomic Study, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Ah Sung
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Won Chung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam H Cho
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chol Shin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohon Sung
- Complex Disease and Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Department of Epidemiology and Institute of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Lae Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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11
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Juenemann K, Wiemhoefer A, Reits EA. Detection of ubiquitinated huntingtin species in intracellular aggregates. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:1. [PMID: 25674046 PMCID: PMC4309157 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein conformation diseases, including polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, result from the accumulation and aggregation of misfolded proteins. Huntington’s disease (HD) is one of nine diseases caused by an expanded polyQ repeat within the affected protein and is hallmarked by intracellular inclusion bodies composed of aggregated N-terminal huntingtin (Htt) fragments and other sequestered proteins. Fluorescence microscopy and filter trap assay are conventional methods to study protein aggregates, but cannot be used to analyze the presence and levels of post-translational modifications of aggregated Htt such as ubiquitination. Ubiquitination of proteins can be a signal for degradation and intracellular localization, but also affects protein activity and protein-protein interactions. The function of ubiquitination relies on its mono- and polymeric isoforms attached to protein substrates. Studying the ubiquitination pattern of aggregated Htt fragments offers an important possibility to understand Htt degradation and aggregation processes within the cell. For the identification of aggregated Htt and its ubiquitinated species, solubilization of the cellular aggregates is mandatory. Here we describe methods to identify post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination of aggregated mutant Htt. This approach is specifically described for use with mammalian cell culture and is suitable to study other disease-related proteins prone to aggregate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Juenemann
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anne Wiemhoefer
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric A Reits
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
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12
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Inhibitors of tissue transglutaminase. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 36:32-40. [PMID: 25500711 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2014.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) catalyzes the cross-linking of proteins by the formation of isopeptide bonds between glutamine (Gln) and lysine (Lys) side chains. Although TG2 is essential for the stabilization of the extracellular matrix, its unregulated activity has been implicated in celiac disease, fibrosis, and cancer metastasis, among other disorders. Given the importance and range of TG2-related pathologies, recent work has focused on the development of potent and selective inhibitors against TG2. In this review, we present the latest and most noteworthy irreversible and reversible inhibitors of TG2, and offer perspectives for the design of future inhibitors, in the hope that lead compounds with therapeutic potential may soon be discovered.
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13
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Beyond the glutamine expansion: influence of posttranslational modifications of ataxin-1 in the pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 50:866-874. [PMID: 24752589 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8703-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications are crucial mechanisms that modulate various cellular signaling pathways, and their dysregulation is associated with many human diseases. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive ataxia, mild cognitive impairments, difficulty with speaking and swallowing, and respiratory failure. It is caused by the expansion of an unstable CAG trinucleotide repeat encoding a glutamine tract in Ataxin-1 (ATXN1). Although the expansion of the polyglutamine tract is the key determinant of the disease, protein domains outside of the polyglutamine tract and posttranslational modifications of ATXN1 significantly alter the neurotoxicity of SCA1. ATXN1 undergoes several posttranslational modifications, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and transglutamination. Such modifications can alter the stability of ATXN1 or its activity in the regulation of target gene expression and therefore contribute to SCA1 toxicity. This review outlines different types of posttranslational modifications in ATXN1 and discusses their potential regulatory mechanisms and effects on SCA1 pathogenesis. Finally, the manipulation of posttranslational modifications as a potential therapeutic approach will be discussed.
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14
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Hoffner G, Djian P. Monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric proteins in huntington disease and other diseases of polyglutamine expansion. Brain Sci 2014; 4:91-122. [PMID: 24961702 PMCID: PMC4066239 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci4010091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease and other diseases of polyglutamine expansion are each caused by a different protein bearing an excessively long polyglutamine sequence and are associated with neuronal death. Although these diseases affect largely different brain regions, they all share a number of characteristics, and, therefore, are likely to possess a common mechanism. In all of the diseases, the causative protein is proteolyzed, becomes abnormally folded and accumulates in oligomers and larger aggregates. The aggregated and possibly the monomeric expanded polyglutamine are likely to play a critical role in the pathogenesis and there is increasing evidence that the secondary structure of the protein influences its toxicity. We describe here, with special attention to huntingtin, the mechanisms of polyglutamine aggregation and the modulation of aggregation by the sequences flanking the polyglutamine. We give a comprehensive picture of the characteristics of monomeric and aggregated polyglutamine, including morphology, composition, seeding ability, secondary structure, and toxicity. The structural heterogeneity of aggregated polyglutamine may explain why polyglutamine-containing aggregates could paradoxically be either toxic or neuroprotective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guylaine Hoffner
- Génétique moléculaire et défense antivirale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France.
| | - Philippe Djian
- Génétique moléculaire et défense antivirale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France.
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15
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Ribeiro M, Silva AC, Rodrigues J, Naia L, Rego AC. Oxidizing effects of exogenous stressors in Huntington's disease knock-in striatal cells--protective effect of cystamine and creatine. Toxicol Sci 2013; 136:487-99. [PMID: 24008831 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kft199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a polyglutamine-expansion disease associated to degeneration of striatal and cortical neurons. Previously, we showed that oxidative stress occurs in HD knock-in striatal cells, but little is known regarding cell antioxidant response against exogenous stimuli. Therefore, in the present study we analyzed cellular antioxidant profile following hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and staurosporine (STS) exposure and tested the protective effect of cystamine and creatine in striatal cells expressing mutant huntingtin with 111 glutamines (STHdh (Q111/Q111); mutant cells) versus wild-type cells (STHdh (Q7/Q7)). Mutant cells displayed increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, reflecting lower superoxide cytosolic generation, along with increased superoxide dismutases (SODs) and components of glutathione redox cycle. Exposure to H2O2 and STS enhanced ROS in mutant cells and largely increased XO activity; STS further boosted the generation of mitochondrial ROS and caspase-3 activity. Both stimuli slightly increased SOD1 activity, without affecting SOD2 activity, and decreased glutathione reductase with a consequent rise in oxidized glutathione or glutathione disulfide in mutant cells, whereas H2O2 only increased glutathione peroxidase activity. Additionally, creatine and cystamine increased mutant cells viability and prevented ROS formation in HD cells subjected to H2O2 and STS. These results indicate that elevation of the antioxidant systems accompanies mitochondrial-driven ROS generation in mutant striatal cells and that exposure to noxious stimuli induces a higher susceptibility to oxidative stress by increasing XO activity and lowering the antioxidant response. Furthermore, creatine and cystamine are efficient in preventing H2O2- and STS-evoked ROS formation in HD striatal cells.
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16
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Guan WJ, Xia KD, Ma YT, Liu YT, Shi YT, Jiang H, Shen L, Xia K, Li JD, Tang BS, Wang JL. Transglutaminase 6 interacts with polyQ proteins and promotes the formation of polyQ aggregates. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 437:94-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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17
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Lazarev VF, Sverchinskyi DV, Ippolitova MV, Stepanova AV, Guzhova IV, Margulis BA. Factors Affecting Aggregate Formation in Cell Models of Huntington's Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Acta Naturae 2013; 5:81-9. [PMID: 23819039 PMCID: PMC3695356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative pathologies stem from the formation of aggregates of mutant proteins, causing dysfunction and ultimately neuronal death. This study was aimed at elucidating the role of the protein factors that promote aggregate formation or prevent the process, respectively, glyceraldehyde-3-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and Hsp70 molecular chaperone. The siRNA technology was used to show that the inhibition of GAPDH expression leads to a 45-50% reduction in the aggregation of mutant huntingtin, with a repeat of 103 glutamine residues in a model of Huntington's disease (HD). Similarly, the blockage of GAPDH synthesis was found for the first time to reduce the degree of aggregation of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (G93A) in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The treatment of cells that imitate HD and ALS with a pharmacological GAPDH inhibitor, hydroxynonenal, was also shown to reduce the amount of the aggregating material in both disease models. Tissue transglutaminase is another factor that promotes the aggregation of mutant proteins; the inhibition of its activity with cystamine was found to prevent aggregate formation of mutant huntingtin and SOD1. In order to explore the protective function of Hsp70 in the control of the aggregation of mutant huntingtin, a cell model with inducible expression of the chaperone was used. The amount and size of polyglutamine aggregates were reduced by increasing the intracellular content of Hsp70. Thus, pharmacological regulation of the function of three proteins, GAPDH, tTG, and Hsp70, can affect the pathogenesis of two significant neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. F. Lazarev
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky ave., 4, St. Petersburg, 194064
| | - D. V. Sverchinskyi
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky ave., 4, St. Petersburg, 194064
| | - M. V. Ippolitova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky ave., 4, St. Petersburg, 194064
| | - A. V. Stepanova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky ave., 4, St. Petersburg, 194064
| | - I. V. Guzhova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky ave., 4, St. Petersburg, 194064
| | - B. A. Margulis
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky ave., 4, St. Petersburg, 194064
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Besouw M, Masereeuw R, van den Heuvel L, Levtchenko E. Cysteamine: an old drug with new potential. Drug Discov Today 2013; 18:785-92. [PMID: 23416144 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Revised: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cysteamine is an amino thiol with the chemical formula HSCH2CH2NH2. Endogenously, cysteamine is derived from coenzyme A degradation, although its plasma concentrations are low. Most experience with cysteamine as a drug originates from the field of the orphan disease cystinosis, in which cysteamine is prescribed to decrease intralysosomal cystine accumulation. However, over the years, the drug has been used for several other applications both in vitro and in vivo. In this article, we review the different applications of cysteamine, ending with an overview of ongoing clinical trials for new indications, such as neurodegenerative disorders and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The recent development of an enteric-coated cysteamine formulation makes cysteamine more patient friendly and will extend its applicability for both old and new indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Besouw
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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19
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Kumar A, Kneynsberg A, Tucholski J, Perry G, van Groen T, Detloff PJ, Lesort M. Tissue transglutaminase overexpression does not modify the disease phenotype of the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol 2012; 237:78-89. [PMID: 22698685 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Revised: 05/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder initiated by an abnormally expanded polyglutamine in the huntingtin protein. Determining the contribution of specific factors to the pathogenesis of HD should provide rational targets for therapeutic intervention. One suggested contributor is the type 2 transglutaminase (TG2), a multifunctional calcium dependent enzyme. A role for TG2 in HD has been suggested because a polypeptide-bound glutamine is a rate-limiting factor for a TG2-catalyzed reaction, and TG2 can cross-link mutant huntingtin in vitro. Further, TG2 is up regulated in brain areas affected in HD. The objective of this study was to further examine the contribution of TG2 as a potential modifier of HD pathogenesis and its validity as a therapeutic target in HD. In particular our goal was to determine whether an increase in TG2 level, as documented in human HD brains, modulates the well-characterized phenotype of the R6/2 HD mouse model. To accomplish this objective a genetic cross was performed between R6/2 mice and an established transgenic mouse line that constitutively expresses human TG2 (hTG2) under control of the prion promoter. Constitutive expression of hTG2 did not affect the onset and progression of the behavioral and neuropathological HD phenotype of R6/2 mice. We found no alterations in body weight changes, rotarod performances, grip strength, overall activity, and no significant effect on the neuropathological features of R6/2 mice. Overall the results of this study suggest that an increase in hTG2 expression does not significantly modify the pathology of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0017, USA
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20
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Butler DC, McLear JA, Messer A. Engineered antibody therapies to counteract mutant huntingtin and related toxic intracellular proteins. Prog Neurobiol 2012; 97:190-204. [PMID: 22120646 PMCID: PMC3908675 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2011.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The engineered antibody approach to Huntington's disease (HD) therapeutics is based on the premise that significantly lowering the levels of the primary misfolded mutant protein will reduce abnormal protein interactions and direct toxic effects of the misfolded huntingtin (HTT). This will in turn reduce the pathologic stress on cells, and normalize intrinsic proteostasis. Intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) are single-chain (scFv) and single-domain (dAb; nanobody) variable fragments that can retain the affinity and specificity of full-length antibodies, but can be selected and engineered as genes. Functionally, they represent a protein-based approach to the problem of aberrant mutant protein folding, post-translational modifications, protein-protein interactions, and aggregation. Several intrabodies that bind on either side of the expanded polyglutamine tract of mutant HTT have been reported to improve the mutant phenotype in cell and organotypic cultures, fruit flies, and mice. Further refinements to the difficult challenges of intraneuronal delivery, cytoplasmic folding, and long-term efficacy are in progress. This review covers published studies and emerging approaches on the choice of targets, selection and engineering methods, gene and protein delivery options, and testing of candidates in cell and animal models. The resultant antibody fragments can be used as direct therapeutics and as target validation/drug discovery tools for HD, while the technology is also applicable to a wide range of neurodegenerative and other diseases that are triggered by toxic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Butler
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Dept. of Health, Albany, NY, United States, 12208
| | | | - Anne Messer
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Dept. of Health, Albany, NY, United States, 12208
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, SUNY, NY 12201
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21
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Transglutaminase 2: biology, relevance to neurodegenerative diseases and therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Ther 2011; 133:392-410. [PMID: 22212614 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and the aggregation of disease-specific pathogenic proteins in hallmark neuropathologic lesions. Many of these proteins, including amyloid Αβ, tau, α-synuclein and huntingtin, are cross-linked by the enzymatic activity of transglutaminase 2 (TG2). Additionally, the expression and activity of TG2 is increased in affected brain regions in these disorders. These observations along with experimental evidence in cellular and mouse models suggest that TG2 can contribute to the abnormal aggregation of disease causing proteins and consequently to neuronal damage. This accumulating evidence has provided the impetus to develop inhibitors of TG2 as possible neuroprotective agents. However, TG2 has other enzymatic activities in addition to its cross-linking function and can modulate multiple cellular processes including apoptosis, autophagy, energy production, synaptic function, signal transduction and transcription regulation. These diverse properties must be taken into consideration in designing TG2 inhibitors. In this review, we discuss the biochemistry of TG2, its various physiologic functions and our current understanding about its role in degenerative diseases of the brain. We also describe the different approaches to designing TG2 inhibitors that could be developed as potential disease-modifying therapies.
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Kuwahara K, Fang JY, Yang Z, Han B. Enzymatic Crosslinking and Degradation of Gelatin as a Switch for Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Activity. Tissue Eng Part A 2011; 17:2955-64. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2011.0290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kenrick Kuwahara
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Josephine Y. Fang
- Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Zhi Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bo Han
- Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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23
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Hoffner G, Vanhoutteghem A, André W, Djian P. Transglutaminase in epidermis and neurological disease or what makes a good cross-linking substrate. ADVANCES IN ENZYMOLOGY AND RELATED AREAS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 78:97-160. [PMID: 22220473 DOI: 10.1002/9781118105771.ch3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guylaine Hoffner
- Unité Propre de Recherche 2228 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Régulation de la Transcription et Maladies Génétiques, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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24
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Nemes Z. Effects and Analysis of Transglutamination on Protein Aggregation and Clearance in Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN ENZYMOLOGY - AND RELATED AREAS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 78:347-83. [DOI: 10.1002/9781118105771.ch8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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25
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Beta-Actin is a Target for Transglutaminase Activity at Synaptic Endings in Chicken Telencephalic Cell Cultures. J Mol Neurosci 2011; 46:410-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-011-9601-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Hsu CY, Henry J, Raymond AA, Méchin MC, Pendaries V, Nassar D, Hansmann B, Balica S, Burlet-Schiltz O, Schmitt AM, Takahara H, Paul C, Serre G, Simon M. Deimination of human filaggrin-2 promotes its proteolysis by calpain 1. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:23222-33. [PMID: 21531719 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.197400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Filaggrin-2 (FLG2), a member of the S100-fused type protein family, shares numerous features with filaggrin (FLG), a key protein implicated in the epidermal barrier functions. Both display a related structural organization, an identical pattern of expression and localization in human epidermis, and proteolytic processing of a large precursor. Here, we tested whether FLG2 was a substrate of calpain 1, a calcium-dependent protease directly involved in FLG catabolism. In addition, deimination being critical for FLG degradation, we analyzed whether FLG2 deimination interfered with its proteolytic processing. With this aim, we first produced a recombinant form of FLG2 corresponding to subunits B7 to B10 fused to a COOH-terminal His tag. Incubation with calpain 1 in the presence of calcium induced a rapid degradation of the recombinant protein and the production of several peptides, as shown by Coomassie Blue-stained gels and Western blotting with anti-FLG2 or anti-His antibodies. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirmed this result and further evidenced the production of non-immunoreactive smaller peptides. The degradation was not observed when a calpain 1-specific inhibitor was added. The calpain cleavage sites identified by Edman degradation were regularly present in the B-type repeats of FLG2. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis of normal human skin revealed colocalization of FLG2 and calpain 1 in the upper epidermis. Finally, the FLG2 deiminated by human peptidylarginine deiminases was shown to be more susceptible to calpain 1 than the unmodified protein. Altogether, these data demonstrate that calpain 1 is essential for the proteolytic processing of FLG2 and that deimination accelerates this process.
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27
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Munsie L, Caron N, Atwal RS, Marsden I, Wild EJ, Bamburg JR, Tabrizi SJ, Truant R. Mutant huntingtin causes defective actin remodeling during stress: defining a new role for transglutaminase 2 in neurodegenerative disease. Hum Mol Genet 2011; 20:1937-51. [PMID: 21355047 PMCID: PMC3080606 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddr075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expanded CAG tract in the Interesting transcript 15 (IT15) gene encoding the 350 kDa huntingtin protein. Cellular stresses can trigger the release of huntingtin from the endoplasmic reticulum, allowing huntingtin nuclear entry. Here, we show that endogenous, full-length huntingtin localizes to nuclear cofilin–actin rods during stress and is required for the proper stress response involving actin remodeling. Mutant huntingtin induces a dominant, persistent nuclear rod phenotype similar to that described in Alzheimer's disease for cytoplasmic cofilin–actin rods. Using live cell temporal studies, we show that this stress response is similarly impaired when mutant huntingtin is present, or when normal huntingtin levels are reduced. In clinical lymphocyte samples from HD patients, we have quantitatively detected cross-linked complexes of actin and cofilin with complex formation varying in correlation with disease progression. By live cell fluorescence lifetime imaging measurement–Förster resonant energy transfer studies and western blot assays, we quantitatively observed that stress-activated tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is responsible for the actin–cofilin covalent cross-linking observed in HD. These data support a direct role for huntingtin in nuclear actin re-organization, and describe a new pathogenic mechanism for aberrant TG2 enzymatic hyperactivity in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Munsie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N3Z5
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28
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Kazemi-Esfarjani P, La Spada AR. Déjà vu with a twist: transglutaminases in bioenergetics and transcriptional dysfunction in Huntington's disease. EMBO Mol Med 2011; 2:335-7. [PMID: 20730854 PMCID: PMC3377338 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201000092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The article by McConoughey et al in the current issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine examines the contribution of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) to Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis. The authors find that TG2 inhibition can ameliorate HD neurodegeneration, and thereby elevate the status of transglutaminases (TGs) to a major therapeutic target-not because of their well-known activity in mutant protein aggregation, but instead based upon their ability to epigenetically modulate transcription and energy production. While the reintroduction of TG inhibition as a therapy for HD may evoke feelings of déjà vu, the outcome this time around could go in a dramatically different direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parsa Kazemi-Esfarjani
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego - La Jolla, CA, USA
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29
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Davies JE, Rose C, Sarkar S, Rubinsztein DC. Cystamine suppresses polyalanine toxicity in a mouse model of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. Sci Transl Med 2010; 2:34ra40. [PMID: 20519718 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3000723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is caused by a trinucleotide repeat expansion mutation in the coding region of the gene encoding PABPN1 (polyadenylate-binding protein nuclear 1). Mutant PABPN1 with a polyalanine tract expansion forms aggregates within the nuclei of skeletal muscle fibers. There is currently no effective treatment. We have developed cell and mouse models of OPMD and have identified the aggregation of mutant PABPN1 and apoptosis as therapeutic targets. Here, we show that transglutaminase activity is increased in muscle from OPMD model mice. Elevated transglutaminase 2 expression enhances, whereas TG2 knockdown suppresses, the toxicity and aggregation of mutant PABPN1 in cells. Cystamine protects against the toxicity of mutant PABPN1 and exerts its effect via the inhibition of transglutaminase 2, as cystamine treatment is unable to further reduce the protective effect of transglutaminase 2 knockdown on mutant PABPN1 toxicity in cells. Cystamine also reduces the aggregation and toxicity of mutant PABPN1 in human cells. In a mouse model of OPMD, cystamine treatment reduced the elevated transglutaminase activity, attenuated muscle weakness, reduced aggregate load, and decreased apoptotic markers in muscle. Therefore, inhibitors of transglutaminase 2 should be considered as possible therapeutics for OPMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet E Davies
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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30
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Damodaran G, Collighan R, Griffin M, Navsaria H, Pandit A. Tailored laminin-332 alpha3 sequence is tethered through an enzymatic linker to a collagen scaffold to promote cellular adhesion. Acta Biomater 2009; 5:2441-50. [PMID: 19364681 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2009.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2008] [Revised: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Surface modification techniques have been used to develop biomimetic scaffolds by incorporating cell adhesion peptides, which facilitates cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. In this study, we evaluated the cell adhesion properties of a tailored laminin-332 alpha3 chain tethered to a type I collagen scaffold using microbial transglutaminase (mTGase) by incorporating transglutaminase substrate peptide sequences containing either glutamine (peptide A: PPFLMLLKGSTREAQQIVM) or lysine (peptide B: PPFLMLLKGSTRKKKKG). The degree of cross-linking was studied by amino acid analysis following proteolytic digestion and the structural changes in the modified scaffold further investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Fibroblasts were used to evaluate the cellular behaviour of the functionalized collagen scaffold. mTGase supports cell growth but tethering of peptide A and peptide B to the mTGase cross-linked collagen scaffold caused a significant increase in cell proliferation when compared with native and mTGase cross-linked collagen scaffolds. Both peptides enabled cell-spreading, attachment and normal actin cytoskeleton organization with slight increase in the cell proliferation was observed in peptide A when compared with the peptide B and mTGase cross-linked scaffold. An increase in the amount of epsilon(gamma-glutamyl) lysine isopeptide was observed in peptide A conjugated scaffolds when compared with peptide B conjugated scaffolds, mTGase cross-linked scaffold without peptide. Changes in D-spacing were observed in the cross-linked scaffolds with tethered peptides. These results demonstrate that mTGase can play a bifunctional role in both conjugation of the glutamine and lysine containing peptide sequences and also in the cross-linking of the collagen scaffold, thus providing a suitable substrate for cell growth.
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31
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Bauer PO, Nukina N. The pathogenic mechanisms of polyglutamine diseases and current therapeutic strategies. J Neurochem 2009; 110:1737-65. [PMID: 19650870 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06302.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeat within the coding region of several genes results in the production of proteins with expanded polyglutamine (PolyQ) stretch. The expression of these pathogenic proteins leads to PolyQ diseases, such as Huntington's disease or several types of spinocerebellar ataxias. This family of neurodegenerative disorders is characterized by constant progression of the symptoms and molecularly, by the accumulation of mutant proteins inside neurons causing their dysfunction and eventually death. So far, no effective therapy actually preventing the physical and/or mental decline has been developed. Experimental therapeutic strategies either target the levels or processing of mutant proteins in an attempt to prevent cellular deterioration, or they are aimed at the downstream pathologic effects to reverse or ameliorate the caused damages. Certain pathomechanistic aspects of PolyQ disorders are discussed here. Relevance of disease models and recent knowledge of therapeutic possibilities is reviewed and updated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter O Bauer
- Laboratory for Structural Neuropathology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
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32
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Jeitner TM, Muma NA, Battaile KP, Cooper AJ. Transglutaminase activation in neurodegenerative diseases. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2009; 4:449-467. [PMID: 20161049 DOI: 10.2217/fnl.09.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The following review examines the role of calcium in promoting the in vitro and in vivo activation of transglutaminases in neurodegenerative disorders. Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease exhibit increased transglutaminase activity and rises in intracellular calcium concentrations, which may be related. The aberrant activation of transglutaminase by calcium is thought to give rise to a variety of pathological moieties in these diseases, and the inhibition has been shown to have therapeutic benefit in animal and cellular models of neurodegeneration. Given the potential clinical relevance of transglutaminase inhibitors, we have also reviewed the recent development of such compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Jeitner
- Applied Bench Core, Winthrop University Hospital, 222 Station Plaza North, Suite 502, Mineola, NY 11501, USA Tel.: +1 516 663 3455
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33
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Jeitner TM, Pinto JT, Krasnikov BF, Horswill M, Cooper AJL. Transglutaminases and neurodegeneration. J Neurochem 2009; 109 Suppl 1:160-6. [PMID: 19393023 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.05843.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminases (TGs) are Ca2+-dependent enzymes that catalyze a variety of modifications of glutaminyl (Q) residues. In the brain, these modifications include the covalent attachment of a number of amine-bearing compounds, including lysyl (K) residues and polyamines, which serve to either regulate enzyme activity or attach the TG substrates to biological matrices. Aberrant TG activity is thought to contribute to Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, and supranuclear palsy. Strategies designed to interfere with TG activity have some benefit in animal models of Huntington and Parkinson diseases. The following review summarizes the involvement of TGs in neurodegenerative diseases and discusses the possible use of selective inhibitors as therapeutic agents in these diseases.
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34
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Wu Z, Hansmann B, Meyer-Hoffert U, Gläser R, Schröder JM. Molecular identification and expression analysis of filaggrin-2, a member of the S100 fused-type protein family. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5227. [PMID: 19384417 PMCID: PMC2668185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2008] [Accepted: 03/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes of the S100 fused-type protein (SFTP) family are clustered within the epidermal differentiation complex and encode essential components that maintain epithelial homeostasis and barrier functions. Recent genetic studies have shown that mutations within the gene encoding the SFTP filaggrin cause ichthyosis vulgaris and are major predisposing factors for atopic dermatitis. As a vital component of healthy skin, filaggrin is also a precursor of natural moisturizing factors. Here we present the discovery of a member of this family, designated as filaggrin-2 (FLG2) that is expressed in human skin. The FLG2 gene encodes a histidine- and glutamine-rich protein of approximately 248 kDa, which shares common structural features with other SFTP members, in particular filaggrin. We found that FLG2 transcripts are present in skin, thymus, tonsils, stomach, testis and placenta. In cultured primary keratinocytes, FLG2 mRNA expression displayed almost the same kinetics as that of filaggrin following Ca2+ stimulation, suggesting an important role in molecular regulation of epidermal terminal differentiation. We provide evidences that like filaggrin, FLG2 is initially expressed by upper granular cells, proteolytically processed and deposited in the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum (SC) layers of normal epidermis. Thus, FLG2 and filaggrin may have overlapping and perhaps synergistic roles in the formation of the epidermal barrier, protecting the skin from environmental insults and the escape of moisture by offering precursors of natural moisturizing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Wu
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Britta Hansmann
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ulf Meyer-Hoffert
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Regine Gläser
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jens-Michael Schröder
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- * E-mail:
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35
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Hoffner G, Souès S, Djian P. Aggregation of expanded huntingtin in the brains of patients with Huntington disease. Prion 2009; 1:26-31. [PMID: 19172113 DOI: 10.4161/pri.1.1.4056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntingtin containing an expanded polyglutamine causes neuronal death and Huntington disease. Although expanded huntingtin is found in virtually every cell type, its toxicity is limited to neurons of certain areas of the brain, such as cortex and caudate/putamen. In affected areas of the brain, expanded huntingtin is not found in its intact monomeric form. It is found instead in the form of N-terminal fragments, oligomers and polymers, all of which accumulate in the cortex. Whereas the oligomer is mostly soluble, the polymers and the fragments associate with each other and with other proteins to form the insoluble inclusions characteristic of the disease. It is likely that the aggregates containing expanded huntingtin are toxic to neurons, but it remains to be determined whether the oligomer or the inclusion is the toxic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guylaine Hoffner
- Unité Propre de Recherche 2228 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Interdisciplinaire des Sciences du Vivant des Saints-Pères, Université René Descartes, Paris, France
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The end product of transglutaminase crosslinking: simultaneous quantitation of [Nepsilon-(gamma-glutamyl) lysine] and lysine by HPLC-MS3. Anal Biochem 2008; 384:296-304. [PMID: 18938126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2008.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2008] [Revised: 09/10/2008] [Accepted: 09/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminases catalyze the formation of Nepsilon-(gamma-glutamyl) isodipeptide crosslinks between proteins. These enzymes are thought to participate in a number of diseases, including neurological disease and cancer. A method associating liquid chromatography and multiple stage mass spectrometry has been developed for the simultaneous quantitation of [Nepsilon-(gamma-glutamyl) lysine] isodipeptide and lysine on an ion trap mass spectrometer. Highly specific detection has been achieved in MS3 mode. The method includes a derivatization step consisting of butylation of carboxylic groups and acetylation of amide groups, a liquid-liquid extraction, and a 19-min separation on a 100x2.1-mm Beta-basic C18 column with an acetonitrile gradient elution. 13C6-(15)N2 isotopes of the isodipeptide and the lysine serve as internal standards. The assay was linear in the range of 50 pmol/ml to 75 nmol/ml for the isodipeptide and the range of 10 nmol/ml to 3.5 micromol/ml for the lysine, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99 for both ions. Intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation ranged from 3.5 to 15.9%. The method was successfully applied to human biological samples known to be crosslinked by transglutaminase such as cornified envelopes of epidermis, fibrin, and normal and Huntington disease brain.
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Transglutaminases and their substrates in biology and human diseases: 50 years of growing. Amino Acids 2008; 36:599-614. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-008-0124-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2008] [Accepted: 05/15/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Hoffner G, Hoppilliard Y, van der Rest G, Dansette P, Djian P, Ohanessian G. [Nepsilon-(gamma-glutamyl) lysine] as a potential biomarker in neurological diseases: new detection method and fragmentation pathways. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2008; 43:456-469. [PMID: 18064578 DOI: 10.1002/jms.1331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein aggregates are characteristic of a number of diseases of the central nervous system such as diseases of polyQ expansion. Covalent bonds formed by the action of transglutaminase are thought to participate in the stabilization of these aggregates. Transglutaminase catalyzes the formation of cross-links between the side chains of glutaminyl and lysyl residues of polypeptides. Identification of the isodipeptide N(epsilon)-(gamma-glutamyl) lysine (iEK) in terminal proteolytic digests of neuronal aggregates would demonstrate participation of transglutaminase in neurological diseases. In order to identify and quantify the iEK present in the brain of patients with neurological disease, a method combining liquid chromatography and multistep mass spectrometry was developed. Because isobaric peptides of iEK could be present in the digest of aggregated proteins, the choice of fragment diagnostic ions was crucial. These ions were identified by mass spectrometry on sodiated iEK, which was derivatized on the carboxylic functions and terminal amines in order to improve sensitivity. Deuterated molecules as well as (13)C(6)- and (15)N(2)-isotopomers were used to derive filiations in the multistep fragmentations. The main fragmentation patterns have been identified, so that two ions (m/z 396 [MH - 56-42 u](+) and 350 [MH - 56-88 u](+)) are shown to be adequate markers for quantitation experiments. In order to gain a better understanding of the fragmentation processes, detailed quantum chemical calculations have been performed at levels which are expected to provide good accuracy. A thorough study has been carried out with a reduced model in which only the 'active' part of the molecule is retained. This allowed obtaining full mechanistic details on the pathways leading to a number of observed fragments. In particular, it has been shown that losses of 87 and 88 u from A(+) = [MH - 56 u](+) are competitive. Computations on the entire derivatized isodipeptide have been used to validate the use of the smaller model in order to obtain reliable energetics and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guylaine Hoffner
- Laboratoire des Mécanismes Réactionnels, Département de Chimie, Ecole Polytechnique, UMR 7651 CNRS, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, France
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Palazzolo I, Gliozzi A, Rusmini P, Sau D, Crippa V, Simonini F, Onesto E, Bolzoni E, Poletti A. The role of the polyglutamine tract in androgen receptor. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 108:245-53. [PMID: 17945479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2007.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor which is responsible for the androgen responsiveness of target cells. Several types of mutations have been found in the AR and linked to endocrine dysfunctions. Surprisingly, the polymorphism involving the CAG triplet repeat expansion of the AR gene, coding for a polyglutamine (PolyGln) tract in the N-terminal transactivation domain of the AR protein, has been involved either in endocrine or neurological disorders. For example, among endocrine-related-diseases, the PolyGln size has been proposed to be associated to prostate cancer susceptibility, hirsutism, male infertility, cryptorchidism (in conjunction with polyglycine stretches polymorphism), etc.; the molecular mechanisms of these alterations are thought to involve a modulation of AR transcriptional competence, which inversely correlates with the PolyGln length. Among neurological alterations, a decreased AR function seems to be also involved in depression. Moreover, when the polymorphic PolyGln becomes longer than 35-40 contiguous glutamines (ARPolyGln), the ARPolyGln acquires neurotoxicity, because of an unknown gain-of-function. This mutation has been linked to a rare inherited X-linked motor neuronal disorder, the Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy, or Kennedy's disease. The disorder is characterized by death of motor neurons expressing high levels of AR. The degenerating motor neurons are mainly located in the anterior horns of the spinal cord and in the bulbar region; some neurons of the dorsal root ganglia may also be involved. Interestingly, the same type of PolyGln elongation has been found in other totally unrelated proteins responsible for different neurodegenerative diseases. A common feature of all these disorders is the formation of intracellular aggregates containing the mutated proteins; at present, but their role in the disease is largely debated. This review will discuss how the PolyGln neurotoxicity of SBMA AR may be either mediated or decreased by aggregates, and will present data on the dual role played by testosterone on motor neuronal functions and dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Palazzolo
- Institute of Endocrinology, Centre of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan, Italy
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40
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Hu BH, Jones MR, Messersmith PB. Method for screening and MALDI-TOF MS sequencing of encoded combinatorial libraries. Anal Chem 2007; 79:7275-85. [PMID: 17713965 PMCID: PMC2586901 DOI: 10.1021/ac070418g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We describe a new method for encoded synthesis, efficient on-resin screening, and rapid unambiguous sequencing of combinatorial peptide libraries. An improved binary tag system for encoding peptide libraries during synthesis was designed to facilitate unequivocal assignment of isobaric residues by MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The improved method for encoded library synthesis was combined with a new versatile on-resin screening strategy that permitted multiple stages and types of screening to be employed successively on one library under mild conditions. The new method facilitated a combinatorial study of transglutaminase (TGase) enzyme substrate peptides, revealing new details of the effect of amino acid composition on TGase substrates. The approach was first demonstrated for an encoded library (130,321 compounds) of lysine pentapeptide substrates of TGase, synthesized using the "split-mix" method. The library was reacted on-resin with TGase enzyme and a soluble desthiobiotin labeled glutamine substrate. Initial screening was performed by adsorbing streptavidin-coated magnetic microparticles onto library beads, followed by magnetic separation. The differential binding affinities of desthiobiotin and biotin for streptavidin were exploited to release the magnetic microparticles and regenerate the desthiobiotin-labeled resin beads for further screening by flow-cytometry-based automated bead sorting, resulting in 345 beads that were sequenced by MALDI-TOF MS analysis. A second library consisted of encoded glutamine hexapeptide substrates, which was reacted on-resin with TGase enzyme and a soluble desthiobiotin-labeled cadaverine. Two-stage screening identified 267 glutamine peptides as TGase-reactive, of which 21 were further analyzed by solution-phase enzyme kinetics. Kinetic results indicated that the peptide PQQQYV from the library has a 68-fold greater substrate specificity than the best known glutamine substrate QQIV. The new encoding and screening strategies described here are expected to be broadly applicable to synthesis and screening of combinatorial peptide libraries in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Phillip B. Messersmith
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: (847)467-5273., Fax: (847)491-4928. E-mail:
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41
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Langston J, Blinkovsky A, Byun T, Terribilini M, Ransbarger D, Xu F. Substrate specificity of streptomyces transglutaminases. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2007; 136:291-308. [PMID: 17625235 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-007-9027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2006] [Revised: 03/16/2006] [Accepted: 05/14/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase (TGase) is a multifunctional enzyme vital for many physiologic processes, such as cell differentiation, tissue regeneration, and plant pathogenicity. The acyl transfer function of the enzyme can activate primary amines and, consequently, attach them onto a peptidyl glutamine, a reaction important for various in vivo and in vitro protein crosslinking and modification processes. To understand better the structure-function relationship of the enzyme and to develop it further as an industrial biocatalyst, we studied TGase secreted by several Streptomyces species and Phytophthora cactorum. We purified the enzyme from S. lydicus, S. platensis, S. nigrescens, S. cinnamoneus, and S. hachijoensis. The pH and temperature profiles of S. lydicus, S. platensis, and S. nigrescens TGases were determined. The specificity of S. lydicus TGase toward its acyl-accepting amine substrates was characterized. Correlation of the electronic and steric features of the substrates with their reactivity supported the mechanism previously proposed for Streptomyces mobaraensis TGase.
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Martins RST, Deloffre LAM, Mylonas CC, Power DM, Canário AVM. Developmental expression of DAX1 in the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax: lack of evidence for sexual dimorphism during sex differentiation. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2007; 5:19. [PMID: 17537257 PMCID: PMC1891300 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-5-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2007] [Accepted: 05/30/2007] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DAX1 (NR0B1), a member of the nuclear receptors super family, has been shown to be involved in the genetic sex determination and in gonadal differentiation in several vertebrate species. In the aquaculture fish European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, and in the generality of fish species, the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation have not been elucidated. The present study aimed at characterizing the European DAX1 gene and its developmental expression at the mRNA level. METHODS A full length European sea bass DAX1 cDNA (sbDAX1) was isolated by screening a testis cDNA library. The structure of the DAX1 gene was determined by PCR and Southern blot. Multisequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis were used to compare the translated sbDAX1 product to that of other vertebrates. sbDAX1 expression was analysed by Northern blot and relative RT-PCR in adult tissues. Developmental expression of mRNA levels was analysed in groups of larvae grown either at 15 degrees C or 20 degrees C (masculinising temperature) during the first 60 days, or two groups of fish selected for fast (mostly females) and slow growth. RESULTS The sbDAX1 is expressed as a single transcript in testis and ovary encoding a predicted protein of 301 amino acids. A polyglutamine stretch of variable length in different DAX1 proteins is present in the DNA binding domain. The sbDAX1 gene is composed of two exons, separated by a single 283 bp intron with conserved splice sites in same region of the ligand binding domain as other DAX1 genes. sbDAX1 mRNA is not restricted to the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis and is also detected in the gut, heart, gills, muscle and kidney. sbDAX1 mRNA was detected as early as 4 days post hatching (dph) and expression was not affected by incubation temperature. Throughout gonadal sex differentiation (60-300 dph) no dimorphic pattern of expression was observed. CONCLUSION The sbDAX1 gene and putative protein coding region is highly conserved and has a wide pattern of tissue expression. Although gene expression data suggests sbDAX1 to be important for the development and differentiation of the gonads, it is apparently not sex specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rute ST Martins
- Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR-Laboratório Associado, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Laurence AM Deloffre
- Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR-Laboratório Associado, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Constantinos C Mylonas
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Aquaculture, P.O. Box 2214, Iraklion, Crete 71003, Greece
| | - Deborah M Power
- Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR-Laboratório Associado, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Adelino VM Canário
- Centro de Ciências do Mar, CIMAR-Laboratório Associado, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
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43
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Ruan Q, Quintanilla RA, Johnson GVW. Type 2 transglutaminase differentially modulates striatal cell death in the presence of wild type or mutant huntingtin. J Neurochem 2007; 102:25-36. [PMID: 17403029 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04491.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD), which is caused by an expanded polyglutamine tract in huntingtin (htt), is characterized by extensive loss of striatal neurons. The dysregulation of type 2 transglutaminase (TG2) has been proposed to contribute to the pathogenesis in HD as TG2 is up-regulated in HD brain and knocking out TG2 in mouse models of HD ameliorates the disease process. To understand the role of TG2 in the pathogenesis of HD, immortalized striatal cells established from mice in which mutant htt with a polyglutamine stretch of 111 Gln had been knocked-in and wild type (WT) littermates, were stably transfected with human TG2 in a tetracycline inducible vector. Overexpression of TG2 in the WT striatal cells resulted in significantly greater cell death under basal conditions as well as in response to thapsigargin treatment, which causes increased intracellular calcium concentrations. Furthermore, in WT striatal cells TG2 overexpression potentiated mitochondrial membrane depolarization, intracellular reactive oxygen species production, and apoptotic cell death in response to thapsigargin. In contrast, in mutant striatal cells, TG2 overexpression did not increase cell death, nor did it potentiate thapsigargin-induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization or intracellular reactive oxygen species production. Instead, TG2 overexpression in mutant striatal cells attenuated the thapsigargin-activated apoptosis. When in situ transglutaminase activity was quantitatively analyzed in these cell lines, we found that in response to thapsigargin treatment TG2 was activated in WT, but not mutant striatal cells. These data suggest that mutant htt alters the activation of TG2 in response to certain stimuli and therefore differentially modulates how TG2 contributes to cell death processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingmin Ruan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0017, USA
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44
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Kusch M, Grundmann C, Keitel S, Seitz R, König H. A novel assay for factor XIII based on cross-linking of synthetic peptides: analysis of different substrates. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2006; 17:575-80. [PMID: 16988554 DOI: 10.1097/01.mbc.0000245305.02763.2c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A novel assay for factor XIII is described that utilizes exclusively small synthetic peptides as substrates for the cross-linking reaction catalyzed by activated factor XIII (FXIIIa). The acyl donor substrate (selection peptide) is immobilized on a microplate via biotin while the acyl acceptor substrate (detection peptide) is labeled with the fluorochrome Oregon green to allow sensitive detection without the need for secondary enzyme systems for signal amplification. Starting with an amino acid sequence from the fibrin gamma-chain (GQQHHLGGAKQAGDV) as a prototype peptide, the influence of amino acid exchanges were investigated with respect to their impact on the FXIIIa-catalyzed reaction. It was found that FXIIIa readily accepts a broad range of substrate peptides, with a proline neighboring the essential lysine having the most detrimental effect. The assay appears to be valuable for the molecular characterization of factor XIII and may be used for a deeper investigation into the substrate requirements of this final enzyme of wound repair, and eventually also for the characterization of other transglutaminases.
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45
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Pattison LR, Kotter MR, Fraga D, Bonelli RM. Apoptotic cascades as possible targets for inhibiting cell death in Huntington's disease. J Neurol 2006; 253:1137-42. [PMID: 16998646 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-006-0198-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2005] [Accepted: 02/20/2006] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive motor and neuropsychological symptoms. Evidence implicating the apoptotic cascades as a possible cause for the neurodegeneration seen in HD has directed researchers toward investigating therapeutic treatments targeting caspases and other proapoptotic factors. Cellular and murine models, which have demonstrated that caspase-mediated cleavage could be the cause for the neurodegeneration seen in HD, have evoked more research investigating the possible inhibition of apoptosis in HD. In particular, minocycline, a tetracycline-derived antibiotic that has been shown to increase survival in transgenic mouse models of HD, exhibits a neuroprotective feature in HD and demonstrates an anti-inflammatory as well as an anti-microbial effect by inhibiting microglial activation known to cause apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay R Pattison
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster, 1189 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
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46
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McHale MK, Setton LA, Chilkoti A. Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of enzymatically cross-linked elastin-like polypeptide gels for cartilaginous tissue repair. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 11:1768-79. [PMID: 16411822 DOI: 10.1089/ten.2005.11.1768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) hydrogels offer unique promise as scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering because of the potential to promote chondrogenesis and to control mechanical properties. In this study, we designed and synthesized ELPs capable of undergoing enzyme-initiated gelation via tissue transglutaminase, with the ultimate goal of creating an injectable, in situ cross-linking scaffold to promote functional cartilage repair. Addition of the enzyme promoted ELP gel formation and chondrocyte encapsulation in a biocompatible process, which resulted in cartilage matrix synthesis in vitro and the potential to contribute to cartilage mechanical function in vivo. A significant increase in the accumulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycans was observed, and histological sections revealed the accumulation of a cartilaginous matrix rich in type II collagen and lacking in type I collagen, indicative of hyaline cartilage formation. These results provide evidence of chondrocytic phenotype maintenance for cells in the ELP hydrogels in vitro. In addition, the dynamic shear moduli of ELP hydrogels seeded with chondrocytes increased from 0.28 to 1.7 kPa during a 4-week culture period. This increase in the mechanical integrity of cross-linked ELP hydrogels suggests restructuring of the ELP matrix by deposition of functional cartilage extracellular matrix components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa K McHale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
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47
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Hoffner G, Island ML, Djian P. Purification of neuronal inclusions of patients with Huntington's disease reveals a broad range of N-terminal fragments of expanded huntingtin and insoluble polymers. J Neurochem 2005; 95:125-36. [PMID: 16181417 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03348.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease resulting from huntingtin containing an expanded polyglutamine is associated with aggregates largely confined to neuronal inclusions, and with neuronal death. Inclusions are thought to originate from discrete N-terminal fragments of expanded huntingtin produced by specific endopeptidases. We have now purified the neuronal inclusions of Huntington's disease brain. When incubated in concentrated formic acid, purified inclusions release a polymer, an oligomer and a broad range of N-terminal fragments of expanded huntingtin. The fragments and the polymeric forms are linked to each other by non-covalent bonds as they are both released by formic acid, whereas the polymeric forms themselves are presumably stabilized by covalent bonds, as they are resistant to formic acid. We also demonstrate the presence in affected areas of the brain but not in unaffected areas of a broad range of soluble N-terminal fragments of expanded huntingtin not yet associated with the inclusions and which are likely to be the precursors of the inclusions. Fragmentation of expanded huntingtin in Huntington's disease must result from the operation of multiple proteolytic activities with little specificity and not from that of a specific endopeptidase; subsequent aggregation of the fragments by covalent and non-covalent bonds leads to the formation of the inclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guylaine Hoffner
- UPR 2228 CNRS, Institut Interdisciplinaire des Sciences du Vivant, Université René Descartes, Paris, France
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48
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Di Prospero NA, Fischbeck KH. Therapeutics development for triplet repeat expansion diseases. Nat Rev Genet 2005; 6:756-65. [PMID: 16205715 DOI: 10.1038/nrg1690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The underlying genetic mutations for many inherited neurodegenerative disorders have been identified in recent years. One frequent type of mutation is trinucleotide repeat expansion. Depending on the location of the repeat expansion, the mutation might result in a loss of function of the disease gene, a toxic gain of function or both. Disease gene identification has led to the development of model systems for investigating disease mechanisms and evaluating treatments. Examination of experimental findings reveals similarities in disease mechanisms as well as possibilities for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Di Prospero
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-3705, USA.
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Pinto JT, Van Raamsdonk JM, Leavitt BR, Hayden MR, Jeitner TM, Thaler HT, Krasnikov BF, Cooper AJL. Treatment of YAC128 mice and their wild-type littermates with cystamine does not lead to its accumulation in plasma or brain: implications for the treatment of Huntington disease. J Neurochem 2005; 94:1087-101. [PMID: 15992377 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03255.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cystamine is beneficial to Huntington disease (HD) transgenic mice. To elucidate the mechanism, cystamine metabolites were determined in brain and plasma of cystamine-treated mice. A major route for cystamine metabolism is thought to be: cystamine --> cysteamine --> hypotaurine --> taurine. Here we describe an HPLC system with coulometric detection that can rapidly measure underivatized cystamine, cysteamine and hypotaurine, as well as cysteine and glutathione in the same deproteinized tissue sample. A method is also described for the coulometric estimation of taurine as its isoindole-sulfonate derivative. Using this new methodology we showed that cystamine and cysteamine are undetectable (< or = 0.2 nmol/100 mg protein) in the brains of 3-month-old HD transgenic (YAC128) mice (or their wild-type littermates) treated daily for 2 weeks with cystamine (225 mg/kg) in their drinking water. No significant changes were observed in brain glutathione and taurine but significant increases were observed in brain cysteine. Cystamine and cysteamine were not detected in the plasma of YAC128 mice treated daily with cystamine between the ages of 4 and 12 or 7 and 12 months. These findings suggest that cystamine is not directly involved in mitigating HD but that increased brain cysteine or uncharacterized sulfur metabolites may be responsible.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Pinto
- Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, New York, New York 10605, USA
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50
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Purdey M. The pathogenesis of Machado Joseph Disease: a high manganese/low magnesium initiated CAG expansion mutation in susceptible genotypes? J Am Coll Nutr 2005; 23:715S-29S. [PMID: 15637221 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2004.10719415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The origin of the progressive spinocerebellar ataxic disorder 'Machado Joseph Disease (MJD)' has been attributed solely to an expansion mutation resulting from an autosomal dominant inheritance of an unstable CAG repeat in chromosome 14q32.1 of the MJD gene that encodes for the synthesis of ataxin 3. The faulty gene has purportedly been disseminated since the Middle Ages into Azorean, Dutch and Makassan communities by an international trading community based in NE-central Portugal. However, following improvements in MJD surveillance, the MJD afflicted families that have been identified in increasing numbers of familial clusters of MJD being discovered around the world--e.g. in Aboriginal, Yemenite, Asian and Japanese populations--cannot be connected back to the original Portuguese founder families, but rather implicates an environmental factor, superimposed on a genetic flaw. An analytical study of the isolated ecosystems supporting both the Portuguese and non-Portuguese MJD affected communities demonstrates a common abnormal hallmark of high manganese (Mn)/low magnesium (Mg) status, suggesting that this aberrant mineral ratio inactivates the Mn/Mg catalyzed endonuclease 1 enzyme in the biosystems of those who are dependent upon these ecosystems. Endonuclease activity is crucial for protecting against the expansion/contraction of the trinucleotide repeats in the genes that encode for proteins such as Ataxin 3--the 'mutant' chaperone protein that hallmarks the central nervous system (CNS) of MJD sufferers. It is proposed that MJD, and possibly the other more common expansion mutation diseases such as Friedrich's Ataxia and Huntingdon's Chorea, are multifactorial diseases caused by a hitherto unrecognised autosomal dominant inherited failure to regulate Mn/Mg metabolism in populations living in high Mn/low Mg ecosystems. Mg supplementation of the 'at risk' populations during the 'in utero' developmental stages could be all that is required to maintain healthy endonuclease turnover, thereby protecting MJD susceptible genotypes against this fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Purdey
- High Barn Farm, Elworthy, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3PX, England.
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