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Teruya K, Oguma A, Iwabuchi S, Nishizawa K, Doh-Ura K. Improvement of anti-prion efficacy with stearoxy conjugation of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in prion-infected mice. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 337:122163. [PMID: 38710557 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal transmissible neurodegenerative disorders. Among known anti-prions, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose compounds (HPMCs) are unique in their chemical structure and action. They have several excellent anti-prion properties but the effectiveness depends on the prion-infected mouse model. In the present study, we investigated the effects of stearoxy-modified HPMCs on prion-infected cells and mice. Stearoxy modification improved the anti-prion efficacy of HPMCs in prion-infected cells and significantly prolonged the incubation period in a lower HPMC-responding mouse model. However, stearoxy modification showed no improvement over nonmodified HPMCs in an HPMC-responding mouse model. These results offer a new line of inquiry for use with prion-infected mice that do not respond well to HPMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Teruya
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
| | - Ayumi Oguma
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
| | - Sara Iwabuchi
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
| | - Keiko Nishizawa
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
| | - Katsumi Doh-Ura
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan; Faculty of Medical Science & Welfare, Tohoku Bunka Gakuen University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
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2
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Mercer RCC, Le NTT, Fraser DG, Houser MCQ, Beeler AB, Harris DA. Sigma Receptor Ligands Are Potent Antiprion Compounds that Act Independently of Sigma Receptor Binding. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2265-2282. [PMID: 38743607 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other animals for which there are no effective treatment options. Previous work from our laboratory identified phenethylpiperidines as a novel class of anti-prion compounds. While working to identify the molecular target(s) of these molecules, we unexpectedly discovered ten novel antiprion compounds based on their known ability to bind to the sigma receptors, σ1R and σ2R, which are currently being tested as therapeutic or diagnostic targets for cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders. Surprisingly, however, knockout of the respective genes encoding σ1R and σ2R (Sigmar1 and Tmem97) in prion-infected N2a cells did not alter the antiprion activity of these compounds, demonstrating that these receptors are not the direct targets responsible for the antiprion effects of their ligands. Further investigation of the most potent molecules established that they are efficacious against multiple prion strains and protect against downstream prion-mediated synaptotoxicity. While the precise details of the mechanism of action of these molecules remain to be determined, the present work forms the basis for further investigation of these compounds in preclinical studies. Given the therapeutic utility of several of the tested compounds, including rimcazole and haloperidol for neuropsychiatric conditions, (+)-pentazocine for neuropathic pain, and the ongoing clinical trials of SA 4503 and ANAVEX2-73 for ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease, respectively, this work has immediate implications for the treatment of human prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C C Mercer
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Nhat T T Le
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Douglas G Fraser
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Mei C Q Houser
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Aaron B Beeler
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - David A Harris
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
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3
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Mercer RCC, Le NTT, Houser MCQ, Beeler AB, Harris DA. Sigma receptor ligands are potent anti-prion compounds that act independently of sigma receptor binding. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.28.569035. [PMID: 38077011 PMCID: PMC10705434 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.28.569035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Prion diseases are invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases of humans and other animals for which there are no treatment options. Previous work from our laboratory identified phenethyl piperidines as novel class of anti-prion compounds. While working to identify the molecular target(s) of these molecules, we unexpectedly discovered ten novel anti-prion compounds based on their known ability to bind to the sigma receptors, σ 1 R and 2 R, which are currently being tested as therapeutic or diagnostic targets for cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders. Surprisingly, however, knockout of the respective genes encoding σ 1 R and σ 2 R ( Sigmar1 and Tmem97 ), in prion infected N2a cells did not alter the anti-prion activity of these compounds, demonstrating that these receptors are not the direct targets responsible the anti-prion effects of their ligands. Further investigation of the most potent molecules established that they are efficacious against multiple prion strains and protect against downstream prion-mediated synaptotoxicity. While the precise details of the mechanism of action of these molecules remains to be determined, the present work forms the basis for further investigations of these compounds in pre-clinical studies. Given the therapeutic utility of several of the tested compounds, including rimcazole and haloperidol for neuropsychiatric conditions, (+)-pentazocine for neuropathic pain, and the ongoing clinical trials of SA 4503 and ANAVEX2-73 for ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's disease, respectively, this work has immediate implications for the treatment of human prion disease.
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4
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Arshad H, Patel Z, Mehrabian M, Bourkas MEC, Al-Azzawi ZAM, Schmitt-Ulms G, Watts JC. The aminoglycoside G418 hinders de novo prion infection in cultured cells. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101073. [PMID: 34390689 PMCID: PMC8413896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of prions and the discovery of candidate therapeutics for prion disease have been facilitated by the ability of prions to replicate in cultured cells. Paradigms in which prion proteins from different species are expressed in cells with low or no expression of endogenous prion protein (PrP) have expanded the range of prion strains that can be propagated. In these systems, cells stably expressing a PrP of interest are typically generated via coexpression of a selectable marker and treatment with an antibiotic. Here, we report the unexpected discovery that the aminoglycoside G418 (Geneticin) interferes with the ability of stably transfected cultured cells to become infected with prions. In G418-resistant lines of N2a or CAD5 cells, the presence of G418 reduced levels of protease-resistant PrP following challenge with the RML or 22L strains of mouse prions. G418 also interfered with the infection of cells expressing hamster PrP with the 263K strain of hamster prions. Interestingly, G418 had minimal to no effect on protease-resistant PrP levels in cells with established prion infection, arguing that G418 selectively interferes with de novo prion infection. As G418 treatment had no discernible effect on cellular PrP levels or its localization, this suggests that G418 may specifically target prion assemblies or processes involved in the earliest stages of prion infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Arshad
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zeel Patel
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohadeseh Mehrabian
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew E C Bourkas
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zaid A M Al-Azzawi
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gerold Schmitt-Ulms
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joel C Watts
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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5
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Spagnolli G, Massignan T, Astolfi A, Biggi S, Rigoli M, Brunelli P, Libergoli M, Ianeselli A, Orioli S, Boldrini A, Terruzzi L, Bonaldo V, Maietta G, Lorenzo NL, Fernandez LC, Codeseira YB, Tosatto L, Linsenmeier L, Vignoli B, Petris G, Gasparotto D, Pennuto M, Guella G, Canossa M, Altmeppen HC, Lolli G, Biressi S, Pastor MM, Requena JR, Mancini I, Barreca ML, Faccioli P, Biasini E. Pharmacological inactivation of the prion protein by targeting a folding intermediate. Commun Biol 2021; 4:62. [PMID: 33437023 PMCID: PMC7804251 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01585-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent computational advancements in the simulation of biochemical processes allow investigating the mechanisms involved in protein regulation with realistic physics-based models, at an atomistic level of resolution. These techniques allowed us to design a drug discovery approach, named Pharmacological Protein Inactivation by Folding Intermediate Targeting (PPI-FIT), based on the rationale of negatively regulating protein levels by targeting folding intermediates. Here, PPI-FIT was tested for the first time on the cellular prion protein (PrP), a cell surface glycoprotein playing a key role in fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative pathologies known as prion diseases. We predicted the all-atom structure of an intermediate appearing along the folding pathway of PrP and identified four different small molecule ligands for this conformer, all capable of selectively lowering the load of the protein by promoting its degradation. Our data support the notion that the level of target proteins could be modulated by acting on their folding pathways, implying a previously unappreciated role for folding intermediates in the biological regulation of protein expression. Spagnolli, Massignan, Astolfi et al. design a new drug discovery approach, termed Pharmacological Protein Inactivation by Folding Intermediate Targeting, in which folding intermediates of disease-causing proteins are targeted. They test it on the cellular prion protein, identifying ligands stabilizing a folding intermediate and consequently promoting its degradation by the cellular quality control machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Spagnolli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Tania Massignan
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Sibylla Biotech SRL, 37121, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Andrea Astolfi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Silvia Biggi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Marta Rigoli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Paolo Brunelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Michela Libergoli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Alan Ianeselli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Simone Orioli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy.,INFN-TIFPA, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Alberto Boldrini
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Sibylla Biotech SRL, 37121, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Luca Terruzzi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Sibylla Biotech SRL, 37121, Verona, VR, Italy
| | - Valerio Bonaldo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Giulia Maietta
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Nuria L Lorenzo
- CIMUS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Leticia C Fernandez
- CIMUS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Yaiza B Codeseira
- CIMUS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Laura Tosatto
- Institute of Biophysics, National Council of Research, 38123 Povo, Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Luise Linsenmeier
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beatrice Vignoli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Gianluca Petris
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Dino Gasparotto
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Maria Pennuto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS), University of Padova, 35131, Padova, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129, Padova, Italy
| | - Graziano Guella
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Marco Canossa
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Hermann C Altmeppen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Graziano Lolli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Stefano Biressi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy
| | - Manuel M Pastor
- RIAIDT, University of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jesús R Requena
- CIMUS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela-IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ines Mancini
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Maria L Barreca
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy.
| | - Pietro Faccioli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy. .,INFN-TIFPA, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, TN, Italy.
| | - Emiliano Biasini
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy. .,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, TN, Italy.
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6
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Reidenbach AG, Mesleh MF, Casalena D, Vallabh SM, Dahlin JL, Leed AJ, Chan AI, Usanov DL, Yehl JB, Lemke CT, Campbell AJ, Shah RN, Shrestha OK, Sacher JR, Rangel VL, Moroco JA, Sathappa M, Nonato MC, Nguyen KT, Wright SK, Liu DR, Wagner FF, Kaushik VK, Auld DS, Schreiber SL, Minikel EV. Multimodal small-molecule screening for human prion protein binders. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:13516-13531. [PMID: 32723867 PMCID: PMC7521658 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by misfolding and aggregation of the prion protein (PrP), and there are currently no therapeutic options. PrP ligands could theoretically antagonize prion formation by protecting the native protein from misfolding or by targeting it for degradation, but no validated small-molecule binders have been discovered to date. We deployed a variety of screening methods in an effort to discover binders of PrP, including 19F-observed and saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), DNA-encoded library selection, and in silico screening. A single benzimidazole compound was confirmed in concentration-response, but affinity was very weak (Kd > 1 mm), and it could not be advanced further. The exceptionally low hit rate observed here suggests that PrP is a difficult target for small-molecule binders. Whereas orthogonal binder discovery methods could yield high-affinity compounds, non-small-molecule modalities may offer independent paths forward against prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G Reidenbach
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael F Mesleh
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dominick Casalena
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sonia M Vallabh
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Prion Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jayme L Dahlin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alison J Leed
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alix I Chan
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dmitry L Usanov
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jenna B Yehl
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher T Lemke
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arthur J Campbell
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rishi N Shah
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Om K Shrestha
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua R Sacher
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Victor L Rangel
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jamie A Moroco
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Murugappan Sathappa
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria Cristina Nonato
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kong T Nguyen
- Artificial Intelligence Molecular Screen (AIMS) Awards Program, Atomwise, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - S Kirk Wright
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Florence F Wagner
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Virendar K Kaushik
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas S Auld
- Facilitated Access to Screening Technologies (FAST) Lab, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stuart L Schreiber
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric Vallabh Minikel
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Prion Alliance, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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7
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Zaccagnini L, Rossetti G, Tran TH, Salzano G, Gandini A, Colini Baldeschi A, Bolognesi ML, Carloni P, Legname G. In silico/in vitro screening and hit evaluation identified new phenothiazine anti-prion derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 196:112295. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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8
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Vorberg I, Chiesa R. Experimental models to study prion disease pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic compounds. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 44:28-38. [PMID: 30878006 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are devastating neurodegenerative disorders for which no drugs are available. The successful development of therapeutics depends on drug screening platforms and preclinical models that recapitulate key molecular and pathological features of the disease. Innovative experimental tools have been developed over the last few years that might facilitate drug discovery, including cell-free prion replication assays and prion-infected flies. However, there is still room for improvement. Animal models of genetic prion disease are few, and only partially recapitulate the complexity of the human disorder. Moreover, we still lack a human cell culture model suitable for high-content anti-prion drug screening. This review provides an overview of the models currently used in prion research, and discusses their promise and limitations for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Vorberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany; Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Roberto Chiesa
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy.
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9
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Mercer RC, Harris DA. Identification of anti-prion drugs and targets using toxicity-based assays. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 44:20-27. [PMID: 30684854 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are untreatable and invariably fatal, making the discovery of effective therapeutic interventions a priority. Most candidate molecules have been discovered based on their ability to reduce the levels of PrPSc, the infectious form of the prion protein, in cultured neuroblastoma cells. We have employed an alternative assay, based on an abnormal cellular phenotype associated with a mutant prion protein, to discover a novel class of anti-prion compounds, the phenethyl piperidines. Using an assay that monitors the acute toxic effects of PrPSc on the synapses of cultured hippocampal neurons, we have identified p38 MAPK as a druggable pharmacological target that is already being pursued for the treatment of other human diseases. Organotypic brain slices, which can propagate prions and mimic several neuropathological features of the disease, have also been used to test inhibitory compounds. An effective anti-prion regimen will involve synergistic combination of drugs acting at multiple steps of the pathogenic process, resulting not only in reduction in prion levels but also suppression of neurotoxic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Cc Mercer
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - David A Harris
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, United States.
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10
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Abstract
Recent advances in understanding of the molecular biology of prion diseases and improved clinical diagnostic techniques might allow researchers to think about therapeutic trials in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) patients. Some attempts have been made in the past and various compounds have been tested in single case reports and patient series. Controlled trials are rare. However, in the past few years, it has been demonstrated that clinical trials are feasible. The clinicians might face several specific problems when evaluating the efficacy of the drug in CJD, such as rareness of the disease, lack of appropriate preclinical tests and heterogeneous clinical presentation in humans. These problems have to be carefully addressed in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saima Zafar
- Clinical Dementia Center and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Georg-August University, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Department, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Aneeqa Noor
- Clinical Dementia Center and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Georg-August University, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Inga Zerr
- Clinical Dementia Center and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Georg-August University, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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11
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Ladner-Keay CL, Ross L, Perez-Pineiro R, Zhang L, Bjorndahl TC, Cashman N, Wishart DS. A simple in vitro assay for assessing the efficacy, mechanisms and kinetics of anti-prion fibril compounds. Prion 2018; 12:280-300. [PMID: 30223704 PMCID: PMC6277192 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2018.1525254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are caused by the conversion of normal cellular prion proteins (PrP) into lethal prion aggregates. These prion aggregates are composed of proteinase K (PK) resistant fibrils and comparatively PK-sensitive oligomers. Currently there are no anti-prion pharmaceuticals available to treat or prevent prion disease. Methods of discovering anti-prion molecules rely primarily on relatively complex cell-based, tissue slice or animal-model assays that measure the effects of small molecules on the formation of PK-resistant prion fibrils. These assays are difficult to perform and do not detect the compounds that directly inhibit oligomer formation or alter prion conversion kinetics. We have developed a simple cell-free method to characterize the impact of anti-prion fibril compounds on both the oligomer and fibril formation. In particular, this assay uses shaking-induced conversion (ShIC) of recombinant PrP in a 96-well format and resolution enhanced native acidic gel electrophoresis (RENAGE) to generate, assess and detect PrP fibrils in a high throughput fashion. The end-point PrP fibrils from this assay can be further characterized by PK analysis and negative stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This cell-free, gel-based assay generates metrics to assess anti-prion fibril efficacy and kinetics. To demonstrate its utility, we characterized the action of seven well-known anti-prion molecules: Congo red, curcumin, GN8, quinacrine, chloropromazine, tetracycline, and TUDCA (taurourspdeoxycholic acid), as well as four suspected anti-prion compounds: trans-resveratrol, rosmarinic acid, myricetin and ferulic acid. These findings suggest that this in vitro assay could be useful in identifying and comprehensively assessing novel anti-prion fibril compounds. Abbreviations: PrP, prion protein; PK, proteinase K; ShIC, shaking-induced conversion; RENAGE, resolution enhanced native acidic gel electrophoresis; TEM, transmission electron microscopy; TUDCA, taurourspdeoxycholic acid; BSE, bovine spongiform encephalopathy; CWD, chronic wasting disease; CJD, Creutzfeldt Jakob disease; GSS, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome; FFI, fatal familial insomnia; PrPc, cellular prion protein; recPrPC, recombinant monomeric prion protein; PrPSc, infectious particle of misfolded prion protein; RT-QuIC, real-time quaking-induced conversion; PMCA, Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; EGCG, epigallocatechin gallate; GN8, 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-N-[4-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetylamino)-benzyl]-phenyl]-acetamide; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; ScN2A, scrapie infected neuroblastoma cells; IC50, inhibitory concentration for 50% reduction; recMoPrP 23-231, recombinant full-length mouse prion protein residues 23-231; EDTA; PICUP, photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified protein; BSA, bovine serum albumin;; PMSF, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Li Ross
- Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Lun Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Trent C. Bjorndahl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Neil Cashman
- Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - David S. Wishart
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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12
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Li L, Zhu Y, Zhou S, An X, Zhang Y, Bai Q, He YX, Liu H, Yao X. Experimental and Theoretical Insights into the Inhibition Mechanism of Prion Fibrillation by Resveratrol and its Derivatives. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2698-2707. [PMID: 28817252 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol and its derivatives have been shown to display beneficial effects to neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanism of resveratrol and its derivatives on prion conformational conversion is poorly understood. In this work, the interaction mechanism between prion and resveratrol as well as its derivatives was investigated using steady-state fluorescence quenching, Thioflavin T binding assay, Western blotting, and molecular dynamics simulation. Protein fluorescence quenching method and Thioflavin T assay revealed that resveratrol and its derivatives could interact with prion and interrupt prion fibril formation. Molecular dynamics simulation results indicated that resveratrol can stabilize the PrP127-147 peptide mainly through π-π stacking interactions between resveratrol and Tyr128. The hydrogen bonds interactions between resveratrol and the PrP127-147 peptide could further reduce the flexibility and the propensity to aggregate. The results of this study not only can provide useful information about the interaction mechanism between resveratrol and prion, but also can provide useful clues for further design of new inhibitors inhibiting prion aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yongchang Zhu
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Shuangyan Zhou
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli An
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Qifeng Bai
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Xing He
- School
of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School
of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State
Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P. R. China
- State
Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute
for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, P. R. China
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13
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Discovery of small molecules binding to the normal conformation of prion by combining virtual screening and multiple biological activity evaluation methods. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2017; 31:1053-1062. [PMID: 29159521 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-017-0086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Conformational conversion of the normal cellular prion protein, PrPC, into the misfolded isoform, PrPSc, is considered to be a central event in the development of fatal neurodegenerative diseases. Stabilization of prion protein at the normal cellular form (PrPC) with small molecules is a rational and efficient strategy for treatment of prion related diseases. However, few compounds have been identified as potent prion inhibitors by binding to the normal conformation of prion. In this work, to rational screening of inhibitors capable of stabilizing cellular form of prion protein, multiple approaches combining docking-based virtual screening, steady-state fluorescence quenching, surface plasmon resonance and thioflavin T fluorescence assay were used to discover new compounds interrupting PrPC to PrPSc conversion. Compound 3253-0207 that can bind to PrPC with micromolar affinity and inhibit prion fibrillation was identified from small molecule databases. Molecular dynamics simulation indicated that compound 3253-0207 can bind to the hotspot residues in the binding pocket composed by β1, β2 and α2, which are significant structure moieties in conversion from PrPC to PrPSc.
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14
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Elezgarai SR, Biasini E. Common therapeutic strategies for prion and Alzheimer's diseases. Biol Chem 2017; 397:1115-1124. [PMID: 27279060 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2016-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A number of unexpected pathophysiological connections linking different neurodegenerative diseases have emerged over the past decade. An example is provided by prion and Alzheimer's diseases. Despite being distinct pathologies, these disorders share several neurotoxic mechanisms, including accumulation of misfolded protein isoforms, stress of the protein synthesis machinery, and activation of a neurotoxic signaling mediated by the cellular prion protein. Here, in addition to reviewing these mechanisms, we will discuss the potential therapeutic interventions for prion and Alzheimer's diseases that are arising from the comprehension of their common neurodegenerative pathways.
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15
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Pagadala NS, Syed K, Bhat R. In silico strategies on prion pathogenic conversion and inhibition from PrPC–PrPSc. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:241-248. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1287171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nataraj S. Pagadala
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 6-020 Katz Group Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Khajamohiddin Syed
- Unit for Drug Discovery Research, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Rakesh Bhat
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 6-020 Katz Group Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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16
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Identification of novel fluorescent probes preventing PrP Sc replication in prion diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 127:859-873. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.10.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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Imberdis T, Heeres JT, Yueh H, Fang C, Zhen J, Rich CB, Glicksman M, Beeler AB, Harris DA. Identification of Anti-prion Compounds using a Novel Cellular Assay. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:26164-26176. [PMID: 27803163 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.745612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are devastating neurodegenerative disorders with no known cure. One strategy for developing therapies for these diseases is to identify compounds that block conversion of the cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) into the infectious isoform (PrPSc). Most previous efforts to discover such molecules by high-throughput screening methods have utilized, as a read-out, a single kind of cellular assay system: neuroblastoma cells that are persistently infected with scrapie prions. Here, we describe the use of an alternative cellular assay based on suppressing the spontaneous cytotoxicity of a mutant form of PrP (Δ105-125). Using this assay, we screened 75,000 compounds, and identified a group of phenethyl piperidines (exemplified by LD7), which reduces the accumulation of PrPSc in infected neuroblastoma cells by >90% at low micromolar doses, and inhibits PrPSc-induced synaptotoxicity in hippocampal neurons. By analyzing the structure-activity relationships of 35 chemical derivatives, we defined the pharmacophore of LD7, and identified a more potent derivative. Active compounds do not alter total or cell-surface levels of PrPC, and do not bind to recombinant PrP in surface plasmon resonance experiments, although at high concentrations they inhibit PrPSc-seeded conversion of recombinant PrP to a misfolded state in an in vitro reaction (RT-QuIC). This class of small molecules may provide valuable therapeutic leads, as well as chemical biological tools to identify cellular pathways underlying PrPSc metabolism and PrPC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Imberdis
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - James T Heeres
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Han Yueh
- the Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, and
| | - Cheng Fang
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Jessie Zhen
- the Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, and
| | - Celeste B Rich
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Marcie Glicksman
- the Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Aaron B Beeler
- the Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, and
| | - David A Harris
- From the Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118,
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18
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Cordeiro Y. Virtual drug screening for prion diseases: A valuable step? EBioMedicine 2016; 9:15-16. [PMID: 27377625 PMCID: PMC4972553 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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19
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Carter L, Kim SJ, Schneidman-Duhovny D, Stöhr J, Poncet-Montange G, Weiss TM, Tsuruta H, Prusiner SB, Sali A. Prion Protein-Antibody Complexes Characterized by Chromatography-Coupled Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering. Biophys J 2016; 109:793-805. [PMID: 26287631 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.06.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant self-assembly, induced by structural misfolding of the prion proteins, leads to a number of neurodegenerative disorders. In particular, misfolding of the mostly α-helical cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into a β-sheet-rich disease-causing isoform (PrP(Sc)) is the key molecular event in the formation of PrP(Sc) aggregates. The molecular mechanisms underlying the PrP(C)-to-PrP(Sc) conversion and subsequent aggregation remain to be elucidated. However, in persistently prion-infected cell-culture models, it was shown that treatment with monoclonal antibodies against defined regions of the prion protein (PrP) led to the clearing of PrP(Sc) in cultured cells. To gain more insight into this process, we characterized PrP-antibody complexes in solution using a fast protein liquid chromatography coupled with small-angle x-ray scattering (FPLC-SAXS) procedure. High-quality SAXS data were collected for full-length recombinant mouse PrP [denoted recPrP(23-230)] and N-terminally truncated recPrP(89-230), as well as their complexes with each of two Fab fragments (HuM-P and HuM-R1), which recognize N- and C-terminal epitopes of PrP, respectively. In-line measurements by fast protein liquid chromatography coupled with SAXS minimized data artifacts caused by a non-monodispersed sample, allowing structural analysis of PrP alone and in complex with Fab antibodies. The resulting structural models suggest two mechanisms for how these Fabs may prevent the conversion of PrP(C) into PrP(Sc).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lester Carter
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Seung Joong Kim
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Dina Schneidman-Duhovny
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jan Stöhr
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Guillaume Poncet-Montange
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Thomas M Weiss
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Hiro Tsuruta
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Stanley B Prusiner
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Andrej Sali
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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20
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Massignan T, Cimini S, Stincardini C, Cerovic M, Vanni I, Elezgarai SR, Moreno J, Stravalaci M, Negro A, Sangiovanni V, Restelli E, Riccardi G, Gobbi M, Castilla J, Borsello T, Nonno R, Biasini E. A cationic tetrapyrrole inhibits toxic activities of the cellular prion protein. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23180. [PMID: 26976106 PMCID: PMC4791597 DOI: 10.1038/srep23180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are rare neurodegenerative conditions associated with the conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into PrPSc, a self-replicating isoform (prion) that accumulates in the central nervous system of affected individuals. The structure of PrPSc is poorly defined, and likely to be heterogeneous, as suggested by the existence of different prion strains. The latter represents a relevant problem for therapy in prion diseases, as some potent anti-prion compounds have shown strain-specificity. Designing therapeutics that target PrPC may provide an opportunity to overcome these problems. PrPC ligands may theoretically inhibit the replication of multiple prion strains, by acting on the common substrate of any prion replication reaction. Here, we characterized the properties of a cationic tetrapyrrole [Fe(III)-TMPyP], which was previously shown to bind PrPC, and inhibit the replication of a mouse prion strain. We report that the compound is active against multiple prion strains in vitro and in cells. Interestingly, we also find that Fe(III)-TMPyP inhibits several PrPC-related toxic activities, including the channel-forming ability of a PrP mutant, and the PrPC-dependent synaptotoxicity of amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers, which are associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. These results demonstrate that molecules binding to PrPC may produce a dual effect of blocking prion replication and inhibiting PrPC-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Massignan
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Laboratory of Prions and Amyloids, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Sara Cimini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Stincardini
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Laboratory of Prions and Amyloids, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Milica Cerovic
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vanni
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Saioa R Elezgarai
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Laboratory of Prions and Amyloids, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Jorge Moreno
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, Derio 48160, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Matteo Stravalaci
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Negro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Valeria Sangiovanni
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Laboratory of Prions and Amyloids, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elena Restelli
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Geraldina Riccardi
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, Derio 48160, Bizkaia, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48013, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Tiziana Borsello
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy.,Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Milan University, 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Romolo Nonno
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliano Biasini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy.,Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, 00161 Rome, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Laboratory of Prions and Amyloids, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
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21
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Iraci N, Stincardini C, Barreca ML, Biasini E. Decoding the function of the N-terminal tail of the cellular prion protein to inspire novel therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative diseases. Virus Res 2015; 207:62-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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22
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Ferreira NC, Marques IA, Conceição WA, Macedo B, Machado CS, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, Nunes RJ, Hughson AG, Raymond LD, Pascutti PG, Caughey B, Cordeiro Y. Anti-prion activity of a panel of aromatic chemical compounds: in vitro and in silico approaches. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84531. [PMID: 24400098 PMCID: PMC3882252 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The prion protein (PrP) is implicated in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), which comprise a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and other mammals. Conversion of cellular PrP (PrP(C)) into the scrapie form (PrP(Sc)) is the hallmark of TSEs. Once formed, PrP(Sc) aggregates and catalyzes PrP(C) misfolding into new PrP(Sc) molecules. Although many compounds have been shown to inhibit the conversion process, so far there is no effective therapy for TSEs. Besides, most of the previously evaluated compounds failed in vivo due to poor pharmacokinetic profiles. In this work we propose a combined in vitro/in silico approach to screen for active anti-prion compounds presenting acceptable drugability and pharmacokinetic parameters. A diverse panel of aromatic compounds was screened in neuroblastoma cells persistently infected with PrP(Sc) (ScN2a) for their ability to inhibit PK-resistant PrP (PrP(Res)) accumulation. From ∼200 compounds, 47 were effective in decreasing the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells. Pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties were predicted in silico, allowing us to obtain estimates of relative blood brain barrier permeation and mutagenicity. MTT reduction assays showed that most of the active compounds were non cytotoxic. Compounds that cleared PrP(Res) from ScN2a cells, were non-toxic in the MTT assay, and presented a good pharmacokinetic profile were investigated for their ability to inhibit aggregation of an amyloidogenic PrP peptide fragment (PrP(109-149)). Molecular docking results provided structural models and binding affinities for the interaction between PrP and the most promising compounds. In summary, using this combined in vitro/in silico approach we have identified new small organic anti-scrapie compounds that decrease the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells, inhibit the aggregation of a PrP peptide, and possess pharmacokinetic characteristics that support their drugability. These compounds are attractive candidates for prion disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia C. Ferreira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Icaro A. Marques
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wesley A. Conceição
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Macedo
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Clarice S. Machado
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Mascarello
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Rosendo Augusto Yunes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José Nunes
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Andrew G. Hughson
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Lynne D. Raymond
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Pedro G. Pascutti
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Byron Caughey
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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23
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