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Mahato J, Mukherjee R, Bose A, Mehra S, Gadhe L, Maji SK, Chowdhury A. Sensitized Emission Imaging Allows Nanoscale Surface Polarity Mapping of α-Synuclein Amyloid Fibrils. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:108-118. [PMID: 38099928 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00467] [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: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
When misfolded, α-Synuclein (α-Syn), a natively disordered protein, aggregates to form amyloid fibrils responsible for the neurodegeneration observed in Parkinson's disease. Structural studies revealed distinct molecular packing of α-Syn in different fibril polymorphs and variations of interprotofilament connections in the fibrillar architecture. Fibril polymorphs have been hypothesized to exhibit diverse surface polarities depending on the folding state of the protein during aggregation; however, the spatial variation of surface polarity in amyloid fibrils remains unexplored. To map the local polarity (or hydrophobicity) along α-Syn fibrils, we visualized the spectral characteristics of two dyes with distinct polarities-hydrophilic Thioflavin T (ThT) and hydrophobic Nile red (NR)─when both are bound to α-Syn fibrils. Dual-channel fluorescence imaging reveals uneven partitioning of ThT and NR along individual fibrils, implying that relatively more polar/hydrophobic patches are spread over a few hundred nanometers. Remarkably, spectrally resolved sensitized emission imaging of α-Syn fibrils provides unambiguous evidence of energy transfer from ThT to NR, implying that dyes of dissimilar polarity are in close proximity. Furthermore, spatially resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of the solvatochromic probe NR allowed us to quantitatively map the range and variation of the polarity parameter ET30 along individual fibrils. Our results suggest the existence of interlaced polar and nonpolar nanoscale domains throughout the fibrils; however, the relative populations of these patches vary considerably over larger length scales likely due to heterogeneous packing of α-Syn during fibrilization and dissimilar exposed polarities of polymorphic segments. The employed method may provide a foundation for imaging modalities of other similar structurally unresolved systems with diverse hydrophobic-hydrophilic topology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaladhar Mahato
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
| | - Rajat Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
| | - Abhik Bose
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
| | - Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
| | - Laxmikant Gadhe
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
- Sunita Sanghi Centre of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
| | - Arindam Chowdhury
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
- Sunita Sanghi Centre of Ageing and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, Mumbai, India
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2
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Huang J, Ahmed R, Akimoto M, Martinez Pomier K, Melacini G. Early-Onset Parkinson Mutation Remodels Monomer-Fibril Interactions to Allosterically Amplify Synuclein's Amyloid Cascade. JACS AU 2023; 3:3485-3493. [PMID: 38155658 PMCID: PMC10751762 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Alpha synuclein (αS) aggregates are the main component of Lewy bodies (LBs) associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). A longstanding question about αS and PD pertains to the autosomal dominant E46K αS mutant, which leads to the early onset of PD and LB dementias. The E46K mutation not only promotes αS aggregation but also stabilizes αS monomers in "closed" conformers, which are compact and aggregation-incompetent. Hence, the mechanism of action of the E46K mutation is currently unclear. Here, we show that αS monomers harboring the E46K mutation exhibit more extensive interactions with fibrils compared to those of WT. Such monomer-fibril interactions are sufficient to allosterically drive transitions of αS monomers from closed to open conformations, enabling αS aggregation. We also show that E46K promotes head-to-tail monomer-monomer interactions in early self-association events. This multipronged mechanism provides a new framework to explain how the E46K mutation and possibly other αS variants trigger early-onset PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Rashik Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Madoka Akimoto
- Department of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Karla Martinez Pomier
- Department of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
| | - Giuseppe Melacini
- Department of Chemistry and
Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada
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3
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Pancoe SX, Wang YJ, Shimogawa M, Perez RM, Giannakoulias S, Petersson EJ. Effects of Mutations and Post-Translational Modifications on α-Synuclein In Vitro Aggregation. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167859. [PMID: 36270580 PMCID: PMC9922159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Fibrillar aggregates of the α-synuclein (αS) protein are the hallmark of Parkinson's Disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. Characterization of the effects of mutations and post-translational modifications (PTMs) on the αS aggregation rate can provide insight into the mechanism of fibril formation, which remains elusive in spite of intense study. A comprehensive collection (375 examples) of mutant and PTM aggregation rate data measured using the fluorescent probe thioflavin T is presented, as well as a summary of the effects of fluorescent labeling on αS aggregation (20 examples). A curated set of 131 single mutant de novo aggregation experiments are normalized to wild type controls and analyzed in terms of structural data for the monomer and fibrillar forms of αS. These tabulated data serve as a resource to the community to help in interpretation of aggregation experiments and to potentially be used as inputs for computational models of aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha X Pancoe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yanxin J Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marie Shimogawa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ryann M Perez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sam Giannakoulias
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - E James Petersson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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4
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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Liu Y, Wei G, Ding F, Sun Y. Molecular Insights into the Misfolding and Dimerization Dynamics of the Full-Length α-Synuclein from Atomistic Discrete Molecular Dynamics Simulations. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3126-3137. [PMID: 36278939 PMCID: PMC9797213 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The misfolding and pathological aggregation of α-synuclein forming insoluble amyloid deposits is associated with Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world population. Characterizing the self-assembly mechanism of α-synuclein is critical for discovering treatments against synucleinopathies. The intrinsically disordered property, high degrees of freedom, and macroscopic timescales of conformational conversion make its characterization extremely challenging in vitro and in silico. Here, we systematically investigated the dynamics of monomer misfolding and dimerization of the full-length α-synuclein using atomistic discrete molecular dynamics simulations. Our results suggested that both α-synuclein monomers and dimers mainly adopted unstructured formations with partial helices around the N-terminus (residues 8-32) and various β-sheets spanning the residues 35-56 (N-terminal tail) and residues 61-95 (NAC region). The C-terminus mostly assumed an unstructured formation wrapping around the lateral surface and the elongation edge of the β-sheet core formed by an N-terminal tail and NAC regions. Dimerization enhanced the β-sheet formation along with a decrease in the unstructured content. The inter-peptide β-sheets were mainly formed by the N-terminal tail and NACore (residues 68-78) regions, suggesting that these two regions played critical roles in the amyloid aggregation of α-synuclein. Interactions of the C-terminus with the N-terminal tail and the NAC region were significantly suppressed in the α-synuclein dimer, indicating that the interaction of the C-terminus with the N-terminal tail and NAC regions could prevent α-synuclein aggregation. These results on the structural ensembles and early aggregation dynamics of α-synuclein will help understand the nucleation and fibrillization of α-synuclein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Physics, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Physics, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Yuying Liu
- Department of Physics, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
| | - Yunxiang Sun
- Department of Physics, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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5
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Rahmani Z, Surabhi S, Rojo-Cortés F, Dulac A, Jenny A, Birman S. Lamp1 Deficiency Enhances Sensitivity to α-Synuclein and Oxidative Stress in Drosophila Models of Parkinson Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13078. [PMID: 36361864 PMCID: PMC9657416 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative condition affecting people predominantly at old age that is characterized by a progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and by the accumulation of α-synuclein-containing intraneuronal inclusions known as Lewy bodies. Defects in cellular degradation processes such as the autophagy-lysosomal pathway are suspected to be involved in PD progression. The mammalian Lysosomal-associated membrane proteins LAMP1 and LAMP2 are transmembrane glycoproteins localized in lysosomes and late endosomes that are involved in autophagosome/lysosome maturation and function. Here, we show that the lack of Drosophila Lamp1, the homolog of LAMP1 and LAMP2, severely increased fly susceptibility to paraquat, a pro-oxidant compound known as a potential PD inducer in humans. Moreover, the loss of Lamp1 also exacerbated the progressive locomotor defects induced by the expression of PD-associated mutant α-synuclein A30P (α-synA30P) in dopaminergic neurons. Remarkably, the ubiquitous re-expression of Lamp1 in a mutant context fully suppressed all these defects and conferred significant resistance towards both PD factors above that of wild-type flies. Immunostaining analysis showed that the brain levels of α-synA30P were unexpectedly decreased in young adult Lamp1-deficient flies expressing this protein in comparison to non-mutant controls. This suggests that Lamp1 could neutralize α-synuclein toxicity by promoting the formation of non-pathogenic aggregates in neurons. Overall, our findings reveal a novel role for Drosophila Lamp1 in protecting against oxidative stress and α-synuclein neurotoxicity in PD models, thus furthering our understanding of the function of its mammalian homologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohra Rahmani
- Genes Circuits Rhythms and Neuropathology, Brain Plasticity Unit, UMR 8249, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Satya Surabhi
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Francisca Rojo-Cortés
- Genes Circuits Rhythms and Neuropathology, Brain Plasticity Unit, UMR 8249, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Amina Dulac
- Genes Circuits Rhythms and Neuropathology, Brain Plasticity Unit, UMR 8249, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Andreas Jenny
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Serge Birman
- Genes Circuits Rhythms and Neuropathology, Brain Plasticity Unit, UMR 8249, CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France
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6
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Toomey CE, Heywood WE, Evans JR, Lachica J, Pressey SN, Foti SC, Al Shahrani M, D’Sa K, Hargreaves IP, Heales S, Orford M, Troakes C, Attems J, Gelpi E, Palkovits M, Lashley T, Gentleman SM, Revesz T, Mills K, Gandhi S. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key pathological driver of early stage Parkinson's. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:134. [PMID: 36076304 PMCID: PMC9461181 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The molecular drivers of early sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unclear, and the presence of widespread end stage pathology in late disease masks the distinction between primary or causal disease-specific events and late secondary consequences in stressed or dying cells. However, early and mid-stage Parkinson's brains (Braak stages 3 and 4) exhibit alpha-synuclein inclusions and neuronal loss along a regional gradient of severity, from unaffected-mild-moderate-severe. Here, we exploited this spatial pathological gradient to investigate the molecular drivers of sporadic PD. METHODS We combined high precision tissue sampling with unbiased large-scale profiling of protein expression across 9 brain regions in Braak stage 3 and 4 PD brains, and controls, and verified these results using targeted proteomic and functional analyses. RESULTS We demonstrate that the spatio-temporal pathology gradient in early-mid PD brains is mirrored by a biochemical gradient of a changing proteome. Importantly, we identify two key events that occur early in the disease, prior to the occurrence of alpha-synuclein inclusions and neuronal loss: (i) a metabolic switch in the utilisation of energy substrates and energy production in the brain, and (ii) perturbation of the mitochondrial redox state. These changes may contribute to the regional vulnerability of developing alpha-synuclein pathology. Later in the disease, mitochondrial function is affected more severely, whilst mitochondrial metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial respiration are affected across all brain regions. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides an in-depth regional profile of the proteome at different stages of PD, and highlights that mitochondrial dysfunction is detectable prior to neuronal loss, and alpha-synuclein fibril deposition, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the key drivers of early disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina E. Toomey
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Wendy E. Heywood
- Translational Mass Spectrometry Research Group, Genetic & Genomic Medicine, Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - James R. Evans
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Joanne Lachica
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Sarah N. Pressey
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Sandrine C. Foti
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mesfer Al Shahrani
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery & Neurometabolic Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Karishma D’Sa
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Iain P. Hargreaves
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery & Neurometabolic Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Simon Heales
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery & Neurometabolic Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Michael Orford
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery & Neurometabolic Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Claire Troakes
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Johannes Attems
- Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource, Institute of Neuroscience and Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ellen Gelpi
- Neurological Tissue Bank, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Miklos Palkovits
- Human Brain Tissue Bank, Budapest, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tammaryn Lashley
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Tamas Revesz
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Kevin Mills
- Translational Mass Spectrometry Research Group, Genetic & Genomic Medicine, Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK
| | - Sonia Gandhi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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7
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Mehra S, Ahlawat S, Kumar H, Datta D, Navalkar A, Singh N, Patel K, Gadhe L, Kadu P, Kumar R, Jha NN, Sakunthala A, Sawner AS, Padinhateeri R, Udgaonkar JB, Agarwal V, Maji SK. α-Synuclein aggregation intermediates form fibril polymorphs with distinct prion-like properties. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167761. [PMID: 35907572 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) amyloids in synucleinopathies are suggested to be structurally and functionally diverse, reminiscent of prion-like strains. But how the aggregation of the same precursor protein results in the formation of fibril polymorphs remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate the structure-function relationship of two polymorphs, pre-matured fibrils (PMFs) and helix-matured fibrils (HMFs), based on α-Syn aggregation intermediates. These polymorphs display the structural differences as demonstrated by solid-state NMR and mass spectrometry studies and also possess different cellular activities such as seeding, internalization, and cell-to-cell transfer of aggregates. HMFs with a compact core structure exhibit low seeding potency but readily internalize and transfer from one cell to another. The less structured PMFs lack transcellular transfer ability but induce abundant α-Syn pathology and trigger the formation of aggresomes in cells. Overall, the study highlights that the conformational heterogeneity in the aggregation pathway may lead to fibril polymorphs with distinct prion-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Sahil Ahlawat
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Sy. No. 36/P, Gopanpally, Hyderabad-500 046, India
| | - Harish Kumar
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune- 411 008, India; National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru 560065, India
| | - Debalina Datta
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Ambuja Navalkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Nitu Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Komal Patel
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Laxmikant Gadhe
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Pradeep Kadu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Narendra N Jha
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Arunima Sakunthala
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Ajay S Sawner
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Ranjith Padinhateeri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
| | - Jayant B Udgaonkar
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune- 411 008, India; National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru 560065, India
| | - Vipin Agarwal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Sy. No. 36/P, Gopanpally, Hyderabad-500 046, India
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India.
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8
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Gadhe L, Sakunthala A, Mukherjee S, Gahlot N, Bera R, Sawner AS, Kadu P, Maji SK. Intermediates of α-synuclein aggregation: Implications in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. Biophys Chem 2021; 281:106736. [PMID: 34923391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic deposition of aberrantly misfolded α-synuclein (α-Syn) is a common feature of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the precise pathogenic mechanism of α-Syn in synucleinopathies remains elusive. Emerging evidence has suggested that α-Syn may contribute to PD pathogenesis in several ways; wherein the contribution of fibrillar species, for exerting toxicity and disease transmission, cannot be neglected. Further, the oligomeric species could be the most plausible neurotoxic species causing neuronal cell death. However, understanding the structural and molecular insights of these oligomers are very challenging due to the heterogeneity and transient nature of the species. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in understanding the formation and role of α-Syn oligomers in PD pathogenesis. We also summarize the different types of α-Syn oligomeric species and potential mechanisms to exert neurotoxicity. Finally, we address the possible ways to target α-Syn as a promising approach against PD and the possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laxmikant Gadhe
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Arunima Sakunthala
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Semanti Mukherjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Nitisha Gahlot
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Riya Bera
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Ajay Singh Sawner
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Pradeep Kadu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India.
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9
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Mehra S, Gadhe L, Bera R, Sawner AS, Maji SK. Structural and Functional Insights into α-Synuclein Fibril Polymorphism. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1419. [PMID: 34680054 PMCID: PMC8533119 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal accumulation of aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn) is seen in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), and even subsets of Alzheimer's disease (AD) showing Lewy-body-like pathology. These synucleinopathies exhibit differences in their clinical and pathological representations, reminiscent of prion disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that α-Syn self-assembles and polymerizes into conformationally diverse polymorphs in vitro and in vivo, similar to prions. These α-Syn polymorphs arising from the same precursor protein may exhibit strain-specific biochemical properties and the ability to induce distinct pathological phenotypes upon their inoculation in animal models. In this review, we discuss clinical and pathological variability in synucleinopathies and several aspects of α-Syn fibril polymorphism, including the existence of high-resolution molecular structures and brain-derived strains. The current review sheds light on the recent advances in delineating the structure-pathogenic relationship of α-Syn and how diverse α-Syn molecular polymorphs contribute to the existing clinical heterogeneity in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India; (L.G.); (R.B.); (A.S.S.)
| | | | | | | | - Samir K. Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India; (L.G.); (R.B.); (A.S.S.)
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10
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Cheng A, Jia W, Kawahata I, Fukunaga K. Impact of Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins in α-Synuclein-Induced Mitochondrial Injury in Synucleinopathy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050560. [PMID: 34067791 PMCID: PMC8156290 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are diverse diseases with motor and cognitive dysfunction due to progressive neuronal loss or demyelination, due to oligodendrocyte loss in the brain. While the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) is likely multifactorial, mitochondrial injury is one of the most vital factors in neuronal loss and oligodendrocyte dysfunction, especially in Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy body, multiple system atrophy, and Krabbe disease. In recent years, the abnormal accumulation of highly neurotoxic α-synuclein in the mitochondrial membrane, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, was well studied. Furthermore, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), which are members of a superfamily and are essential in fatty acid trafficking, were reported to trigger α-synuclein oligomerization in neurons and glial cells and to target the mitochondrial outer membrane, thereby causing mitochondrial loss. Here, we provide an updated overview of recent findings on FABP and α-synuclein interactions and mitochondrial injury in NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Cheng
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
| | - Wenbin Jia
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
| | - Ichiro Kawahata
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Kohji Fukunaga
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan; (A.C.); (W.J.); (I.K.)
- Department of CNS Drug Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-(22)-795-6837
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11
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McClain SM, Ojoawo AM, Lin W, Rienstra CM, Murphy CJ. Interaction of Alpha-Synuclein and Its Mutants with Rigid Lipid Vesicle Mimics of Varying Surface Curvature. ACS NANO 2020; 14:10153-10167. [PMID: 32672441 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn), an intrinsically disordered neuronal protein, is strongly implicated in the development of Parkinson's disease. Efforts to better understand α-syn's native function and its pathogenic role in neurodegeneration have revealed that the protein interacts with anionic lipid vesicles via adoption of an amphipathic α-helical structure; however, the ability of α-syn to remodel lipid membranes has made it difficult to decipher the role of vesicle surface curvature in protein binding behavior. In this study, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which mimic bilayer vesicle architecture, were synthesized in order to conduct a systematic investigation into the binding interaction of α-syn and two of its mutants (A30P and E46K) with rigid lipid vesicle mimics of defined surface curvature. By incorporating a rigid AuNP core (∼10-100 nm), the ability of α-syn to remodel the vesicle mimics was removed and their surface curvature could be fixed. Proteomics studies showed that, upon binding of free α-syn to the surface of SDS-AuNPs, the N-terminus of α-syn became less solvent accessible, whereas its C-terminus became more accessible. Interestingly, α-syn's non-amyloid-β component (NAC) region also exhibited increased solvent accessibility, suggesting that α-syn bound to rigid vesicle-like structures could possess heightened aggregation propensity and therefore pathogenicity. Additionally, both the A30P and E46K mutations were found to adopt distinct binding modes on the mimics' surface. In contrast with previous reports, similar binding affinities were observed for WT, A30P, and E46K α-syn toward SDS-AuNPs of all sizes, indicating the potential importance of vesicle deformability in determining α-syn binding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M McClain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Adedolapo M Ojoawo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Wayne Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Chad M Rienstra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61820, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Catherine J Murphy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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12
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Ray S, Singh N, Kumar R, Patel K, Pandey S, Datta D, Mahato J, Panigrahi R, Navalkar A, Mehra S, Gadhe L, Chatterjee D, Sawner AS, Maiti S, Bhatia S, Gerez JA, Chowdhury A, Kumar A, Padinhateeri R, Riek R, Krishnamoorthy G, Maji SK. α-Synuclein aggregation nucleates through liquid-liquid phase separation. Nat Chem 2020; 12:705-716. [PMID: 32514159 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-020-0465-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 374] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation and amyloid formation is directly linked with Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. However, the early events involved in this process remain unclear. Here, using the in vitro reconstitution and cellular model, we show that liquid-liquid phase separation of α-Syn precedes its aggregation. In particular, in vitro generated α-Syn liquid-like droplets eventually undergo a liquid-to-solid transition and form an amyloid hydrogel that contains oligomers and fibrillar species. Factors known to aggravate α-Syn aggregation, such as low pH, phosphomimetic substitution and familial Parkinson's disease mutations, also promote α-Syn liquid-liquid phase separation and its subsequent maturation. We further demonstrate α-Syn liquid-droplet formation in cells. These cellular α-Syn droplets eventually transform into perinuclear aggresomes, the process regulated by microtubules. This work provides detailed insights into the phase-separation behaviour of natively unstructured α-Syn and its conversion to a disease-associated aggregated state, which is highly relevant in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumik Ray
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Nitu Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Komal Patel
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Debalina Datta
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | | | | | - Ambuja Navalkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Laxmikant Gadhe
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Ajay Singh Sawner
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Siddhartha Maiti
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Sandhya Bhatia
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, India
| | - Juan Atilio Gerez
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Roland Riek
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India.
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13
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Anderson EN, Hirpa D, Zheng KH, Banerjee R, Gunawardena S. The Non-amyloidal Component Region of α-Synuclein Is Important for α-Synuclein Transport Within Axons. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 13:540. [PMID: 32038170 PMCID: PMC6984405 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper transport of the Parkinson's disease (PD) protein, α-synuclein (α-syn), is thought to be crucial for its localization and function at the synapse. Previous work has shown that defects in long distance transport within narrow caliber axons occur early in PD, but how such defects contribute to PD is unknown. Here we test the hypothesis that the NAC region is involved in facilitating proper transport of α-syn within axons via its association with membranes. Excess α-syn or fPD mutant α-synA53T accumulates within larval axons perturbing the transport of synaptic proteins. These α-syn expressing larvae also show synaptic morphological and larval locomotion defects, which correlate with the extent of α-syn-mediated axonal accumulations. Strikingly, deletion of the NAC region (α-synΔ71-82) prevented α-syn accumulations and axonal blockages, and reduced its synaptic localization due to decreased axonal entry and axonal transport of α-syn, due to less α-syn bound to membranes. Intriguingly, co-expression α-synΔ71-82 with full-length α-syn rescued α-syn accumulations and synaptic morphological defects, and decreased the ratio of the insoluble higher molecular weight (HMW)/soluble low molecular weight (LMW) α-syn, indicating that this region is perhaps important for the dimerization of α-syn on membranes. Together, our observations suggest that under physiological conditions, α-syn associates with membranes via the NAC region, and that too much α-syn perturbs axonal transport via aggregate formation, instigating synaptic and behavioral defects seen in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shermali Gunawardena
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
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14
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Stephens AD, Kaminski Schierle GS. The role of water in amyloid aggregation kinetics. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2019; 58:115-123. [PMID: 31299481 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The role of water in protein function and aggregation is highly important and may hold some answers to understanding initiation of misfolding diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's where soluble intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) aggregate into fibrillar structures. IDPs are highly dynamic and have larger solvent exposed areas compared to globular proteins, meaning they make and break hydrogen bonds with the surrounding water more frequently. The mobility of water can be altered by presence of ions, sugars, osmolytes, proteins and membranes which differ in different cell types, cell compartments and also as cells age. A reduction in water mobility and thus protein mobility enhances the probability that IDPs can associate to form intermolecular bonds and propagate into aggregates. This poses an interesting question as to whether localised water mobility inside cells can influence the propensity of an IDP to aggregate and furthermore whether it can influence fibril polymorphism and disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amberley D Stephens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Gabriele S Kaminski Schierle
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, UK.
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15
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Lin Y, Sahoo BR, Ozawa D, Kinoshita M, Kang J, Lim MH, Okumura M, Huh YH, Moon E, Jang JH, Lee HJ, Ryu KY, Ham S, Won HS, Ryu KS, Sugiki T, Bang JK, Hoe HS, Fujiwara T, Ramamoorthy A, Lee YH. Diverse Structural Conversion and Aggregation Pathways of Alzheimer's Amyloid-β (1-40). ACS NANO 2019; 13:8766-8783. [PMID: 31310506 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b01578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Complex amyloid aggregation of amyloid-β (1-40) (Aβ1-40) in terms of monomer structures has not been fully understood. Herein, we report the microscopic mechanism and pathways of Aβ1-40 aggregation with macroscopic viewpoints through tuning its initial structure and solubility. Partial helical structures of Aβ1-40 induced by low solvent polarity accelerated cytotoxic Aβ1-40 amyloid fibrillation, while predominantly helical folds did not aggregate. Changes in the solvent polarity caused a rapid formation of β-structure-rich protofibrils or oligomers via aggregation-prone helical structures. Modulation of the pH and salt concentration transformed oligomers to protofibrils, which proceeded to amyloid formation. We reveal diverse molecular mechanisms underlying Aβ1-40 aggregation with conceptual energy diagrams and propose that aggregation-prone partial helical structures are key to inducing amyloidogenesis. We demonstrate that context-dependent protein aggregation is comprehensively understood using the macroscopic phase diagram, which provides general insights into differentiation of amyloid formation and phase separation from unfolded and folded structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Lin
- Department of Chemistry , Sookmyung Women's University , Cheongpa-ro 47-gil 100 , Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04310 , South Korea
| | - Bikash R Sahoo
- Biophysics Program and Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109-1055 , United States
| | - Daisaku Ozawa
- Department of Neurotherapeutics , Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine , 2-2 Yamadaoka , Suita , Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | - Misaki Kinoshita
- Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences , Tohoku University , 6-3 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba , Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578 , Japan
| | - Juhye Kang
- Department of Chemistry , Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34141 , South Korea
- Department of Chemistry , Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology , Ulsan 44919 , South Korea
| | - Mi Hee Lim
- Department of Chemistry , Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34141 , South Korea
| | - Masaki Okumura
- Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences , Tohoku University , 6-3 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba , Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578 , Japan
| | | | | | | | - Hyun-Ju Lee
- Department of Neural Development and Disease , Korea Brain Research Institute , 61 Cheomdan-ro , Dong-gu, Daegu 41068 , South Korea
| | - Ka-Young Ryu
- Department of Neural Development and Disease , Korea Brain Research Institute , 61 Cheomdan-ro , Dong-gu, Daegu 41068 , South Korea
| | - Sihyun Ham
- Department of Chemistry , Sookmyung Women's University , Cheongpa-ro 47-gil 100 , Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04310 , South Korea
| | - Hyung-Sik Won
- Department of Biotechnology, Research Institute and College of Biomedical and Health Science , Konkuk University , Chungju , Chungbuk 27478 , South Korea
| | | | - Toshihiko Sugiki
- Institute for Protein Research , Osaka University , Yamadaoka 3-2 , Suita , Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | | | - Hyang-Sook Hoe
- Department of Neural Development and Disease , Korea Brain Research Institute , 61 Cheomdan-ro , Dong-gu, Daegu 41068 , South Korea
| | - Toshimichi Fujiwara
- Institute for Protein Research , Osaka University , Yamadaoka 3-2 , Suita , Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | - Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
- Biophysics Program and Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109-1055 , United States
| | - Young-Ho Lee
- Institute for Protein Research , Osaka University , Yamadaoka 3-2 , Suita , Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
- Bio-Analytical Science , University of Science and Technology , Daejeon 34113 , South Korea
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16
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Ikenaka K, Suzuki M, Mochizuki H, Nagai Y. Lipids as Trans-Acting Effectors for α-Synuclein in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:693. [PMID: 31333408 PMCID: PMC6619337 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites, which consist mainly of aggregated αSyn, are widely observed in the affected regions of patient brains. Except for some familial forms of PD/DLB, most sporadic PD/DLB patients express the wild-type (WT) αSyn protein without any mutations, and the mechanisms as to how WT αSyn gains the propensity to pathologically aggregate still remains unclear. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which the same αSyn protein can cause different synucleinopathies with distinct phenotypes and pathologies, such as PD, DLB, and multiple system atrophy (MSA), still remain largely unknown. Recently, mutations in the GBA1 gene (encoding glucocerebrosidase), which are responsible for the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease (GD), have been reported to be the strongest risk factor for developing sporadic PD/DLB. We previously demonstrated that glucosylceramide accumulated by GBA1 deficiency promotes the conversion of αSyn into a proteinase K-resistant conformation. Furthermore, decreased glucocerebrosidase activity has also been reported in the brains of patients with sporadic PD/DLB. Moreover, αSyn pathology has also been shown in the brains of lysosomal storage disorder patients, which show glycosphingolipid accumulation. These observations suggest the possibility that altered lipid metabolism and lipid accumulation play roles in αSyn aggregation and PD/DLB pathogenesis. Indeed, several previous studies have demonstrated that lipid interactions affect the conformation of αSyn and induces its oligomerization and aggregation. In this review, we will give an overview of the association between αSyn aggregation and lipid interactions from the viewpoints of the etiology, pathology, and genetics of PD/DLB. We also discuss the distinct species of αSyn aggregates and their association with specific types of synucleinopathies, and introduce our hypothesis that lipid interactions play a role as trans-acting effectors in producing distinct strains of αSyn fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Ikenaka
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mari Suzuki
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Diabetic Neuropathy Project, Department of Sensory and Motor Systems, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Mochizuki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Neurotherapeutics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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17
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α-Synuclein misfolding and aggregation: Implications in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1867:890-908. [PMID: 30853581 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) has been extensively studied for its structural and biophysical properties owing to its pathophysiological role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites are the pathological hallmarks of PD and contain α-Syn aggregates as their major component. It was therefore hypothesized that α-Syn aggregation is actively associated with PD pathogenesis. The central role of α-Syn aggregation in PD is further supported by the identification of point mutations in α-Syn protein associated with rare familial forms of PD. However, the correlation between aggregation propensities of α-Syn mutants and their association with PD phenotype is not straightforward. Recent evidence suggested that oligomers, formed during the initial stages of aggregation, are the potent neurotoxic species causing cell death in PD. However, the heterogeneous and unstable nature of these oligomers limit their detailed characterization. α-Syn fibrils, on the contrary, are shown to be the infectious agents and propagate in a prion-like manner. Although α-Syn is an intrinsically disordered protein, it exhibits remarkable conformational plasticity by adopting a range of structural conformations under different environmental conditions. In this review, we focus on the structural and functional aspects of α-Syn and role of potential factors that may contribute to the underlying mechanism of synucleinopathies. This information will help to identify novel targets and develop specific therapeutic strategies to combat Parkinson's and other protein aggregation related neurodegenerative diseases.
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18
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Protein Nanofibrils as Storage Forms of Peptide Drugs and Hormones. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1174:265-290. [PMID: 31713202 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9791-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyloids are highly organized cross β-sheet protein nanofibrils that are associated with both diseases and functions. Thermodynamically amyloids are stable structures as they represent the lowest free energy state that proteins can attain. However, recent studies suggest that amyloid fibrils can be dissociated by a change in environmental parameters such as pH and ionic strength. This reversibility of amyloids can not only be associated with disease, but function as well. In disease-associated amyloids, fibrils can act as reservoirs of cytotoxic oligomers. Recently, in higher organisms such as mammals, hormones were found to be stored in amyloid-like state, where these were reported to act as a reservoir of functional monomers. These hormone amyloids can dissociate to monomers upon release from the secretory granules, and subsequently bind to their respective receptors and perform their functions. In this book chapter, we describe in detail how these protein nanofibrils represent the densest possible peptide packing and are suitable for long-term storage. Thus, mimicking the feature of amyloids to release functional monomers, it is possible to formulate amyloid-based peptide/protein drugs, which can be used for sustained release.
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19
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The Cellular Environment Affects Monomeric α-Synuclein Structure. Trends Biochem Sci 2018; 44:453-466. [PMID: 30527975 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The presynaptic protein α-synuclein (aSyn) is an 'intrinsically disordered protein' that is highly dynamic in conformation. Transient intramolecular interactions between its charged N and C termini, and between its hydrophobic region and the C terminus, prevent self-association. These interactions inhibit the formation of insoluble inclusions, which are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease and many other synucleinopathies. This review discusses how these intramolecular interactions are influenced by the specific environment aSyn is in. We discuss how charge, pH, calcium, and salt affect the physiological structure of monomeric aSyn, and how they may favour the formation of toxic structures. The more we understand the dynamic conformations of aSyn, the better we can design desperately needed therapeutics to prevent disease progression.
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20
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Krishnamoorthy G. Fluorescence spectroscopy for revealing mechanisms in biology: Strengths and pitfalls. J Biosci 2018; 43:555-567. [PMID: 30002272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article describes the basic principles of steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence. The formal equivalence of the two methodologies is described first, followed by the extra advantages of time-resolved methods in revealing population heterogeneity in complex systems encountered in biology. Several examples from the author's work are described in support of the above contention. Finally, several misinterpretations and pitfalls in the interpretation of fluorescence data and their remedy are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, India,
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21
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22
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Sasidharakurup H, Melethadathil N, Nair B, Diwakar S. A Systems Model of Parkinson's Disease Using Biochemical Systems Theory. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2018; 21:454-464. [PMID: 28816645 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2017.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder, affects millions of people and has gained attention because of its clinical roles affecting behaviors related to motor and nonmotor symptoms. Although studies on PD from various aspects are becoming popular, few rely on predictive systems modeling approaches. Using Biochemical Systems Theory (BST), this article attempts to model and characterize dopaminergic cell death and understand pathophysiology of progression of PD. PD pathways were modeled using stochastic differential equations incorporating law of mass action, and initial concentrations for the modeled proteins were obtained from literature. Simulations suggest that dopamine levels were reduced significantly due to an increase in dopaminergic quinones and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) relating to imbalances compared to control during PD progression. Associating to clinically observed PD-related cell death, simulations show abnormal parkin and reactive oxygen species levels with an increase in neurofibrillary tangles. While relating molecular mechanistic roles, the BST modeling helps predicting dopaminergic cell death processes involved in the progression of PD and provides a predictive understanding of neuronal dysfunction for translational neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nidheesh Melethadathil
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University) , Kollam, India
| | - Bipin Nair
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University) , Kollam, India
| | - Shyam Diwakar
- Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University) , Kollam, India
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23
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Jana AK, Batkulwar KB, Kulkarni MJ, Sengupta N. Glycation induces conformational changes in the amyloid-β peptide and enhances its aggregation propensity: molecular insights. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 18:31446-31458. [PMID: 27827482 DOI: 10.1039/c6cp05041g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The cytotoxicity of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), can be enhanced by its post-translational glycation, a series of non-enzymatic reactions with reducing sugars and reactive dicarbonyls. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms that potentially enhance the cytotoxicity of the advanced glycation modified Aβ. In this work, fully atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are exploited to obtain direct molecular insights into the process of early Aβ self-assembly in the presence and absence of glycated lysine residues. Analyses of data exceeding cumulative timescales of 1 microsecond for each system reveal that glycation results in a stronger enthalpy of association between Aβ monomers and lower conformational entropy, in addition to a sharp overall increase in the beta-sheet content. Further analyses reveal that the enhanced interactions originate, in large part, due to markedly stronger, as well as new, inter-monomer salt bridging propensities in the glycated variety. Interestingly, these conformational and energetic effects are broadly reflected in preformed protofibrillar forms of Aβ small oligomers modified with glycation. Our combined results imply that glycation consolidates Aβ self-assembly regardless of its point of occurrence in the pathway. They provide a basis for further mechanistic studies and therapeutic endeavors that could potentially result in novel ways of combating AGE related AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asis K Jana
- Physical Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India and Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India
| | - Kedar B Batkulwar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India and Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India.
| | - Mahesh J Kulkarni
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), New Delhi, India and Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India.
| | - Neelanjana Sengupta
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata, Mohanpur 741 246, W. Bengal, India.
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Cattani J, Subramaniam V, Drescher M. Room-temperature in-cell EPR spectroscopy: alpha-Synuclein disease variants remain intrinsically disordered in the cell. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 19:18147-18151. [PMID: 28696461 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp03432f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Human alpha-Synuclein (aS), implicated in Parkinson's disease, adopts a rich variety of different conformations depending on the macromolecular context. In order to unravel its pathophysiological role, monitoring its intracellular conformational state and identifying differences for the disease variants is crucial. Here, we present an intracellular spectroscopy approach based on a systematic spin-labeling site-scan in combination with intracellular electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy determining conformations on a molecular scale. A quantitative and model-based data analysis revealed that the vast majority of aS, be it wild-type or disease variants A30P or A53T, exists in the monomeric intrinsically disordered form in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Cattani
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
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Unveiling a Selective Mechanism for the Inhibition of α-Synuclein Aggregation by β-Synuclein. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020334. [PMID: 29364143 PMCID: PMC5855556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) is an intrinsically disordered protein that is associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) through its ability to self-assemble into oligomers and fibrils. Inhibition of this oligomerization cascade is an interesting approach to developing therapeutical strategies and β-synuclein (βS) has been described as a natural negative regulator of this process. However, the biological background and molecular mechanisms by which this inhibition occurs is unclear. Herein, we focused on assessing the effect of βS on the aggregation of five αS pathological mutants linked to early-onset PD (A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D and A53T). By coupling single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to a cell-free protein expression system, we validated the ability of βS to act as a chaperone of αS, effectively inhibiting its aggregation. Interestingly, we found that βS does so in a selective manner, i.e., is a more effective inhibitor for certain αS pathological mutants—A30P and G51D—as compared to E46K, H50Q and A53T. Moreover, two-color coincidence experiments proved that this discrepancy is due to a preferential incorporation of βS into smaller oligomers of αS. This was validated by showing that the chaperoning effect was lost when proteins were mixed after being expressed individually. This study highlights the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy to deconstruct αS aggregation cascade and its interplay with βS.
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Jha NN, Ranganathan S, Kumar R, Mehra S, Panigrahi R, Navalkar A, Ghosh D, Kumar A, Padinhateeri R, Maji SK. Complexation of NAC-Derived Peptide Ligands with the C-Terminus of α-Synuclein Accelerates Its Aggregation. Biochemistry 2018; 57:791-804. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Nath Jha
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | | | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Rajlaxmi Panigrahi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Ambuja Navalkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Dhiman Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | | | - Samir K. Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
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Fluorescence Lifetime Distribution Brings Out Mechanisms Involving Biomolecules While Quantifying Population Heterogeneity. REVIEWS IN FLUORESCENCE 2017 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-01569-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Jha NN, Kumar R, Panigrahi R, Navalkar A, Ghosh D, Sahay S, Mondal M, Kumar A, Maji SK. Comparison of α-Synuclein Fibril Inhibition by Four Different Amyloid Inhibitors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2722-2733. [PMID: 28872299 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) into toxic oligomers and fibrils leads to Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Molecules that can inhibit the fibrillization and oligomerization of α-Syn have potential therapeutic value. Here, we studied four selective amyloid inhibitors: dopamine (Dopa), amphotericin-B (Amph), epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), and quinacrinedihydrochloride (Quin) for their effect on oligomerization, fibrillization, and preformed fibrils of α-Syn. The aggregation kinetics of α-Syn using ThT fluorescence and conformational transition by circular dichroism (CD) in the presence and absence of these four compounds suggest that, except Quin, the remaining three molecules inhibit α-Syn aggregation in a concentration dependent manner. Consistent with the aggregation kinetics data, the morphological study of aggregates formed in the presence of these compounds showed corresponding decrease in fibrillar size. The analysis of cell viability using MTT assay showed reduction in toxicity of α-Syn aggregates formed in the presence of these compounds, which also correlates with reduction of exposed hydrophobic surface as studied by ANS binding. Additionally, these inhibitors, except Quin, demonstrated reduction in size as well as the toxicity of oligomeric/fibrillar aggregates of α-Syn. The residue specific interaction to low molecular weight (LMW) species of α-Syn by 2D NMR study revealed that, the region and extent of binding are different for all these molecules. Furthermore, fibril-binding data using SPR suggested that there is no direct relationship between the binding affinity and fibril inhibition by these compounds. The present study suggests that sequence based interaction of small molecules with soluble α-Syn might dictate their inhibition or modulation capacity, which might be helpful in designing modulators of α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narendra Nath Jha
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Rajlaxmi Panigrahi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Ambuja Navalkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Dhiman Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Shruti Sahay
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Mritunjoy Mondal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
| | - Samir. K. Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400 076, India
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Ranjan P, Kumar A. Perturbation in Long-Range Contacts Modulates the Kinetics of Amyloid Formation in α-Synuclein Familial Mutants. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2235-2246. [PMID: 28759722 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The characteristic cross-β-sheet-rich amyloid fibril formation by intrinsically disordered α-synuclein proteins is one of the pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease. Although unstructured in solution, the presence of autoinhibitory long-range contacts in monomeric form prevents protein aggregation. Out of the various factors that affect the rate of amyloid formation, familial mutations play an important role in α-synuclein aggregation. Even though these mutations are believed to form an aggregation-prone intermediate by perturbing these contacts, the correlation between perturbation and rate of fibril formation is not very straightforward. A combination of solution and solid-state NMR in conjunction with other biophysical methods has been used to identify the underlying mechanism behind the anomaly in the rate of aggregation for the novel mutants H50Q (fast aggregating) and G51D (slow aggregating). Perturbation of long-range contacts at the mutation sites and C-termini in all of the six familial mutants of α-synuclein during the diseased condition (acidic pH) was observed. These contacts get rearranged at physiological pH resulting in the shielding of mutation sites. Additional contacts at the mutation site in a slow aggregating mutant could be the reason for slower aggregation. Indeed, these contacts provide more rigidity to the monomeric G51D. Nonetheless, these mutations did not alter the overall secondary structure. The differential pattern of the long-range contacts at the monomeric level resulted in the perturbation of the fibrillar-core region, which was evident in the solid-state NMR spectra. Our results provide valuable insights in understanding the effect of long-range contacts on the aggregation of α-synuclein and its mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyatosh Ranjan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India
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Uversky VN. Looking at the recent advances in understanding α-synuclein and its aggregation through the proteoform prism. F1000Res 2017; 6:525. [PMID: 28491292 PMCID: PMC5399969 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.10536.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite attracting the close attention of multiple researchers for the past 25 years, α-synuclein continues to be an enigma, hiding sacred truth related to its structure, function, and dysfunction, concealing mechanisms of its pathological spread within the affected brain during disease progression, and, above all, covering up the molecular mechanisms of its multipathogenicity, i.e. the ability to be associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. The goal of this article is to present the most recent advances in understanding of this protein and its aggregation and to show that the remarkable structural, functional, and dysfunctional multifaceted nature of α-synuclein can be understood using the proteoform concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC07, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.,Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, 7 Institutskaya St., 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russian Federation.,Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding Of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Av., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
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Lucato CM, Lupton CJ, Halls ML, Ellisdon AM. Amyloidogenicity at a Distance: How Distal Protein Regions Modulate Aggregation in Disease. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:1289-1304. [PMID: 28342736 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The misfolding of proteins to form amyloid is a key pathological feature of several progressive, and currently incurable, diseases. A mechanistic understanding of the pathway from soluble, native protein to insoluble amyloid is crucial for therapeutic design, and recent efforts have helped to elucidate the key molecular events that trigger protein misfolding. Generally, either global or local structural perturbations occur early in amyloidogenesis to expose aggregation-prone regions of the protein that can then self-associate to form toxic oligomers. Surprisingly, these initiating structural changes are often caused or influenced by protein regions distal to the classically amyloidogenic sequences. Understanding the importance of these distal regions in the pathogenic process has highlighted many remaining knowledge gaps regarding the precise molecular events that occur in classic aggregation pathways. In this review, we discuss how these distal regions can influence aggregation in disease and the recent technical and conceptual advances that have allowed this insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Lucato
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Christopher J Lupton
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew M Ellisdon
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Sidhu A, Segers-Nolten I, Raussens V, Claessens MMAE, Subramaniam V. Distinct Mechanisms Determine α-Synuclein Fibril Morphology during Growth and Maturation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:538-547. [PMID: 28292187 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid polymorphs have become one of the focal points of molecular studies of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease. Due to their distinct biochemical properties and prion-like characteristics, insights into the molecular origin and stability of amyloid polymorphs over time are crucial for understanding the potential role of amyloid polymorphism in these diseases. Here, we systematically study the fibrillization of recombinantly produced human α-synuclein (αSyn) over an extended period of time to unravel the origin and temporal evolution of polymorphism. We follow morphological changes in the same fibril sample with atomic force microscopy over a period of 1 year. We show that wild-type (wt) αSyn fibrils undergo a slow maturation over time after reaching the plateau phase of aggregation (as detected in a Thioflavin-T fluorescence assay). This maturation, visualized by changes in the fibril periodicity over time, is absent in the disease mutant fibrils. The β-sheet content of the plateau phase and matured fibrils, obtained using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, is however similar for the αSyn protein sequences, suggesting that the morphological changes in wt αSyn fibrils are tertiary or quaternary in origin. Furthermore, results from a reversibility assay show that the plateau phase fibrils do not disassemble over time. Together, the observed changes in the periodicity distributions and stability of the fibrillar core over time point toward two distinct mechanisms that determine the morphology of wt αSyn fibrils: competitive growth between different polymorphs during the fibrillization phase followed by a process wherein fibrils undergo slow maturation or annealing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshdeep Sidhu
- Nanobiophysics,
MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbox 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ine Segers-Nolten
- Nanobiophysics,
MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbox 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Raussens
- Structural
Biology and Bioinformatics Centre, Structure and Function of Biological
Membranes, Faculty of Science, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mireille M. A. E. Claessens
- Nanobiophysics,
MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbox 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- MIRA
Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Postbox 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Vinod Subramaniam
- Nanobiophysics,
MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, Postbox 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- MIRA
Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Postbox 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parkinson's disease (PD) is an insidious disorder affecting more than 1-2% of the population over the age of 65. Understanding the etiology of PD may create opportunities for developing new treatments. Genomic and transcriptomic studies are useful, but do not provide evidence for the actual status of the disease. Conversely, proteomic studies deal with proteins, which are real time players, and can hence provide information on the dynamic nature of the affected cells. The number of publications relating to the proteomics of PD is vast. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the current proteomics literature and establish the connections between the past and the present to foresee the future. Areas covered: PubMed and Web of Science were used to retrieve the literature associated with PD proteomics. Studies using human samples, model organisms and cell lines were selected and reviewed to highlight their contributions to PD. Expert commentary: The proteomic studies associated with PD achieved only limited success in facilitating disease diagnosis, monitoring and progression. A global system biology approach using new models is needed. Future research should integrate the findings of proteomics with other omics data to facilitate both early diagnosis and the treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Kasap
- a Department of Medical Biology/DEKART Proteomics Laboratory , Kocaeli University Medical School , Kocaeli , Turkey
| | - Gurler Akpinar
- a Department of Medical Biology/DEKART Proteomics Laboratory , Kocaeli University Medical School , Kocaeli , Turkey
| | - Aylin Kanli
- a Department of Medical Biology/DEKART Proteomics Laboratory , Kocaeli University Medical School , Kocaeli , Turkey
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Sahay S, Krishnamoorthy G, Maji SK. Site-specific structural dynamics ofα-Synuclein revealed by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy: a review. Methods Appl Fluoresc 2016; 4:042002. [DOI: 10.1088/2050-6120/4/4/042002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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35
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Ghosh D, Mehra S, Sahay S, Singh PK, Maji SK. α-synuclein aggregation and its modulation. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 100:37-54. [PMID: 27737778 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder marked by the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions, Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs) as well as the degeneration of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. The LBs and LNs in PD are mainly composed of aggregated form of a presynaptic protein, α-synuclein (α-Syn). However, the mechanisms of α-Syn aggregation and actual aggregated species responsible for the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons have not yet been resolved. Despite the fact that α-Syn aggregation in LBs and LNs is crucial and mutations of α-Syn are associated with early onset PD, it is really a challenging task to establish a correlation between α-Syn aggregation rate and PD pathogenesis. Regardless of strong genetic contribution, PD is mostly sporadic and familial forms of the disease represent only a minor part (<10%) of all cases. The complexity in PD further increases due to the involvement of several cellular factors in the pathogenesis of the disease as well as the environmental factors associated with the risk of developing PD. Therefore, effect of these factors on α-Syn aggregation pathway and how these factors modulate the properties of wild type (WT) as well as mutated α-Syn should be collectively taken into account. The present review specifically provides an overview of recent research on α-Syn aggregation pathways and its modulation by several cellular factors potentially relevant to PD pathogenesis. We also briefly discuss about effect of environmental risk factors on α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiman Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shruti Sahay
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Pradeep K Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Samir K Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
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Hoenen C, Gustin A, Birck C, Kirchmeyer M, Beaume N, Felten P, Grandbarbe L, Heuschling P, Heurtaux T. Alpha-Synuclein Proteins Promote Pro-Inflammatory Cascades in Microglia: Stronger Effects of the A53T Mutant. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162717. [PMID: 27622765 PMCID: PMC5021287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is histologically described by the deposition of α-synuclein, whose accumulation in Lewy bodies causes dopaminergic neuronal death. Although most of PD cases are sporadic, point mutations of the gene encoding the α-synuclein protein cause inherited forms of PD. There are currently six known point mutations that result in familial PD. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have also been described as early events associated with dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in PD. Though it is known that microglia are activated by wild-type α-synuclein, little is known about its mutated forms and the signaling cascades responsible for this microglial activation. The present study was designed to investigate consequences of wild-type and mutant α-synuclein (A53T, A30P and E46K) exposure on microglial reactivity. Interestingly, we described that α-synuclein-induced microglial reactivity appeared to be peptide-dependent. Indeed, the A53T protein activated more strongly microglia than the wild-type α-synuclein and other mutants. This A53T-induced microglial reactivity mechanism was found to depend on phosphorylation mechanisms mediated by MAPKs and on successive NFkB/AP-1/Nrf2 pathways activation. These results suggest that the microgliosis intensity during PD might depend on the type of α-synuclein protein implicated. Indeed, mutated forms are more potent microglial stimulators than wild-type α-synuclein. Based on these data, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapeutic strategies may be valid in order to reduce microgliosis but also to subsequently slow down PD progression, especially in familial cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Hoenen
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Audrey Gustin
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Cindy Birck
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Mélanie Kirchmeyer
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Nicolas Beaume
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Paul Felten
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Luc Grandbarbe
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Paul Heuschling
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Tony Heurtaux
- Life Sciences Research Unit, Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, 7, avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- * E-mail:
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Effect of curcumin analogs onα-synuclein aggregation and cytotoxicity. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28511. [PMID: 27338805 PMCID: PMC4919791 DOI: 10.1038/srep28511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation into oligomers and fibrils is associated with dopaminergic neuron loss occurring in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. Compounds that modulate α-Syn aggregation and interact with preformed fibrils/oligomers and convert them to less toxic species could have promising applications in the drug development efforts against PD. Curcumin is one of the Asian food ingredient which showed promising role as therapeutic agent against many neurological disorders including PD. However, the instability and low solubility makes it less attractive for the drug development. In this work, we selected various curcumin analogs and studied their toxicity, stability and efficacy to interact with different α-Syn species and modulation of their toxicity. We found a subset of curcumin analogs with higher stability and showed that curcumin and its various analogs interact with preformed fibrils and oligomers and accelerate α-Syn aggregation to produce morphologically different amyloid fibrils in vitro. Furthermore, these curcumin analogs showed differential binding with the preformed α-Syn aggregates. The present data suggest the potential role of curcumin analogs in modulating α-Syn aggregation.
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Alpha-synuclein and familial variants affect the chain order and the thermotropic phase behavior of anionic lipid vesicles. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2016; 1864:1206-1214. [PMID: 27177693 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSN) is a presynaptic protein with a pathological role in Parkinson's disease (PD). The mutants A30P, E46K and A53T are involved in PD early-onset forms. aSN is natively unfolded but can self-assemble to oligomers and fibrils and binds anionic membranes in a helical conformation. We study the influence of wild-type (wt) aSN and familial variants on the chain order and thermotropic phase behavior of anionic dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) bilayers by using electron spin resonance and calorimetry, respectively. The alpha-helical conformation of the proteins in the membrane-bound state is assessed by circular dichroism thermal scans. wt and mutated aSN upon binding to fluid DMPG vesicles progressively increase chain order. Lipid:protein molar binding stoichiometries correspond to 50 for A30P, 35-36 for aSN and A53T, 30 for E46K. The temperature range over which the variants assume the α-helical fold correlates directly with the density of proteins on vesicle surfaces. All variants preserve the characteristic chain flexibility gradient and impart motional restriction in the lipid chain. This is evident at the first CH2 segments and is markedly reduced at the chain termini, disappearing completely for A30P. The proteins slightly reduce DMPG main transition temperature, revealing preferential affinity for the fluid phase, and broaden the transition, promoting gel-fluid phase coexistence. The overall results are consistent with protein surface association in which the degree of binding correlates with the degree of folding and perturbation of the membrane bilayer. However, the degree of binding of monomer to membrane does not correlate directly with aSN toxicity in vivo.
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Villar-Piqué A, Lopes da Fonseca T, Outeiro TF. Structure, function and toxicity of alpha-synuclein: the Bermuda triangle in synucleinopathies. J Neurochem 2015; 139 Suppl 1:240-255. [PMID: 26190401 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of currently incurable neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the misfolding and accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates that are commonly known as synucleinopathies. Clinically, synucleinopathies are heterogeneous, reflecting the somewhat selective neuronal vulnerability characteristic of each disease. The precise molecular underpinnings of synucleinopathies remain unclear, but the process of aggregation of alpha-synuclein appears as a central event. However, there is still no consensus with respect to the toxic forms of alpha-synuclein, hampering our ability to use the protein as a target for therapeutic intervention. To decipher the molecular bases of synucleinopathies, it is essential to understand the complex triangle formed between the structure, function and toxicity of alpha-synuclein. Recently, important steps have been undertaken to elucidate the role of the protein in both physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings in the field of alpha-synuclein research, and put forward a new perspective over paradigms that persist in the field. Establishing whether alpha-synuclein has a causative role in all synucleinopathies will enable the identification of targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this devastating group of disorders. Alpha-synuclein is the speculated cornerstone of several neurodegenerative disorders known as Synucleinopathies. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenic effects of this protein remain unknown. Here, we review the recent findings in the three corners of alpha-synuclein biology - structure, function and toxicity - and discuss the enigmatic roads that have accompanied alpha-synuclein from the beginning. This article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Villar-Piqué
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tomás Lopes da Fonseca
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Instituto de Fisiologia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of NeuroDegeneration and Restorative Research, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. .,Instituto de Fisiologia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal. .,CEDOC, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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α-Synuclein dimer structures found from computational simulations. Biochimie 2015; 116:133-40. [PMID: 26193124 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Dimer formation is likely the first step in the oligomerization of α-synuclein in Lewy bodies. In order to prevent α-synuclein aggregation, knowledge of the atomistic structures of possible α-synuclein dimers and the interaction affinity between the dimer domains is a necessary prerequisite in the process of rational design of dimerization inhibitors. Using computational methodology, we have investigated several possible α-synuclein dimer structures, focusing on dimers formed from α-helical forms of the protein found when it is membrane-bound, and dimers formed from β-sheet conformations predicted by simulations. Structures and corresponding binding affinities for the interacting monomers in possible α-synuclein dimers, along with properties including the contributions from different interaction energies and the radii of gyration, were found through molecular docking followed by MD simulations and binding-energy calculations. We found that even though α-synuclein is highly charged, hydrophobic contributions play a significant role in stabilizing dimers.
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