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Tsekrekou M, Giannakou M, Papanikolopoulou K, Skretas G. Protein aggregation and therapeutic strategies in SOD1- and TDP-43- linked ALS. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1383453. [PMID: 38855322 PMCID: PMC11157337 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1383453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with severe socio-economic impact. A hallmark of ALS pathology is the presence of aberrant cytoplasmic inclusions composed of misfolded and aggregated proteins, including both wild-type and mutant forms. This review highlights the critical role of misfolded protein species in ALS pathogenesis, particularly focusing on Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and emphasizes the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these misfolded proteins directly. Despite significant advancements in understanding ALS mechanisms, the disease remains incurable, with current treatments offering limited clinical benefits. Through a comprehensive analysis, the review focuses on the direct modulation of the misfolded proteins and presents recent discoveries in small molecules and peptides that inhibit SOD1 and TDP-43 aggregation, underscoring their potential as effective treatments to modify disease progression and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsekrekou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Giannakou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Papanikolopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
- Institute for Bio-innovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
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Al-Lahham R, Mendez N. Tau Loss of Function, by Deletion or Aggregation, Contributes to Peripheral Insulin Resistance. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:1041-1058. [PMID: 37638441 PMCID: PMC10578286 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230392] [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] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several epidemiological data revealed an association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes. Researchers concentrated on brain insulin resistance with little emphasis on the link between systemic insulin resistance and AD, despite the fact that the incidence of type 2 diabetes is higher in AD patients and that impairment in insulin signaling is a risk factor for AD. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to determine the role of systemic insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by evaluating the consequences of tau loss-of-function on peripheral insulin sensitivity. METHODS Primary hepatocytes isolated from transgenic mouse models (Tau KO, P301 L) and wild type mice (C57BL/6) were evaluated for their insulin sensitivity using glucose uptake assays as well as biochemical analysis of insulin signaling markers. RESULTS Our data show that tau deletion or loss of function promotes peripheral insulin resistance as seen in primary hepatocytes isolated from Tau KO and P301 L mice, respectively. Furthermore, exposure of wild-type primary hepatocytes to sub-toxic concentrations of tau oligomers results in a dose-dependent inhibition of glucose uptake, associated with downregulation of insulin signaling. Tau oligomers-induced inactivation of insulin signaling proteins was rescued by inhibition of p38 MAPK, suggesting the involvement of p38 MAPK. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study testing tau role in peripheral insulin resistance at the cellular level using multiple transgenic mouse models. Moreover, this study suggests that tau should be functional for insulin sensitivity, therefore, any loss of function by deletion or aggregation would result in insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabab Al-Lahham
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nicolas Mendez
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Franklin JP, Azzouz M, Shaw PJ. SOD1-targeting therapies for neurodegenerative diseases: a review of current findings and future potential. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2020.1835638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John P. Franklin
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Srinivasan E, Rajasekaran R. A Systematic and Comprehensive Review on Disease-Causing Genes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:1742-1770. [PMID: 32415434 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01569-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by degeneration and axon loss from the upper motor neuron, that descends from the lower motor neuron in the brain. Over the period, assorted outcomes from medical findings, molecular pathogenesis, and structural and biophysical studies have abetted in providing thoughtful insights underlying the importance of disease-causing genes in ALS. Consequently, numerous mechanisms were proposed for the pathogenesis of ALS, considering protein mutations, aggregation, and misfolding. Besides, the answers to the majority of ALS cases that happen to be sporadic still remain obscure. The application in discovering susceptibility factors in ALS contemplating the genetic factors is to be further dissevered in the future years with innovation in research studies. Hence, this review targets in revisiting the breakthroughs on the disease-causing genes related with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Srinivasan
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (deemed to be university), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - R Rajasekaran
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (deemed to be university), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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Abstract
Few proteins have come under such intense scrutiny as superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1). For almost a century, scientists have dissected its form, function and then later its malfunction in the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We now know SOD1 is a zinc and copper metalloenzyme that clears superoxide as part of our antioxidant defence and respiratory regulation systems. The possibility of reduced structural integrity was suggested by the first crystal structures of human SOD1 even before deleterious mutations in the sod1 gene were linked to the ALS. This concept evolved in the intervening years as an impressive array of biophysical studies examined the characteristics of mutant SOD1 in great detail. We now recognise how ALS-related mutations perturb the SOD1 maturation processes, reduce its ability to fold and reduce its thermal stability and half-life. Mutant SOD1 is therefore predisposed to monomerisation, non-canonical self-interactions, the formation of small misfolded oligomers and ultimately accumulation in the tell-tale insoluble inclusions found within the neurons of ALS patients. We have also seen that several post-translational modifications could push wild-type SOD1 down this toxic pathway. Recently we have come to view ALS as a prion-like disease where both the symptoms, and indeed SOD1 misfolding itself, are transmitted to neighbouring cells. This raises the possibility of intervention after the initial disease presentation. Several small-molecule and biologic-based strategies have been devised which directly target the SOD1 molecule to change the behaviour thought to be responsible for ALS. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the many biophysical advances that sculpted our view of SOD1 biology and the recent work that aims to apply this knowledge for therapeutic outcomes in ALS.
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Laxio Arenas J, Kaffy J, Ongeri S. Peptides and peptidomimetics as inhibitors of protein–protein interactions involving β-sheet secondary structures. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 52:157-167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Dagan B, Oren O, Banerjee V, Taube R, Papo N. A hyperthermophilic protein G variant engineered via directed evolution prevents the formation of toxic SOD1 oligomers. Proteins 2019; 87:738-747. [PMID: 31017342 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by selective death of motor neurons in the brainstem, motor cortex, and spinal cord, leading to muscle atrophy and eventually to death. It is currently held that various oligomerization-inducing mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), an amyloid-forming protein, may be implicated in the familial form of this fast-progressing highly lethal neurodegenerative disease. A possible therapeutic approach could therefore lie in developing inhibitors to SOD1 mutants. By screening a focused mutagenesis library, mutated randomly in specific "stability patch" positions of the B1 domain of protein G (HTB1), we previously identified low affinity inhibitors of aggregation of SOD1G93A and SOD1G85R mutants. Herein, with the aim to generate a more potent inhibitor with higher affinity to SOD1 mutants, we employed an unbiased, random mutagenesis approach covering the entire sequence space of HTB1 to optimize as yet undefined positions for improved interactions with SOD1. Using affinity maturation screens in yeast, we identified a variant, which we designated HTB1M3 , that bound strongly to SOD1 misfolded mutants but not to wild-type SOD1. In-vitro aggregation assays indicated that in the presence of HTB1M3 misfolded SOD1 assembled into oligomeric species that were not toxic to NSC-34 neuronal cells. In addition, when NSC-34 cells were exposed to misfolded SOD1 mutants, either soluble or preaggregated, in the presence of HTB1M3 , this inhibitor prevented the prion-like propagation of SOD1 from one neuronal cell to another by blocking the penetration of SOD1 into the neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bar Dagan
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ofek Oren
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Victor Banerjee
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ran Taube
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.,The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Banerjee V, Oren O, Dagan B, Taube R, Engel S, Papo N. An Engineered Variant of the B1 Domain of Protein G Suppresses the Aggregation and Toxicity of Intra- and Extracellular Aβ42. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:1488-1496. [PMID: 30428260 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra- and extraneuronal deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides have been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). While both intra- and extraneuronal Aβ deposits affect neuronal cell viability, the molecular mechanism by which these Aβ structures, especially when intraneuronal, do so is still not entirely understood. This makes the development of inhibitors challenging. To prevent the formation of toxic Aβ structural assemblies so as to prevent neuronal cell death associated with AD, we used a combination of computational and combinatorial-directed evolution approaches to develop a variant of the HTB1 protein (HTB1M2). HTB1M2 inhibits in vitro self-assembly of Aβ42 peptide and shifts the Aβ42 aggregation pathway to the formation of oligomers that are nontoxic to neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing or treated with Aβ42 peptide. This makes HTB1M2 a potential therapeutic lead in the development of AD-targeted drugs and a tool for elucidating conformational changes in the Aβ42 peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Banerjee
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ofek Oren
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Bar Dagan
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ran Taube
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Stanislav Engel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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Virtual screening identification of novel chemical inhibitors for aberrant interactions between pathogenic mutant SOD1 and tubulin. Neurochem Int 2019; 126:19-26. [PMID: 30831216 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disease caused by selective motor neuron death. Mutations in the gene encoding copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) belong to one of the four major mutation clusters responsible for pathogenesis of ALS. Toxic gain-of-function (not loss-of-function) of SOD1 mutants causes motor neuron degeneration. Aberrant protein-protein interactions (PPI) between mutant SOD1 and other proteins are involved in this toxic gain-of-function. Therefore, PPI inhibitors of mutant SOD1 not only increase understanding of ALS pathogenesis, but can also be used as novel therapeutics for ALS. Although it is challenging to identify PPI inhibitors, prior knowledge of the binding site can increase success probability. We have previously reported that tubulin interacts with N-terminal residues 1-23 of mutant SOD1. In the present study, we performed virtual screening by docking simulation of 32,791 compounds using this N-terminal binding site as prior knowledge. An established assay system for interaction inhibition between mutant SOD1-tubulin was used as an in-house model system to identify mutant SOD1 PPI inhibitors, with the goal of developing novel therapeutics for ALS. Consequently, five of six assay-executable compounds among top-ranked compounds during docking simulation inhibited the mutant SOD1-tubulin interaction in vitro. Binding mode analysis predicted that some inhibitors might bind the tubulin binding site of G85R SOD1 by pi electron interaction with the aromatic ring of the Trp32 residue of G85R SOD1. Our screening methods may contribute to the identification of lead compounds for treating ALS.
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Srinivasan E, Rajasekaran R. Quantum chemical and molecular mechanics studies on the assessment of interactions between resveratrol and mutant SOD1 (G93A) protein. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2018; 32:1347-1361. [PMID: 30368622 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-018-0175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that has been associated with mutations in metalloenzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD1) causing protein structural destabilization and aggregation. However, the mechanistic action and the cure for the disease still remain obscure. Herein, we initially studied the conformational preferences of SOD1 protein structures upon substitution of Ala at Gly93 in comparison with that of wild type. Our results corroborated with the previous experimental studies on the aggregation and the destabilizing activity of mutant SOD1 protein G93A. On the therapeutic point of view, we computationally analyzed the influence of resveratrol, a natural polyphenol widely found in red wine on mutant SOD1 relative to wild type, using molecular docking studies. Further, FMO calculations were performed, using GAMESS to study the pair residual interaction on the wild type and mutant complex systems. Consequently, the resveratrol showed greater interaction with mutant than the wild type. Subsequently, we evaluated the conformational preferences of wild type and mutant complex systems, where the protein conformational structures of mutant that were earlier found to lose their conformational stability was regained, upon binding with resveratrol. Similar trend of results were found on the 2-D free energy landscapes of both the wild type and mutant systems. Hence, the combined biophysical and quantum chemical studies in our study supported the results of previous experimental studies, thereby stipulating an action of resveratrol on mutant SOD1 and paving a way for the design of highly potent effective inhibitors against fALS affecting the mankind.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Srinivasan
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT (Deemed to be University), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - R Rajasekaran
- Bioinformatics Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT (Deemed to be University), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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An Aβ42 variant that inhibits intra- and extracellular amyloid aggregation and enhances cell viability. Biochem J 2018; 475:3087-3103. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aggregation and accumulation of the 42-residue amyloid β peptide (Aβ42) in the extracellular matrix and within neuronal cells is considered a major cause of neuronal cell cytotoxicity and death in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Therefore, molecules that bind to Aβ42 and prevent its aggregation are therapeutically promising as AD treatment. Here, we show that a non-self-aggregating Aβ42 variant carrying two surface mutations, F19S and L34P (Aβ42DM), inhibits wild-type Aβ42 aggregation and significantly reduces Aβ42-mediated cell cytotoxicity. In addition, Aβ42DM inhibits the uptake and internalization of extracellularly added pre-formed Aβ42 aggregates into cells. This was the case in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells co-expressing Aβ42 and Aβ42DM or following pre-treatment of cells with extracellular soluble forms of the two peptides, even at high Aβ42 to Aβ42DM molar ratios. In cells, Aβ42DM associates with Aβ42, while in vitro, the two soluble recombinant peptides exhibit nano-molar binding affinity. Importantly, Aβ42DM potently suppresses Aβ42 amyloid aggregation in vitro, as demonstrated by thioflavin T fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy for detecting amyloid fibrils. Overall, we present a new approach for inhibiting Aβ42 fibril formation both within and outside cells. Accordingly, Aβ42DM should be evaluated in vivo for potential use as a therapeutic lead for treating AD.
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Kuttner YY, Engel S. Complementarity of stability patches at the interfaces of protein complexes: Implication for the structural organization of energetic hot spots. Proteins 2017; 86:229-236. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yosef Y. Kuttner
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Beer-Sheva Israel
| | - Stanislav Engel
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Beer-Sheva Israel
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