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Kawahara M, Kato-Negishi M, Tanaka KI. Neurometals in the Pathogenesis of Prion Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031267. [PMID: 33525334 PMCID: PMC7866166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are progressive and transmissive neurodegenerative diseases. The conformational conversion of normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) into abnormal pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc) is critical for its infection and pathogenesis. PrPC possesses the ability to bind to various neurometals, including copper, zinc, iron, and manganese. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that PrPC plays essential roles in the maintenance of homeostasis of these neurometals in the synapse. In addition, trace metals are critical determinants of the conformational change and toxicity of PrPC. Here, we review our studies and other new findings that inform the current understanding of the links between trace elements and physiological functions of PrPC and the neurotoxicity of PrPSc.
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Forloni G, Chiesa R, Bugiani O, Salmona M, Tagliavini F. Review: PrP 106-126 - 25 years after. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2019; 45:430-440. [PMID: 30635947 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A quarter of a century ago, we proposed an innovative approach to study the pathogenesis of prion disease, one of the most intriguing biomedical problems that remains unresolved. The synthesis of a peptide homologous to residues 106-126 of the human prion protein (PrP106-126), a sequence present in the PrP amyloid protein of Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome patients, provided a tractable tool for investigating the mechanisms of neurotoxicity. Together with several other discoveries at the beginning of the 1990s, PrP106-126 contributed to underpin the role of amyloid in the pathogenesis of protein-misfolding neurodegenerative disorders. Later, the role of oligomers on one hand and of prion-like spreading of pathology on the other further clarified mechanisms shared by different neurodegenerative conditions. Our original report on PrP106-126 neurotoxicity also highlighted a role for programmed cell death in CNS diseases. In this review, we analyse the prion research context in which PrP106-126 first appeared and the advances in our understanding of prion disease pathogenesis and therapeutic perspectives 25 years later.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - R Chiesa
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - O Bugiani
- Department of Biochemistry, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - M Salmona
- Department of Biochemistry, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - F Tagliavini
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milano, Italy
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Hecel A, Valensin D, Kozłowski H. How copper ions and membrane environment influence the structure of the human and chicken tandem repeats domain? J Inorg Biochem 2018; 191:143-153. [PMID: 30529722 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prion proteins (PrPs) from different species have the enormous ability to anchor copper ions. The N-terminal domain of human prion protein (hPrP) contains four tandem repeats of the -PHGGGWGQ- octapeptide sequence. This octarepeat domain can bind up to four Cu2+ ions. Similarly to hPrP, chicken prion protein (chPrP) is able to interact with Cu2+ through the tandem hexapeptide -HNPGYP- region (residues 53-94). In this work, we focused on the human octapeptide repeat (human Octa4, hPrP60-91) (Ac-PHGGGWGQPHGGGWGQPHGGGWGQPHGGGWGQ-NH2) and chicken hexapeptide repeat (chicken Hexa4, chPrP54-77) (Ac-HNPGYPHNPGYPHNPGYPHNPGYP-NH2) prion protein fragments. Due to the fact that PrP is a membrane-anchored glycoprotein and its unstructured and flexible N-terminal domain may interact with the lipid bilayer, our studies were carried out in presence of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) mimicking the membrane environment in vitro. The main objective of this work was to understand the effects of copper ion on the structural rearrangements of the human and chicken N-terminal repeat domain. The obtained results provide a fundamental first step in describing the thermodynamic (potentiometric titrations) and structural properties of Cu(II) binding (UV-Vis, NMR, CD spectroscopy) to both human Octa4 and chicken Hexa4 repeats in both a DMSO/water and SDS micelle environment. Interestingly, in SDS environment, both ligands indicate different copper coordination modes, which results of the conformational changes in micelle environment. Our results strongly support that copper binding mode strongly depends on the protein backbone structure. Moreover, we focused on previously obtained results for amyloidogenic human and chicken fragments in membrane mimicking environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Hecel
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14, 50383 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Daniela Valensin
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Henryk Kozłowski
- Opole Medical School in Opole, Katowicka 68, 45060 Opole, Poland
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Sadakane Y, Kawahara M. Implications of Metal Binding and Asparagine Deamidation for Amyloid Formation. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19082449. [PMID: 30126231 PMCID: PMC6121660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that amyloid formation, i.e., self-assembly of proteins and the resulting conformational changes, is linked with the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, prion diseases, and Lewy body diseases. Among the factors that accelerate or inhibit oligomerization, we focus here on two non-genetic and common characteristics of many amyloidogenic proteins: metal binding and asparagine deamidation. Both reflect the aging process and occur in most amyloidogenic proteins. All of the amyloidogenic proteins, such as Alzheimer’s β-amyloid protein, prion protein, and α-synuclein, are metal-binding proteins and are involved in the regulation of metal homeostasis. It is widely accepted that these proteins are susceptible to non-enzymatic posttranslational modifications, and many asparagine residues of these proteins are deamidated. Moreover, these two factors can combine because asparagine residues can bind metals. We review the current understanding of these two common properties and their implications in the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Sadakane
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka 513-8670, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Kawahara
- Department of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan.
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Kawahara M, Kato-Negishi M, Tanaka K. Cross talk between neurometals and amyloidogenic proteins at the synapse and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Metallomics 2018; 9:619-633. [PMID: 28516990 DOI: 10.1039/c7mt00046d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that disruption of metal homeostasis contributes to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, Lewy body diseases, and vascular dementia. Conformational changes of disease-related proteins (amyloidogenic proteins), such as β-amyloid protein, prion proteins, and α-synuclein, are well-established contributors to neurotoxicity and to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that these amyloidogenic proteins are metalloproteins that bind trace elements, including zinc, iron, copper, and manganese, and play significant roles in the maintenance of metal homeostasis. We present a current review of the role of trace elements in the functions and toxicity of amyloidogenic proteins, and propose a hypothesis integrating metal homeostasis and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases that is focused on the interactions among metals and between metals and amyloidogenic proteins at the synapse, considering that these amyloidogenic proteins and metals are co-localized at the synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kawahara
- Laboratory of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan.
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Hecel A, Draghi S, Valensin D, Kozlowski H. The effect of a membrane-mimicking environment on the interactions of Cu 2+ with an amyloidogenic fragment of chicken prion protein. Dalton Trans 2018; 46:7758-7769. [PMID: 28589973 DOI: 10.1039/c7dt01069a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Prion proteins (PrP) from different species have the ability to tightly bind Cu2+ ions. Copper coordination sites are located in the disordered and flexible N-terminal region which contains several His anchoring sites. Among them, two His residues are found in the so called amyloidogenic PrP region which is believed to play a key role in the process leading to oligomer and fibril formation. Both chicken and human amyloidogenic regions have a hydrophobic C-terminal region rich in Ala and Val amino acids. Recent findings revealed that this domain undergoes random coil to α-helix structuring upon interaction with membrane models. This interaction might strongly impact metal binding abilities either in terms of donor sets or affinity. In this study we investigated Cu2+ interaction with an amyloidogenic fragment, chPrP105-140, derived from chicken prion protein (chPrP), in different solution environments. The behavior of the peptide and its metal complexes was analyzed in water and in the presence of negative and positive charged membrane mimicking environments formed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC) micelles. The metal coordination sphere, the metal binding affinity and stoichiometry were evaluated by combining spectroscopic and potentiometric methods. Finally we compare copper(ii) interactions with human and chicken amyloidogenic fragments. Our results indicate that the chicken amyloidogenic fragment is a stronger copper ligand than the human amyloidogenic fragment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Hecel
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, F. Joliot-Curie 14., 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Sara Draghi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Daniela Valensin
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Henryk Kozlowski
- Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Katowicka 68, 45060 Opole, Poland
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Kawahara M, Tanaka KI, Kato-Negishi M. Zinc, Carnosine, and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Nutrients 2018; 10:E147. [PMID: 29382141 PMCID: PMC5852723 DOI: 10.3390/nu10020147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is abundantly present in the brain, and accumulates in the synaptic vesicles. Synaptic Zn is released with neuronal excitation, and plays essential roles in learning and memory. Increasing evidence suggests that the disruption of Zn homeostasis is involved in various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, a vascular type of dementia, and prion diseases. Our and other numerous studies suggest that carnosine (β-alanyl histidine) is protective against these neurodegenerative diseases. Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide abundantly present in the skeletal muscles and in the brain, and has numerous beneficial effects such as antioxidant, metal chelating, anti-crosslinking, and anti-glycation activities. The complex of carnosine and Zn, termed polaprezinc, is widely used for Zn supplementation therapy and for the treatment of ulcers. Here, we review the link between Zn and these neurodegenerative diseases, and focus on the neuroprotective effects of carnosine. We also discuss the carnosine level in various foodstuffs and beneficial effects of dietary supplementation of carnosine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Kawahara
- Department of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan.
| | - Ken-Ichiro Tanaka
- Department of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan.
| | - Midori Kato-Negishi
- Department of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo 202-8585, Japan.
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Mizuno D, Kawahara M. Link Between Metal Homeostasis and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Crosstalk of Metals and Amyloidogenic Proteins at the Synapse. Metallomics 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-4-431-56463-8_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
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Kawahara M, Mizuno D. Crosstalk between metals and neurodegenerative diseases. Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi 2014; 69:155-65. [PMID: 25253517 DOI: 10.1265/jjh.69.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Trace elements including iron, zinc, copper, and manganese play essential roles in the maintenance of brain functions. Accumulating evidence suggests that dyshomeostasis of trace elements is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, vascular type of dementia, prion diseases, and dementia with Lewy bodies. These diseases share similarity in the formation of β-sheets containing amyloid fibrils from disease-associated proteins, including the β-amyloid protein (AβP), the prion protein, α-synuclein, and polyglutamine, and the introduction of apoptotic degeneration. Trace elements can bind to these proteins and cause their conformational changes. Furthermore, these proteins reportedly play crucial roles in the regulation of trace elements. Considering that these proteins colocalize in synapses, it is possible that the interactions between the disease-associated proteins and trace elements are based on the physiological roles of these proteins. We review here the current understanding of the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases based on metal binding to disease-associated proteins and on the disruption of metal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Kawahara
- Department of Bio-Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Musashino University
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Abstract
The chemical synthesis of peptides or small proteins is often an important step in many research projects and has stimulated the development of numerous chemical methodologies. The aim of this review is to give a substantial overview of the solid phase methods developed for the production or purification of polypeptides. The solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) technique has facilitated considerably the access to short peptides (<50 amino acids). However, its limitations for producing large homogeneous peptides have stimulated the development of solid phase covalent or non-covalent capture purification methods. The power of the native chemical ligation (NCL) reaction for protein synthesis in aqueous solution has also been adapted to the solid phase by the combination of novel linker technologies, cysteine protection strategies and thioester or N,S-acyl shift thioester surrogate chemistries. This review details pioneering studies and the most recent publications related to the solid phase chemical synthesis of large peptides and proteins.
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Role of prion protein aggregation in neurotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:8648-8669. [PMID: 22942726 PMCID: PMC3430257 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13078648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson, Alzheimer’s, Huntington, and prion diseases, the deposition of aggregated misfolded proteins is believed to be responsible for the neurotoxicity that characterizes these diseases. Prion protein (PrP), the protein responsible of prion diseases, has been deeply studied for the peculiar feature of its misfolded oligomers that are able to propagate within affected brains, inducing the conversion of the natively folded PrP into the pathological conformation. In this review, we summarize the available experimental evidence concerning the relationship between aggregation status of misfolded PrP and neuronal death in the course of prion diseases. In particular, we describe the main findings resulting from the use of different synthetic (mainly PrP106-126) and recombinant PrP-derived peptides, as far as mechanisms of aggregation and amyloid formation, and how these different spatial conformations can affect neuronal death. In particular, most data support the involvement of non-fibrillar oligomers rather than actual amyloid fibers as the determinant of neuronal death.
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Microwave Synthesis of Prion Protein Fragments up to 111 Amino Acids in Length Generates Biologically Active Peptides. Int J Pept Res Ther 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-011-9275-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Kawahara M, Koyama H, Nagata T, Sadakane Y. Zinc, copper, and carnosine attenuate neurotoxicity of prion fragment PrP106-126. Metallomics 2011; 3:726-34. [PMID: 21442127 DOI: 10.1039/c1mt00015b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are progressive neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with the conversion of normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) to abnormal pathogenic prion protein (PrP(SC)) by conformational changes. Prion protein is a metal-binding protein that is suggested to be involved in metal homeostasis. We investigated here the effects of trace elements on the conformational changes and neurotoxicity of synthetic prion peptide (PrP106-126). PrP106-126 exhibited the formation of β-sheet structures and enhanced neurotoxicity during the aging process. The co-existence of Zn(2+) or Cu(2+) during aging inhibited β-sheet formation by PrP106-126 and attenuated its neurotoxicity on primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Although PrP106-126 formed amyloid-like fibrils as observed by atomic force microscopy, the height of the fibers was decreased in the presence of Zn(2+) or Cu(2+). Carnosine (β-alanyl histidine) significantly inhibited both the β-sheet formation and the neurotoxicity of PrP106-126. Our results suggested that Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) might be involved in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. It is also possible that carnosine might become a candidate for therapeutic treatments for prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Kawahara
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, 1714-1 Yoshino-cho, Nobeoka-shi, Miyazaki. Japan.
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Scanlon DB, Karas JA. Synthesis of peptide sequences derived from fibril-forming proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 752:29-43. [PMID: 21713629 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60327-223-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of a large number of diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), is associated with protein aggregation and the formation of amyloid, fibrillar deposits. Peptide fragments of amyloid-forming proteins have been found to form fibrils in their own right and have become important tools for unlocking the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation and the pathogenesis of amyloid diseases. The synthesis and purification of peptide sequences derived from amyloid fibril-forming proteins can be extremely challenging. The synthesis may not proceed well, generating a very low quality crude product which can be difficult to purify. Even clean crude peptides can be difficult to purify, as they are often insoluble or form fibrils rapidly in solution. This chapter presents methods to recognise and to overcome the difficulties associated with the synthesis, and purification of fibril-forming peptides, illustrating the points with three synthetic examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis B Scanlon
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Biasini E, Tapella L, Mantovani S, Stravalaci M, Gobbi M, Harris DA, Chiesa R. Immunopurification of pathological prion protein aggregates. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7816. [PMID: 19915706 PMCID: PMC2773113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders that can arise sporadically, be genetically inherited or acquired through infection. The key event in these diseases is misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a pathogenic isoform that is rich in β-sheet structure. This conformational change may result in the formation of PrPSc, the prion isoform of PrP, which propagates itself by imprinting its aberrant conformation onto PrPC molecules. A great deal of effort has been devoted to developing protocols for purifying PrPSc for structural studies, and testing its biological properties. Most procedures rely on protease digestion, allowing efficient purification of PrP27-30, the protease-resistant core of PrPSc. However, protease treatment cannot be used to isolate abnormal forms of PrP lacking conventional protease resistance, such as those found in several genetic and atypical sporadic cases. Principal Findings We developed a method for purifying pathological PrP molecules based on sequential centrifugation and immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody selective for aggregated PrP. With this procedure we purified full-length PrPSc and mutant PrP aggregates at electrophoretic homogeneity. PrPSc purified from prion-infected mice was able to seed misfolding of PrPC in a protein misfolding cyclic amplification reaction, and mutant PrP aggregates from transgenic mice were toxic to cultured neurons. Significance The immunopurification protocol described here isolates biologically active forms of aggregated PrP. These preparations may be useful for investigating the structural and chemico-physical properties of infectious and neurotoxic PrP aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Biasini
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Laura Tapella
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Mantovani
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Stravalaci
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - David A. Harris
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Roberto Chiesa
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Uppington KM, Brown DR. Resistance of cell lines to prion toxicity aided by phospho-ERK expression. J Neurochem 2008; 105:842-52. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.05192.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Zhong J, Zheng W, Huang L, Hong Y, Wang L, Qiu Y, Sha Y. PrP106–126 amide causes the semi-penetrated poration in the supported lipid bilayers. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2007; 1768:1420-9. [PMID: 17451641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2007.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2006] [Revised: 02/27/2007] [Accepted: 03/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A major hallmark of prion diseases is the cerebral amyloid accumulation of the pathogenic PrP(Sc), an abnormally misfolded, protease-resistant, and beta-sheet rich protein. PrP106-126 is the key domain responsible for the conformational conversion and aggregation of PrP. It shares important physicochemical characteristics with PrP(Sc) and presents similar neurotoxicity as PrP(Sc). By combination of fluorescence polarization, dye release assay and in situ time-lapse atomic force microscopy (AFM), we investigated the PrP106-126 amide interacting with the large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and the supported lipid bilayers (SLBs). The results suggest that the interactions involve a poration-mediated process: firstly, the peptide binding results in the formation of pores in the membranes, which penetrate only half of the membranes; subsequently, PrP106-126 amide undergoes the poration-mediated diffusion in the SLBs, represented by the formation and expansion of the flat high-rise domains (FHDs). The possible mechanisms of the interactions between PrP106-126 amide and lipid membranes are proposed based on our observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhong
- Single-molecule and Nanobiology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Biomed-X Center, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
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Svobodová J, Cabrele C. Stepwise solid-phase synthesis and spontaneous homodimerization of the helix-loop-helix protein Id3. Chembiochem 2006; 7:1164-8. [PMID: 16800014 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200600059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslava Svobodová
- Fakultät für Chemie und Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Bate C, Williams A. Role of glycosylphosphatidylinositols in the activation of phospholipase A2 and the neurotoxicity of prions. J Gen Virol 2004; 85:3797-3804. [PMID: 15557253 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.80366-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion-induced neuronal injury in vivo is associated with prostaglandin E(2) production, a process that can be reproduced in tissue-culture models of prion disease. In the present study, neuronal phospholipase A(2) was activated by glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) isolated from the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) or from disease-associated isoforms (PrP(Sc)), resulting in prostaglandin E(2) production, but not by GPIs isolated from Thy-1. The ability of GPIs to activate neuronal phospholipase A(2) was lost following the removal of acyl chains or cleavage of the phosphatidylinositol-glycan linkage, and was inhibited by a mAb that recognized phosphatidylinositol. In competition assays, pretreatment of neurons with partial GPIs, inositol monophosphate or sialic acid reduced the production of prostaglandin E(2) in response to a synthetic miniprion (sPrP106), a synthetic correlate of a PrP(Sc) species found in Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease (HuPrP82-146), prion preparations or high concentrations of PrP-GPIs. In addition, neurons treated with inositol monophosphate or sialic acid were resistant to the otherwise toxic effects of sPrP106, HuPrP82-146 or prion preparations. This protective effect was selective, as inositol monophosphate- or sialic acid-treated neurons remained susceptible to the toxicity of arachidonic acid or platelet-activating factor. Addition of PrP-GPIs to cortical neuronal cultures increased caspase-3 activity, a marker of apoptosis that is elevated in prion diseases. In contrast, treatment of such cultures with inositol monophosphate or sialic acid greatly reduced sPrP106-induced caspase-3 activity and, in co-cultures, reduced the killing of sPrP106-treated neurons by microglia. These results implicate phospholipase A(2) activation by PrP-GPIs as an early event in prion-induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive Bate
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Glasgow University Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Alun Williams
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Herts AL9 7TA, UK
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Bate C, Salmona M, Williams A. Ginkgolide B inhibits the neurotoxicity of prions or amyloid-beta1-42. J Neuroinflammation 2004; 1:4. [PMID: 15285798 PMCID: PMC483057 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-1-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2004] [Accepted: 05/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neuronal loss in Alzheimer's or prion diseases is preceded by the accumulation of fibrillar aggregates of toxic proteins (amyloid-beta1-42 or the prion protein). Since some epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the EGb 761 extract, from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree, has a beneficial effect on Alzheimer's disease, the effect of some of the major components of the EGb 761 extract on neuronal responses to amyloid-beta1-42, or to a synthetic miniprion (sPrP106), were investigated. METHODS: Components of the EGb 761 extract were tested in 2 models of neurodegeneration. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were pre-treated with ginkgolides A or B, quercetin or myricetin, and incubated with amyloid-beta1-42, sPrP106, or other neurotoxins. After 24 hours neuronal survival and the production of prostaglandin E2 that is closely associated with neuronal death was measured. In primary cortical neurons apoptosis (caspase-3) in response to amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106 was measured, and in co-cultures the effects of the ginkgolides on the killing of amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106 damaged neurons by microglia was tested. RESULTS: Neurons treated with ginkgolides A or B were resistant to amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106. Ginkgolide-treated cells were also resistant to platelet activating factor or arachidonic acid, but remained susceptible to hydrogen peroxide or staurosporine. The ginkgolides reduced the production of prostaglandin E2 in response to amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106. In primary cortical neurons, the ginkgolides reduced caspase-3 responses to amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106, and in co-culture studies the ginkgolides reduced the killing of amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106 damaged neurons by microglia. CONCLUSION: Nanomolar concentrations of the ginkgolides protect neurons against the otherwise toxic effects of amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106. The ginkgolides also prevented the neurotoxicity of platelet activating factor and reduced the production of prostaglandin E2 in response to platelet activating factor, amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106. These results are compatible with prior reports that ginkgolides inhibit platelet-activating factor, and that platelet-activating factor antagonists block the toxicity of amyloid-beta1-42 or sPrP106. The results presented here suggest that platelet-activating factor antagonists such as the ginkgolides may be relevant treatments for prion or Alzheimer's diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive Bate
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Glasgow University Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, UK. G61 1QH
| | - Mario Salmona
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via Eritrea 62, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Alun Williams
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Herts, UK. AL9 7TA
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Bate C, Salmona M, Diomede L, Williams A. Squalestatin Cures Prion-infected Neurons and Protects Against Prion Neurotoxicity. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:14983-90. [PMID: 14754889 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m313061200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
A key feature of prion diseases is the conversion of the normal, cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into beta-sheet-rich disease-related isoforms (PrP(Sc)), the deposition of which is thought to lead to neurodegeneration. In the present study, the squalene synthase inhibitor squalestatin reduced the cholesterol content of cells and prevented the accumulation of PrP(Sc) in three prion-infected cell lines (ScN2a, SMB, and ScGT1 cells). ScN2a cells treated with squalestatin were also protected against microglia-mediated killing. Treatment of neurons with squalestatin resulted in a redistribution of PrP(C) away from Triton X-100 insoluble lipid rafts. These effects of squalestatin were dose-dependent, were evident at nanomolar concentrations, and were partially reversed by cholesterol. In addition, uninfected neurons treated with squalestatin became resistant to the otherwise toxic effect of PrP peptides, a synthetic miniprion (sPrP106) or partially purified prion preparations. The protective effect of squalestatin, which was reversed by the addition of water-soluble cholesterol, correlated with a reduction in prostaglandin E(2) production that is associated with neuronal injury in prion disease. These studies indicate a pivotal role for cholesterol-sensitive processes in controlling PrP(Sc) formation, and in the activation of signaling pathways associated with PrP-induced neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive Bate
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom.
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Bate C, Salmona M, Williams A. The role of platelet activating factor in prion and amyloid-β neurotoxicity. Neuroreport 2004; 15:509-13. [PMID: 15094513 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-200403010-00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the prion diseases, neurodegeneration is preceded by the accumulation of the disease-associated isoform of the prion protein (PrP). In the present study, neurones treated with three different phospholipase A2 inhibitors were resistant to the toxic effects of PrP peptides or a synthetic miniprion (sPrP106). Phospholipase A2 inhibitors also protected neurones against a toxic peptide found in Alzheimer's disease (amyloid-beta1-42). Further studies showed that neurones pre-treated with platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists were equally resistant to PrP peptides or amyloid-beta1-42. Moreover, both phospholipase A2 inhibitors and PAF antagonists reduced the activation of caspase-3, a marker of apoptosis, and the production of prostaglandin E2 that is closely associated with neuronal death in prion or Alzheimer's diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive Bate
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Glasgow University Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
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Farrelly PV, Kenna BL, Laohachai KL, Bahadi R, Salmona M, Forloni G, Kourie JI. Quinacrine blocks PrP (106-126)-formed channels. J Neurosci Res 2004; 74:934-41. [PMID: 14648599 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.10849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the action of the acridine derivative, quinacrine (QC), which has been shown to act as a noncompetitive channel inhibitor. The main effects of QC are voltage- and concentration-dependent changes in the kinetics of the prion protein fragment (PrP[106-126])-formed cation channels. The current-voltage relationships show that the maximal current (I) was not affected whereas the physiologically important mean current (I') was reduced as a result of changes in channel kinetics. These findings suggest that QC acts on the open state of the channels. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the dose-dependent effects of [QC]cis on the kinetic parameters of the PrP(106-126)-formed cation channel shows a reduction in the ratios Po(QC)/Po, Fo(QC)/Fo, and To(QC)/To, whereas Tc(QC)/Tc increases. Of these ratios, Po(QC)/Po was more sensitive than the others. The corresponding IC50 for these ratios were 51, 94, 86, and 250 microM QC, respectively. The QC-induced changes in the kinetic parameters were more apparent at positive voltages. IC50 values for Po were 95, 75, and 51 microM at +20, +80, and +140 mV, respectively. The fact that QC induced changes in the kinetics of this channel, although the conductance of the channel remained unchanged, indicates that QC may bind at the mouth of the channel via a mechanism known as fast channel block. The QC-induced changes in the kinetic parameters of this channel suggest that they are pathophysiologically significant because these channels could be the mechanisms by which amyloids induce membrane damage in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V Farrelly
- Membrane Transport Group, Department of Chemistry, The Faculties, The Australian National University, Canberra City, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Bahadi R, Farrelly PV, Kenna BL, Kourie JI, Tagliavini F, Forloni G, Salmona M. Channels formed with a mutant prion protein PrP(82-146) homologous to a 7-kDa fragment in diseased brain of GSS patients. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2003; 285:C862-72. [PMID: 12814912 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00077.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A major prion protein (PrP) mutant that forms amyloid fibrils in the diseased brain of patients with Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is a fragment of 7 kDa spanning from residues 81-82 to 144-153 of PrP. Analysis of ionic membrane currents, recorded with a lipid bilayer technique, revealed that the wild-type fragment PrP(82-146) WT and the partially scrambled PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC are capable of forming heterogeneous ion channels that are similar to those channels formed with PrP(106-126). In contrast, PrP(82-146) peptides in which the region from residue 106 to 126 had been scrambled (SC) showed a reduction in interaction with lipid membranes and did not form channels. The PrP(82-146) WT- and PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC-formed cation channels with fast kinetics are Cu2+ sensitive and rifampicin (RIF) insensitive, whereas the time-dependent inactivating channels formed by these same peptides are both Cu2+ and RIF insensitive. The presence of RIF in the solution before the addition of PrP(82-146) WT or PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC affected their incorporation into the lipid bilayers. PrP(82-146) WT and PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC fast cation channels formed in the presence of RIF appeared in an electrically semisilent state or an inactivated state. Increasing [Cd2+]cis enhanced the incorporation of PrP(82-146) WT and PrP(82-146) (127-146) SC channels formed in the presence of RIF. We conclude that the major PrP mutant fragment in the diseased brain of GSS patients is prone to form channels in neuronal membranes, causing their dysfunction. We propose that Cd2+ may accentuate the neurotoxicity of this channel-forming PrP fragment by enhancing its incorporation into the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randa Bahadi
- Membrane Transport Group, Department of Chemistry, The Faculties, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia
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Agius LM. Does transmissibility necessarily imply infectivity in spongiform encephalopathy? Med Hypotheses 2003; 60:886-92. [PMID: 12699719 DOI: 10.1016/s0306-9877(03)00071-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The essential biologic properties inherently acquired subsequent to conformational transformation of the alpha-helical molecular structure of the normal cellular PrPc isoform to the beta-sheet molecular tertiary structure of the abnormal PrPsc associated with a rapidly spreading form of neuronal cell death of spongiform encephalopathy are unknown. However, the vacuolization that chiefly characterizes the morphology of neurons in spongiform encephalopathy might constitute a physical disruption with subsequent rapidly progressive impairment of maintenance of homeostatic viability of neurons due to precisely loss of membrane integrity of the plasmalemma and cell organelles. As far as transmission of the prion particle is concerned, it would appear that active incorporation of this agent under the direction of the affected neuronal cell itself would implicate host attributes as paramount factors determining not only susceptibility to the pathologic effects of the prion particle but also to the mode of such infliction as arising in and constituting spongiform encephalopathy beyond its acquisition and progression. As a single set of acquired circumstances determining both transmissibility and also pathologic lesion creation, the spongiform neuronal change might arise directly from a membrane abnormality of water ingress and egress in and out of the neuron. An excess of water ingress intra-neuronally might actually constitute a phenomenon of active lesion induction even in terms simply of biophysical stress intra-neuronally. In simple terms, an understanding of pathogenesis in spongiform encephalopathy might actually implicate aspects of transmissibility as direct attributes of processes of template replication within a system of utilization and elimination of the prion particle. Indeed, susceptibility to spongiform change might constitute one aspect of a biologic process that arises from conformational change of the prion protein molecule that would in turn result from variable polymorphisms in modes of reactive handling of PrPc and PrPsc by the neurons and other constituent cell elements in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence M Agius
- Department of Pathology, St. Luke's Hospital, University of Malta, Malta.
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