1
|
Manka SW, Wenborn A, Collinge J, Wadsworth JDF. Prion strains viewed through the lens of cryo-EM. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:167-178. [PMID: 36028585 PMCID: PMC10113314 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03676-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian prions are lethal transmissible pathogens that cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals. They consist of fibrils of misfolded, host-encoded prion protein (PrP) which propagate through templated protein polymerisation. Prion strains produce distinct clinicopathological phenotypes in the same host and appear to be encoded by distinct misfolded PrP conformations and assembly states. Despite fundamental advances in our understanding of prion biology, key knowledge gaps remain. These include precise delineation of prion replication mechanisms, detailed explanation of the molecular basis of prion strains and inter-species transmission barriers, and the structural definition of neurotoxic PrP species. Central to addressing these questions is the determination of prion structure. While high-resolution definition of ex vivo prion fibrils once seemed unlikely, recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and computational methods for 3D reconstruction of amyloids have now made this possible. Recently, near-atomic resolution structures of highly infectious, ex vivo prion fibrils from hamster 263K and mouse RML prion strains were reported. The fibrils have a comparable parallel in-register intermolecular β-sheet (PIRIBS) architecture that now provides a structural foundation for understanding prion strain diversity in mammals. Here, we review these new findings and discuss directions for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Szymon W Manka
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Adam Wenborn
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - John Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK.
| | - Jonathan D F Wadsworth
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jankovska N, Matej R, Olejar T. Extracellular Prion Protein Aggregates in Nine Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker Syndrome Subjects with Mutation P102L: A Micromorphological Study and Comparison with Literature Data. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413303. [PMID: 34948096 PMCID: PMC8704598 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease characterized by extracellular aggregations of pathological prion protein (PrP) forming characteristic plaques. Our study aimed to evaluate the micromorphology and protein composition of these plaques in relation to age, disease duration, and co-expression of other pathogenic proteins related to other neurodegenerations. Hippocampal regions of nine clinically, neuropathologically, and genetically confirmed GSS subjects were investigated using immunohistochemistry and multichannel confocal fluorescent microscopy. Most pathognomic prion protein plaques were small (2–10 µm), condensed, globous, and did not contain any of the other investigated proteinaceous components, particularly dystrophic neurites. Equally rare (in two cases out of nine) were plaques over 50 µm having predominantly fibrillar structure and exhibit the presence of dystrophic neuritic structures; in one case, the plaques also included bulbous dystrophic neurites. Co-expression with hyperphosphorylated protein tau protein or amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ) in GSS PrP plaques is generally a rare observation, even in cases with comorbid neuropathology. The dominant picture of the GSS brain is small, condensed plaques, often multicentric, while presence of dystrophic neuritic changes accumulating hyperphosphorylated protein tau or Aβ in the PrP plaques are rare and, thus, their presence probably constitutes a trivial observation without any relationship to GSS development and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikol Jankovska
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, 14059 Prague, Czech Republic; (N.J.); (R.M.)
| | - Radoslav Matej
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, 14059 Prague, Czech Republic; (N.J.); (R.M.)
- Department of Pathology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, 10034 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Olejar
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, 14059 Prague, Czech Republic; (N.J.); (R.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-261-083-102
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim WJ, Kwon YJ, Cho CH, Ye SK, Kim KO. Insulin smart drug delivery nanoparticles of aminophenylboronic acid-POSS molecule at neutral pH. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21894. [PMID: 34750459 PMCID: PMC8575987 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01216-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-regulated "smart" insulin administration system that mimic pancreatic endocrine function would be highly desirable for diabetes management. Here, a glucose-responsive continuous insulin delivery system is developed, where novel polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) modified with 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) were used to encapsulate insulin (insulin entrapment efficiency: 73.2%) to prepare a fast response, high stability, good distribution, and excellent biocompatible system. Due to the strong hydrophobicity of POSS, the POSS moiety is located at the core in aqueous solution and combines with the boronic group of APBA and the diol generated in PEG-insulin to form a nanomicelle structure, that is, nanoparticles naturally. Micelles self-assembled from these molecules possess glucose-responsiveness at varying glucose concentrations. The interaction of the PBA and diol containing insulin via boronate ester bond and its interchange with glucose was investigated by FT-IR, 1H NMR and XPS. Furthermore, the successful glucose-triggered release of insulin from the POSS-APBA micelles was investigated at neutral pH. A linear graph was plotted with the measured released insulin vs glucose concentrations, with a linear correlation coefficient (R2) value close to 1. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy analysis was performed to measure insulin activity by comparing secondary structures of insulin, PEG-Insulin, and POSS-APBA@insulin. When confirming intracellular apoptosis signaling, cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 9 were not increased by 640 μg/ml POSS-APBA and POSS-APBA@insulin in HeLa, HDF and HUVE cells. Application in the biomedical field for controlled delivery of insulin appear to be promising.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Won Jung Kim
- Department of Fiber-System Engineering, Dankook University, 152, Jookjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 448-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Jin Kwon
- Departments of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chung-Hyun Cho
- Departments of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Ye
- Departments of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Kyu Oh Kim
- Department of Fiber-System Engineering, Dankook University, 152, Jookjeon-ro, Suji-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 448-701, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Asante EA, Linehan JM, Tomlinson A, Jakubcova T, Hamdan S, Grimshaw A, Smidak M, Jeelani A, Nihat A, Mead S, Brandner S, Wadsworth JDF, Collinge J. Spontaneous generation of prions and transmissible PrP amyloid in a humanised transgenic mouse model of A117V GSS. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000725. [PMID: 32516343 PMCID: PMC7282622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited prion diseases are caused by autosomal dominant coding mutations in the human prion protein (PrP) gene (PRNP) and account for about 15% of human prion disease cases worldwide. The proposed mechanism is that the mutation predisposes to conformational change in the expressed protein, leading to the generation of disease-related multichain PrP assemblies that propagate by seeded protein misfolding. Despite considerable experimental support for this hypothesis, to-date spontaneous formation of disease-relevant, transmissible PrP assemblies in transgenic models expressing only mutant human PrP has not been demonstrated. Here, we report findings from transgenic mice that express human PrP 117V on a mouse PrP null background (117VV Tg30 mice), which model the PRNP A117V mutation causing inherited prion disease (IPD) including Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS) disease phenotypes in humans. By studying brain samples from uninoculated groups of mice, we discovered that some mice (≥475 days old) spontaneously generated abnormal PrP assemblies, which after inoculation into further groups of 117VV Tg30 mice, produced a molecular and neuropathological phenotype congruent with that seen after transmission of brain isolates from IPD A117V patients to the same mice. To the best of our knowledge, the 117VV Tg30 mouse line is the first transgenic model expressing only mutant human PrP to show spontaneous generation of transmissible PrP assemblies that directly mirror those generated in an inherited prion disease in humans. Transgenic mice expressing the human prion protein containing a mutation linked to the inherited prion disease Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease develop spontaneous neuropathology. This represents the first human prion protein transgenic model to show spontaneous generation of transmissible prion assemblies that directly mirror those generated in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel A. Asante
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (EAA); (JDFW); (JC)
| | | | - Andrew Tomlinson
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tatiana Jakubcova
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shyma Hamdan
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Grimshaw
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Smidak
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Asif Jeelani
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Akin Nihat
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Mead
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Division of Neuropathology, the National Hospital For Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Square, London United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D. F. Wadsworth
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (EAA); (JDFW); (JC)
| | - John Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (EAA); (JDFW); (JC)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Terry C, Harniman RL, Sells J, Wenborn A, Joiner S, Saibil HR, Miles MJ, Collinge J, Wadsworth JDF. Structural features distinguishing infectious ex vivo mammalian prions from non-infectious fibrillar assemblies generated in vitro. Sci Rep 2019; 9:376. [PMID: 30675000 PMCID: PMC6344479 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36700-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Seeded polymerisation of proteins forming amyloid fibres and their spread in tissues has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases: so called "prion-like" mechanisms. While ex vivo mammalian prions, composed of multichain assemblies of misfolded host-encoded prion protein (PrP), act as lethal infectious agents, PrP amyloid fibrils produced in vitro generally do not. The high-resolution structure of authentic infectious prions and the structural basis of prion strain diversity remain unknown. Here we use cryo-electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to examine the structure of highly infectious PrP rods isolated from mouse brain in comparison to non-infectious recombinant PrP fibrils generated in vitro. Non-infectious recombinant PrP fibrils are 10 nm wide single fibres, with a double helical repeating substructure displaying small variations in adhesive force interactions across their width. In contrast, infectious PrP rods are 20 nm wide and contain two fibres, each with a double helical repeating substructure, separated by a central gap of 8-10 nm in width. This gap contains an irregularly structured material whose adhesive force properties are strikingly different to that of the fibres, suggestive of a distinct composition. The structure of the infectious PrP rods, which cause lethal neurodegeneration, readily differentiates them from all other protein assemblies so far characterised in other neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Terry
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
- London Metropolitan University, North Campus, Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, UK
| | | | - Jessica Sells
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
- King's Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Adam Wenborn
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Susan Joiner
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Helen R Saibil
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Mervyn J Miles
- School of Physics, H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK
| | - John Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK.
| | - Jonathan D F Wadsworth
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhou S, Zhu Y, Yao X, Liu H. Carbon Nanoparticles Inhibit the Aggregation of Prion Protein as Revealed by Experiments and Atomistic Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2018; 59:1909-1918. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.8b00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuangyan Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory on Big Data for Bio Intelligence, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Yongchang Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterized by the deposition of amyloids, misfolded conformers of the prion protein. The misfolded conformation is self-replicating, by a mechanism solely enciphered in the conformation of the protein. Because of low solubility and heterogeneous aggregate sizes, the detailed atomic structure of the infectious isoform is still unknown. Progress has, however, been made, and has allowed insights into the structural and disease-related mechanisms of prions. Many structural models have been proposed, and a number of them support a consensus trimeric β-helical model, significantly more complex than simple amyloid models. There is evidence that such complexity may be a necessary property of prion structure. Knowledge of the structure of prions will provide a greater understanding of the protein isoform conversion mechanism, and could eventually lead to rationally designed intervention strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Stubbs
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 53723
| | - Jan Stöhr
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dubnikov T, Ben-Gedalya T, Cohen E. Protein Quality Control in Health and Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2017; 9:cshperspect.a023523. [PMID: 27864315 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining functional protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is a constant challenge in the face of limited protein-folding capacity, environmental threats, and aging. Cells have developed several quality-control mechanisms that assist nascent polypeptides to fold properly, clear misfolded molecules, respond to the accumulation of protein aggregates, and deposit potentially toxic conformers in designated sites. Proteostasis collapse can lead to the development of diseases known as proteinopathies. Here we delineate the current knowledge on the different layers of protein quality-control mechanisms at the organelle and cellular levels with an emphasis on the prion protein (PrP). We also describe how protein quality control is integrated at the organismal level and discuss future perspectives on utilizing proteostasis maintenance as a strategy to develop novel therapies for the treatment of proteinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Dubnikov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Tziona Ben-Gedalya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ehud Cohen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), The Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dubnikov T, Cohen E. The Emerging Roles of Early Protein Folding Events in the Secretory Pathway in the Development of Neurodegenerative Maladies. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:48. [PMID: 28223916 PMCID: PMC5293786 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although, protein aggregation and deposition are unifying features of various neurodegenerative disorders, recent studies indicate that different mechanisms can lead to the development of the same malady. Among these, failure in early protein folding and maturation emerge as key mechanistic events that lead to the manifestation of a myriad of illnesses including Alzheimer's disease and prion disorders. Here we delineate the cascade of maturation steps that nascent polypeptides undergo in the secretory pathway to become functional proteins, and the chaperones that supervise and assist this process, focusing on the subgroup of proline cis/trans isomerases. We also describe the chaperones whose failure was found to be an underlying event that initiates the run-up toward neurodegeneration as well as chaperones whose activity impairs protein homeostasis (proteostasis) and thus, promotes the manifestation of these maladies. Finally, we discuss the roles of aggregate deposition sites in the cellular attempt to maintain proteostasis and point at potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Dubnikov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University School of Medicine Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ehud Cohen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University School of Medicine Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhou S, Wang Q, Wang Y, Yao X, Han W, Liu H. The folding mechanism and key metastable state identification of the PrP127–147 monomer studied by molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state model analysis. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:11249-11259. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp01521f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MD simulation combined with MSM analysis was employed to investigate the structural dynamics and the folding mechanism of the key fragment 127–147 monomer of prion protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Qianqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
- Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health
- Macau University of Science and Technology
- Taipa
- China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
- Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health
- Macau University of Science and Technology
- Taipa
- China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
- Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health
- Macau University of Science and Technology
- Taipa
- China
| | - Wei Han
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics
- School of Chemical biology and Biotechnology
- Beijing University Shenzhen Graduate School
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy
- Lanzhou University
- Lanzhou 730000
- China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Guzzi C, Colombo L, Luigi AD, Salmona M, Nicotra F, Airoldi C. Flavonoids and Their Glycosides as Anti-amyloidogenic Compounds: Aβ1-42 Interaction Studies to Gain New Insights into Their Potential for Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Therapy. Chem Asian J 2016; 12:67-75. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201601291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Guzzi
- Department of Biotecnology and Bioscience; University of Milano-Bicocca; Piazza della Scienza 2 I-20126 Milan Italy
| | - Laura Colombo
- Department Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology; IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”; Via Giuseppe La Masa, 19 20156 Milan Italy
| | - Ada De Luigi
- Department Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology; IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”; Via Giuseppe La Masa, 19 20156 Milan Italy
| | - Mario Salmona
- Department Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology; IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”; Via Giuseppe La Masa, 19 20156 Milan Italy
| | - Francesco Nicotra
- Department of Biotecnology and Bioscience; University of Milano-Bicocca; Piazza della Scienza 2 I-20126 Milan Italy
- Milan Center of Neuroscience (NeuroMI); 20126 Milan Italy
| | - Cristina Airoldi
- Department of Biotecnology and Bioscience; University of Milano-Bicocca; Piazza della Scienza 2 I-20126 Milan Italy
- Milan Center of Neuroscience (NeuroMI); 20126 Milan Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kumar V, Sami N, Kashav T, Islam A, Ahmad F, Hassan MI. Protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases: From theory to therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 124:1105-1120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
14
|
Wan W, Wille H, Stöhr J, Kendall A, Bian W, McDonald M, Tiggelaar S, Watts JC, Prusiner SB, Stubbs G. Structural studies of truncated forms of the prion protein PrP. Biophys J 2016; 108:1548-1554. [PMID: 25809267 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are proteins that adopt self-propagating aberrant folds. The self-propagating properties of prions are a direct consequence of their distinct structures, making the understanding of these structures and their biophysical interactions fundamental to understanding prions and their related diseases. The insolubility and inherent disorder of prions have made their structures difficult to study, particularly in the case of the infectious form of the mammalian prion protein PrP. Many investigators have therefore preferred to work with peptide fragments of PrP, suggesting that these peptides might serve as structural and functional models for biologically active prions. We have used x-ray fiber diffraction to compare a series of different-sized fragments of PrP, to determine the structural commonalities among the fragments and the biologically active, self-propagating prions. Although all of the peptides studied adopted amyloid conformations, only the larger fragments demonstrated a degree of structural complexity approaching that of PrP. Even these larger fragments did not adopt the prion structure itself with detailed fidelity, and in some cases their structures were radically different from that of pathogenic PrP(Sc).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Wan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Holger Wille
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jan Stöhr
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Amy Kendall
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Wen Bian
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Michele McDonald
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sarah Tiggelaar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joel C Watts
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Stanley B Prusiner
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Gerald Stubbs
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Amyloid-β peptides in interaction with raft-mime model membranes: a neutron reflectivity insight. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20997. [PMID: 26880066 PMCID: PMC4754687 DOI: 10.1038/srep20997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of first-stage β–amyloid aggregation in the development of the Alzheimer disease, is widely accepted but still unclear. Intimate interaction with the cell membrane is invoked. We designed Neutron Reflectometry experiments to reveal the existence and extent of the interaction between β–amyloid (Aβ) peptides and a lone customized biomimetic membrane, and their dependence on the aggregation state of the peptide. The membrane, asymmetrically containing phospholipids, GM1 and cholesterol in biosimilar proportion, is a model for a raft, a putative site for amyloid-cell membrane interaction. We found that the structured-oligomer of Aβ(1-42), its most acknowledged membrane-active state, is embedded as such into the external leaflet of the membrane. Conversely, the Aβ(1-42) unstructured early-oligomers deeply penetrate the membrane, likely mimicking the interaction at neuronal cell surfaces, when the Aβ(1-42) is cleaved from APP protein and the membrane constitutes a template for its further structural evolution. Moreover, the smaller Aβ(1-6) fragment, the N-terminal portion of Aβ, was also used. Aβ N-terminal is usually considered as involved in oligomer stabilization but not in the peptide-membrane interaction. Instead, it was seen to remove lipids from the bilayer, thus suggesting its role, once in the whole peptide, in membrane leakage, favouring peptide recruitment.
Collapse
|
16
|
Williams RSB, Bate C. An in vitro model for synaptic loss in neurodegenerative diseases suggests a neuroprotective role for valproic acid via inhibition of cPLA2 dependent signalling. Neuropharmacology 2015; 101:566-75. [PMID: 26116815 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases present the loss of synapses as a common pathological feature. Here we have employed an in vitro model for synaptic loss to investigate the molecular mechanism of a therapeutic treatment, valproic acid (VPA). We show that amyloid-β (Aβ), isolated from patient tissue and thought to be the causative agent of Alzheimer's disease, caused the loss of synaptic proteins including synaptophysin, synapsin-1 and cysteine-string protein from cultured mouse neurons. Aβ-induced synapse damage was reduced by pre-treatment with physiologically relevant concentrations of VPA (10 μM) and a structural variant propylisopropylacetic acid (PIA). These drugs also reduced synaptic damage induced by other neurodegenerative-associated proteins α-synuclein, linked to Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease, and the prion-derived peptide PrP82-146. Consistent with these effects, synaptic vesicle recycling was also inhibited by these proteins and protected by VPA and PIA. We show a mechanism for this damage through aberrant activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) that is reduced by both drugs. Furthermore, Aβ-dependent cPLA2 activation correlates with its accumulation in lipid rafts, and is likely to be caused by elevated cholesterol (stabilising rafts) and decreased cholesterol ester levels, and this mechanism is reduced by VPA and PIA. Such observations suggest that VPA and PIA may provide protection against synaptic damage that occurs during Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin S B Williams
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Clive Bate
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Guerrero-Muñoz MJ, Castillo-Carranza DL, Sengupta U, White MA, Kayed R. Design of metastable β-sheet oligomers from natively unstructured peptide. ACS Chem Neurosci 2013; 4:1520-3. [PMID: 24106878 DOI: 10.1021/cn4001395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid oligomers represent the primary pathological species for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Toxic oligomers are formed by many different proteins and peptides, but their polydispersity makes them highly dynamic and heterogeneous. One way to stabilize these structures is to prepare constrained peptides that can be used to study amyloid intermediates, to identify oligomer-specific drugs, and to generate conformational antibodies. These conformational antibodies have demonstrated that oligomers share a common epitope. In this research, we used a 40-amino acid unstructured segment of prion protein (Prp) 109-148 with substitutions of methionine for glycine (Prp-G) residues to prepare a stable and homogeneous population of β-sheet oligomer mimics. These structures were characterized by multiple biophysical and biochemical techniques that show characteristic features of oligomers. Finally, this preparation was not detected by three different sequence dependent prion antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos J. Guerrero-Muñoz
- Department of Neurology, the George P. and
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, ‡Departments of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, the Sealy Center for
Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Diana L. Castillo-Carranza
- Department of Neurology, the George P. and
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, ‡Departments of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, the Sealy Center for
Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Department of Neurology, the George P. and
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, ‡Departments of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, the Sealy Center for
Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Mark A. White
- Department of Neurology, the George P. and
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, ‡Departments of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, the Sealy Center for
Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Department of Neurology, the George P. and
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, ‡Departments of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, the Sealy Center for
Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhao X, Shan C, Zu Y, Zhang Y, Wang W, Wang K, Sui X, Li R. Preparation, characterization, and evaluation in vivo of Ins-SiO2-HP55 (insulin-loaded silica coating HP55) for oral delivery of insulin. Int J Pharm 2013; 454:278-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
19
|
Zweckstetter M. Conserved amyloid core structure of stop mutants of the human prion protein. Prion 2013; 7:193-7. [PMID: 23406905 DOI: 10.4161/pri.23956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are associated with misfolding of the natively α-helical prion protein into isoforms that are rich in cross β-structure. However, both the mechanism by which pathological conformations are produced and their structural properties remain unclear. Using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, computation, hydroxyl radical probing combined with mass-spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that prion stop mutants that accumulate in amyloidogenic plaque-forming aggregates fold into a β-helix. The polymorphic residue 129 is located in the hydrophobic core of the β-helix in line with a critical role of the 129 region in the packing of protein chains into prion particles. Together with electron microscopy our data support a trimeric left-handed β-helix model in which the trimer interface is formed by residues L125, Y128 and L130. Different prion types or strains might be related to different aggregate structures or filament assemblies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Zweckstetter
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Glaves JP, Gorski PA, Alier K, Ma L, Renault L, Primeau JO, Jhamandas JH, Young HS. Distinct morphological and electrophysiological properties of an elk prion peptide. Peptides 2013; 40:49-56. [PMID: 23262353 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A key event in prion diseases is the conversion of the prion protein (PrP) from its native α-helical conformation to a misfolded, β-sheet rich conformation. Thus, preventing or reversing PrP misfolding could provide a means to disrupt prion disease progression and transmission. However, determining the structure of misfolded PrP has been notoriously difficult due to its inherent heterogeneity and aggregation behavior. For these reasons, simplified peptide fragments have been used as models that recapitulate characteristics of full-length PrP, such as amyloid-like aggregation and fibril formation, and in vitro toxicity. We provide a biochemical and structural comparison of PrP(127-147) peptides from elk, bovine and hamster using electrophysiology, electron microscopy and fluorescence. Our results demonstrate that the PrP(127-147) peptides adopt distinct populations of fibril structures. In addition, the elk PrP(127-147) peptide is unique in its ability to enhance Thioflavin T fluorescence and its ability to modulate neuronal ion channel conductances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Glaves
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H7
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Skora L, Zweckstetter M. Determination of amyloid core structure using chemical shifts. Protein Sci 2012; 21:1948-53. [PMID: 23033250 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are the pathological hallmark of a large variety of neurodegenerative disorders. The structural characterization of amyloid fibrils, however, is challenging due to their non-crystalline, heterogeneous, and often dynamic nature. Thus, the structure of amyloid fibrils of many proteins is still unknown. We here show that the structure calculation program CS-Rosetta can be used to obtain insight into the core structure of amyloid fibrils. Driven by experimental solid-state NMR chemical shifts and taking into account the polymeric nature of fibrils CS-Rosetta allows modeling of the core of amyloid fibrils. Application to the Y145X stop mutant of the human prion protein reveals a left-handed β-helix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Skora
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Faßberg 11, Göttingen, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Thellung S, Gatta E, Pellistri F, Corsaro A, Villa V, Vassalli M, Robello M, Florio T. Excitotoxicity through NMDA receptors mediates cerebellar granule neuron apoptosis induced by prion protein 90-231 fragment. Neurotox Res 2012; 23:301-14. [PMID: 22855343 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-012-9340-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Revised: 07/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases recognize, as a unique molecular trait, the misfolding of CNS-enriched prion protein (PrP(C)) into an aberrant isoform (PrP(Sc)). In this work, we characterize the in vitro toxicity of amino-terminally truncated recombinant PrP fragment (amino acids 90-231, PrP90-231), on rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGN), focusing on glutamatergic receptor activation and Ca(2+) homeostasis impairment. This recombinant fragment assumes a toxic conformation (PrP90-231(TOX)) after controlled thermal denaturation (1 h at 53 °C) acquiring structural characteristics identified in PrP(Sc) (enrichment in β-structures, increased hydrophobicity, partial resistance to proteinase K, and aggregation in amyloid fibrils). By annexin-V binding assay, and evaluation of the percentage of fragmented and condensed nuclei, we show that treatment with PrP90-231(TOX), used in pre-fibrillar aggregation state, induces CGN apoptosis. This effect was associated with a delayed, but sustained elevation of [Ca(2+)]i. Both CGN apoptosis and [Ca(2+)]i increase were not observed using PrP90-231 in PrP(C)-like conformation. PrP90-231(TOX) effects were significantly reduced in the presence of ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists. In particular, CGN apoptosis and [Ca(2+)]i increase were largely reduced, although not fully abolished, by pre-treatment with the NMDA antagonists APV and memantine, while the AMPA antagonist CNQX produced a lower, although still significant, effect. In conclusion, we report that CGN apoptosis induced by PrP90-231(TOX) correlates with a sustained elevation of [Ca(2+)]i mediated by the activation of NMDA and AMPA receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Thellung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pharmacology and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR) School of Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
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.
Collapse
|
24
|
Airoldi C, Zona C, Sironi E, Colombo L, Messa M, Aurilia D, Gregori M, Masserini M, Salmona M, Nicotra F, La Ferla B. Curcumin derivatives as new ligands of Aβ peptides. J Biotechnol 2011; 156:317-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2011.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
25
|
Martínez J, Lisa S, Sánchez R, Kowalczyk W, Zurita E, Teixidó M, Giralt E, Andreu D, Avila J, Gasset M. Selenomethionine incorporation into amyloid sequences regulates fibrillogenesis and toxicity. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27999. [PMID: 22132190 PMCID: PMC3222675 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The capacity of a polypeptide chain to engage in an amyloid formation process and cause a conformational disease is contained in its sequence. Some of the sequences undergoing fibrillation contain critical methionine (Met) residues which in vivo can be synthetically substituted by selenomethionine (SeM) and alter their properties. Methodology/Principal Findings Using peptide synthesis, biophysical techniques and cell viability determinations we have studied the effect of the substitution of methionine (Met) by selenomethionine (SeM) on the fibrillogenesis and toxic properties of Aβ40 and HuPrP(106–140). We have found that the effects display site-specificity and vary from inhibition of fibrillation and decreased toxicity ([SeM35]Aβ40, [SeM129]HuPrP(106–140) and [SeM134]HuPrP(106–140)), retarded assembly, modulation of polymer shape and retention of toxicity ([SeM112]HuPrP(106–140) to absence of effects ([SeM109]HuPrP(106–140)). Conclusions/Significance This work provides direct evidence that the substitution of Met by SeM in proamyloid sequences has a major impact on their self-assembly and toxic properties, suggesting that the SeM pool can play a major role in dictating the allowance and efficiency of a polypeptide chain to undergo toxic polymerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Martínez
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Lisa
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Sánchez
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Wioleta Kowalczyk
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Zurita
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ernest Giralt
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Avila
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Gasset
- Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Mady MM, Elshemey WM. Interaction of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes and insulin. Mol Phys 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/00268976.2011.575408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
27
|
Airoldi C, Colombo L, Manzoni C, Sironi E, Natalello A, Doglia SM, Forloni G, Tagliavini F, Del Favero E, Cantù L, Nicotra F, Salmona M. Tetracycline prevents Aβ oligomer toxicity through an atypical supramolecular interaction. Org Biomol Chem 2011; 9:463-72. [DOI: 10.1039/c0ob00303d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
28
|
α-synuclein induced synapse damage is enhanced by amyloid-β1-42. Mol Neurodegener 2010; 5:55. [PMID: 21138585 PMCID: PMC3017026 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-5-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is associated with the accumulation of aggregated forms of the α-synuclein (αSN) protein. An early event in the neuropathology of PD and DLB is the loss of synapses and a corresponding reduction in the level of synaptic proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in synapse damage in these diseases are poorly understood. In this study the process of synapse damage was investigated by measuring the amount of synaptophysin, a pre-synaptic membrane protein essential for neurotransmission, in cultured neurons incubated with αSN, or with amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides that are thought to trigger synapse degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Results We report that the addition of recombinant human αSN reduced the amount of synaptophysin in cultured cortical and hippocampal neurons indicative of synapse damage. αSN also reduced synaptic vesicle recycling, as measured by the uptake of the fluorescent dye FM1-43. These effects of αSN on synapses were modified by interactions with other proteins. Thus, the addition of βSN reduced the effects of αSN on synapses. In contrast, the addition of amyloid-β (Aβ)1-42 exacerbated the effects of αSN on synaptic vesicle recycling and synapse damage. Similarly, the addition of αSN increased synapse damage induced by Aβ1-42. However, this effect of αSN was selective as it did not affect synapse damage induced by the prion-derived peptide PrP82-146. Conclusions These results are consistent with the hypothesis that oligomers of αSN trigger synapse damage in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. Moreover, they suggest that the effect of αSN on synapses may be influenced by interactions with other peptides produced within the brain.
Collapse
|
29
|
Inhibition of phospholipase A2 increased the removal of the prion derived peptide PrP82-146 from cultured neurons. Neuropharmacology 2010; 60:365-72. [PMID: 20934441 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 10/01/2010] [Accepted: 10/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The prion diseases are characterised by the formation of the disease-associated isoform of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)) and the production of disease-related peptides. The prion derived peptide PrP82-146 bound readily to cortical neurons and was found within detergent resistant membranes that are commonly called lipid rafts. It was not found within lysosomes and the slow degradation of PrP82-146 resulted in a half-life of approximately 5 days. In cortical neurons pre-treated with phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitors (AACOCF(3) or MAFP) less PrP82-146 entered lipid rafts, more PrP82-146 was found within lysosomes and the half-life of PrP82-146 was reduced to 24 h. Similarly, pre-treatment of neurons with platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists (Hexa-PAF and ginkgolide B) increased the entry of PrP82-146 into lysosomes and reduced its half-life. Furthermore, the addition of PAF reversed the effects of PLA(2) inhibitors on PrP82-146 trafficking. PAF controlled the amount of cholesterol in cell membranes and the effects of PAF receptor antagonists on the trafficking of PrP82-146 were reversed by the addition of cholesterol. We conclude that activation of PLA(2) and the production of PAF control a cholesterol-sensitive pathway that affects the cellular localisation and hence the fate of PrP82-146 in neurons.
Collapse
|
30
|
The hydrophobic core region governs mutant prion protein aggregation and intracellular retention. Biochem J 2010; 430:477-86. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20100615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Approx. 15% of human prion diseases have a pattern of autosomal dominant inheritance, and are linked to mutations in the gene encoding PrP (prion protein), a GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol)-anchored protein whose function is not clear. The cellular mechanisms by which PrP mutations cause disease are also not known. Soon after synthesis in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum), several mutant PrPs misfold and become resistant to phospholipase cleavage of their GPI anchor. The biosynthetic maturation of the misfolded molecules in the ER is delayed and, during transit in the secretory pathway, they form detergent-insoluble and protease-resistant aggregates, suggesting that intracellular PrP aggregation may play a pathogenic role. We have investigated the consequence of deleting residues 114–121 within the hydrophobic core of PrP on the aggregation and cellular localization of two pathogenic mutants that accumulate in the ER and Golgi apparatus. Compared with their full-length counterparts, the deleted molecules formed smaller protease-sensitive aggregates and were more efficiently transported to the cell surface and released by phospholipase cleavage. These results indicate that mutant PrP aggregation and intracellular retention are closely related and depend critically on the integrity of the hydrophobic core. The discovery that Δ114–121 counteracts misfolding and improves the cellular trafficking of mutant PrP provides an unprecedented model for assessing the role of intracellular aggregation in the pathogenesis of prion diseases.
Collapse
|
31
|
Elshemey WM, Mohammad IA, Elsayed AA. Wide-angle X-ray scattering as a probe for insulin denaturation. Int J Biol Macromol 2010; 46:471-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2010.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2010] [Accepted: 03/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
32
|
Bate C, Tayebi M, Williams A. A glycosylphosphatidylinositol analogue reduced prion-derived peptide mediated activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2, synapse degeneration and neuronal death. Neuropharmacology 2010; 59:93-9. [PMID: 20398681 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2010] [Revised: 03/18/2010] [Accepted: 04/07/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of prion diseases includes synapse degeneration and neuronal death. Here we report that pre-treatment with glucosamine-phosphatidylinositol (glucosamine-PI), a synthetic analogue of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor that attaches the prion protein (PrP(C)) to plasma membranes, increased the resistance of cultured cortical neurones to the toxic effects of the prion-derived peptide PrP82-146. Pre-treatment with glucosamine-PI reduced the PrP82-146 induced activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), activation of caspase-3 and synapse degeneration. The addition of glucosamine-PI significantly increased the amount of cholesterol within neuronal membranes consistent with the hypothesis that GPI anchors sequester cholesterol. Whereas in untreated neurones PrP82-146 was found within lipid rafts, in glucosamine-PI treated neurones most PrP82-146 was found in the normal cell membrane and was rerouted into the lysosomes. Complex GPI anchors isolated from PrP(C), Thy-1 or CD55 were also protective against PrP82-146. We conclude that glucosamine-PI, or isolated GPI anchors, can modify local membrane micro-environments that are important in the initiation of signalling events that mediate PrP82-146 induced neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clive Bate
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Herts, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Phospholipase A2 inhibitors protect against prion and Abeta mediated synapse degeneration. Mol Neurodegener 2010; 5:13. [PMID: 20374666 PMCID: PMC2865460 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-5-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An early event in the neuropathology of prion and Alzheimer's diseases is the loss of synapses and a corresponding reduction in the level of synaptophysin, a pre-synaptic membrane protein essential for neurotransmission. The molecular mechanisms involved in synapse degeneration in these diseases are poorly understood. In this study the process of synapse degeneration was investigated by measuring the synaptophysin content of cultured neurones incubated with the prion derived peptide (PrP82-146) or with Abeta1-42, a peptide thought to trigger pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. A pharmacological approach was used to screen cell signalling pathways involved in synapse degeneration. RESULTS Pre-treatment with phospholipase A2 inhibitors (AACOCF3, MAFP and aristolochic acids) protected against synapse degeneration in cultured cortical and hippocampal neurones incubated with PrP82-146 or Abeta1-42. Synapse degeneration was also observed following the addition of a specific phospholipase A2 activating peptide (PLAP) and the addition of PrP82-146 or Abeta1-42 activated cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 within synapses. Activation of phospholipase A2 is the first step in the generation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and PAF receptor antagonists (ginkgolide B, Hexa-PAF and CV6029) protected against synapse degeneration induced by PrP82-146, Abeta1-42 and PLAP. PAF facilitated the production of prostaglandin E2, which also caused synapse degeneration and pre-treatment with the prostanoid E receptor antagonist AH13205 protected against PrP82-146, Abeta1-42 and PAF induced synapse degeneration. CONCLUSIONS Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that PrP82-146 and Abeta1-42trigger abnormal activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 resident within synapses, resulting in elevated levels of PAF and prostaglandin E2that cause synapse degeneration. Inhibitors of this pathway that can cross the blood brain barrier may protect against the synapse degeneration seen during Alzheimer's or prion diseases.
Collapse
|
34
|
Ji HF, Zhang HY. beta-sheet constitution of prion proteins. Trends Biochem Sci 2010; 35:129-34. [PMID: 20060302 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2009.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2009] [Revised: 12/07/2009] [Accepted: 12/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Structural information regarding normal prion protein (PrP(C)) and the scrapie isoform (PrP(Sc)) is of vital importance for elucidating the pathogenesis of prion diseases (PDs). Despite successful determination of the three-dimensional structures of PrP(C), the structural details of PrP(Sc) remain elusive. Nevertheless, accumulated evidence indicates that beta-sheets comprise the basic building blocks of PrP(Sc). Consensus has been reached about the beta-sheet constitution of the N-terminus of PrP, but the constitution of C-terminal beta-sheets is heavily debated. By evaluating the most recent observations regarding the dynamics and structures of PrP, we propose that helix 2 is more likely than helices 1 and 3 to participate in beta-sheet formation. This hypothesis also provides clues to explaining an intriguing phenomenon in prion biology-the lack of PDs in non-mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Fang Ji
- Shandong Provincial Research Center for Bioinformatic Engineering and Technique, Center for Advanced Study, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049, PR China.
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Bate C, Tayebi M, Diomede L, Salmona M, Williams A. Glimepiride reduces the expression of PrPc, prevents PrPSc formation and protects against prion mediated neurotoxicity in cell lines. PLoS One 2009; 4:e8221. [PMID: 20011040 PMCID: PMC2784943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 11/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A hallmark of the prion diseases is the conversion of the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into a disease related, alternatively folded isoform (PrP(Sc)). The accumulation of PrP(Sc) within the brain is associated with synapse loss and ultimately neuronal death. Novel therapeutics are desperately required to treat neurodegenerative diseases including the prion diseases. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Treatment with glimepiride, a sulphonylurea approved for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, induced the release of PrP(C) from the surface of prion-infected neuronal cells. The cell surface is a site where PrP(C) molecules may be converted to PrP(Sc) and glimepiride treatment reduced PrP(Sc) formation in three prion infected neuronal cell lines (ScN2a, SMB and ScGT1 cells). Glimepiride also protected cortical and hippocampal neurones against the toxic effects of the prion-derived peptide PrP82-146. Glimepiride treatment significantly reduce both the amount of PrP82-146 that bound to neurones and PrP82-146 induced activation of cytoplasmic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and the production of prostaglandin E(2) that is associated with neuronal injury in prion diseases. Our results are consistent with reports that glimepiride activates an endogenous glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-phospholipase C which reduced PrP(C) expression at the surface of neuronal cells. The effects of glimepiride were reproduced by treatment of cells with phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and were reversed by co-incubation with p-chloromercuriphenylsulphonate, an inhibitor of endogenous GPI-PLC. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these results indicate that glimepiride may be a novel treatment to reduce PrP(Sc) formation and neuronal damage in prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clive Bate
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
A conformational isoform of the mammalian prion protein (PrP(Sc)) is the sole component of the infectious pathogen that causes the prion diseases. We have obtained X-ray fiber diffraction patterns from infectious prions that show cross-beta diffraction: meridional intensity at 4.8 A resolution, indicating the presence of beta strands running approximately at right angles to the filament axis and characteristic of amyloid structure. Some of the patterns also indicated the presence of a repeating unit along the fiber axis, corresponding to four beta-strands. We found that recombinant (rec) PrP amyloid differs substantially from highly infectious brain-derived prions, both in structure as demonstrated by the diffraction data, and in heterogeneity as shown by electron microscopy. In addition to the strong 4.8 A meridional reflection, the recPrP amyloid diffraction is characterized by strong equatorial intensity at approximately 10.5 A, absent from brain-derived prions, and indicating the presence of stacked beta-sheets. Synthetic prions recovered from transgenic mice inoculated with recPrP amyloid displayed structural characteristics and homogeneity similar to those of naturally occurring prions. The relationship between the structural differences and prion infectivity is uncertain, but might be explained by any of several hypotheses: only a minority of recPrP amyloid possesses a replication-competent conformation, the majority of recPrP amyloid has to undergo a conformational maturation to acquire replication competency, or inhibitory forms of recPrP amyloid interfere with replication during the initial transmission.
Collapse
|
37
|
ST1859 reduces prion infectivity and increase survival in experimental scrapie. Arch Virol 2009; 154:1539-44. [PMID: 19685199 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-009-0471-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Accepted: 07/10/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
On the basis of the structural homologies between ST1859 (1[(2-hydroxy-1-naphtyl)methyl]-2-naphthol) and the anti-prion agents and its anti-amyloidogenic activity, we tested whether this molecule altered the biochemical properties of aggregates formed in vitro by synthetic prion peptides and affected prion infectivity in experimental scrapie. Co-incubation of ST1859 with the peptides PrP 106-126 and PrP 82-146 reduced their fibrillogenic capacity and their resistance to digestion with protease K. Hamsters inoculated with the ST1859-treated homogenate showed a significant delay in the onset of clinical signs of disease and longer survival. Survival was also significantly longer in infected hamsters treated peripherally with ST1859 for the whole post-inoculation period until the onset of clinical symptoms. Similar results were found with the analogue ST1745. Our data indicate that ST1859 reduces prion infectivity and can exert a therapeutic effect in experimental scrapie.
Collapse
|
38
|
Bate C, Tayebi M, Salmona M, Diomede L, Williams A. Polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against prion-mediated synapse damage in vitro. Neurotox Res 2009; 17:203-14. [PMID: 19644728 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-009-9093-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2009] [Revised: 06/11/2009] [Accepted: 07/14/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A loss of synapses is characteristic of the early stages of the prion diseases. Here we modelled the synapse damage that occurs in prion diseases by measuring the amount of synaptophysin, a pre-synaptic membrane protein essential for neurotransmission, in cortical or hippocampal neurones incubated with the disease associated isoform of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)), or with the prion-derived peptide PrP82-146. The addition of PrP(Sc) or PrP82-146 caused a dose-dependent reduction in the synaptophysin content of PrP wildtype neurones indicative of synapse damage. They did not affect the synaptophysin content of PrP null neurones. The loss of synaptophysin in PrP wildtype neurones was preceded by the accumulation of PrP82-146 within synapses. Since supplements containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are frequently taken for their perceived health benefits including reported amelioration of neurodegenerative conditions, the effects of some common PUFA on prion-mediated synapse damage were examined. Pre-treatment of cortical or hippocampal neurones with docosahexaenoic (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) protected neurones against the loss of synaptophysin induced by PrP82-146 or PrP(Sc). This effect of DHA and EPA was selective as they did not alter the loss of synaptophysin induced by a snakevenom neurotoxin. The effects of DHA and EPA were associated with a significant reduction in the amount of FITC-PrP82-146 that accumulated within synapses. Such observations raise the possibility that supplements containing PUFA may protect against the synapse damage and cognitive loss seen during the early stages of prion diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clive Bate
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Albani D, Polito L, Batelli S, De Mauro S, Fracasso C, Martelli G, Colombo L, Manzoni C, Salmona M, Caccia S, Negro A, Forloni G. The SIRT1 activator resveratrol protects SK-N-BE cells from oxidative stress and against toxicity caused by alpha-synuclein or amyloid-beta (1-42) peptide. J Neurochem 2009; 110:1445-56. [PMID: 19558452 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06228.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Human sirtuins are a family of seven conserved proteins (SIRT1-7). The most investigated is the silent mating type information regulation-2 homolog (SIRT1, NM_012238), which was associated with neuroprotection in models of polyglutamine toxicity or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and whose activation by the phytocompound resveratrol (RES) has been described. We have examined the neuroprotective role of RES in a cellular model of oxidative stress, a common feature of neurodegeneration. RES prevented toxicity triggered by hydrogen peroxide or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). This action was likely mediated by SIRT1 activation, as the protection was lost in the presence of the SIRT1 inhibitor sirtinol and when SIRT1 expression was down-regulated by siRNA approach. RES was also able to protect SK-N-BE from the toxicity arising from two aggregation-prone proteins, the AD-involved amyloid-beta (1-42) peptide (Abeta42) and the familiar Parkinson's disease linked alpha-synuclein(A30P) [alpha-syn(A30P)]. Alpha-syn(A30P) toxicity was restored by sirtinol addition, while a partial RES protective effect against Abeta42 was found even in presence of sirtinol, thus suggesting a direct RES effect on Abeta42 fibrils. We conclude that SIRT1 activation by RES can prevent in our neuroblastoma model the deleterious effects triggered by oxidative stress or alpha-syn(A30P) aggregation, while RES displayed a SIRT1-independent protective action against Abeta42.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Via La Masa 19, Milan 20156, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Saracino GA, Villa A, Moro G, Cosentino U, Salmona M. Spontaneous β-helical fold in prion protein: The case of PrP(82-146). Proteins 2009; 75:964-76. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.22306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
41
|
Boshuizen RS, Schulz V, Morbin M, Mazzoleni G, Meloen RH, Langedijk JPM. Heterologous stacking of prion protein peptides reveals structural details of fibrils and facilitates complete inhibition of fibril growth. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:12809-20. [PMID: 19304665 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m809151200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrils play an important role in the pathogenesis of amyloidosis; however, the underlying mechanisms of the growth process and the structural details of fibrils are poorly understood. Crucial in the fibril formation of prion proteins is the stacking of PrP monomers. We previously proposed that the structure of the prion protein fibril may be similar as a parallel left-handed beta-helix. The beta-helix is composed of spiraling rungs of parallel beta-strands, and in the PrP model residues 105-143 of each PrP monomer can contribute two beta-helical rungs to the growing fibril. Here we report data to support this model. We show that two cyclized human PrP peptides corresponding to residues 105-124 and 125-143, based on two single rungs of the left-handed beta-helical core of the human PrP(Sc) fibril, show spontaneous cooperative fibril growth in vitro by heterologous stacking. Because the structural model must have predictive value, peptides were designed based on the structure rules of the left-handed beta-helical fold that could stack with prion protein peptides to stimulate or to block fibril growth. The stimulator peptide was designed as an optimal left-handed beta-helical fold that can serve as a template for fibril growth initiation. The inhibiting peptide was designed to bind to the exposed rung but frustrate the propagation of the fibril growth. The single inhibitory peptide hardly shows inhibition, but the combination of the inhibitory with the stimulatory peptide showed complete inhibition of the fibril growth of peptide huPrP-(106-126). Moreover, the unique strategy based on stimulatory and inhibitory peptides seems a powerful new approach to study amyloidogenic fibril structures in general and could prove useful for the development of therapeutics.
Collapse
|
42
|
Palladino P, Ronga L, Benedetti E, Rossi F, Ragone R. Peptide Fragment Approach to Prion Misfolding: The Alpha-2 Domain. Int J Pept Res Ther 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-009-9171-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
|
43
|
Pera M, Martínez-Otero A, Colombo L, Salmona M, Ruiz-Molina D, Badia A, Clos M. Acetylcholinesterase as an amyloid enhancing factor in PrP82-146 aggregation process. Mol Cell Neurosci 2009; 40:217-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2008.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2008] [Revised: 10/09/2008] [Accepted: 10/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
|
44
|
Manzoni C, Colombo L, Messa M, Cagnotto A, Cantù L, Del Favero E, Salmona M. Overcoming synthetic Abeta peptide aging: a new approach to an age-old problem. Amyloid 2009; 16:71-80. [PMID: 20536398 DOI: 10.1080/13506120902879848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Investigations of amyloidogenic diseases use synthetic peptides for cell-free and in vitro studies. However, amyloidogenic peptides often show intrinsic variability that markedly affects the reproducibility of experiments. Proof of physicochemical and biological variability with different batches of amyloidogenic peptides have been reported in literature. Here, we show that differences can be observed even within the same batch of Abeta1-42 peptide after storing lyophilised samples at -20 degrees C. This change (referred to as 'peptide aging') was reproduced with Abeta1-40 peptide samples by using a series of lyophilisation cycles, showing that lyophilisation, rather than preserving the physicochemical and biological features of Abeta peptides, introduces wide variability. To counteract synthetic peptide aging, we set up a procedure involving the sequential use of trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid and sodium hydroxide solutions that disaggregate preformed seeds and enriched Abeta peptide solutions into monomers and low-molecular-weight oligomers. This procedure enabled us to obtain reproducible physicochemical and biological features of Abeta peptides, irrespective of their age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Manzoni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Trevino SR, Scholtz J, Pace C. Measuring and Increasing Protein Solubility. J Pharm Sci 2008; 97:4155-66. [DOI: 10.1002/jps.21327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
|
46
|
Natalello A, Prokorov VV, Tagliavini F, Morbin M, Forloni G, Beeg M, Manzoni C, Colombo L, Gobbi M, Salmona M, Doglia SM. Conformational Plasticity of the Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker Disease Peptide as Indicated by Its Multiple Aggregation Pathways. J Mol Biol 2008; 381:1349-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.06.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2008] [Revised: 06/17/2008] [Accepted: 06/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
47
|
Bate C, Marshall V, Colombo L, Diomede L, Salmona M, Williams A. Docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids increase neuronal death in response to HuPrP82–146 and Aβ1–42. Neuropharmacology 2008; 54:934-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2007] [Revised: 12/11/2007] [Accepted: 02/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
48
|
Molecular conformation and dynamics of the Y145Stop variant of human prion protein in amyloid fibrils. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:6284-9. [PMID: 18436646 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0711716105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A C-terminally truncated Y145Stop variant of the human prion protein (huPrP23-144) is associated with a hereditary amyloid disease known as PrP cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Previous studies have shown that recombinant huPrP23-144 can be efficiently converted in vitro to the fibrillar amyloid state, and that residues 138 and 139 play a critical role in the amyloidogenic properties of this protein. Here, we have used magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy to provide high-resolution insight into the protein backbone conformation and dynamics in fibrils formed by (13)C,(15)N-labeled huPrP23-144. Surprisingly, we find that signals from approximately 100 residues (i.e., approximately 80% of the sequence) are not detected above approximately -20 degrees C in conventional solid-state NMR spectra. Sequential resonance assignments revealed that signals, which are observed, arise exclusively from residues in the region 112-141. These resonances are remarkably narrow, exhibiting average (13)C and (15)N linewidths of approximately 0.6 and 1 ppm, respectively. Altogether, the present findings indicate the existence of a compact, highly ordered core of huPrP23-144 amyloid encompassing residues 112-141. Analysis of (13)C secondary chemical shifts identified likely beta-strand segments within this core region, including beta-strand 130-139 containing critical residues 138 and 139. In contrast to this relatively rigid, beta-sheet-rich amyloid core, the remaining residues in huPrP23-144 amyloid fibrils under physiologically relevant conditions are largely unordered, displaying significant conformational dynamics.
Collapse
|
49
|
Fioriti L, Angeretti N, Colombo L, De Luigi A, Colombo A, Manzoni C, Morbin M, Tagliavini F, Salmona M, Chiesa R, Forloni G. Neurotoxic and gliotrophic activity of a synthetic peptide homologous to Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease amyloid protein. J Neurosci 2007; 27:1576-83. [PMID: 17301166 PMCID: PMC6673725 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5145-06.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils in Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS) disease are composed of a fragment of the prion protein (PrP), the N and C termini of which correspond to ragged residues 81-90 and 144-153. A synthetic peptide spanning the sequence 82-146 (PrP 82-146) polymerizes into protease-resistant fibrils with the tinctorial properties of amyloid. We investigated the biological activity of PrP 82-146 and of two nonamyloidogenic variants of PrP 82-146 with scrambled amino acid sequence 106-126 or 127-146. Cortical neurons prepared from rat and mouse embryos were chronically exposed to the PrP 82-146 peptides (10-50 microM). PrP 82-146 and the partially scrambled peptides induced neuronal death with a similar dose-response pattern, indicating that neurotoxicity was independent of amyloid fibril formation. Neurotoxicity was significantly reduced by coadministration of an anti-oligomer antibody, suggesting that PrP 82-146 oligomers are primarily responsible for triggering cell death. Neurons from PrP knock-out (Prnp0/0) mice were significantly less sensitive to PrP 82-146 toxicity than neurons expressing PrP. The gliotrophic effect of PrP 82-146 was determined by [methyl-3H]-thymidine incorporation in cultured astrocytes. Treatment with PrP 82-146 stimulated [methyl-3H]-thymidine uptake 3.5-fold. This activity was significantly less when the 106-126 or 127-146 regions were disrupted, indicating that PrP 82-146 amyloid activates the gliotrophic response. Prnp0/0 astrocytes were insensitive to the proliferative stimulus of PrP 82-146. These results underline the role of cerebral accumulation of abnormally folded PrP fragments and indicate that cellular PrP governs the pathogenic process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luana Fioriti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 20157 Milano, Italy, and
| | - Nadia Angeretti
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Colombo
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Ada De Luigi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessio Colombo
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Claudia Manzoni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Morbin
- Istituto Neurologico Nazionale “Carlo Besta,” 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Mario Salmona
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Chiesa
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 20157 Milano, Italy, and
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,” 20157 Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Ronga L, Tizzano B, Palladino P, Ragone R, Urso E, Maffia M, Ruvo M, Benedetti E, Rossi F. The prion protein: Structural features and related toxic peptides. Chem Biol Drug Des 2007; 68:139-47. [PMID: 17062011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2006.00427.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterized by the conversion of the physiological cellular form of the prion protein (PrP(C)) into an insoluble, partially protease-resistant abnormal scrapie form (PrP(Sc)). PrP(C) is normally expressed in mammalian cell and is highly conserved among species, although its role in cellular function remains elusive. The conversion of PrP(C) to PrP(Sc) parallels a conformational change of the polypeptide from a predominantly alpha-helical to a highly beta-sheet secondary structure. The pathogenesis and molecular basis of the consequent nerve cell loss are not understood. Limited structural information is available on aggregate formation by this protein as the possible cause of these diseases and on its toxicity. This brief overview focuses on the large amount of structure-activity studies based on the prion fragment approach, hinging on peptides derived from the unstructured N-terminal and globular C-terminal domains. It is well documented that most of the fragments with regular secondary structure, with the exception of helices 1 and 3, possess a high beta-sheet propensity and tendency to form beta-sheet-like aggregates. In this context, helix 2 plays a crucial role because it is able to adopt both misfolded and partially helical conformation. However, only a few mutants are able to display its intrinsic neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Ronga
- Dipartimento delle Scienze Biologiche, C I R Pe B, Università Federico II di Napoli and Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|