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Mostafaee H, Idoon F, Mohasel-Roodi M, Alipour F, Lotfi N, Sadeghi A. The effects of induced type I diabetes on developmental regulation of GDNF, NRTN, and NCAM proteins in the dentate gyrus of male rat offspring. J Chem Neuroanat 2024; 136:102391. [PMID: 38219812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2024.102391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal diabetes during pregnancy can affect the neurological development of offspring. Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin (NRTN), and neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) are three important proteins for brain development. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of the mentioned neurotrophic factors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of rat offspring born to diabetic mothers. METHODS Wistar female rats were randomly allocated into diabetic (STZ-D) [(45 mg/kg BW, STZ (Streptozotocin), i.p)], diabetic + NPH insulin (STZ-INS) [(4-6 unit/kg/day SC)], and control groups. The animals in all groups were mated by non-diabetic male rats. Two weeks after birth, male pups from each group were sacrificed and then protein contents of GDNF, NRTN, and NCAM were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The study found that the expression of GDNF and NRTN in the hippocampus of diabetic rat offspring was significantly higher compared to the diabetic+ insulin and control groups, respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Additionally, the expression of NCAM was significantly higher in the diabetic group the diabetic+ insulin and control groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results of the study revealed that diabetes during pregnancy significantly impacts the distribution pattern of GDNF, NRTN, and NCAM in the hippocampus of rat neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Mostafaee
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Faezeh Idoon
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Mina Mohasel-Roodi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Alipour
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nasim Lotfi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Akram Sadeghi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany.
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2
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Lyons-Abbott S, Abramov A, Chan CL, Deer JR, Fu G, Hassouneh W, Koch T, Misquith A, O'Neill J, Simon SA, Wolf A, Yeh R, Vernet E. Choice of fusion proteins, expression host, and analytics solves difficult-to-produce protein challenges in discovery research. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300162. [PMID: 37802118 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
High quality biological reagents are a prerequisite for pharmacological research. Herein a protein production screening approach, including quality assessment methods, for protein-based discovery research is presented. Trends from 2895 expression constructs representing 253 proteins screened in mammalian and bacterial hosts-91% of which are successfully expressed and purified-are discussed. Mammalian expression combined with the use of solubility-promoting fusion proteins is deemed suitable for most targets. Furthermore, cases utilizing stable cell line generation and choice of fusion protein for higher yield and quality of difficult-to-produce proteins (Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) and Neurturin) are presented and discussed. In the case of Neurturin, choice of fusion protein impacted the target binding 80-fold. These results highlight the need for exploration of construct designs and careful Quality Control (QC) of difficult-to-produce protein reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ariel Abramov
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chung-Leung Chan
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jen Running Deer
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Guangsen Fu
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Wafa Hassouneh
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tyree Koch
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ayesha Misquith
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jason O'Neill
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Anitra Wolf
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ronald Yeh
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Erik Vernet
- Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc, Seattle, Washington, USA
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3
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Houghton FM, Adams SE, Ríos AS, Masino L, Purkiss AG, Briggs DC, Ledda F, McDonald NQ. Architecture and regulation of a GDNF-GFRα1 synaptic adhesion assembly. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7551. [PMID: 37985758 PMCID: PMC10661694 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43148-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glial-cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) bound to its co-receptor GFRα1 stimulates the RET receptor tyrosine kinase, promoting neuronal survival and neuroprotection. The GDNF-GFRα1 complex also supports synaptic cell adhesion independently of RET. Here, we describe the structure of a decameric GDNF-GFRα1 assembly determined by crystallography and electron microscopy, revealing two GFRα1 pentamers bridged by five GDNF dimers. We reconsitituted the assembly between adhering liposomes and used cryo-electron tomography to visualize how the complex fulfils its membrane adhesion function. The GFRα1:GFRα1 pentameric interface was further validated both in vitro by native PAGE and in cellulo by cell-clustering and dendritic spine assays. Finally, we provide biochemical and cell-based evidence that RET and heparan sulfate cooperate to prevent assembly of the adhesion complex by competing for the adhesion interface. Our results provide a mechanistic framework to understand GDNF-driven cell adhesion, its relationship to trophic signalling, and the central role played by GFRα1.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Houghton
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - S E Adams
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 86-88 Jubilee Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RW, UK
| | - A S Ríos
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - L Masino
- Structural Biology Science and Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - A G Purkiss
- Structural Biology Science and Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - D C Briggs
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - F Ledda
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435, C1405BWE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N Q McDonald
- Signalling and Structural Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
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4
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Yang S, Li J, Cai X. The high expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha Ⅱ ( GFRA2) as a predictor of poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients: A survival and regression analysis approach. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18291. [PMID: 37519699 PMCID: PMC10372394 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer has high mortality rates worldwide. Therefore, there is a need to identify prognostic biomarkers. This study evaluated the association between GFRA2 expression levels with clinicopathological features and prognosis in gastric cancer using data extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and a series of algorithms. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the association between different clinical features and survival. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to examine the correlation between GFRA2 expression and immune infiltration. The results showed that the expression of GFRA2 in tumor samples was significantly lower than that in normal samples. High expression of GFRA2 was significantly associated with histological type, histologic grade, and worse overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free survival. The univariate Cox analysis showed that the expression of GFRA2 was significantly correlated with T stage, N stage, M stage, and age. The multivariate analysis identified GFRA2 expression as an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer. GSEA showed that GFRA2 might regulate the calcium signaling pathway, focus adhesion, olfactory conduction, the extracellular matrix glycoproteins, and response to the Leishmania parasitic infection. GFRA2 showed a significant moderate positive correlation with the infiltration of mast cells. In summary, a high expression of GFRA2 may contribute to poor survival in gastric cancer patients and could be used as a potential prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoyu Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
- Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang, 330044, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Xiaohui Cai
- College of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
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5
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He X, Tian M, Wang W, Feng Y, Li Z, Wang J, Song Y, Zhang J, Liu D. Identification of Candidate Genes for Min Pig Villi Hair Traits by Genome-Wide Association of Copy Number Variation. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050307. [PMID: 37235390 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The Min pig is a famous native pig breed in northeast China, which has the special genetic character of villi hair growth in cold seasons. At present, little research has focused on the genetic mechanism of villi hair growth in Min pigs. Copy number variations (CNVs) are a type of variant that may influence many traits. In this study, we first investigated the phenotype of Large White × Min pigs' F2 pig villi hair in detail and then performed a CNV-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) between CNVs and pig villi hair appearance. Finally, a total number of 15 significant CNVRs were found to be associated with Min pig villi hair. The most significant CNVR was located on chromosome 1. Nearest gene annotation analysis indicated that the pig villi hair traits may be associated with the biological process of the G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway. QTL overlapping analysis found that among the CNVRs, 14 CNVRs could be co-located with known QTLs. Some genes such as MCHR2, LTBP2, and GFRA2 may be candidate genes for pig villi traits and are worth further study. Our study may provide a basic reference for the selection and breeding of cold-resistant pigs and outdoor breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmiao He
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Ming Tian
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Yanzhong Feng
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Zhongqiu Li
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Jiahui Wang
- Branch of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qiqihar 161005, China
| | - Yan Song
- Branch of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qiqihar 161005, China
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Harbin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150029, China
| | - Di Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
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6
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Dhanwani R, Lima-Junior JR, Sethi A, Pham J, Williams G, Frazier A, Xu Y, Amara AW, Standaert DG, Goldman JG, Litvan I, Alcalay RN, Peters B, Sulzer D, Arlehamn CSL, Sette A. Transcriptional analysis of peripheral memory T cells reveals Parkinson's disease-specific gene signatures. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2022; 8:30. [PMID: 35314697 PMCID: PMC8938520 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-022-00282-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multi-stage neurodegenerative disorder with largely unknown etiology. Recent findings have identified PD-associated autoimmune features including roles for T cells. To further characterize the role of T cells in PD, we performed RNA sequencing on PBMC and peripheral CD4 and CD8 memory T cell subsets derived from PD patients and age-matched healthy controls. When the groups were stratified by their T cell responsiveness to alpha-synuclein (α-syn) as a proxy for an ongoing inflammatory autoimmune response, the study revealed a broad differential gene expression profile in memory T cell subsets and a specific PD associated gene signature. We identified significant enrichment of transcriptomic signatures previously associated with PD, including for oxidative stress, phosphorylation, autophagy of mitochondria, cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, and the chemokine signaling proteins CX3CR1, CCR5, and CCR1. In addition, we identified genes in these peripheral cells that have previously been shown to be involved in PD pathogenesis and expressed in neurons, such as LRRK2, LAMP3, and aquaporin. Together, these findings suggest that features of circulating T cells with α-syn-specific responses in PD patients provide insights into the interactive processes that occur during PD pathogenesis and suggest potential intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Dhanwani
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - João Rodrigues Lima-Junior
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Ashu Sethi
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - John Pham
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Gregory Williams
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - April Frazier
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Yaqian Xu
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University, Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Amy W Amara
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - David G Standaert
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Jennifer G Goldman
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Irene Litvan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Roy N Alcalay
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - David Sulzer
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University, Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Cecilia S Lindestam Arlehamn
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA. .,Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA. .,Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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7
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Huang P, Wierbowski BM, Lian T, Chan C, García-Linares S, Jiang J, Salic A. Structural basis for catalyzed assembly of the Sonic hedgehog-Patched1 signaling complex. Dev Cell 2022; 57:670-685.e8. [PMID: 35231446 PMCID: PMC8932645 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The dually lipidated Sonic hedgehog (SHH) morphogen signals through the tumor suppressor membrane protein Patched1 (PTCH1) to activate the Hedgehog pathway, which is fundamental in development and cancer. SHH engagement with PTCH1 requires the GAS1 coreceptor, but the mechanism is unknown. We demonstrate a unique role for GAS1, catalyzing SHH-PTCH1 complex assembly in vertebrate cells by direct SHH transfer from the extracellular SCUBE2 carrier to PTCH1. Structure of the GAS1-SHH-PTCH1 transition state identifies how GAS1 recognizes the SHH palmitate and cholesterol modifications in modular fashion and how it facilitates lipid-dependent SHH handoff to PTCH1. Structure-guided experiments elucidate SHH movement from SCUBE2 to PTCH1, explain disease mutations, and demonstrate that SHH-induced PTCH1 dimerization causes its internalization from the cell surface. These results define how the signaling-competent SHH-PTCH1 complex assembles, the key step triggering the Hedgehog pathway, and provide a paradigm for understanding morphogen reception and its regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Huang
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Tengfei Lian
- Laboratory of Membrane Proteins and Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Charlene Chan
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Jiansen Jiang
- Laboratory of Membrane Proteins and Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Adrian Salic
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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8
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Li Q, Cao Z, Zhao S. The Emerging Portrait of Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor Family Receptor Alpha (GFRα) in Cancers. Int J Med Sci 2022; 19:659-668. [PMID: 35582425 PMCID: PMC9108399 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.64133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha (GFRα) members have been widely connected to the mechanisms contributing to cell growth, differentiation, cell migration and tissue maturation. Here we review GFRα biological functions and discussed the evidence indicating whether GFRα signaling complex present novel opportunities for oncogenic intervention and treatment resistance. Thus, our work systematically reviewed the emerging role of GFRα family members in cancers, and provided novel insights for further researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingshang Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ministry of Health. 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Cao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ministry of Health. 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuliang Zhao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ministry of Health. 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China
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9
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Lindholm P, Saarma M. Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor protects and repairs dopamine neurons by novel mechanism. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1310-1321. [PMID: 34907395 PMCID: PMC9095478 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01394-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine neurons deteriorate in Parkinson's disease (PD) that is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. No cure is available that would stop the dopaminergic decline or restore function of injured neurons in PD. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs), e.g., glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are small, secreted proteins that promote neuron survival during mammalian development and regulate adult neuronal plasticity, and they are studied as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, results from clinical trials of GDNF and related NTF neurturin (NRTN) in PD have been modest so far. In this review, we focus on cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF), an unconventional neurotrophic protein. CDNF delivered to the brain parenchyma protects and restores dopamine neurons in animal models of PD. In a recent Phase I-II clinical trial CDNF was found safe and well tolerated. CDNF deletion in mice led to age-dependent functional changes in the brain dopaminergic system and loss of enteric neurons resulting in slower gastrointestinal motility. These defects in Cdnf-/- mice intriguingly resemble deficiencies observed in early stage PD. Different from classical NTFs, CDNF can function both as an extracellular trophic factor and as an intracellular, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) luminal protein that protects neurons and other cell types against ER stress. Similarly to the homologous mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), CDNF is able to regulate ER stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling and promote protein homeostasis in the ER. Since ER stress is thought to be one of the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to the dopaminergic degeneration in PD, CDNF, and its small-molecule derivatives that are under development may provide useful tools for experimental medicine and future therapies for the treatment of PD and other neurodegenerative protein-misfolding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Lindholm
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mart Saarma
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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10
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Correia JC, Kelahmetoglu Y, Jannig PR, Schweingruber C, Shvaikovskaya D, Zhengye L, Cervenka I, Khan N, Stec M, Oliveira M, Nijssen J, Martínez-Redondo V, Ducommun S, Azzolini M, Lanner JT, Kleiner S, Hedlund E, Ruas JL. Muscle-secreted neurturin couples myofiber oxidative metabolism and slow motor neuron identity. Cell Metab 2021; 33:2215-2230.e8. [PMID: 34592133 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Endurance exercise promotes skeletal muscle vascularization, oxidative metabolism, fiber-type switching, and neuromuscular junction integrity. Importantly, the metabolic and contractile properties of the muscle fiber must be coupled to the identity of the innervating motor neuron (MN). Here, we show that muscle-derived neurturin (NRTN) acts on muscle fibers and MNs to couple their characteristics. Using a muscle-specific NRTN transgenic mouse (HSA-NRTN) and RNA sequencing of MN somas, we observed that retrograde NRTN signaling promotes a shift toward a slow MN identity. In muscle, NRTN increased capillary density and oxidative capacity and induced a transcriptional reprograming favoring fatty acid metabolism over glycolysis. This combination of effects on muscle and MNs makes HSA-NRTN mice lean with remarkable exercise performance and motor coordination. Interestingly, HSA-NRTN mice largely recapitulate the phenotype of mice with muscle-specific expression of its upstream regulator PGC-1ɑ1. This work identifies NRTN as a myokine that couples muscle oxidative capacity to slow MN identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge C Correia
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yildiz Kelahmetoglu
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paulo R Jannig
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoph Schweingruber
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dasha Shvaikovskaya
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Liu Zhengye
- Molecular Muscle Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Igor Cervenka
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Naveen Khan
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10 591, USA
| | - Michael Stec
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY 10 591, USA
| | - Mariana Oliveira
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jik Nijssen
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vicente Martínez-Redondo
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Serge Ducommun
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michele Azzolini
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna T Lanner
- Molecular Muscle Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Eva Hedlund
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jorge L Ruas
- Molecular and Cellular Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden.
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11
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Adams SE, Purkiss AG, Knowles PP, Nans A, Briggs DC, Borg A, Earl CP, Goodman KM, Nawrotek A, Borg AJ, McIntosh PB, Houghton FM, Kjær S, McDonald NQ. A two-site flexible clamp mechanism for RET-GDNF-GFRα1 assembly reveals both conformational adaptation and strict geometric spacing. Structure 2021; 29:694-708.e7. [PMID: 33484636 PMCID: PMC8266384 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
RET receptor tyrosine kinase plays vital developmental and neuroprotective roles in metazoans. GDNF family ligands (GFLs) when bound to cognate GFRα co-receptors recognize and activate RET stimulating its cytoplasmic kinase function. The principles for RET ligand-co-receptor recognition are incompletely understood. Here, we report a crystal structure of the cadherin-like module (CLD1-4) from zebrafish RET revealing interdomain flexibility between CLD2 and CLD3. Comparison with a cryo-electron microscopy structure of a ligand-engaged zebrafish RETECD-GDNF-GFRα1a complex indicates conformational changes within a clade-specific CLD3 loop adjacent to the co-receptor. Our observations indicate that RET is a molecular clamp with a flexible calcium-dependent arm that adapts to different GFRα co-receptors, while its rigid arm recognizes a GFL dimer to align both membrane-proximal cysteine-rich domains. We also visualize linear arrays of RETECD-GDNF-GFRα1a suggesting that a conserved contact stabilizes higher-order species. Our study reveals that ligand-co-receptor recognition by RET involves both receptor plasticity and strict spacing of receptor dimers by GFL ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Adams
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Andrew G Purkiss
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Phillip P Knowles
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Andrea Nans
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - David C Briggs
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Annabel Borg
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Christopher P Earl
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Kerry M Goodman
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Agata Nawrotek
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Aaron J Borg
- Mass Spectrometry Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Pauline B McIntosh
- Structural Biology of Cells and Viruses Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Francesca M Houghton
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Svend Kjær
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK
| | - Neil Q McDonald
- Signalling and Structural Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT London, UK; Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
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12
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Jaumotte JD, Saarma M, Zigmond MJ. Protection of dopamine neurons by CDNF and neurturin variant N4 against MPP+ in dissociated cultures from rat mesencephalon. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245663. [PMID: 33534843 PMCID: PMC7857574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is associated with the loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in ventral mesencephalon. We have previously reported that no single neurotrophic factor we tested protected DA neurons from the dopaminergic toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) in dissociated cultures isolated from the P0 rat substantia nigra, but that a combination of five neurotrophic factors was protective. We now report that cerebral DA neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and a variant of neurturin (NRTN), N4, were also not protective when provided alone but were protective when added together. In cultures isolated from the substantia nigra, MPP+ (10 μM) decreased tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells to 41.7 ± 5.4% of vehicle control. Although treatment of cultures with 100 ng/ml of either CDNF or N4 individually before and after toxin exposure did not significantly increase survival in MPP+-treated cultures, when the two trophic factors were added together at 100 ng/ml each, survival of cells was increased 28.2 ± 6.1% above the effect of MPP+ alone. In cultures isolated from the ventral tegmental area, another DA rich area, a higher dose of MPP+ (1 mM) was required to produce an EC50 in TH-positive cells but, as in the substantia nigra, only the combination of CDNF and N4 (100 ng/ml each) was successful at increasing the survival of these cells compared to MPP+ alone (by 22.5 ± 3.5%). These data support previous findings that CDNF and N4 may be of therapeutic value for treatment of PD, but suggest that they may need to be administered together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliann D. Jaumotte
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Pittsburgh Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Mart Saarma
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michael J. Zigmond
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Pittsburgh Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
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13
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Halakos EG, Connell AJ, Glazewski L, Wei S, Mason RW. Bottom up proteomics identifies neuronal differentiation pathway networks activated by cathepsin inhibition treatment in neuroblastoma cells that are enhanced by concurrent 13-cis retinoic acid treatment. J Proteomics 2020; 232:104068. [PMID: 33278663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.104068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the second most common pediatric cancer involving the peripheral nervous system in which stage IVS metastatic tumors regress due to spontaneous differentiation. 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cis RA) is currently used in the clinic for its differentiation effects and although it improves outcomes, relapse is seen in half of high-risk patients. Combinatorial therapies have been shown to be more effective in oncotherapy and since cathepsin inhibition reduces tumor growth, we explored the potential of coupling 13-cis RA with a cathepsin inhibitor (K777) to enhance therapeutic efficacy against neuroblastoma. Shotgun proteomics was used to identify proteins affected by K777 and dual (13-cis RA/K777) treatment in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Cathepsin inhibition was more effective in increasing proteins involved in neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth than 13-cis RA alone, but the combination of both treatments enhanced the neuronal differentiation effect. SIGNIFICANCE: As neuroblastoma can spontaneously differentiate, determining which proteins are involved in differentiation can guide development of more accurate diagnostic markers and more effective treatments. In this study, we established a differentiation proteomic map of SK-N-SH cells treated with a cathepsin inhibitor (K777) and K777/13-cis RA (dual). Bioinformatic analysis revealed these treatments enhanced neuronal differentiation and axonogenesis pathways. The most affected proteins in these pathways may become valuable biomarkers of efficacy of drugs designed to enhance differentiation of neuroblastoma [1].
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Affiliation(s)
- Effie G Halakos
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Andrew J Connell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Lisa Glazewski
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA
| | - Shuo Wei
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Robert W Mason
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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14
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Abstract
The last decade has been a frustrating time for investigators who had envisioned major advances in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease using neurotrophic factors. The first trials of glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor for treating Parkinson’s disease were very promising. Later blinded control trials were disappointing, not reaching the predetermined outcomes for improvement in motor function. Consideration of the problems in the studies as well as the biology of the neurotrophins used can potentially lead to more effective therapies. Parkinson’s disease presents a multitude of opportunities for the cell biologist wanting to understand its pathology and to find possible new avenues for treatment.
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15
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Chu Y, Bartus RT, Manfredsson FP, Olanow CW, Kordower JH. Long-term post-mortem studies following neurturin gene therapy in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Brain 2020; 143:960-975. [PMID: 32203581 PMCID: PMC7089653 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed post-mortem studies on two patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease 8 and10 years following AAV2-neurturin (CERE120) gene therapy, the longest post-mortem trophic factor gene therapy cases reported to date. CERE120 was delivered to the putamen bilaterally in one case (10 years post-surgery), and to the putamen plus the substantia nigra bilaterally in the second (8 years post-surgery). In both patients there was persistent, albeit limited, neurturin expression in the putamen covering ∼3–12% of the putamen. In the putamen, dense staining of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive fibres was observed in areas that contained detectable neurturin expression. In the substantia nigra, neurturin expression was detected in 9.8–18.95% and 22.02–39% of remaining melanin-containing neurons in the patient with putamenal and combined putamenal and nigral gene delivery, respectively. Melanized neurons displayed intense tyrosine hydroxylase and RET proto-oncogene expression in nigral neurons in the patient where CERE120 was directly delivered to the nigra. There was no difference in the degree of Lewy pathology in comparison to untreated control patients with Parkinson’s disease, and α-synuclein aggregates were detected in neurons that also stained for neurturin, RET, and tyrosine hydroxylase. These changes were not associated with antiparkinsonian benefits likely due to the limited neurturin expression. This study provides the longest term evidence of persistent transgene expression following gene delivery to the CNS and the first human results when targeting both the terminal fields in the putamen as well as the originating nigral neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Chu
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
| | | | - Fredric P Manfredsson
- Parkinson’s Disease Research Unit, Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA
| | - C Warren Olanow
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Clintrex Inc. Sarasota, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Kordower
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
- Correspondence to: Jeffrey H. Kordower, PhD Department of Neurological Sciences Rush University Medical Center 1735 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA E-mail:
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16
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Morel L, Domingues O, Zimmer J, Michel T. Revisiting the Role of Neurotrophic Factors in Inflammation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040865. [PMID: 32252363 PMCID: PMC7226825 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurotrophic factors are well known for their implication in the growth and the survival of the central, sensory, enteric and parasympathetic nervous systems. Due to these properties, neurturin (NRTN) and Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which belong to the GDNF family ligands (GFLs), have been assessed in clinical trials as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease. In addition, studies in favor of a functional role for GFLs outside the nervous system are accumulating. Thus, GFLs are present in several peripheral tissues, including digestive, respiratory, hematopoietic and urogenital systems, heart, blood, muscles and skin. More precisely, recent data have highlighted that different types of immune and epithelial cells (macrophages, T cells, such as, for example, mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILC) 3, dendritic cells, mast cells, monocytes, bronchial epithelial cells, keratinocytes) have the capacity to release GFLs and express their receptors, leading to the participation in the repair of epithelial barrier damage after inflammation. Some of these mechanisms pass on to ILCs to produce cytokines (such as IL-22) that can impact gut microbiota. In addition, there are indications that NRTN could be used in the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases and it prevents the development of hyperglycemia in the diabetic rat model. On the other hand, it is suspected that the dysregulation of GFLs produces oncogenic effects. This review proposes the discussion of the biological understanding and the potential new opportunities of the GFLs, in the perspective of developing new treatments within a broad range of human diseases.
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17
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Xi G, Esfandiary R, Sacramento CB, Jouihan H, Sharma A, Roth R, Linke T. Refolding and purification of cGMP-grade recombinant human neurturin from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 168:105552. [PMID: 31866372 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurturin is a potent neurotrophic factor that has been investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, and, more recently, for the treatment of type II diabetes. However, purification of neurturin for clinical applications has been hampered by its low solubility in aqueous solutions. Here we describe the development of a scalable manufacturing process for recombinant neurturin from E. coli. inclusion bodies. Neurturin was refolded from solubilized inclusion bodies by fed-batch dilution refolding with a titer of 90 mg per liter refold and a refold yield of 89%. A two-step purification process using cation exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, followed by formulation using tangential flow filtration resulted in an overall process yield of about 56 mg purified neurturin per liter refold. Solubility of neurturin during the purification process was maintained by the addition of 15% (w/v) glycerol to all buffers. For clinical applications and parenteral administration glycerol was replaced by 15% (w/v) sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin (i.e. Captisol) in the drug substance formulation buffer. The final purified product had low or undetectable levels of product-related impurities and concentrations of process-related contaminants such as host cell proteins, host cell DNA, endotoxins and Triton X-100 were reduced more than 10,000-fold or below the limit of detection. Bioactivity of purified recombinant neurturin was demonstrated in a cell-based assay by activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoling Xi
- Department of Purification Process Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Reza Esfandiary
- Department of Dosage Form Design and Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | | | - Hani Jouihan
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Arun Sharma
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Robert Roth
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, 43183, Sweden
| | - Thomas Linke
- Department of Purification Process Sciences, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA.
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18
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Li J, Shang G, Chen YJ, Brautigam CA, Liou J, Zhang X, Bai XC. Cryo-EM analyses reveal the common mechanism and diversification in the activation of RET by different ligands. eLife 2019; 8:e47650. [PMID: 31535977 PMCID: PMC6760901 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
RET is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that plays essential roles in development and has been implicated in several human diseases. Different from most of RTKs, RET requires not only its cognate ligands but also co-receptors for activation, the mechanisms of which remain unclear due to lack of high-resolution structures of the ligand/co-receptor/receptor complexes. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of the extracellular region ternary complexes of GDF15/GFRAL/RET, GDNF/GFRα1/RET, NRTN/GFRα2/RET and ARTN/GFRα3/RET. These structures reveal that all the four ligand/co-receptor pairs, while using different atomic interactions, induce a specific dimerization mode of RET that is poised to bring the two kinase domains into close proximity for cross-phosphorylation. The NRTN/GFRα2/RET dimeric complex further pack into a tetrameric assembly, which is shown by our cell-based assays to regulate the endocytosis of RET. Our analyses therefore reveal both the common mechanism and diversification in the activation of RET by different ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Department of BiophysicsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Guijun Shang
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Yu-Ju Chen
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Chad A Brautigam
- Department of BiophysicsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Jen Liou
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- Department of BiophysicsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - Xiao-chen Bai
- Department of BiophysicsUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
- Department of Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
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19
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Bigalke JM, Aibara S, Roth R, Dahl G, Gordon E, Dorbéus S, Amunts A, Sandmark J. Cryo-EM structure of the activated RET signaling complex reveals the importance of its cysteine-rich domain. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaau4202. [PMID: 31392261 PMCID: PMC6669014 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau4202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Signaling through the receptor tyrosine kinase RET is essential during normal development. Both gain- and loss-of-function mutations are involved in a variety of diseases, yet the molecular details of receptor activation have remained elusive. We have reconstituted the complete extracellular region of the RET signaling complex together with Neurturin (NRTN) and GFRα2 and determined its structure at 5.7-Å resolution by cryo-EM. The proteins form an assembly through RET-GFRα2 and RET-NRTN interfaces. Two key interaction points required for RET extracellular domain binding were observed: (i) the calcium-binding site in RET that contacts GFRα2 domain 3 and (ii) the RET cysteine-rich domain interaction with NRTN. The structure highlights the importance of the RET cysteine-rich domain and allows proposition of a model to explain how complex formation leads to RET receptor dimerization and its activation. This provides a framework for targeting RET activity and for further exploration of mechanisms underlying neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna M. Bigalke
- Structure, Biophysics and Fragment-Based Lead Generation, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Shintaro Aibara
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165 Solna, Sweden
| | - Robert Roth
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Göran Dahl
- Structure, Biophysics and Fragment-Based Lead Generation, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Euan Gordon
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sarah Dorbéus
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A. Amunts
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenny Sandmark
- Structure, Biophysics and Fragment-Based Lead Generation, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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20
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Karakatsani ME, Wang S, Samiotaki G, Kugelman T, Olumolade OO, Acosta C, Sun T, Han Y, Kamimura HAS, Jackson-Lewis V, Przedborski S, Konofagou E. Amelioration of the nigrostriatal pathway facilitated by ultrasound-mediated neurotrophic delivery in early Parkinson's disease. J Control Release 2019; 303:289-301. [PMID: 30953664 PMCID: PMC6618306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2019.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents most drugs from gaining access to the brain parenchyma, which is a recognized impediment to the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD). Focused ultrasound (FUS), in conjunction with systemically administered microbubbles, opens the BBB locally, reversibly and non-invasively. Herein, we show that neither FUS applied over both the striatum and the ventral midbrain, without neurotrophic factors, nor intravenous administration of neurotrophic factors (either through protein or gene delivery) without FUS, ameliorates the damage to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway in the sub-acute MPTP mouse model of early-stage PD. Conversely, the combination of FUS and intravenous neurotrophic (protein or gene) delivery attenuates the damage to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, by allowing the entry of these agents into the brain parenchyma. Our findings provide evidence that the application of FUS at the early stages of PD facilitates critical neurotrophic delivery that can curb the rapid progression of neurodegeneration while improving the neuronal function, seemingly opening new therapeutic avenues for the early treatment of diseases of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shutao Wang
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Gesthimani Samiotaki
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tara Kugelman
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Oluyemi O Olumolade
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Camilo Acosta
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tao Sun
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yang Han
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hermes A S Kamimura
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Vernice Jackson-Lewis
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Departments of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; the Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; the Columbia Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Serge Przedborski
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Departments of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; the Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; the Columbia Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Elisa Konofagou
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Departments of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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21
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Abstract
Neurotrophic factors (NTF) are a subgroup of growth factors that promote survival and
differentiation of neurons. Due to their neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties,
their therapeutic potential has been tested in various neurodegenerative diseases.
Bioavailability of NTFs in the target tissue remains a major challenge for NTF-based
therapies. Various intracerebral delivery approaches, both protein and gene
transfer-based, have been tested with varying outcomes. Three growth factors, glial
cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin (NRTN) and platelet-derived growth
factor (PDGF-BB) have been tested in clinical trials in Parkinson’s disease (PD) during
the past 20 years. A new protein can now be added to this list, as cerebral dopamine
neurotrophic factor (CDNF) has recently entered clinical trials. Despite their misleading
names, CDNF, together with its closest relative mesencephalic astrocyte-derived
neurotrophic factor (MANF), form a novel family of unconventional NTF that are both
structurally and mechanistically distinct from other growth factors. CDNF and MANF are
localized mainly to the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and their primary function
appears to be modulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. Prolonged ER
stress, via the UPR signaling pathways, contributes to the pathogenesis in a number of
chronic degenerative diseases, and is an important target for therapeutic modulation.
Intraputamenally administered recombinant human CDNF has shown robust neurorestorative
effects in a number of small and large animal models of PD, and had a good safety profile
in preclinical toxicology studies. Intermittent monthly bilateral intraputamenal infusions
of CDNF are currently being tested in a randomized placebo-controlled phase I–II clinical
study in moderately advanced PD patients. Here, we review the history of growth
factor-based clinical trials in PD, and discuss how CDNF differs from the previously
tested growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri J Huttunen
- 1 Herantis Pharma Plc, Espoo, Finland.,2 Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mart Saarma
- 3 Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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