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Singh S, Joshi V, Upadhyay A. Amyloids and brain cancer: molecular linkages and crossovers. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20230489. [PMID: 37335084 PMCID: PMC10548166 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids are high-order proteinaceous formations deposited in both intra- and extracellular spaces. These aggregates have tendencies to deregulate cellular physiology in multiple ways; for example, altered metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunctions, immune modulation, etc. When amyloids are formed in brain tissues, the endpoint often is death of neurons. However, interesting but least understood is a close connection of amyloids with another set of conditions in which brain cells proliferate at an extraordinary rate and form tumor inside brain. Glioblastoma is one such condition. Increasing number of evidence indicate a possible link between amyloid formation and depositions in brain tumors. Several proteins associated with cell cycle regulation and apoptotic pathways themselves have shown to possess high tendencies to form amyloids. Tumor suppressor protein p53 is one prominent example that mutate, oligomerize and form amyloids leading to loss- or gain-of-functions and cause increased cell proliferation and malignancies. In this review article, we present available examples, genetic links and common pathways that indicate that possibly the two distantly placed pathways: amyloid formation and developing cancers in the brain have similarities and are mechanistically intertwined together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Singh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jheepasani, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, U.S.A
| | - Vibhuti Joshi
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jheepasani, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Bennett University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201310, India
| | - Arun Upadhyay
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jheepasani, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, U.S.A
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Genovese I, Fornetti E, Ruocco G. Mitochondria inter-organelle relationships in cancer protein aggregation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1062993. [PMID: 36601538 PMCID: PMC9806238 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1062993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are physically associated with other organelles, such as ER and lysosomes, forming a complex network that is crucial for cell homeostasis regulation. Inter-organelle relationships are finely regulated by both tether systems, which maintain physical proximity, and by signaling cues that induce the exchange of molecular information to regulate metabolism, Ca2+ homeostasis, redox state, nutrient availability, and proteostasis. The coordinated action of the organelles is engaged in the cellular integrated stress response. In any case, pathological conditions alter functional communication and efficient rescue pathway activation, leading to cell distress exacerbation and eventually cell death. Among these detrimental signals, misfolded protein accumulation and aggregation cause major damage to the cells, since defects in protein clearance systems worsen cell toxicity. A cause for protein aggregation is often a defective mitochondrial redox balance, and the ER freshly translated misfolded proteins and/or a deficient lysosome-mediated clearance system. All these features aggravate mitochondrial damage and enhance proteotoxic stress. This review aims to gather the current knowledge about the complex liaison between mitochondria, ER, and lysosomes in facing proteotoxic stress and protein aggregation, highlighting both causes and consequences. Particularly, specific focus will be pointed to cancer, a pathology in which inter-organelle relations in protein aggregation have been poorly investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Genovese
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Ilaria Genovese,
| | - Ersilia Fornetti
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy,Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Li J, Guo M, Chen L, Chen Z, Fu Y, Chen Y. p53 amyloid aggregation in cancer: function, mechanism, and therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:66. [PMID: 36171607 PMCID: PMC9520902 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Similar to neurodegenerative diseases, the concept that tumors are prion like diseases has been proposed in recent years. p53, the most well-known tumor suppressor, has been extensively studied for its expression, mutation, and function in various tumors. Currently, an interesting phenomenon of p53 prion-like aggregation has been found in several tumors, and studies have found that its pathological aggregation may lead to functional alterations and ultimately affect tumor progression. It has been demonstrated that the mechanism of p53 aggregation involves its mutation, domains, isoform, etc. In addition to p53 itself, some other factors, including Zn2+ concentration, pH, temperature and chaperone abnormalities, can also contribute to p53 aggregation. Although there are some studies about the mechanism and role of p53 aggregation and amyloidosis in tumors, there still exist some controversies. In this paper, we review the mechanism of p53 amyloid fibril structure and discuss the characteristics and effects of p53 amyloid aggregation, as well as the pathogenic mechanism leading to the occurrence of aggregation in tumors. Finally, we summarize the various inhibitors targeting p53 aggregation and prion-like behavior. In conclusion, a comprehensive understanding of p53 aggregation can expand our understanding of the causes leading its loss of physiological function and that targeting p53 aggregation might be a promising therapeutic strategy for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Li
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.,Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Molecular and Computational Biology Program, Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Zhuchu Chen
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics & State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China. .,Department of Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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Kumar V, Viswanathan GKK, Ralhan K, Gazit E, Segal D. Amyloidogenic Properties of Peptides Derived from the VHL Tumor Suppressor Protein. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3565-3568. [PMID: 34431623 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) is involved in maintaining cellular oxygen homeostasis through the regulated degradation of HIF-α. The intrinsically disordered nature of pVHL makes it prone to aggregation that impairs its function, and this is further aggravated in mutant versions of the protein, thus promoting tumor development. By using in silico analysis, we predicted six peptide fragments from pVHL to be amyloidogenic. This was verified for two of the peptides by biophysical approaches, which demonstrated self-assembly and formation of β-sheet-rich aggregates, which, under transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, displayed typical fibrillar amyloid characteristics. These motifs may serve as proxies for exploring the nature of pVHL aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Dr. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 69978, Israel
| | - Guru Krishna Kumar Viswanathan
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Dr. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 69978, Israel
| | - Krittika Ralhan
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Dr. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 69978, Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Dr. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 69978, Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Dr. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 69978, Israel
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