1
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Sahtoe DD, Andrzejewska EA, Han HL, Rennella E, Schneider MM, Meisl G, Ahlrichs M, Decarreau J, Nguyen H, Kang A, Levine P, Lamb M, Li X, Bera AK, Kay LE, Knowles TPJ, Baker D. Design of amyloidogenic peptide traps. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:981-990. [PMID: 38503834 PMCID: PMC11288891 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01578-5] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Segments of proteins with high β-strand propensity can self-associate to form amyloid fibrils implicated in many diseases. We describe a general approach to bind such segments in β-strand and β-hairpin conformations using de novo designed scaffolds that contain deep peptide-binding clefts. The designs bind their cognate peptides in vitro with nanomolar affinities. The crystal structure of a designed protein-peptide complex is close to the design model, and NMR characterization reveals how the peptide-binding cleft is protected in the apo state. We use the approach to design binders to the amyloid-forming proteins transthyretin, tau, serum amyloid A1 and amyloid β1-42 (Aβ42). The Aβ binders block the assembly of Aβ fibrils as effectively as the most potent of the clinically tested antibodies to date and protect cells from toxic Aβ42 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny D Sahtoe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- HHMI, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Ewa A Andrzejewska
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannah L Han
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Enrico Rennella
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Georg Meisl
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maggie Ahlrichs
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Justin Decarreau
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hannah Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alex Kang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paul Levine
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mila Lamb
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xinting Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Asim K Bera
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lewis E Kay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- HHMI, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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2
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Guo Y, Hu Z, Wang Z. Recent Advances in the Application Peptide and Peptoid in Diagnosis Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease in Blood. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:778955. [PMID: 35002620 PMCID: PMC8733658 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.778955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases with irreversible damage of the brain and a continuous pathophysiological process. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are essential for the early intervention of AD. Precise detection of blood biomarkers related to AD could provide a shortcut to identifying early-stage patients before symptoms. In recent years, targeting peptides or peptoids have been chosen as recognition elements in nano-sensors or fluorescence detection to increase the targeting specificity, while peptide-based probes were also developed considering their specific advantages. Peptide-based sensors and probes have been developed according to different strategies, such as natural receptors, high-throughput screening, or artificial design for AD detection. This review will briefly summarize the recent developments and trends of AD diagnosis platforms based on peptide and peptoid as recognition elements and provide insights into the application of peptide and peptoid with different sources and characteristics in the diagnosis of AD biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zihua Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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3
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Solomatina AI, Slobodina AD, Ryabova EV, Bolshakova OI, Chelushkin PS, Sarantseva SV, Tunik SP. Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrating Luminescent Conjugates Based on Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Complexes. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:2628-2637. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleksandra D. Slobodina
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre ≪Kurchatov Institute≫, Gatchina 188300, Russia
| | - Elena V. Ryabova
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre ≪Kurchatov Institute≫, Gatchina 188300, Russia
| | - Olga I. Bolshakova
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre ≪Kurchatov Institute≫, Gatchina 188300, Russia
| | - Pavel S. Chelushkin
- Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 198504, Russia
| | - Svetlana V. Sarantseva
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre ≪Kurchatov Institute≫, Gatchina 188300, Russia
| | - Sergey P. Tunik
- Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 198504, Russia
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4
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Undiscovered Roles for Transthyretin: From a Transporter Protein to a New Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062075. [PMID: 32197355 PMCID: PMC7139926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), an homotetrameric protein mainly synthesized by the liver and the choroid plexus, and secreted into the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid, respectively, has been specially acknowledged for its functions as a transporter protein of thyroxine and retinol (the latter through binding to the retinol-binding protein), in these fluids. Still, this protein has managed to stay in the spotlight as it has been assigned new and varied functions. In this review, we cover knowledge on novel TTR functions and the cellular pathways involved, spanning from neuroprotection to vascular events, while emphasizing its involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We describe details of TTR as an amyloid binding protein and discuss its interaction with the amyloid Aβ peptides, and the proposed mechanisms underlying TTR neuroprotection in AD. We also present the importance of translating advances in the knowledge of the TTR neuroprotective role into drug discovery strategies focused on TTR as a new target in AD therapeutics.
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5
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Ryan P, Patel B, Makwana V, Jadhav HR, Kiefel M, Davey A, Reekie TA, Rudrawar S, Kassiou M. Peptides, Peptidomimetics, and Carbohydrate-Peptide Conjugates as Amyloidogenic Aggregation Inhibitors for Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:1530-1551. [PMID: 29782794 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases. For many years, AD causality was attributed to amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregated species. Recently, multiple therapies that target Aβ aggregation have failed in clinical trials, since Aβ aggregation is found in AD and healthy patients. Attention has therefore shifted toward the aggregation of the tau protein as a major driver of AD. Numerous inhibitors of tau-based pathology have recently been developed. Diagnosis of AD has shifted from measuring late stage senile plaques to early stage biomarkers, amyloid-β and tau monomers and oligomeric assemblies. Synthetic peptides and some derivative structures are being explored for use as theranostic tools as they possess the capacity both to bind the biomarkers and to inhibit their pathological self-assembly. Several studies have demonstrated that O-linked glycoside addition can significantly alter amyloid aggregation kinetics. Furthermore, natural O-glycosylation of amyloid-forming proteins, including amyloid precursor protein (APP), tau, and α-synuclein, promotes alternative nonamyloidogenic processing pathways. As such, glycopeptides and related peptidomimetics are being investigated within the AD field. Here we review advancements made in the last 5 years, as well as the arrival of sugar-based derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Ryan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
| | - Bhautikkumar Patel
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
| | - Vivek Makwana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
| | - Hemant R. Jadhav
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Campus, Pilani-333031, Rajasthan, India
| | - Milton Kiefel
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
| | - Andrew Davey
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
- Quality Use of Medicines Network, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
| | | | - Santosh Rudrawar
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
- Quality Use of Medicines Network, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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6
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Garai K, Posey AE, Li X, Buxbaum JN, Pappu RV. Inhibition of amyloid beta fibril formation by monomeric human transthyretin. Protein Sci 2018; 27:1252-1261. [PMID: 29498118 PMCID: PMC6032350 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric protein that is found in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Dissociation of TTR tetramers sets off a downhill cascade of amyloid formation through polymerization of monomeric TTR. Interestingly, TTR has an additional, biologically relevant activity, which pertains to its ability to slow the progression of amyloid beta (Aβ) associated pathology in transgenic mice. In vitro, both TTR and a kinetically stable variant of monomeric TTR (M-TTR) inhibit the fibril formation of Aβ1-40/42 molecules. Published evidence suggests that tetrameric TTR binds preferentially to Aβ monomers, thus destabilizing fibril formation by depleting the pool of Aβ monomers from aggregating mixtures. Here, we investigate the effects of M-TTR on the in vitro aggregation of Aβ1-42 . Our data confirm previous observations that fibril formation of Aβ is suppressed in the presence of sub-stoichiometric amounts of M-TTR. Despite this, we find that sub-stoichiometric levels of M-TTR are not bona fide inhibitors of aggregation. Instead, they co-aggregate with Aβ to promote the formation of large, micron-scale insoluble, non-fibrillar amorphous deposits. Based on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements, we find that M-TTR does not interact with monomeric Aβ. Two-color coincidence analysis of the fluorescence bursts of Aβ and M-TTR labeled with different fluorophores shows that M-TTR co-assembles with soluble Aβ aggregates and this appears to drive the co-aggregation into amorphous precipitates. Our results suggest that mimicking the co-aggregation activity with protein-based therapeutics might be a worthwhile strategy for rerouting amyloid beta peptides into inert, insoluble, and amorphous deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Garai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biological Systems EngineeringWashington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1097St. LouisMissouri63130
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, 36/P Gopanpally Village, SerilingampallyHyderabad500019India
| | - Ammon E. Posey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biological Systems EngineeringWashington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1097St. LouisMissouri63130
| | - Xinyi Li
- Department of Molecular and Experimental MedicineThe Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torey Pines RoadLa JollaCalifornia92037
| | - Joel N. Buxbaum
- Department of Molecular and Experimental MedicineThe Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torey Pines RoadLa JollaCalifornia92037
| | - Rohit V. Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biological Systems EngineeringWashington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1097St. LouisMissouri63130
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7
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Goyal D, Shuaib S, Mann S, Goyal B. Rationally Designed Peptides and Peptidomimetics as Inhibitors of Amyloid-β (Aβ) Aggregation: Potential Therapeutics of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2017; 19:55-80. [PMID: 28045249 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.6b00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no clinically accepted treatment to cure or halt its progression. The worldwide effort to develop peptide-based inhibitors of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation can be considered an unplanned combinatorial experiment. An understanding of what has been done and achieved may advance our understanding of AD pathology and the discovery of effective therapeutic agents. We review here the history of such peptide-based inhibitors, including those based on the Aβ sequence and those not derived from that sequence, containing both natural and unnatural amino acid building blocks. Peptide-based aggregation inhibitors hold significant promise for future AD therapy owing to their high selectivity, effectiveness, low toxicity, good tolerance, low accumulation in tissues, high chemical and biological diversity, possibility of rational design, and highly developed methods for analyzing their mode of action, proteolytic stability (modified peptides), and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Goyal
- Department of Chemistry,
School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib-140406, Punjab, India
| | - Suniba Shuaib
- Department of Chemistry,
School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib-140406, Punjab, India
| | - Sukhmani Mann
- Department of Chemistry,
School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib-140406, Punjab, India
| | - Bhupesh Goyal
- Department of Chemistry,
School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib-140406, Punjab, India
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8
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Sun N, Funke SA, Willbold D. A survey of peptides with effective therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease rodent models or in human clinical studies. Mini Rev Med Chem 2012; 12:388-98. [PMID: 22303971 PMCID: PMC3426789 DOI: 10.2174/138955712800493942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Revised: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. Today, only palliative therapies are available. The pathological hallmarks of AD are the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, mainly composed of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), in the brains of the patients. Several lines of evidence suggest that the increased production and/or decreased cleavage of Aβ and subsequent accumulation of Aβ oligomers and aggregates play a fundamental role in the disease progress. Therefore, substances which bind to Aβ and influence aggregation thereof are of great interest. A wide range of Aβ binding peptides were investigated to date for therapeutic purposes. Only very few were shown to be effective in rodent AD models or in clinical studies. Here, we review those peptides and discuss their possible mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sun
- ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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9
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Sun N, Funke SA, Willbold D. Mirror image phage display--generating stable therapeutically and diagnostically active peptides with biotechnological means. J Biotechnol 2012; 161:121-5. [PMID: 22728425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are attracting increasing attention as therapeutics. D-enantiomeric peptides are remarkably resistant to in vivo proteolysis and elicit low immunogenic responses when compared with the respective L-peptides. Therefore, D-peptides can serve as therapeutic and early diagnosis agents for drug development. Here we discuss the application of mirror image phage display in pharmaceutical biotechnology aiming to identify protease resistant D-peptides with biotechnological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Sun
- ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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10
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Funke SA, Willbold D. Peptides for therapy and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Curr Pharm Des 2012; 18:755-67. [PMID: 22236121 PMCID: PMC3426787 DOI: 10.2174/138161212799277752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with devastating effects. The greatest risk factor to develop AD is age. Today, only symptomatic therapies are available. Additionally, AD can be diagnosed with certainty only post mortem, whereas the diagnosis "probable AD" can be established earliest when severe clinical symptoms appear. Specific neuropathological changes like neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques define AD. Amyloid plaques are mainly composed of the amyloid-βpeptide (Aβ). Several lines of evidence suggest that the progressive concentration and subsequent aggregation and accumulation of Aβ play a fundamental role in the disease progress. Therefore, substances which bind to Aβ and influence aggregation thereof are of great interest. An enormous number of organic substances for therapeutic purposes are described. This review focuses on peptides developed for diagnosis and therapy of AD and discusses the pre- and disadvantages of peptide drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Forschungszentrum Jülich, ICS-6, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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11
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Löfblom J. Bacterial display in combinatorial protein engineering. Biotechnol J 2011; 6:1115-29. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201100129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Revised: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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12
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Quintela T, Gonçalves I, Martinho A, Alves CH, Saraiva MJ, Rocha P, Santos CRA. Progesterone enhances transthyretin expression in the rat choroid plexus in vitro and in vivo via progesterone receptor. J Mol Neurosci 2010; 44:152-8. [PMID: 20535645 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-010-9398-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Depletion of ovarian hormones 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) after menopause may contribute to the decline in cognitive performance and increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women, striking the importance of understanding the regulation of pivotal proteins involved in AD pathogenesis by ovarian hormones. Transthyretin (TTR) is now recognized as one of such proteins due to its ability to sequester and degrade amyloid β (Aβ) into less harmful peptides and preventing their aggregation. We have previously demonstrated that E2 enhances TTR expression. In this study, we investigate the effects of P on TTR expression in primary cultures of rat choroid plexus epithelial cells and in adult ovariectomized female rats. The results obtained demonstrate that, in vitro and in vivo, TTR is up-regulated by P. In addition, the mechanism underlying the response of TTR to P was investigated, and we provide evidence that this response is achieved through a progesterone receptor-mediated mechanism. Our results reinforce the importance of ovarian hormones on the regulation of TTR, which may reflect on the processing of Aβ peptides and consequently on AD onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma Quintela
- Health Sciences Research Centre-CICS, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal
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13
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Sarantseva S, Timoshenko S, Bolshakova O, Karaseva E, Rodin D, Schwarzman AL, Vitek MP. Apolipoprotein E-mimetics inhibit neurodegeneration and restore cognitive functions in a transgenic Drosophila model of Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2009; 4:e8191. [PMID: 19997607 PMCID: PMC2782140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2009] [Accepted: 10/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mutations of the amyloid precursor protein gene (APP) are found in familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and some lead to the elevated production of amyloid-β-protein (Aβ). While Aβ has been implicated in the causation of AD, the exact role played by Aβ and its APP precursor are still unclear. Principal Findings In our study, Drosophila melanogaster transgenics were established as a model to analyze AD-like pathology caused by APP overexpression. We demonstrated that age related changes in the levels and pattern of synaptic proteins accompanied progressive neurodegeneration and impairment of cognitive functions in APP transgenic flies, but that these changes may be independent from the generation of Aβ. Using novel peptide mimetics of Apolipoprotein-E, COG112 or COG133 proved to be neuroprotective and significantly improved the learning and memory of APP transgenic flies. Conclusions The development of neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits was corrected by injections of COG112 or COG133, novel mimetics of apolipoprotein-E (apoE) with neuroprotective activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Sarantseva
- Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gatchina, Russia
| | - Svetlana Timoshenko
- Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gatchina, Russia
| | - Olga Bolshakova
- Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gatchina, Russia
| | - Eugenia Karaseva
- Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gatchina, Russia
| | - Dmitry Rodin
- Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gatchina, Russia
| | - Alexander L. Schwarzman
- Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gatchina, Russia
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Michael P. Vitek
- Division of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Cognosci, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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14
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Liu L, Hou J, Du J, Chumanov RS, Xu Q, Ge Y, Johnson JA, Murphy RM. Differential modification of Cys10 alters transthyretin's effect on beta-amyloid aggregation and toxicity. Protein Eng Des Sel 2009; 22:479-88. [PMID: 19549717 PMCID: PMC2719498 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzp025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Revised: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 05/23/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tg2576 mice produce high levels of beta-amyloid (Abeta) and develop amyloid deposits, but lack neurofibrillary tangles and do not suffer the extensive neuronal cell loss characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Protection from Abeta toxicity has been attributed to up-regulation of transthyretin (TTR), a normal component of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. We compared the effect of TTR purified from human plasma (pTTR) with that produced recombinantly (rTTR) on Abeta aggregation and toxicity. pTTR slowed Abeta aggregation but failed to protect primary cortical neurons from Abeta toxicity. In contrast, rTTR accelerated aggregation, while effectively protecting neurons. This inverse correlation between Abeta aggregation kinetics and toxicity is consistent with the hypothesis that soluble intermediates rather than insoluble fibrils are the most toxic Abeta species. We carried out a detailed comparison of pTTR with rTTR to ascertain the probable cause of these different effects. No differences in secondary, tertiary or quaternary structure were detected. However, pTTR differed from rTTR in the extent and nature of modification at Cys10. We hypothesize that differential modification at Cys10 regulates TTR's effect on Abeta aggregation and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Jie Hou
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Jiali Du
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Robert S. Chumanov
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program and McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, 1400 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
| | - Qingge Xu
- Human Proteomics Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1300 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
| | - Ying Ge
- Human Proteomics Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 1300 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
| | - Jeffrey A. Johnson
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program and McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, 1400 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, 777 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Regina M. Murphy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706
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17beta-estradiol induces transthyretin expression in murine choroid plexus via an oestrogen receptor dependent pathway. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2009; 29:475-83. [PMID: 19130215 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-008-9339-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2008] [Accepted: 12/12/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Oestrogen protects against AD by multiple mechanisms, including the enhancement of Abeta clearance. Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric protein mainly synthesized by the liver and choroid plexus (CP) of the brain that sequesters the amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide. In this study we examined the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on TTR protein and mRNA levels, in primary cultures of rat CP epithelial cells (CPEC) by Western blot and Real Time PCR, respectively. Moreover, the localization of oestrogen receptors alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) in response to E2 treatment was analysed by confocal microscopy in these cells. The expression of TTR, ERalpha and ERbeta was also compared in the CP of castrated female mice treated with E2 to vehicle-treated animals by Real Time PCR. TTR concentration in the CSF of all these animals was measured by radioimmunoassay. E2 treatment induced TTR transcription and increased TTR protein content in CPEC. Pre-treatment with ICI 182,780 (ICI) abrogated E2-induced TTR expression suggesting that, TTR is up-regulated via an ER-dependent pathway. Confocal microscopy demonstrated extranuclear ERalpha and ERbeta localization in untreated CPEC. Upon E2 treatment, translocation of ERalpha to the nucleus occurred, while ERbeta remained in the cytosol. These data was concurrent with the up-regulation of TTR expression detected in the CP of castrated female mice subjected to E2 treatment. Our results highlight the importance of E2 on the regulation of TTR, which may participate in the oestrogen-induced decrease in Abeta levels and deposition described in the literature.
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5Alpha-dihydrotestosterone up-regulates transthyretin levels in mice and rat choroid plexus via an androgen receptor independent pathway. Brain Res 2008; 1229:18-26. [PMID: 18634756 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.06.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Revised: 06/16/2008] [Accepted: 06/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a 55 kDa plasma homotetrameric protein mainly synthesized in the liver and choroid plexuses (CPs) of the brain that, functions as a carrier for thyroxin and retinol binding protein. It sequesters amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide, and TTR levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) appear to be inversely correlated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset and progression. Androgen deprivation increases plasma Abeta levels, which indicate that androgens may reduce the levels of soluble Abeta, the peptide widely implicated in the initiation of AD pathogenesis; however, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study we examined the effects of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on TTR protein and mRNA levels, in primary cultures of rat CPs epithelial cells (CPEC) by Western blot, and real time PCR, respectively. Moreover, TTR concentrations were measured in the CSF of castrated wild-type, and transgenic mice expressing human TTR subjected to DHT treatment, by radioimmunoassay and ELISA, respectively. TTR mRNA expression was also compared in the CPs, of the animals from each experimental group by real time PCR. DHT treatment increased TTR protein levels in CPEC, and induced TTR transcription in these cells. The combination of flutamide with DHT in the treatment of CPEC did not abrogate DHT-induced TTR levels, suggesting that TTR is up-regulated via an androgen receptor independent pathway. In the CPs of both mice strains, DHT also increased TTR mRNA levels, but no significant differences in TTR protein levels were detected in the CSF of these animals. These findings open a wide range of possibilities for future studies on Abeta deposition and cognitive function, in response to androgen induction of TTR in animal models of AD.
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Cheng M, Feng Q, Qian SW, Gao H, Zhu CQ. [Preliminary assay of beta-amyloid binding elements in heart-beneficial recipe]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 6:68-72. [PMID: 18184549 DOI: 10.3736/jcim20080113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore whether there are beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) binding elements in heart-beneficial recipe (HBR, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine), which can ameliorate the cytotoxicity of Abeta. METHODS The extract of HBR and Abeta(1-40) were co-precipitated, and the Abeta(1-40) in pellets was detected by immunoblotting. Affi-gel-Abeta(1-40) was constructed, and Affi-gel-Abeta(1-40) affinity elements from the extract of HBR were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The assay of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release from the primary cultured rat cortex neurons was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Abeta(1-42), and the protection effects of the HBR serum and the Affi-gel-Abeta(1-40) treated HBR serum. RESULTS Immunoblotting examination showed Abeta(1-40) could be co-precipitated with components of HBR following co-incubation, and the amount of Abeta(1-40) within pellets decreased when the HBR extract was diluted. Abeta(1-40) affinity elements from the extract of HBR, eluted from Affi-gel-Abeta(1-40) by glycine solution (pH=2.5), could be detected by HPLC-fluorescent detector system. The analysis of LDH release showed that exposure of neurons to 5 micromol/L Abeta(1-42) for 48 h caused a significant increase of LDH release in either a serum free or 10% serum contained culture condition (P<0.01). The rat HBR serum was able to suppress Abeta(1-42) induced LDH release (P<0.05), whereas Affi-gel-Abeta(1-40) treated HBR serum still maintained the ability to attenuate Abeta(1-42) induced LDH release although the effect was somewhat decreased compared with Affi-gel treated HBR serum. CONCLUSION There are Abeta affinity components in HBR, which could not increase the Abeta cytotoxicity, but might be able to inhibit the cytotoxicity of Abeta. The results implied that the exploration of Abeta affinity elements from Chinese medicinal recipe which is effective for Alzheimer disease, might be an important direction in Alzheimer disease therapeutic research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Cheng
- Key State Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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18
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Choi SH, Leight SN, Lee VMY, Li T, Wong PC, Johnson JA, Saraiva MJ, Sisodia SS. Accelerated Abeta deposition in APPswe/PS1deltaE9 mice with hemizygous deletions of TTR (transthyretin). J Neurosci 2007; 27:7006-10. [PMID: 17596449 PMCID: PMC6672232 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1919-07.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A cardinal pathological lesion of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid beta (Abeta) in the brain. We previously reported that exposing transgenic mice harboring APPswe/PS1deltaE9 transgenes to an enriched environment resulted in reduced levels of Abeta peptides and deposition, findings that were correlated with an increase in the expression of TTR, encoding transthyretin (TTR). TTR is expressed at high levels in the choroid plexus and known to bind Abeta peptides and modulate their aggregation in vitro and in vivo. To explore the impact of TTR expression on Abeta levels and deposition in vivo, we crossed ceAPPswe/PS1deltaE9 transgenic mice to mice with genetic ablations of TTR. We now report that the levels of detergent-soluble and formic acid-soluble levels of Abeta and deposition are elevated in the brains of ceAPPswe/PS1deltaE9/TTR+/- mice compared with age-matched ceAPPswe/PS1deltaE9/TTR+/+ mice. Moreover, Abeta deposition is significantly accelerated in the hippocampus and cortex of ceAPPswe/PS1deltaE9/TTR+/- mice. Our results strongly suggest that TTR plays a critical role in modulating Abeta deposition in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan N. Leight
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Virginia M.-Y. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Philip C. Wong
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Jeffrey A. Johnson
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, and
| | | | - Sangram S. Sisodia
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
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