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Tsintzas E, Niccoli T. Using Drosophila amyloid toxicity models to study Alzheimer's disease. Ann Hum Genet 2024. [PMID: 38517001 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia and is characterised by a progressive loss of neurons, which manifests as gradual memory decline, followed by cognitive loss. Despite the significant progress in identifying novel biomarkers and understanding the prodromal pathology and symptomatology, AD remains a significant unmet clinical need. Lecanemab and aducanumab, the only Food and Drug Administration approved drugs to exhibit some disease-modifying clinical efficacy, target Aβ amyloid, underscoring the importance of this protein in disease aetiology. Nevertheless, in the absence of a definitive cure, the utilisation of preclinical models remains imperative for the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the evaluation of potential therapeutic agents. Drosophila melanogaster is a model system that can be used as a research tool to investigate neurodegeneration and therapeutic interventions. The short lifespan, low price and ease of husbandry/rearing make Drosophila an advantageous model organism from a practical perspective. However, it is the highly conserved genome and similarity of Drosophila and human neurobiology which make flies a powerful tool to investigate neurodegenerative mechanisms. In addition, the ease of transgenic modifications allows for early proof of principle studies for future therapeutic approaches in neurodegenerative research. This mini review will specifically focus on utilising Drosophila as an in vivo model of amyloid toxicity in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elli Tsintzas
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Teresa Niccoli
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, London, UK
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2
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Huizar FJ, Hill HM, Bacher EP, Eckert KE, Gulotty EM, Rodriguez KX, Tucker ZD, Banerjee M, Liu H, Wiest O, Zartman J, Ashfeld BL. Rational Design and Identification of Harmine-Inspired, N-Heterocyclic DYRK1A Inhibitors Employing a Functional Genomic In Vivo Drosophila Model System. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100512. [PMID: 34994084 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100512] [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: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Deregulation of dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) plays a significant role in developmental brain defects, early-onset neurodegeneration, neuronal cell loss, dementia, and several types of cancer. Herein, we report the discovery of three new classes of N-heterocyclic DYRK1A inhibitors based on the potent, yet toxic kinase inhibitors, harmine and harmol. An initial in vitro evaluation of the small molecule library assembled revealed that the core heterocyclic motifs benzofuranones, oxindoles, and pyrrolones, showed statistically significant DYRK1A inhibition. Further, the utilization of a low cost, high-throughput functional genomic in vivo model system to identify small molecule inhibitors that normalize DYRK1A overexpression phenotypes is described. This in vivo assay substantiated the in vitro results, and the resulting correspondence validates generated classes as architectural motifs that serve as potential DYRK1A inhibitors. Further expansion and analysis of these core compound structures will allow discovery of safe, more effective chemical inhibitors of DYRK1A to ameliorate phenotypes caused by DYRK1A overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Huizar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Harrison M Hill
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Emily P Bacher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kaitlyn E Eckert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Eva M Gulotty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kevin X Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Zachary D Tucker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Monimoy Banerjee
- Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Haining Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Olaf Wiest
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jeremiah Zartman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Brandon L Ashfeld
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Warren Family Center for Drug Discovery and Development, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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3
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Differential gene expression by RNA-seq during Alzheimer’s disease-like progression in the Drosophila melanogaster model. Neurosci Res 2022; 180:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Elovsson G, Bergkvist L, Brorsson AC. Exploring Aβ Proteotoxicity and Therapeutic Candidates Using Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910448. [PMID: 34638786 PMCID: PMC8508956 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is a widespread and devastating neurological disorder associated with proteotoxic events caused by the misfolding and aggregation of the amyloid-β peptide. To find therapeutic strategies to combat this disease, Drosophila melanogaster has proved to be an excellent model organism that is able to uncover anti-proteotoxic candidates due to its outstanding genetic toolbox and resemblance to human disease genes. In this review, we highlight the use of Drosophila melanogaster to both study the proteotoxicity of the amyloid-β peptide and to screen for drug candidates. Expanding the knowledge of how the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease is related to proteotoxicity and how drugs can be used to block disease progression will hopefully shed further light on the field in the search for disease-modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Elovsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Liza Bergkvist
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, 17164 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Ann-Christin Brorsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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Manna S, Karmakar P, Kisan B, Mishra M, Barooah N, Bhasikuttan AC, Mohanty J. Fibril-induced neurodegenerative disorders in an Aβ-mutant Drosophila model: therapeutic targeting using ammonium molybdate. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:8488-8491. [PMID: 34350921 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc03752h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ability of polyanionic molybdate to inhibit and degrade protein fibrils both in vitro (insulin protein) and in vivo (Drosophila fly model) has been demonstrated. We establish the disappearance of fibrillar structures and recovery from neurodegenerative disorders in molybdate-treated Aβ42-mutant Drosophila flies as compared to the untreated ones, corroborating the therapeutic ability of ammonium molybdate towards the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipa Manna
- Radiation & Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India.
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6
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Genetic Dissection of Alzheimer's Disease Using Drosophila Models. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030884. [PMID: 32019113 PMCID: PMC7037931 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a main cause of dementia, is the most common neurodegenerative disease that is related to abnormal accumulation of the amyloid β (Aβ) protein. Despite decades of intensive research, the mechanisms underlying AD remain elusive, and the only available treatment remains symptomatic. Molecular understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of AD is necessary to develop disease-modifying treatment. Drosophila, as the most advanced genetic model, has been used to explore the molecular mechanisms of AD in the last few decades. Here, we introduce Drosophila AD models based on human Aβ and summarize the results of their genetic dissection. We also discuss the utility of functional genomics using the Drosophila system in the search for AD-associated molecular mechanisms in the post-genomic era.
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Zhong Y, Shobo A, Hancock MA, Multhaup G. Label-free distribution of anti-amyloid D-AIP in Drosophila melanogaster: prevention of Aβ42-induced toxicity without side effects in transgenic flies. J Neurochem 2019; 150:74-87. [PMID: 31077378 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Soluble oligomers of the 42-amino acid amyloid beta (Aβ42) peptide are highly toxic and suspected as the causative agent of synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we have shown that a small, D-amino acid Aβ42-oligomer interacting peptide (D-AIP) can neutralize human Aβ42-mediated toxicity using in vitro and cell-based assays. In the present longitudinal study using a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster model, advanced live confocal imaging and mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) showed that the eight amino acid D-AIP can attenuate Aβ42-induced toxicity in vivo. By separating male and female flies into distinct groups, the resultant distribution of ingested D-AIP was different between the sexes. The Aβ42-induced 'rough eye' phenotype could be rescued in the female transgenics, likely because of the co-localization of D-AIP with human Aβ42 in the female fly heads. Interestingly, the phenotype could not be rescued in the male transgenics, likely because of the co-localization of D-AIP with a confounding male-specific sex peptide (Acp70A candidate in MSI spectra) in the gut of the male flies. As a novel, more cost-effective strategy to prevent toxic amyloid formation during the early stages of AD (i.e. neutralization of toxic low-order Aβ42 oligomers without creating larger aggregates in the process), our longitudinal study establishes that D-AIP is a stable and highly effective neutralizer of toxic Aβ42 peptides in vivo. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14512.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Zhong
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adeola Shobo
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark A Hancock
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gerhard Multhaup
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Life Sciences Complex, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Liu QF, Jeon Y, Sung YW, Lee JH, Jeong H, Kim YM, Yun HS, Chin YW, Jeon S, Cho KS, Koo BS. Nardostachys jatamansi Ethanol Extract Ameliorates Aβ42 Cytotoxicity. Biol Pharm Bull 2018; 41:470-477. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b17-00750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Feng Liu
- Department of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University
| | - Youngjae Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University
| | - Yung-wei Sung
- Department of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University
| | - Jang Ho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University
| | - Haemin Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University
| | - Young-Mi Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul
| | - Hye Sup Yun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University
| | - Young-Won Chin
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul
| | - Songhee Jeon
- Dongguk University Research Institute of Biotechnology, Dongguk University
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, BK21 PLUS Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University
| | | | - Byung-Soo Koo
- Department of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University
- Department of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University
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