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Christoudia N, Bekas N, Kanata E, Chatziefsthathiou A, Pettas S, Karagianni K, Da Silva Correia SM, Schmitz M, Zerr I, Tsamesidis I, Xanthopoulos K, Dafou D, Sklaviadis T. Αnti-prion effects of anthocyanins. Redox Biol 2024; 72:103133. [PMID: 38565068 PMCID: PMC10990977 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103133] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases, also known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), are protein-based neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) affecting humans and animals. They are characterized by the conformational conversion of the normal cellular prion protein, PrPC, into the pathogenic isoform, PrPSc. Prion diseases are invariably fatal and despite ongoing research, no effective prophylactic or therapeutic avenues are currently available. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are unique flavonoid compounds and interest in their use as potential neuroprotective and/or therapeutic agents against NDs, has increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, we investigated the potential anti-oxidant and anti-prion effects of Oenin and Myrtillin, two of the most common anthocyanins, using the most accepted in the field overexpressing PrPScin vitro model and a cell free protein aggregation model. Our results, indicate both anthocyanins as strong anti-oxidant compounds, upregulating the expression of genes involved in the anti-oxidant response, and reducing the levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), produced due to pathogenic prion infection, through the activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Importantly, they showcased remarkable anti-prion potential, as they not only caused the clearance of pathogenic PrPSc aggregates, but also completely inhibited the formation of PrPSc fibrils in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Therefore, Oenin and Myrtillin possess pleiotropic effects, suggesting their potential use as promising preventive and/or therapeutic agents in prion diseases and possibly in the spectrum of neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikoletta Christoudia
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Nikolaos Bekas
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Eirini Kanata
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Athanasia Chatziefsthathiou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Spyros Pettas
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Korina Karagianni
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Susana Margarida Da Silva Correia
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University Medicine Goettingen, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Ioannis Tsamesidis
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Dafou
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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2
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Sheng Q, Intoy BF, Halley JW. Effects of Activation Barriers on Quenching to Stabilize Prebiotic Chemical Systems. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:116. [PMID: 38255731 DOI: 10.3390/life14010116] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown in model studies that rapid quenches of systems of monomers interacting to form polymer chains can fix nonequilibrium chemistries with some lifelike properties. We suggested that such quenching processes might have occurred at very high rates on early Earth, giving an efficient mechanism for natural sorting through enormous numbers of nonequilibrium chemistries from which the most lifelike ones could be naturally selected. However, the model used for these studies did not take account of activation barriers to polymer scission (peptide bond hydrolysis in the case of proteins). Such barriers are known to exist and are expected to enhance the quenching effect. Here, we introduce a modified model which takes activation barriers into account and we compare the results to data from experiments on quenched systems of amino acids. We find that the model results turn out to be sensitive to the width of the distribution of barrier heights but quite insensitive to its average value. The results of the new model are in significantly better agreement with the experiments than those found using our previous model. The new parametrization of the model only requires one new parameter and the parametrization is more physical than the previous one, providing a chemical interpretation of the parameter p in our previous models. Within the model, a characteristic temperature Tc emerges such that if the temperature of the hot stage is above Tc and the temperature of the cold stage is below it, then the 'freezing out', in a quench, of a disequilibrium ensemble of long polymers is expected. We discuss the possible relevance of this to models of the origin of life in emissions from deep ocean rifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyi Sheng
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ben Fredrick Intoy
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - J W Halley
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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3
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Cha S, Kim MY. The role of cellular prion protein in immune system. BMB Rep 2023; 56:645-650. [PMID: 37817440 PMCID: PMC10761747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have investigated the cellular prion protein (PrPC) since its discovery. These investigations have explained that its structure is predominantly composed of alpha helices and short beta sheet segments, and when its abnormal scrapie isoform (PrPSc) is infected, PrPSc transforms the PrPC, leading to prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans and bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle. Given its ubiquitous distribution across a variety of cellular types, the PrPC manifests a diverse range of biological functions, including cell-cell adhesion, neuroprotection, signalings, and oxidative stress response. PrPC is also expressed in immune tissues, and its functions in these tissues include the activation of immune cells and the formation of secondary lymphoid tissues, such as the spleen and lymph nodes. Moreover, high expression of PrPC in immune cells plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. In addition, it affects inflammation and the development and progression of cancer via various mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the studies on the role of PrPC from various immunological perspectives. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(12): 645-650].
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Affiliation(s)
- Seunghwa Cha
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Korea
| | - Mi-Yeon Kim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Life Science, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Korea
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Aminoquinolones and Their Benzoquinone Dimer Hybrids as Modulators of Prion Protein Conversion. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27227935. [PMID: 36432036 PMCID: PMC9693643 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Prion Diseases or Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies are neurodegenerative conditions associated with a long incubation period and progressive clinical evolution, leading to death. Their pathogenesis is characterized by conformational changes of the cellular prion protein-PrPC-in its infectious isoform-PrPSc-which can form polymeric aggregates that precipitate in brain tissues. Currently, there are no effective treatments for these diseases. The 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzoquinone structure is associated with an anti-prion profile and, considering the biodynamic properties associated with 4-quinolones, in this work, 6-amino-4-quinolones derivatives and their respective benzoquinone dimeric hybrids were synthesized and had their bioactive profile evaluated through their ability to prevent prion conversion. Two hybrids, namely, 2,5-dichloro-3,6-bis((3-carboxy-1-pentyl-4-quinolone-6-yl)amino)-1,4-benzoquinone (8e) and 2,5-dichloro-3,6-bis((1-benzyl-3-carboxy-4-quinolone-6-yl)amino)-1,4-benzoquinone (8f), stood out for their prion conversion inhibition ability, affecting the fibrillation process in both the kinetics-with a shortening of the lag phase-and thermodynamics and their ability to inhibit the formation of protein aggregates without significant cytotoxicity at ten micromolar.
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Fedotov SA, Khrabrova MS, Anpilova AO, Dobronravov VA, Rubel AA. Noninvasive Diagnostics of Renal Amyloidosis: Current State and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012662. [PMID: 36293523 PMCID: PMC9604123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloidoses is a group of diseases characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins (called amyloids) in different organs and tissues. For systemic amyloidoses, the disease is related to increased levels and/or abnormal synthesis of certain proteins in the organism due to pathological processes, e.g., monoclonal gammopathy and chronic inflammation in rheumatic arthritis. Treatment of amyloidoses is focused on reducing amyloidogenic protein production and inhibition of its aggregation. Therapeutic approaches critically depend on the type of amyloidosis, which underlines the importance of early differential diagnostics. In fact, the most accurate diagnostics of amyloidosis and its type requires analysis of a biopsy specimen from the disease-affected organ. However, absence of specific symptoms of amyloidosis and the invasive nature of biomaterial sampling causes the late diagnostics of these diseases, which leads to a delayed treatment, and significantly reduces its efficacy and patient survival. The establishment of noninvasive diagnostic methods and discovery of specific amyloidosis markers are essential for disease detection and identification of its type at earlier stages, which enables timely and targeted treatment. This review focuses on current approaches to the diagnostics of amyloidoses, primarily with renal involvement, and research perspectives in order to design new specific tests for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei A. Fedotov
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Maria S. Khrabrova
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Pavlov University, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - Anastasia O. Anpilova
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Research Institute of Nephrology, Pavlov University, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | | | - Aleksandr A. Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-812-428-40-09
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Some Factors from Theory, Simulation, Experiment and Proteomes in the Current Biosphere Supporting Deep Oceans as the Location of the Origin of Terrestrial Life. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12091330. [PMID: 36143367 PMCID: PMC9503746 DOI: 10.3390/life12091330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Some standard arguments are reviewed supporting deep ocean trenches as a likely location for the origin of terrestrial life. An analysis of proteomes of contemporary prokaryotes carried out by this group is cited as supporting evidence, indicating that the original proteins were formed by quenching from temperatures close to the boiling point of water. Coarse-grained simulations of the network formation process which agree quite well with experiments of such quenches both in drying and rapid fluid emission from a hot to a cold fluid are also described and cited as support for such a scenario. We suggest further experiments, observations and theoretical and simulation work to explore this hypothesis.
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Ilie IM, Bacci M, Vitalis A, Caflisch A. Antibody binding modulates the dynamics of the membrane-bound prion protein. Biophys J 2022; 121:2813-2825. [PMID: 35672948 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) is associated with lethal neurodegeneration. PrPC consists of a flexible tail (residues 23-123) and a globular domain (residues 124-231) whose C-terminal end is anchored to the cell membrane. The neurotoxic antibody POM1 and the innocuous antibody POM6 recognize the globular domain. Experimental evidence indicates that POM1 binding to PrPC emulates the influence on PrPC of the misfolded prion protein (PrPSc) while the binding of POM6 has the opposite biological response. Little is known about the potential interactions between flexible tail, globular domain, and the membrane. Here, we used atomistic simulations to investigate how these interactions are modulated by the binding of the Fab fragments of POM1 and POM6 to PrPC and by interstitial sequence truncations to the flexible tail. The simulations show that the binding of the antibodies restricts the range of orientations of the globular domain with respect to the membrane and decreases the distance between tail and membrane. Five of the six sequence truncations influence only marginally this distance and the contact patterns between tail and globular domain. The only exception is a truncation coupled to a charge inversion mutation of four N-terminal residues, which increases the distance of the flexible tail from the membrane. The interactions of the flexible tail and globular domain are modulated differently by the two antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana M Ilie
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Bacci
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Vitalis
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Amedeo Caflisch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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8
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Roy M, Nath AK, Pal I, Dey SG. Second Sphere Interactions in Amyloidogenic Diseases. Chem Rev 2022; 122:12132-12206. [PMID: 35471949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Amyloids are protein aggregates bearing a highly ordered cross β structural motif, which may be functional but are mostly pathogenic. Their formation, deposition in tissues and consequent organ dysfunction is the central event in amyloidogenic diseases. Such protein aggregation may be brought about by conformational changes, and much attention has been directed toward factors like metal binding, post-translational modifications, mutations of protein etc., which eventually affect the reactivity and cytotoxicity of the associated proteins. Over the past decade, a global effort from different groups working on these misfolded/unfolded proteins/peptides has revealed that the amino acid residues in the second coordination sphere of the active sites of amyloidogenic proteins/peptides cause changes in H-bonding pattern or protein-protein interactions, which dramatically alter the structure and reactivity of these proteins/peptides. These second sphere effects not only determine the binding of transition metals and cofactors, which define the pathology of some of these diseases, but also change the mechanism of redox reactions catalyzed by these proteins/peptides and form the basis of oxidative damage associated with these amyloidogenic diseases. The present review seeks to discuss such second sphere modifications and their ramifications in the etiopathology of some representative amyloidogenic diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2Dm), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuparna Roy
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Arnab Kumar Nath
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Ishita Pal
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Somdatta Ghosh Dey
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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9
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Prion Protein Phase Separation in Cancer Multidrug Resistance. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27030705. [PMID: 35163973 PMCID: PMC8839844 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The unique ability to adapt and thrive in inhospitable, stressful tumor microenvironments (TME) also renders cancer cells resistant to traditional chemotherapeutic treatments and/or novel pharmaceuticals. Cancer cells exhibit extensive metabolic alterations involving hypoxia, accelerated glycolysis, oxidative stress, and increased extracellular ATP that may activate ancient, conserved prion adaptive response strategies that exacerbate multidrug resistance (MDR) by exploiting cellular stress to increase cancer metastatic potential and stemness, balance proliferation and differentiation, and amplify resistance to apoptosis. The regulation of prions in MDR is further complicated by important, putative physiological functions of ligand-binding and signal transduction. Melatonin is capable of both enhancing physiological functions and inhibiting oncogenic properties of prion proteins. Through regulation of phase separation of the prion N-terminal domain which targets and interacts with lipid rafts, melatonin may prevent conformational changes that can result in aggregation and/or conversion to pathological, infectious isoforms. As a cancer therapy adjuvant, melatonin could modulate TME oxidative stress levels and hypoxia, reverse pH gradient changes, reduce lipid peroxidation, and protect lipid raft compositions to suppress prion-mediated, non-Mendelian, heritable, but often reversible epigenetic adaptations that facilitate cancer heterogeneity, stemness, metastasis, and drug resistance. This review examines some of the mechanisms that may balance physiological and pathological effects of prions and prion-like proteins achieved through the synergistic use of melatonin to ameliorate MDR, which remains a challenge in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (R.J.R.)
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (R.J.R.)
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10
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Puchkova LV, Kiseleva IV, Polishchuk EV, Broggini M, Ilyechova EY. The Crossroads between Host Copper Metabolism and Influenza Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115498. [PMID: 34071094 PMCID: PMC8197124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Three main approaches are used to combat severe viral respiratory infections. The first is preemptive vaccination that blocks infection. Weakened or dead viral particles, as well as genetic constructs carrying viral proteins or information about them, are used as an antigen. However, the viral genome is very evolutionary labile and changes continuously. Second, chemical agents are used during infection and inhibit the function of a number of viral proteins. However, these drugs lose their effectiveness because the virus can rapidly acquire resistance to them. The third is the search for points in the host metabolism the effect on which would suppress the replication of the virus but would not have a significant effect on the metabolism of the host. Here, we consider the possibility of using the copper metabolic system as a target to reduce the severity of influenza infection. This is facilitated by the fact that, in mammals, copper status can be rapidly reduced by silver nanoparticles and restored after their cancellation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila V. Puchkova
- International Research Laboratory of Trace Elements Metabolism, ADTS Institute, RC AFMLCS, ITMO University, 197101 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Irina V. Kiseleva
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | | | - Massimo Broggini
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri”, IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy;
| | - Ekaterina Yu. Ilyechova
- International Research Laboratory of Trace Elements Metabolism, ADTS Institute, RC AFMLCS, ITMO University, 197101 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Experimental Medicine, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-921-760-5274
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11
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Nakić N, Tran TH, Novokmet M, Andreoletti O, Lauc G, Legname G. Site-specific analysis of N-glycans from different sheep prion strains. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009232. [PMID: 33600485 PMCID: PMC7891774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative diseases affecting a wide range of mammalian species, including humans. During the course of the disease, the abnormally folded scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) accumulates in the central nervous system where it causes neurodegeneration. In prion disorders, the diverse spectrum of illnesses exists because of the presence of different isoforms of PrPSc where they occupy distinct conformational states called strains. Strains are biochemically distinguished by a characteristic three-band immunoblot pattern, defined by differences in the occupancy of two glycosylation sites on the prion protein (PrP). Characterization of the exact N-glycan structures attached on either PrPC or PrPSc is lacking. Here we report the characterization and comparison of N-glycans from two different sheep prion strains. PrPSc from both strains was isolated from brain tissue and enzymatically digested with trypsin. By using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray mass spectrometry, a site-specific analysis was performed. A total of 100 structures were detected on both glycosylation sites. The N-glycan profile was shown to be similar to the one on mouse PrP, however, with additional 40 structures reported. The results presented here show no major differences in glycan composition, suggesting that glycans may not be responsible for the differences in the two analyzed prion strains. To date, prion diseases remain a controversy amongst scientists. Although we know now it is the abnormal form of the prion protein (PrPSc) that causes the disease, many questions are still left unanswered. To understand the cellular mechanism of these diseases, we should first and foremost try to fully understand the prion protein itself. Even though many findings have been made regarding the structure of the protein, a large part of it is still unknown. Since the prion protein is actually a glycoprotein, to resolve its structure we need to put our focus not only on the protein part of the glycoprotein but also on the glycan structures as well. Here we compared two different sheep prion strains and although no major differences have been found between the glycan structures, this analysis may help the understanding of the role glycans have in prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natali Nakić
- Genos Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Zagreb, Croatia.,Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Thanh Hoa Tran
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.,VNUK Institute for Research and Executive Education, The University of Danang, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | | | - Olivier Andreoletti
- UMR INRA ENVT 1225-IHAP, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Gordan Lauc
- Genos Glycoscience Research Laboratory, Zagreb, Croatia.,Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.,ELETTRA Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
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12
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Li S, Kerman K. Electrochemical biosensors for biometal-protein interactions in neurodegenerative diseases. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 179:113035. [PMID: 33578115 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Electrochemical biosensors have been adopted into a wide range of applications in the study of biometal-protein interactions in neurodegenerative diseases. Transition metals such as zinc, copper, and iron that are significant to biological functions have been shown to have strong implications in the progressive neural degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and prion protein diseases. This review presents a summative examination of the progress made in the design, fabrication, and applications of electrochemical biosensors in recent literature at understanding the metal-protein interactions in neurodegenerative diseases. The focus will be drawn on disease-causing biomarkers such as amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau proteins for AD, α-synuclein (α-syn) for PD, and prion proteins (PrP). Topics such as the use of electrochemical biosensing in monitoring biometal-induced conformational changes, elucidation of complexation motifs, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the influence on downstream biomolecular interactions will be discussed. Major results and important concepts presented in these studies will be summarized in the hope to spark inspiration for the next generation of electrochemical sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopei Li
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Kagan Kerman
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada.
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13
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Sheng Q, Intoy B, Halley JW. Quenching to fix metastable states in models of prebiotic chemistry. Phys Rev E 2021; 102:062412. [PMID: 33465996 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.102.062412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
For prebiotic chemistry to succeed in producing a starting metastable, autocatalytic and reproducing system subject to evolutionary selection it must satisfy at least two apparently contradictory requirements: Because such systems are rare, a search among vast numbers of molecular combinations must take place naturally, requiring rapid rearrangement and breaking of covalent bonds. But once a relevant system is found, such rapid disruption and rearrangement would be very likely to destroy the system before much evolution could take place. In this paper we explore the possibility, using a model developed previously, that the search process could occur under different environmental conditions than the subsequent fixation and growth of a lifelike chemical system. We use the example of a rapid change in temperature to illustrate the effect and refer to the rapid change as a "quench"borrowing terminology from study of the physics and chemistry of glass formation. The model study shows that interrupting a high-temperature nonequilibrium state with a rapid quench to lower temperatures can substantially increase the probability of producing a chemical state with lifelike characteristics of nonequilibrium metastability, internal dynamics and exponential population growth in time. Previously published data on the length distributions of proteomes of prokaryotes may be consistent with such an idea and suggest a prebiotic high-temperature "search" phase near the boiling point of water. A rapid change in pH could have a similar effect. We discuss possible scenarios on early Earth which might have allowed frequent quenches of the sort considered here to have occurred. The models show a strong dependence of the effect on the number of chemical monomers available for bond formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyi Sheng
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Ben Intoy
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - J W Halley
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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Bettinger J, Ghaemmaghami S. Methionine oxidation within the prion protein. Prion 2020; 14:193-205. [PMID: 32744136 PMCID: PMC7518762 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2020.1796898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are characterized by the self-templated misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into infectious aggregates (PrPSc). The detailed molecular basis of the misfolding and aggregation of PrPC remains incompletely understood. It is believed that the transient misfolding of PrPC into partially structured intermediates precedes the formation of insoluble protein aggregates and is a critical component of the prion misfolding pathway. A number of environmental factors have been shown to induce the destabilization of PrPC and promote its initial misfolding. Recently, oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as one possible mechanism by which the destabilization of PrPC can be induced under physiological conditions. Methionine residues are uniquely vulnerable to oxidation by ROS and the formation of methionine sulfoxides leads to the misfolding and subsequent aggregation of PrPC. Here, we provide a review of the evidence for the oxidation of methionine residues in PrPC and its potential role in the formation of pathogenic prion aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Bettinger
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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15
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Schilling KM, Tao L, Wu B, Kiblen JTM, Ubilla-Rodriguez NC, Pushie MJ, Britt RD, Roseman GP, Harris DA, Millhauser GL. Both N-Terminal and C-Terminal Histidine Residues of the Prion Protein Are Essential for Copper Coordination and Neuroprotective Self-Regulation. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4408-4425. [PMID: 32473880 PMCID: PMC7387163 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) comprises two domains: a globular C-terminal domain and an unstructured N-terminal domain. Recently, copper has been observed to drive tertiary contact in PrPC, inducing a neuroprotective cis interaction that structurally links the protein's two domains. The location of this interaction on the C terminus overlaps with the sites of human pathogenic mutations and toxic antibody docking. Combined with recent evidence that the N terminus is a toxic effector regulated by the C terminus, there is an emerging consensus that this cis interaction serves a protective role, and that the disruption of this interaction by misfolded PrP oligomers may be a cause of toxicity in prion disease. We demonstrate here that two highly conserved histidines in the C-terminal domain of PrPC are essential for the protein's cis interaction, which helps to protect against neurotoxicity carried out by its N terminus. We show that simultaneous mutation of these histidines drastically weakens the cis interaction and enhances spontaneous cationic currents in cultured cells, the first C-terminal mutant to do so. Whereas previous studies suggested that Cu2+ coordination was localized solely to the protein's N-terminal domain, we find that both domains contribute equatorially coordinated histidine residue side-chains, resulting in a novel bridging interaction. We also find that extra N-terminal histidines in pathological familial mutations involving octarepeat expansions inhibit this interaction by sequestering copper from the C terminus. Our findings further establish a structural basis for PrPC's C-terminal regulation of its otherwise toxic N terminus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Schilling
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Lizhi Tao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Bei Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St Silvio Conte., Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Joseph T M Kiblen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Natalia C Ubilla-Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - M Jake Pushie
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Rd B419, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - R David Britt
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Graham P Roseman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - David A Harris
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord St Silvio Conte., Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Glenn L Millhauser
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
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16
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Zaccagnini L, Rossetti G, Tran TH, Salzano G, Gandini A, Colini Baldeschi A, Bolognesi ML, Carloni P, Legname G. In silico/in vitro screening and hit evaluation identified new phenothiazine anti-prion derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 196:112295. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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17
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Esmaili M, Tancowny BP, Wang X, Moses A, Cortez LM, Sim VL, Wille H, Overduin M. Native nanodiscs formed by styrene maleic acid copolymer derivatives help recover infectious prion multimers bound to brain-derived lipids. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8460-8469. [PMID: 32358064 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are lipidated proteins that interact with endogenous lipids and metal ions. They also assemble into multimers and propagate into the infectious scrapie form known as PrPSc The high-resolution structure of the infectious PrPSc state remains unknown, and its analysis largely relies on detergent-based preparations devoid of endogenous ligands. Here we designed polymers that allow isolation of endogenous membrane:protein assemblies in native nanodiscs without exposure to conventional detergents that destabilize protein structures and induce fibrillization. A set of styrene-maleic acid (SMA) polymers including a methylamine derivative facilitated gentle release of the infectious complexes for resolution of multimers, and a thiol-containing version promoted crystallization. Polymer extraction from brain homogenates from Syrian hamsters infected with Hyper prions and WT mice infected with Rocky Mountain Laboratories prions yielded infectious prion nanoparticles including oligomers and microfilaments bound to lipid vesicles. Lipid analysis revealed the brain phospholipids that associate with prion protofilaments, as well as those that are specifically enriched in prion assemblies captured by the methylamine-modified copolymer. A comparison of the infectivity of PrPSc attached to SMA lipid particles in mice and hamsters indicated that these amphipathic polymers offer a valuable tool for high-yield production of intact, detergent-free prions that retain in vivo activity. This native prion isolation method provides an avenue for producing relevant prion:lipid targets and potentially other proteins that form multimeric assemblies and fibrils on membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoore Esmaili
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brian P Tancowny
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiongyao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Audric Moses
- Lipidomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Leonardo M Cortez
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Valerie L Sim
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, and Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Holger Wille
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada .,Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael Overduin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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18
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Kim HJ, Kim MJ, Mostafa MN, Park JH, Choi HS, Kim YS, Choi EK. RhoA/ROCK Regulates Prion Pathogenesis by Controlling Connexin 43 Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041255. [PMID: 32070020 PMCID: PMC7072953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrapie infection, which converts cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the pathological and infectious isoform (PrPSc), leads to neuronal cell death, glial cell activation and PrPSc accumulation. Previous studies reported that PrPC regulates RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) signaling and that connexin 43 (Cx43) expression is upregulated in in vitro and in vivo prion-infected models. However, whether there is a link between RhoA/ROCK and Cx43 in prion disease pathogenesis is uncertain. Here, we investigated the role of RhoA/ROCK signaling and Cx43 in prion diseases using in vitro and in vivo models. Scrapie infection induced RhoA activation, accompanied by increased phosphorylation of LIM kinase 1/2 (LIMK1/2) at Thr508/Thr505 and cofilin at Ser3 and reduced phosphorylation of RhoA at Ser188 in hippocampal neuronal cells and brains of mice. Scrapie infection-induced RhoA activation also resulted in PrPSc accumulation followed by a reduction in the interaction between RhoA and p190RhoGAP (a GTPase-activating protein). Interestingly, scrapie infection significantly enhanced the interaction between RhoA and Cx43. Moreover, RhoA and Cx43 colocalization was more visible in both the membrane and cytoplasm of scrapie-infected hippocampal neuronal cells than in controls. Finally, RhoA and ROCK inhibition reduced PrPSc accumulation and the RhoA/Cx43 interaction, leading to decreased Cx43 hemichannel activity in scrapie-infected hippocampal neuronal cells. These findings suggest that RhoA/ROCK regulates Cx43 activity, which may have an important role in the pathogenesis of prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Jun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 14066, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (M.-J.K.); (M.N.M.); (J.-H.P.); (H.-S.C.); (Y.-S.K.)
| | - Mo-Jong Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 14066, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (M.-J.K.); (M.N.M.); (J.-H.P.); (H.-S.C.); (Y.-S.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 24252, Korea
| | - Mohd Najib Mostafa
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 14066, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (M.-J.K.); (M.N.M.); (J.-H.P.); (H.-S.C.); (Y.-S.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 24252, Korea
| | - Jeong-Ho Park
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 14066, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (M.-J.K.); (M.N.M.); (J.-H.P.); (H.-S.C.); (Y.-S.K.)
| | - Hong-Seok Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 14066, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (M.-J.K.); (M.N.M.); (J.-H.P.); (H.-S.C.); (Y.-S.K.)
| | - Yong-Sun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 14066, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (M.-J.K.); (M.N.M.); (J.-H.P.); (H.-S.C.); (Y.-S.K.)
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 24252, Korea
| | - Eun-Kyoung Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 14066, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (M.-J.K.); (M.N.M.); (J.-H.P.); (H.-S.C.); (Y.-S.K.)
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 24252, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-380-1893; Fax: +82-31-388-3427
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19
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Wille H, Dorosh L, Amidian S, Schmitt-Ulms G, Stepanova M. Combining molecular dynamics simulations and experimental analyses in protein misfolding. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2020; 118:33-110. [PMID: 31928730 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The fold of a protein determines its function and its misfolding can result in loss-of-function defects. In addition, for certain proteins their misfolding can lead to gain-of-function toxicities resulting in protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or the prion diseases. In all of these diseases one or more proteins misfold and aggregate into disease-specific assemblies, often in the form of fibrillar amyloid deposits. Most, if not all, protein misfolding diseases share a fundamental molecular mechanism that governs the misfolding and subsequent aggregation. A wide variety of experimental methods have contributed to our knowledge about misfolded protein aggregates, some of which are briefly described in this review. The misfolding mechanism itself is difficult to investigate, as the necessary timescale and resolution of the misfolding events often lie outside of the observable parameter space. Molecular dynamics simulations fill this gap by virtue of their intrinsic, molecular perspective and the step-by-step iterative process that forms the basis of the simulations. This review focuses on molecular dynamics simulations and how they combine with experimental analyses to provide detailed insights into protein misfolding and the ensuing diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Wille
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Lyudmyla Dorosh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Sara Amidian
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Gerold Schmitt-Ulms
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maria Stepanova
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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20
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Hackl S, Becker CFW. Prion protein-Semisynthetic prion protein (PrP) variants with posttranslational modifications. J Pept Sci 2019; 25:e3216. [PMID: 31713950 PMCID: PMC6899880 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering the pathophysiologic events in prion diseases is challenging, and the role of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) such as glypidation and glycosylation remains elusive due to the lack of homogeneous protein preparations. So far, experimental studies have been limited in directly analyzing the earliest events of the conformational change of cellular prion protein (PrPC ) into scrapie prion protein (PrPSc ) that further propagates PrPC misfolding and aggregation at the cellular membrane, the initial site of prion infection, and PrP misfolding, by a lack of suitably modified PrP variants. PTMs of PrP, especially attachment of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor, have been shown to be crucially involved in the PrPSc formation. To this end, semisynthesis offers a unique possibility to understand PrP behavior invitro and invivo as it provides access to defined site-selectively modified PrP variants. This approach relies on the production and chemoselective linkage of peptide segments, amenable to chemical modifications, with recombinantly produced protein segments. In this article, advances in understanding PrP conversion using semisynthesis as a tool to obtain homogeneous posttranslationally modified PrP will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hackl
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian F W Becker
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Vienna, Austria
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21
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Metkar SK, Ghosh S, Girigoswami A, Girigoswami K. The Potential of Serratiopetidase and Lumbrokinase for the Degradation of Prion Peptide 106-126 - an In Vitro and In Silico Perspective. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2019; 18:723-731. [PMID: 31642793 DOI: 10.2174/1871527318666191021150002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PrPC is a host-encoded prion protein, which gets post translationally modified into a transmissible, β-sheet rich disease associated protein called PrPSc, responsible for the Prion disease including mad cow disease in cattle and CJD in humans. The PrP 106-126 region in PrPSc peptide initiates the conformational change in that protein leading to fibrillation. Any agent that can destabilize or disintegrate such proteins can be served as a potential drug candidate for Prion diseases. METHODS In the present study, an enzyme Lumbrokinase (LK) was isolated from earthworm and its activity was exploited towards PrP 106-126 amyloids in vitro along with another enzyme Serratiopeptidase (SP) taking Nattokinase (NK) as a standard. RESULTS The results showed that PrP 106-126 amyloid formation was inhibited by both LK and SP, as evidenced from Thioflavin T fluorescence assay. Further, the size of fibrils as estimated by dynamic light scattering, was also found to be lower at different time intervals after incubation of the prion amyloids with LK and SP. Additionally, the molecular dynamics simulation revealed the thermodynamically favorable interaction of PrP 106-126 with LK as well as with SP with high affinity. CONCLUSION Finally, the toxicity of the disintegrated amyloids was assessed using PC12 cell lines which showed higher cell viability in case of LK and SP treated amyloids compared to only PrP 106- 126 amyloid treatment. Altogether, the study concluded that the serine proteases like LK and SP have the potential to disintegrate PrP 106-126 amyloids with improved cell viability. The in vivo studies are needed to be executed in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kisan Metkar
- Medical Bionanotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Chennai-603103, India
| | - Suparna Ghosh
- Medical Bionanotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Chennai-603103, India
| | - Agnishwar Girigoswami
- Medical Bionanotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Chennai-603103, India
| | - Koyeli Girigoswami
- Medical Bionanotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Health City, Kelambakkam, Chennai-603103, India
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22
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Impact of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-derived aroylhydrazones on the copper-catalyzed oxidation of the M112A PrP103–112 mutant fragment. J Biol Inorg Chem 2019; 24:1231-1244. [DOI: 10.1007/s00775-019-01700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Abstract
Prion diseases are caused by the conversion of physiological PrPC into the pathogenic misfolded protein PrPSc, conferring new properties to PrPSc that vary upon prion strains. In this work, we analyze the thermostability of three prion strains (BSE, RML and 22L) that were heated at 98 °C for 2 hours. PrPSc resistance to proteinase K (PrPres), residual infectivity by mouse bioassay and in vitro templating activity by protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) were studied. Heated strains showed a huge loss of PrPres and a radically different infectivity loss: RML was the most thermolabile strain (6 to 7 log10 infectivity loss), followed by 22L (5 log10) while BSE was the most thermostable strain with low or null infectivity reduction showing a clear dissociation between PrPres and infectivity. These results indicate that thermostability is a strain-specific feature, measurable by PMCA and mouse bioassay, and a great tool to distinguish prion strains.
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24
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Terry C, Wadsworth JDF. Recent Advances in Understanding Mammalian Prion Structure: A Mini Review. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:169. [PMID: 31338021 PMCID: PMC6629788 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are lethal pathogens, which cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases in mammals. They are unique infectious agents and are composed of self-propagating multi-chain assemblies of misfolded host-encoded prion protein (PrP). Understanding prion structure is fundamental to understanding prion disease pathogenesis however to date, the high-resolution structure of authentic ex vivo infectious prions remains unknown. Advances in determining prion structure have been severely impeded by the difficulty in recovering relatively homogeneous prion particles from infected brain and definitively associating infectivity with the PrP assembly state. Recently, however, images of highly infectious ex vivo PrP rods that produce prion-strain specific disease phenotypes in mice have been obtained using cryo-electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. These images have provided the most detailed description of ex vivo mammalian prions reported to date and have established that prions isolated from multiple strains have a common hierarchical structure. Misfolded PrP is assembled into 20 nm wide rods containing two fibers, each with double helical repeating substructure, separated by a characteristic central gap 8–10 nm in width. Irregularly structured material with adhesive properties distinct to that of the fibers is present within the central gap of the rod. Prions are clearly distinguishable from non-infectious recombinant PrP fibrils generated in vitro and from all other propagating protein structures so far described in other neurodegenerative diseases. The basic architecture of mammalian prions appears to be exceptional and fundamental to their lethal pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Terry
- Molecular Systems for Health Research Group, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D F Wadsworth
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Ilie IM, Caflisch A. Simulation Studies of Amyloidogenic Polypeptides and Their Aggregates. Chem Rev 2019; 119:6956-6993. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ioana M. Ilie
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich CH-8057, Switzerland
| | - Amedeo Caflisch
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zürich, Zürich CH-8057, Switzerland
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26
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Vorberg IM. All the Same? The Secret Life of Prion Strains within Their Target Cells. Viruses 2019; 11:v11040334. [PMID: 30970585 DOI: 10.3390/v11040334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Prions are infectious β-sheet-rich protein aggregates composed of misfolded prion protein (PrPSc) that do not possess coding nucleic acid. Prions replicate by recruiting and converting normal cellular PrPC into infectious isoforms. In the same host species, prion strains target distinct brain regions and cause different disease phenotypes. Prion strains are associated with biophysically distinct PrPSc conformers, suggesting that strain properties are enciphered within alternative PrPSc quaternary structures. So far it is unknown how prion strains target specific cells and initiate productive infections. Deeper mechanistic insight into the prion life cycle came from cell lines permissive to a range of different prion strains. Still, it is unknown why certain cell lines are refractory to infection by one strain but permissive to another. While pharmacologic and genetic manipulations revealed subcellular compartments involved in prion replication, little is known about strain-specific requirements for endocytic trafficking pathways. This review summarizes our knowledge on how prions replicate within their target cells and on strain-specific differences in prion cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina M Vorberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
- Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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27
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Huang S, Chen L, Bladen C, Stys PK, Zamponi GW. Differential modulation of NMDA and AMPA receptors by cellular prion protein and copper ions. Mol Brain 2018; 11:62. [PMID: 30359282 PMCID: PMC6202830 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-018-0406-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) are two major types of ionotropic glutamate receptors involved in synaptic transmission. However, excessive activity of these receptors can be cytotoxic and thus their function must be precisely controlled. We have previously reported that NMDA receptor activity is dysregulated following genetic knockout of cellular prion protein (PrPC), and that PrPC regulation of NMDA receptors is copper-dependent. Here, we employed electrophysiological methods to study NMDAR and AMPAR currents of cultured hippocampal neurons from PrPC overexpresser mice. We show that NMDA receptor current amplitude and kinetics are differentially modulated by overexpression of human or mouse PrPC. By contrast, AMPA receptor activity was unaffected. Nonetheless, AMPA receptor activity was modulated by copper ions in a manner similar to what we previously reported for NMDA receptors. Taken together, our findings reveal that AMPA and NMDA receptors are differentially regulated by PrPC, but share common modulation by copper ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Huang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lina Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Chris Bladen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Peter K Stys
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gerald W Zamponi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. .,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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28
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T. Islam AM, Adlard PA, Finkelstein DI, Lewis V, Biggi S, Biasini E, Collins SJ. Acute Neurotoxicity Models of Prion Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:431-445. [PMID: 29393619 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are phenotypically diverse, transmissible, neurodegenerative disorders affecting both animals and humans. Misfolding of the normal prion protein (PrPC) into disease-associated conformers (PrPSc) is considered the critical etiological event underpinning prion diseases, with such misfolded isoforms linked to both disease transmission and neurotoxicity. Although important advances in our understanding of prion biology and pathogenesis have occurred over the last 3-4 decades, many fundamental questions remain to be resolved, including consensus regarding the principal pathways subserving neuronal dysfunction, as well as detailed biophysical characterization of PrPSc species transmitting disease and/or directly associated with neurotoxicity. In vivo and in vitro models have been, and remain, critical to furthering our understanding across many aspects of prion disease patho-biology. Prion animal models are arguably the most authentic in vivo models of neurodegeneration that exist and have provided valuable and multifarious insights into pathogenesis; however, they are expensive and time-consuming, and it can be problematic to clearly discern evidence of direct PrPSc neurotoxicity in the overall context of pathogenesis. In vitro models, in contrast, generally offer greater tractability and appear more suited to assessments of direct acute neurotoxicity but have until recently been relatively simplistic, and overall there remains a relative paucity of validated, biologically relevant models with heightened reliability as far as translational insights, contributing to difficulties in redressing our knowledge gaps in prion disease pathogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of the spectrum and methodological diversity of in vivo and in vitro models of prion acute toxicity, as well as the pathogenic insights gained from these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - S. Biggi
- CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - E. Biasini
- CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
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29
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Bamdad K. Sequence-dependent dynamical instability of the human prion protein: a comparative simulation study. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017; 36:3023-3033. [PMID: 28868991 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1375430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the most probable regions of the human prion protein backbone for which the initial steps of conformational transitions as a result of intrinsic and extrinsic perturbing factors on the protein structure can be assigned. A total of 0.3-μs molecular dynamics simulations on several analog structures of the protein have been performed. To mimic the impact of the extrinsic and intrinsic destructive parameters on the dynamical characteristics of the protein, mild acidic conditions and R208H mutation have been simulated. The findings indicated that distribution of conformational flexibilities along the protein chain was almost independent of the induced perturbing factors, and was mostly centralized on certain distinct parts of the structure comprising residues 132-145 and 187-203. Analyses also revealed that the segment comprising residues 187-203 may be considered as a peptide sequence, possessing high potential to start the initial steps of conformational rearrangements due to the induced physicochemical alterations. Sequence alignment and molecular dynamics data also revealed that segment 178-203 prefers to accommodate in extended structures rather than α-helices. Region 178-203 may be considered as a peptide switch capable of initiating the conformational transitions due to the introduced modifications and perturbing parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Bamdad
- a Department of Biology, Faculty of Science , Payame Noor University (PNU) , 19395-3697 , Iran
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30
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Abskharon R, Dang J, Elfarash A, Wang Z, Shen P, Zou LS, Hassan S, Wang F, Fujioka H, Steyaert J, Mulaj M, Surewicz WK, Castilla J, Wohlkonig A, Zou WQ. Soluble polymorphic bank vole prion proteins induced by co-expression of quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase in E. coli and their aggregation behaviors. Microb Cell Fact 2017; 16:170. [PMID: 28978309 PMCID: PMC5628483 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-017-0782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The infectious prion protein (PrPSc or prion) is derived from its cellular form (PrPC) through a conformational transition in animal and human prion diseases. Studies have shown that the interspecies conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is largely swayed by species barriers, which is mainly deciphered by the sequence and conformation of the proteins among species. However, the bank vole PrPC (BVPrP) is highly susceptible to PrPSc from different species. Transgenic mice expressing BVPrP with the polymorphic isoleucine (109I) but methionine (109M) at residue 109 spontaneously develop prion disease. Results To explore the mechanism underlying the unique susceptibility and convertibility, we generated soluble BVPrP by co-expression of BVPrP with Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) in Escherichia coli. Interestingly, rBVPrP-109M and rBVPrP-109I exhibited distinct seeded aggregation pathways and aggregate morphologies upon seeding of mouse recombinant PrP fibrils, as monitored by thioflavin T fluorescence and electron microscopy. Moreover, they displayed different aggregation behaviors induced by seeding of hamster and mouse prion strains under real-time quaking-induced conversion. Conclusions Our results suggest that QSOX facilitates the formation of soluble prion protein and provide further evidence that the polymorphism at residue 109 of QSOX-induced BVPrP may be a determinant in mediating its distinct convertibility and susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romany Abskharon
- VIB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIFO), Cairo, 11516, Egypt.,Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Johnny Dang
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ameer Elfarash
- Genetic Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assuit, 71516, Egypt
| | - Zerui Wang
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingping Shen
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lewis S Zou
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sedky Hassan
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, New Valley Branch, El-Kharja, 72511, Egypt
| | - Fei Wang
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Hisashi Fujioka
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jan Steyaert
- VIB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mentor Mulaj
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Witold K Surewicz
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Alexandre Wohlkonig
- VIB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Wen-Quan Zou
- Departments of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,Departments of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,National Center for Regenerative Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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31
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Bonda DJ, Manjila S, Mehndiratta P, Khan F, Miller BR, Onwuzulike K, Puoti G, Cohen ML, Schonberger LB, Cali I. Human prion diseases: surgical lessons learned from iatrogenic prion transmission. Neurosurg Focus 2017; 41:E10. [PMID: 27364252 DOI: 10.3171/2016.5.focus15126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The human prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, have captivated our imaginations since their discovery in the Fore linguistic group in Papua New Guinea in the 1950s. The mysterious and poorly understood "infectious protein" has become somewhat of a household name in many regions across the globe. From bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly identified as mad cow disease, to endocannibalism, media outlets have capitalized on these devastatingly fatal neurological conditions. Interestingly, since their discovery, there have been more than 492 incidents of iatrogenic transmission of prion diseases, largely resulting from prion-contaminated growth hormone and dura mater grafts. Although fewer than 9 cases of probable iatrogenic neurosurgical cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) have been reported worldwide, the likelihood of some missed cases and the potential for prion transmission by neurosurgery create considerable concern. Laboratory studies indicate that standard decontamination and sterilization procedures may be insufficient to completely remove infectivity from prion-contaminated instruments. In this unfortunate event, the instruments may transmit the prion disease to others. Much caution therefore should be taken in the absence of strong evidence against the presence of a prion disease in a neurosurgical patient. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) have devised risk assessment and decontamination protocols for the prevention of iatrogenic transmission of the prion diseases, incidents of possible exposure to prions have unfortunately occurred in the United States. In this article, the authors outline the historical discoveries that led from kuru to the identification and isolation of the pathological prion proteins in addition to providing a brief description of human prion diseases and iatrogenic forms of CJD, a brief history of prion disease nosocomial transmission, and a summary of the CDC and WHO guidelines for prevention of prion disease transmission and decontamination of prion-contaminated neurosurgical instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Bonda
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and
| | - Sunil Manjila
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and
| | - Prachi Mehndiratta
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Fahd Khan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Benjamin R Miller
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and
| | - Kaine Onwuzulike
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and
| | - Gianfranco Puoti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy; and
| | - Mark L Cohen
- National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center.,Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Lawrence B Schonberger
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ignazio Cali
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio;,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy; and
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32
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Wadsworth JDF, Adamson G, Joiner S, Brock L, Powell C, Linehan JM, Beck JA, Brandner S, Mead S, Collinge J. Methods for Molecular Diagnosis of Human Prion Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1658:311-346. [PMID: 28861799 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7244-9_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human prion diseases are associated with a range of clinical presentations, and they are classified by both clinicopathological syndrome and etiology, with subclassification according to molecular criteria. Here, we describe updated procedures that are currently used within the MRC Prion Unit at UCL to determine a molecular diagnosis of human prion disease. Sequencing of the PRNP open reading frame to establish the presence of pathogenic mutations is described, together with detailed methods for immunoblot or immunohistochemical determination of the presence of abnormal prion protein in the brain or peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D F Wadsworth
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Gary Adamson
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Susan Joiner
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Lara Brock
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Caroline Powell
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jacqueline M Linehan
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jonathan A Beck
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Simon Mead
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - John Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
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33
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Zhou S, Wang Q, Wang Y, Yao X, Han W, Liu H. The folding mechanism and key metastable state identification of the PrP127–147 monomer studied by molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state model analysis. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:11249-11259. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp01521f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MD simulation combined with MSM analysis was employed to investigate the structural dynamics and the folding mechanism of the key fragment 127–147 monomer of prion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qianqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
- Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health
- Macau University of Science and Technology
- Taipa
- China
| | - Yuwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
- Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health
- Macau University of Science and Technology
- Taipa
- China
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine
- Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health
- Macau University of Science and Technology
- Taipa
- China
| | - Wei Han
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics
- School of Chemical biology and Biotechnology
- Beijing University Shenzhen Graduate School
- Shenzhen
- China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy
- Lanzhou University
- Lanzhou 730000
- China
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34
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Evolutionary studies of ligand binding sites in proteins. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2016; 45:85-90. [PMID: 27992825 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2016.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Biological processes at their most fundamental molecular aspects are defined by molecular interactions with ligand-protein interactions in particular at the core of cellular functions such as metabolism and signalling. Divergent and convergent processes shape the evolution of ligand binding sites. The competition between similar ligands and binding sites across protein families create evolutionary pressures that affect the specificity and selectivity of interactions. This short review showcases recent studies of the evolution of ligand binding-sites and methods used to detect binding-site similarities.
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35
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Abstract
Since the term protein was first coined in 1838 and protein was discovered to be the essential component of fibrin and albumin, all cellular proteins were presumed to play beneficial roles in plants and mammals. However, in 1967, Griffith proposed that proteins could be infectious pathogens and postulated their involvement in scrapie, a universally fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in goats and sheep. Nevertheless, this novel hypothesis had not been evidenced until 1982, when Prusiner and coworkers purified infectious particles from scrapie-infected hamster brains and demonstrated that they consisted of a specific protein that he called a "prion." Unprecedentedly, the infectious prion pathogen is actually derived from its endogenous cellular form in the central nervous system. Unlike other infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, prions do not contain genetic materials such as DNA or RNA. The unique traits and genetic information of prions are believed to be encoded within the conformational structure and posttranslational modifications of the proteins. Remarkably, prion-like behavior has been recently observed in other cellular proteins-not only in pathogenic roles but also serving physiological functions. The significance of these fascinating developments in prion biology is far beyond the scope of a single cellular protein and its related disease.
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36
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Wiersma VI, van Hecke W, Scheper W, van Osch MAJ, Hermsen WJM, Rozemuller AJM, Hoozemans JJM. Activation of the unfolded protein response and granulovacuolar degeneration are not common features of human prion pathology. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:113. [PMID: 27793194 PMCID: PMC5086055 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0383-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders with a genetic, sporadic or infectiously acquired aetiology. Neuropathologically, human prion diseases are characterized by deposition of misfolded prion protein and neuronal loss. In post-mortem brain tissue from patients with other neurodegenerative diseases characterized by protein misfolding, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau pathology (FTLD-tau), increased activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) has been observed. The UPR is a cellular stress response that copes with the presence of misfolded proteins. Recent studies have indicated that UPR activation is also involved in experimental models of prion disease and have suggested intervention in the UPR as a therapeutic strategy. On the other hand, it was previously shown that the active form of the UPR stress sensor dsRNA-activated protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) is not increased in post-mortem brain tissue samples from human prion disease cases. In the present study, we assessed the active form of another UPR stress sensor, inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), in human post-mortem frontal cortex of a large cohort of sporadic, inherited and acquired prion disease patients (n = 47) and non-neurological controls. Immunoreactivity for phosphorylated IRE1α was not increased in prion disease cases compared with non-neurological controls. In addition, immunoreactivity for phosphorylated PERK was unaltered in human prion disease cases included in the current cohort. Moreover, no difference in the extent of granulovacuolar degeneration, a pathological feature associated with the presence of UPR activation markers, was detected. Our data indicate that, in contrast to AD and primary tauopathies, activation of the UPR is not a common feature of human prion pathology.
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37
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Glatzel M, Linsenmeier L, Dohler F, Krasemann S, Puig B, Altmeppen HC. Shedding light on prion disease. Prion 2016; 9:244-56. [PMID: 26186508 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2015.1065371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic processing regulates key processes in health and disease. The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is subject to at least 3 cleavage events, α-cleavage, β-cleavage and shedding. In contrast to α- and β-cleavage where there is an ongoing controversy on the identity of relevant proteases, the metalloprotease ADAM10 represents the only relevant PrP sheddase. Here we focus on the roles that ADAM10-mediated shedding of PrP(C) and its pathogenic isoform (PrP(Sc)) might play in regulating their physiological and pathogenic functions, respectively. As revealed by our recent study using conditional ADAM10 knockout mice (Altmeppen et al., 2015), shedding of PrP seems to be involved in key processes of prion diseases. These aspects and several open questions arising from them are discussed. Increased knowledge on this topic can shed new light on prion diseases and other neurodegenerative conditions as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Glatzel
- a Institute of Neuropathology; University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf ; Hamburg , Germany
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38
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Properzi F, Badhan A, Klier S, Schmidt C, Klöhn PC, Wadsworth JDF, Clarke AR, Jackson GS, Collinge J. Physical, chemical and kinetic factors affecting prion infectivity. Prion 2016; 10:251-61. [PMID: 27282252 PMCID: PMC4981209 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2016.1181250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The mouse-adapted scrapie prion strain RML is one of the most widely used in prion research. The introduction of a cell culture-based assay of RML prions, the scrapie cell assay (SCA) allows more rapid and precise prion titration. A semi-automated version of this assay (ASCA) was applied to explore a range of conditions that might influence the infectivity and properties of RML prions. These include resistance to freeze-thaw procedures; stability to endogenous proteases in brain homogenate despite prolonged exposure to varying temperatures; distribution of infective material between pellet and supernatant after centrifugation, the effect of reducing agents and the influence of detergent additives on the efficiency of infection. Apparent infectivity is increased significantly by interaction with cationic detergents. Importantly, we have also elucidated the relationship between the duration of exposure of cells to RML prions and the transmission of infection. We established that the infection process following contact of cells with RML prions is rapid and followed an exponential time course, implying a single rate-limiting process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Properzi
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - Anjna Badhan
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - Steffi Klier
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - Christian Schmidt
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - Peter C Klöhn
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - Jonathan D F Wadsworth
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - Anthony R Clarke
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - Graham S Jackson
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
| | - John Collinge
- a MRC Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease , UCL Institute of Neurology , London , UK
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39
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Galzitskaya OV. Repeats are one of the main characteristics of RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 11:2210-8. [PMID: 26022110 DOI: 10.1039/c5mb00273g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
It is not surprising that a large number of diseases related to amyloid fibril depositions are formed in various organs. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the transformation of native proteins into amyloid fibrils in order to clarify which key elements of this process determine the pathway of protein misfolding. Significant attention has been directed recently to investigating the mechanism of formation of cross-β structures that have the properties of liquids but can also exist in gel-like forms, thus facilitating the retention of both RNAs and RNA-binding proteins. Proteins that form stress granules are believed to do this rapidly, and they are expected to contain a prion-like domain that can facilitate this process. By analyzing the known yeast prion proteins and 29 RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains, we demonstrate here that the existence of repeats is one of the general characteristics of prion-like domains. The presence of repeats should help to determine the border of prion domains as in the case of Rnq1: five found repeats shift the border of the prion domain from the 153-rd to at least the 133-th residue. One can suggest that such repeats assist in the rapid initiation of the process of assembly and formation of cross-β structures and such domains most likely should be disordered. These repeats should contain aromatic amino acid residues for the formation of a hydrogel because its amino acid context modulates the strength of interaction. The key factors determined here can be used to control the process of aggregation to prevent the development of pathologies and diseases caused by prion-like domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana V Galzitskaya
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russian Federation.
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Llorens F, Thüne K, Schmitz M, Ansoleaga B, Frau-Méndez MA, Cramm M, Tahir W, Gotzmann N, Berjaoui S, Carmona M, Silva CJ, Fernandez-Vega I, José Zarranz J, Zerr I, Ferrer I. Identification of new molecular alterations in fatal familial insomnia. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:2417-2436. [PMID: 27056979 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatal familial insomnia is a rare disease caused by a D178N mutation in combination with methionine (Met) at codon 129 in the mutated allele of PRNP (D178N-129M haplotype). FFI is manifested by sleep disturbances with insomnia, autonomic disorders and spontaneous and evoked myoclonus, among other symptoms. This study describes new neuropathological and biochemical observations in a series of eight patients with FFI. The mediodorsal and anterior nuclei of the thalamus have severe neuronal loss and marked astrocytic gliosis in every case, whereas the entorhinal cortex is variably affected. Spongiform degeneration only occurs in the entorhinal cortex. Synaptic and fine granular proteinase K digestion (PrPres) immunoreactivity is found in the entorhinal cortex but not in the thalamus. Interleukin 6, interleukin 10 receptor alpha subunit, colony stimulating factor 3 receptor and toll-like receptor 7 mRNA expression increases in the thalamus in FFI. PrPc levels are significantly decreased in the thalamus, entorhinal cortex and cerebellum in FFI. This is accompanied by a particular PrPc and PrPres band profile. Altered PrP solubility consistent with significantly reduced PrP levels in the cytoplasmic fraction and increased PrP levels in the insoluble fraction are identified in FFI cases. Amyloid-like deposits are only seen in the entorhinal cortex. The RT-QuIC assay reveals that all the FFI samples of the entorhinal cortex are positive, whereas the thalamus is positive only in three cases and the cerebellum in two cases. The present findings unveil particular neuropathological and neuroinflammatory profiles in FFI and novel characteristics of natural prion protein in FFI, altered PrPres and Scrapie PrP (abnormal and pathogenic PrP) patterns and region-dependent putative capacity of PrP seeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franc Llorens
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-site Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Katrin Thüne
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-site Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-site Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Belén Ansoleaga
- Institute of Neuropathology, Service of Pathological Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Biomedical Research Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Hospitalet del Llobregat 08907, Spain
| | - Margalida A Frau-Méndez
- Institute of Neuropathology, Service of Pathological Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Biomedical Research Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Hospitalet del Llobregat 08907, Spain
| | - Maria Cramm
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-site Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Waqas Tahir
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-site Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Nadine Gotzmann
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-site Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Sara Berjaoui
- Institute of Neuropathology, Service of Pathological Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Biomedical Research Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Hospitalet del Llobregat 08907, Spain
| | - Margarita Carmona
- Institute of Neuropathology, Service of Pathological Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Biomedical Research Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Hospitalet del Llobregat 08907, Spain
| | - Christopher J Silva
- USDA, Produce Safety & Microbiology Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, CA 94710, USA
| | - Ivan Fernandez-Vega
- Pathology Department University Hospital Araba, and Brain Bank Araba University Hospital, Basque Biobank for Research (O+eHun), Alava 01009, Spain
| | - Juan José Zarranz
- Neurology Department, University Hospital Cruces, University of the Basque Country, Bizkaia 48903, Spain
| | - Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-site Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- Institute of Neuropathology, Service of Pathological Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Biomedical Research Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Hospitalet del Llobregat 08907, Spain
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Dall'Ara P, Iulini B, Botto L, Filipe J, Martino PA, Pintore MD, Gazzuola P, Mazza M, Dagrada M, Ingravalle F, Casalone C, Palestini P, Poli G. Diets with different lipid contents do not modify the neuronal membrane lipid raft profile in a scrapie murine model. Life Sci 2016; 144:226-33. [PMID: 26655166 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.12.008] [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: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), the localization of the prion protein in the neuronal membrane lipid rafts (LR) seems to play a role in sustaining the protein misfolding. Changes in membrane properties, due to altered lipid composition, affect their organization and interaction between lipids and protein therein, and consequently also membrane resident protein functionality; dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), gangliosides and cholesterol seem to influence these processes. AIMS In this work, the influence of administration of different feed, able to change the composition of lipid membrane, on the clinical progression of prion disease was studied. MAIN METHODS The activity of three diets (hyperlipidic with 6% fats; hypolipidic with 0.1% fats; and purified with 4% fats) was tested in CD1 mouse model experimentally infected with RML scrapie strain. Presence and distribution of typical central nervous system (CNS) lesions and deposits of PrP(sc) were evaluated by histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry. Analysis of lipids was performed in homogenate and insoluble brain fraction of the neuronal membrane rich in LR. KEY FINDINGS Results show that a diet with a different lipid level has not a significant role in the development of the scrapie disease. All infected mice fed with different diets died in the same time span. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and neuropathological analyses of the infected brains did not show significant differences between animals subjected to different diets. SIGNIFICANCE Independently of the diet, the infection induced a significant modification of the lipid composition in homogenates, and a less noticeable one in insoluble brain fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Dall'Ara
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Barbara Iulini
- CEA, Italian Reference Laboratory for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Botto
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Joel Filipe
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Piera Anna Martino
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Domenica Pintore
- CEA, Italian Reference Laboratory for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Gazzuola
- CEA, Italian Reference Laboratory for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Mazza
- CEA, Italian Reference Laboratory for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Dagrada
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Ingravalle
- CEA, Italian Reference Laboratory for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Casalone
- CEA, Italian Reference Laboratory for TSEs, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Palestini
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giorgio Poli
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Conformational Switching and Nanoscale Assembly of Human Prion Protein into Polymorphic Amyloids via Structurally Labile Oligomers. Biochemistry 2015; 54:7505-13. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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43
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Parkinson's disease as a member of Prion-like disorders. Virus Res 2014; 207:38-46. [PMID: 25456401 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is one of several neurodegenerative diseases associated with a misfolded, aggregated and pathological protein. In Parkinson's disease this protein is alpha-synuclein and its neuronal deposits in the form of Lewy bodies are considered a hallmark of the disease. In this review we describe the clinical and experimental data that have led to think of alpha-synuclein as a prion-like protein and we summarize data from in vitro, cellular and animal models supporting this view.
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Acevedo-Morantes CY, Wille H. The structure of human prions: from biology to structural models-considerations and pitfalls. Viruses 2014; 6:3875-92. [PMID: 25333467 PMCID: PMC4213568 DOI: 10.3390/v6103875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a family of transmissible, progressive, and uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and animals. Although cross-species transmissions of prions are usually limited by an apparent “species barrier”, the spread ofa prion disease to humans by ingestion of contaminated food, or via other routes of exposure, indicates that animal prions can pose a significant public health risk. The infectious agent responsible for the transmission of prion diseases is a misfolded conformer of the prion protein, PrPSc, a pathogenic isoform of the host-encoded, cellular prion protein,PrPC. The detailed mechanisms of prion conversion and replication, as well as the high-resolution structure of PrPSc, are unknown. This review will discuss the general background related to prion biology and assess the structural models proposed to date,while highlighting the experimental challenges of elucidating the structure of PrPSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Y Acevedo-Morantes
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M8, Canada.
| | - Holger Wille
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M8, Canada.
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45
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Jackson WS. Selective vulnerability to neurodegenerative disease: the curious case of Prion Protein. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:21-9. [PMID: 24396151 PMCID: PMC3882045 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.012146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the selective targeting of specific brain regions by different neurodegenerative diseases is one of the most intriguing mysteries in medicine. For example, it is known that Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects parts of the brain that play a role in memory, whereas Parkinson’s disease predominantly affects parts of the brain that are involved in body movement. However, the reasons that other brain regions remain unaffected in these diseases are unknown. A better understanding of the phenomenon of selective vulnerability is required for the development of targeted therapeutic approaches that specifically protect affected neurons, thereby altering the disease course and preventing its progression. Prion diseases are a fascinating group of neurodegenerative diseases because they exhibit a wide phenotypic spectrum caused by different sequence perturbations in a single protein. The possible ways that mutations affecting this protein can cause several distinct neurodegenerative diseases are explored in this Review to highlight the complexity underlying selective vulnerability. The premise of this article is that selective vulnerability is determined by the interaction of specific protein conformers and region-specific microenvironments harboring unique combinations of subcellular components such as metals, chaperones and protein translation machinery. Given the abundance of potential contributory factors in the neurodegenerative process, a better understanding of how these factors interact will provide invaluable insight into disease mechanisms to guide therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walker S Jackson
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53127-Bonn, Germany
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46
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Botto L, Cunati D, Coco S, Sesana S, Bulbarelli A, Biasini E, Colombo L, Negro A, Chiesa R, Masserini M, Palestini P. Role of lipid rafts and GM1 in the segregation and processing of prion protein. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98344. [PMID: 24859148 PMCID: PMC4032283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The prion protein (PrPC) is highly expressed within the nervous system. Similar to other GPI-anchored proteins, PrPC is found in lipid rafts, membrane domains enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids. PrPC raft association, together with raft lipid composition, appears essential for the conversion of PrPC into the scrapie isoform PrPSc, and the development of prion disease. Controversial findings were reported on the nature of PrPC-containing rafts, as well as on the distribution of PrPC between rafts and non-raft membranes. We investigated PrPC/ganglioside relationships and their influence on PrPC localization in a neuronal cellular model, cerebellar granule cells. Our findings argue that in these cells at least two PrPC conformations coexist: in lipid rafts PrPC is present in the native folding (α-helical), stabilized by chemico-physical condition, while it is mainly present in other membrane compartments in a PrPSc-like conformation. We verified, by means of antibody reactivity and circular dichroism spectroscopy, that changes in lipid raft-ganglioside content alters PrPC conformation and interaction with lipid bilayers, without modifying PrPC distribution or cleavage. Our data provide new insights into the cellular mechanism of prion conversion and suggest that GM1-prion protein interaction at the cell surface could play a significant role in the mechanism predisposing to pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Botto
- Department of Health Science - Medical School, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Diana Cunati
- Department of Health Science - Medical School, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Silvia Coco
- Department of Health Science - Medical School, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Silvia Sesana
- Department of Health Science - Medical School, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bulbarelli
- Department of Health Science - Medical School, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Emiliano Biasini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Colombo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Negro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Roberto Chiesa
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Masserini
- Department of Health Science - Medical School, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Paola Palestini
- Department of Health Science - Medical School, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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Exploring physical and chemical factors influencing the properties of recombinant prion protein and the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84812. [PMID: 24404191 PMCID: PMC3880330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC), a highly specific and sensitive assay able to detect low levels of the disease-inducing isoform of the prion protein (PrPd) in brain tissue biopsies and cerebral spinal fluid, has great potential to become a method for diagnosing prion disease ante mortem. In order to standardize the assay method for routine analysis, an understanding of how physical and chemical factors affect the stability of the recombinant prion protein (rPrP) substrate and the RT-QuIC assay’s sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility is required. In this study, using sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease brain homogenate to seed the reactions and an in vitro-expressed recombinant prion protein, hamster rPrP, as the substrate, the following factors affecting the RT-QuIC assay were examined: salt and substrate concentrations, substrate storage, and pH. Results demonstrated that both the generation of the quality and quantities of rPrP substrate critical to the reaction, as well as the RT-QuIC reaction itself required strict adherence to specific physical and chemical conditions. Once optimized, the RT-QuIC assay was confirmed to be a very specific and sensitive assay method for sCJD detection. Findings in this study indicate that further optimization and standardization of RT-QuIC assay is required before it can be adopted as a routine diagnostic test.
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Molecular Dynamics Studies on Amyloidogenic Proteins. COMPUTATIONAL METHODS TO STUDY THE STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF BIOMOLECULES AND BIOMOLECULAR PROCESSES 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-28554-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Wang X, He L, Zhao C, Du W, Lin J. Gold complexes inhibit the aggregation of prion neuropeptides. J Biol Inorg Chem 2013; 18:767-78. [DOI: 10.1007/s00775-013-1030-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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50
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Chatterjee B, Lee CY, Lin C, Chen EHL, Huang CL, Yang CC, Chen RPY. Amyloid core formed of full-length recombinant mouse prion protein involves sequence 127-143 but not sequence 107-126. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67967. [PMID: 23844138 PMCID: PMC3700907 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The principal event underlying the development of prion disease is the conversion of soluble cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into its disease-causing isoform, PrP(Sc). This conversion is associated with a marked change in secondary structure from predominantly α-helical to a high β-sheet content, ultimately leading to the formation of aggregates consisting of ordered fibrillar assemblies referred to as amyloid. In vitro, recombinant prion proteins and short prion peptides from various species have been shown to form amyloid under various conditions and it has been proposed that, theoretically, any protein and peptide could form amyloid under appropriate conditions. To identify the peptide segment involved in the amyloid core formed from recombinant full-length mouse prion protein mPrP(23-230), we carried out seed-induced amyloid formation from recombinant prion protein in the presence of seeds generated from the short prion peptides mPrP(107-143), mPrP(107-126), and mPrP(127-143). Our results showed that the amyloid fibrils formed from mPrP(107-143) and mPrP(127-143), but not those formed from mPrP(107-126), were able to seed the amyloidogenesis of mPrP(23-230), showing that the segment residing in sequence 127-143 was used to form the amyloid core in the fibrillization of mPrP(23-230).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chung-Yu Lee
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen Lin
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Eric H.-L. Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Li Huang
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chih Yang
- Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Rita P.-Y. Chen
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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