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Dzięgielewska-Gęsiak S, Wysocka E, Fatyga E, Muc-Wierzgoń M. Relationship of SOD-1 Activity in Metabolic Syndrome and/or Frailty in Elderly Individuals. Metabolites 2024; 14:514. [PMID: 39330521 PMCID: PMC11434245 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14090514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although aging is a natural phenomenon, in recent years it has accelerated. One key factor implicated in the aging process is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress also plays a role in frailty (frail) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS A total of 66 elderly persons (65 years old and older) with no acute or severe chronic disorders were assessed for waist circumference (WC), arterial blood pressure, glycemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma lipids, and activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD-1). Patients were classified as NonMetS-Nonfrail (n = 19), NonMetS-frail (n = 20), MetS-Nonfrail (n = 17), or MetS-frail (n = 10). RESULTS There were no significant differences in superoxide dismutase activity among investigated elderly groups. However, the data suggest that MetS individuals, both frail and nonfrail, have higher risk factors for cardiovascular disease compared to NonMetS individuals. The correlations analyses of SOD-1 and other metabolic indices suggest that SOD-1 levels may be influenced by age, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and fasting glucose levels in certain groups of seniors. CONCLUSIONS Aging is associated with decreased antioxidant enzyme SOD-1 activity with glucose alteration in frailty syndrome as well as with lipids disturbances in metabolic syndrome. These factors provide a nuanced view of how frailty and metabolic syndrome interact with various health parameters, informing both clinical practice and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Dzięgielewska-Gęsiak
- Department of Internal Diseases Propaedeutics and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18 Str., 44-902 Bytom, Poland; (E.F.); (M.M.-W.)
| | - Ewa Wysocka
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 84 Szamarzewskiego Str., 60-569 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Edyta Fatyga
- Department of Internal Diseases Propaedeutics and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18 Str., 44-902 Bytom, Poland; (E.F.); (M.M.-W.)
| | - Małgorzata Muc-Wierzgoń
- Department of Internal Diseases Propaedeutics and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18 Str., 44-902 Bytom, Poland; (E.F.); (M.M.-W.)
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2
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Bedja-Iacona L, Richard E, Marouillat S, Brulard C, Alouane T, Beltran S, Andres CR, Blasco H, Corcia P, Veyrat-Durebex C, Vourc’h P. Post-Translational Variants of Major Proteins in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Provide New Insights into the Pathophysiology of the Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8664. [PMID: 39201350 PMCID: PMC11354932 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) affecting proteins during or after their synthesis play a crucial role in their localization and function. The modification of these PTMs under pathophysiological conditions, i.e., their appearance, disappearance, or variation in quantity caused by a pathological environment or a mutation, corresponds to post-translational variants (PTVs). These PTVs can be directly or indirectly involved in the pathophysiology of diseases. Here, we present the PTMs and PTVs of four major amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) proteins, SOD1, TDP-43, FUS, and TBK1. These modifications involve acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, and enzymatic cleavage. We list the PTM positions known to be mutated in ALS patients and discuss the roles of PTVs in the pathophysiological processes of ALS. In-depth knowledge of the PTMs and PTVs of ALS proteins is needed to better understand their role in the disease. We believe it is also crucial for developing new therapies that may be more effective in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Bedja-Iacona
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
| | - Elodie Richard
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
| | - Sylviane Marouillat
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
| | | | | | - Stéphane Beltran
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
- Service de Neurologie, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Christian R. Andres
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
- Service de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Hélène Blasco
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
- Service de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Philippe Corcia
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
- Service de Neurologie, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Charlotte Veyrat-Durebex
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
- UTTIL, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
- Service de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
| | - Patrick Vourc’h
- UMR 1253, iBraiN, Université de Tours, Inserm, 37000 Tours, France; lea.bedja-- (L.B.-I.); (E.R.)
- UTTIL, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
- Service de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, CHRU de Tours, 37000 Tours, France
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3
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Hale OJ, Wells TR, Mead RJ, Cooper HJ. Mass spectrometry imaging of SOD1 protein-metal complexes in SOD1G93A transgenic mice implicates demetalation with pathology. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6518. [PMID: 39117623 PMCID: PMC11310518 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50514-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by degeneration of motor neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Mutations in the metalloenzyme SOD1 are associated with inherited forms of ALS and cause a toxic gain of function thought to be mediated by dimer destabilization and misfolding. SOD1 binds two Cu and two Zn ions in its homodimeric form. We have applied native ambient mass spectrometry imaging to visualize the spatial distributions of intact metal-bound SOD1G93A complexes in SOD1G93A transgenic mouse spinal cord and brain sections and evaluated them against disease pathology. The molecular specificity of our approach reveals that metal-deficient SOD1G93A species are abundant in CNS structures correlating with ALS pathology whereas fully metalated SOD1G93A species are homogenously distributed. Monomer abundance did not correlate with pathology. We also show that the dimer-destabilizing post-translational modification, glutathionylation, has limited influence on the spatial distribution of SOD1 dimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver J Hale
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tyler R Wells
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Richard J Mead
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Helen J Cooper
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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de Holanda Paranhos L, Magalhães RSS, de Araújo Brasil A, Neto JRM, Ribeiro GD, Queiroz DD, Dos Santos VM, Eleutherio ECA. The familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated A4V SOD1 mutant is not able to regulate aerobic glycolysis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024; 1868:130634. [PMID: 38788983 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130634] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Under certain stress conditions, astrocytes operate in aerobic glycolysis, a process controlled by pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) inhibition through its E1 α subunit (Pda1) phosphorylation. This supplies lactate to neurons, which save glucose to obtain NADPH to, among other roles, counteract reactive oxygen species. A failure in this metabolic cooperation causes severe damage to neurons. In this work, using humanized Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells in which its endogenous Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) was replaced by human ortholog, we investigated the role of human SOD1 (hSOD1) in aerobic glycolysis regulation and its implications to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease. Yeast cells ferment glucose even in the presence of oxygen and switch to respiratory metabolism after glucose exhaustion. However, like cells of SOD1-knockout strain, cells expressing A4V mutant of hSOD1 growing on glucose showed a respiratory phenotype, i.e., low glucose and high oxygen consumptions and low intracellular oxidation levels in response to peroxide stress, contrary to cells expressing wild-type (WT) SOD1 (yeast or human). The A4V mutation in hSOD1 is linked to ALS. In contrast to WT SOD1 strains, PDH activity of both sod1Δ and A4V hSOD1 cells did not change in response to a metabolic shift toward oxidative metabolism, which was associated to lower Pda1 phosphorylation levels under growth on glucose. Taken together, our results suggest that A4V mutant cannot regulate aerobic glycolysis via Pda1 phosphorylation the same way WT hSOD1, which might be linked to problems observed in the motor neurons of ALS patients with the SOD1 A4V mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luan de Holanda Paranhos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | | | - Aline de Araújo Brasil
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela Delaqua Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | - Daniela Dias Queiroz
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
| | - Vanessa Mattos Dos Santos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
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5
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Phipps AJ, Dwyer S, Collins JM, Kabir F, Atkinson RAK, Chowdhury MA, Matthews L, Dixit D, Terry RS, Smith J, Gueven N, Bennett W, Cook AL, King AE, Perry S. HDAC6 inhibition as a mechanism to prevent neurodegeneration in the mSOD1 G93A mouse model of ALS. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34587. [PMID: 39130445 PMCID: PMC11315133 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The loss of upper and lower motor neurons, and their axons is central to the loss of motor function and death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Due to the diverse range of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of ALS, there have been difficulties in developing effective therapies for ALS. One emerging dichotomy is that protection of the neuronal cell soma does not prevent axonal vulnerability and degeneration, suggesting the need for targeted therapeutics to prevent axon degeneration. Post-translational modifications of protein acetylation can alter the function, stability and half-life of individual proteins, and can be enzymatically modified by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetyltransferases (HDACs), which add, or remove acetyl groups, respectively. Maintenance of post-translational microtubule acetylation has been suggested as a mechanism to stabilize axons, prevent axonal loss and neurodegeneration in ALS. This study used an orally dosed potent HDAC6 inhibitor, ACY-738, prevent deacetylation and stabilize microtubules in the mSOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. Co-treatment with riluzole was performed to determine any effects or drug interactions and potentially enhance preclinical research translation. This study shows ACY-738 treatment increased acetylation of microtubules in the spinal cord of mSOD1G93A mice, reduced lower motor neuron degeneration in female mice, ameliorated reduction in peripheral nerve axon puncta size, but did not prevent overt motor function decline. The current study also shows peripheral nerve axon puncta size to be partially restored after treatment with riluzole and highlights the importance of co-treatment to measure the potential effects of therapeutics in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Phipps
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Samuel Dwyer
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jessica M. Collins
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Fariha Kabir
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rachel AK. Atkinson
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Md Anisuzzaman Chowdhury
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Lyzette Matthews
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Deepika Dixit
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rhiannon S. Terry
- School of Natural Sciences (Chemistry), College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jason Smith
- School of Natural Sciences (Chemistry), College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Nuri Gueven
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - William Bennett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Anthony L. Cook
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Anna E. King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Sharn Perry
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
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6
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Min JH, Sarlus H, Harris RA. Copper toxicity and deficiency: the vicious cycle at the core of protein aggregation in ALS. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1408159. [PMID: 39050823 PMCID: PMC11267976 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1408159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of ALS involves many signs of a disruption in copper homeostasis, with both excess free levels and functional deficiency likely occurring simultaneously. This is crucial, as many important physiological functions are performed by cuproenzymes. While it is unsurprising that many ALS symptoms are related to signs of copper deficiency, resulting in vascular, antioxidant system and mitochondrial oxidative respiration deficiencies, there are also signs of copper toxicity such as ROS generation and enhanced protein aggregation. We discuss how copper also plays a key role in proteostasis and interacts either directly or indirectly with many of the key aggregate-prone proteins implicated in ALS, such as TDP-43, C9ORF72, SOD1 and FUS as well as the effect of their aggregation on copper homeostasis. We suggest that loss of cuproprotein function is at the core of ALS pathology, a condition that is driven by a combination of unbound copper and ROS that can either initiate and/or accelerate protein aggregation. This could trigger a positive feedback cycle whereby protein aggregates trigger the aggregation of other proteins in a chain reaction that eventually captures elements of the proteostatic mechanisms in place to counteract them. The end result is an abundance of aggregated non-functional cuproproteins and chaperones alongside depleted intracellular copper stores, resulting in a general lack of cuproenzyme function. We then discuss the possible aetiology of ALS and illustrate how strong risk factors including environmental toxins such as BMAA and heavy metals can functionally behave to promote protein aggregation and disturb copper metabolism that likely drives this vicious cycle in sporadic ALS. From this synthesis, we propose restoration of copper balance using copper delivery agents in combination with chaperones/chaperone mimetics, perhaps in conjunction with the neuroprotective amino acid serine, as a promising strategy in the treatment of this incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Hong Min
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital at Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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7
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Magalhães RSS, Monteiro Neto JR, Ribeiro GD, Paranhos LH, Eleutherio ECA. Trehalose Protects against Superoxide Dismutase 1 Proteinopathy in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:807. [PMID: 39061876 PMCID: PMC11274086 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13070807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This work aimed to study the effect of trehalose in protecting cells against Sod1 proteinopathy associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Humanized yeast cells in which native Sod1 was replaced by wild-type human Sod1 or an ALS mutant (WT-A4V Sod1 heterodimer) were used as the experimental model. Cells were treated with 10% trehalose (p/v) before or after the appearance of hSod1 proteinopathy induced by oxidative stress. In both conditions, trehalose reduced the number of cells with Sod1 inclusions, increased Sod1 activity, and decreased the levels of intracellular oxidation, demonstrating that trehalose avoids Sod1 misfolding and loss of function in response to oxidative stress. The survival rates of ALS Sod1 cells stressed in the presence of trehalose were 60% higher than in their absence. Treatment with trehalose after the appearance of Sod1 inclusions in cells expressing WT Sod1 doubled longevity; after 5 days, non-treated cells did not survive, but 15% of cells treated with sugar were still alive. Altogether, our results emphasize the potential of trehalose as a novel therapy, which might be applied preventively in ALS patients with a family history of the disease or after diagnosis in ALS patients who discover the disease following the first symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Elis C. A. Eleutherio
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (R.S.S.M.); (J.R.M.N.); (G.D.R.); (L.H.P.)
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8
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Mielke JK, Klingeborn M, Schultz EP, Markham EL, Reese ED, Alam P, Mackenzie IR, Ly CV, Caughey B, Cashman NR, Leavens MJ. Seeding activity of human superoxide dismutase 1 aggregates in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis postmortem neural tissues by real-time quaking-induced conversion. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:100. [PMID: 38884646 PMCID: PMC11182821 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02752-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease with average lifespan of 2-5 years after diagnosis. The identification of novel prognostic and pharmacodynamic biomarkers are needed to facilitate therapeutic development. Metalloprotein human superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is known to accumulate and form aggregates in patient neural tissue with familial ALS linked to mutations in their SOD1 gene. Aggregates of SOD1 have also been detected in other forms of ALS, including the sporadic form and the most common familial form linked to abnormal hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the Chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) gene. Here, we report the development of a real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) seed amplification assay using a recombinant human SOD1 substrate to measure SOD1 seeding activity in postmortem spinal cord and motor cortex tissue from persons with different ALS etiologies. Our SOD1 RT-QuIC assay detected SOD1 seeds in motor cortex and spinal cord dilutions down to 10-5. Importantly, we detected SOD1 seeding activity in specimens from both sporadic and familial ALS cases, with the latter having mutations in either their SOD1 or C9ORF72 genes. Analyses of RT-QuIC parameters indicated similar lag phases in spinal cords of sporadic and familial ALS patients, but higher ThT fluorescence maxima by SOD1 familial ALS specimens and sporadic ALS thoracic cord specimens. For a subset of sporadic ALS patients, motor cortex and spinal cords were examined, with seeding activity in both anatomical regions. Our results suggest SOD1 seeds are in ALS patient neural tissues not linked to SOD1 mutation, suggesting that SOD1 seeding activity may be a promising biomarker, particularly in sporadic ALS cases for whom genetic testing is uninformative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin K Mielke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd St. South, Great Falls, MT, 59405, USA
| | - Mikael Klingeborn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd St. South, Great Falls, MT, 59405, USA
| | - Eric P Schultz
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive ISB #106, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Erin L Markham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd St. South, Great Falls, MT, 59405, USA
| | - Emily D Reese
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd St. South, Great Falls, MT, 59405, USA
| | - Parvez Alam
- Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 903 S. 4th St., Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Ian R Mackenzie
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Cindy V Ly
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Byron Caughey
- Laboratory of Neurological Infections and Immunity, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 903 S. 4th St., Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Moses J Leavens
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, McLaughlin Research Institute, 1520 23rd St. South, Great Falls, MT, 59405, USA.
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Azam HMH, Rößling RI, Geithe C, Khan MM, Dinter F, Hanack K, Prüß H, Husse B, Roggenbuck D, Schierack P, Rödiger S. MicroRNA biomarkers as next-generation diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive review. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1386735. [PMID: 38883980 PMCID: PMC11177777 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1386735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by abnormalities within neurons of the brain or spinal cord that gradually lose function, eventually leading to cell death. Upon examination of affected tissue, pathological changes reveal a loss of synapses, misfolded proteins, and activation of immune cells-all indicative of disease progression-before severe clinical symptoms become apparent. Early detection of NDs is crucial for potentially administering targeted medications that may delay disease advancement. Given their complex pathophysiological features and diverse clinical symptoms, there is a pressing need for sensitive and effective diagnostic methods for NDs. Biomarkers such as microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as potential tools for detecting these diseases. We explore the pivotal role of miRNAs in the context of NDs, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The review delves into the intricate relationship between aging and NDs, highlighting structural and functional alterations in the aging brain and their implications for disease development. It elucidates how miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins are implicated in the pathogenesis of NDs and underscores the importance of investigating their expression and function in aging. Significantly, miRNAs exert substantial influence on post-translational modifications (PTMs), impacting not just the nervous system but a wide array of tissues and cell types as well. Specific miRNAs have been found to target proteins involved in ubiquitination or de-ubiquitination processes, which play a significant role in regulating protein function and stability. We discuss the link between miRNA, PTM, and NDs. Additionally, the review discusses the significance of miRNAs as biomarkers for early disease detection, offering insights into diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Muhammad Husnain Azam
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Rosa Ilse Rößling
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane Geithe
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Berlin, Germany
| | - Muhammad Moman Khan
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Franziska Dinter
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- PolyAn GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Hanack
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Harald Prüß
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Britta Husse
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Roggenbuck
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schierack
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Rödiger
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Tsekrekou M, Giannakou M, Papanikolopoulou K, Skretas G. Protein aggregation and therapeutic strategies in SOD1- and TDP-43- linked ALS. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1383453. [PMID: 38855322 PMCID: PMC11157337 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1383453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with severe socio-economic impact. A hallmark of ALS pathology is the presence of aberrant cytoplasmic inclusions composed of misfolded and aggregated proteins, including both wild-type and mutant forms. This review highlights the critical role of misfolded protein species in ALS pathogenesis, particularly focusing on Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and emphasizes the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these misfolded proteins directly. Despite significant advancements in understanding ALS mechanisms, the disease remains incurable, with current treatments offering limited clinical benefits. Through a comprehensive analysis, the review focuses on the direct modulation of the misfolded proteins and presents recent discoveries in small molecules and peptides that inhibit SOD1 and TDP-43 aggregation, underscoring their potential as effective treatments to modify disease progression and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tsekrekou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Giannakou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina Papanikolopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
| | - Georgios Skretas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- ResQ Biotech, Patras Science Park, Rio, Greece
- Institute for Bio-innovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Centre “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
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11
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Tokuda E, Sakashita Y, Tokoro N, Date A, Kosuge Y, Miyasaka T. MS785-MS27 Reactive Misfolded/Non-Native Zn-Deficient SOD1 Species Exhibit Cytotoxicity and Adopt Heterozygous Conformations in Motor Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5603. [PMID: 38891791 PMCID: PMC11171496 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Misfolding of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) is a pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with SOD1 mutations. The development of antibodies specific for misfolded SOD1 deepens our understanding of how the protein participates in ALS pathogenesis. Since the term "misfolding" refers to various disordered conformers other than the natively folded one, which misfolded species are recognized by specific antibodies should be determined. Here, we molecularly characterized the recognition by MS785-MS27, an antibody cocktail experimentally confirmed to recognize over 100 ALS-linked SOD1 mutants. Indirect ELISA revealed that the antibody cocktail recognized Zn-deficient wild-type and mutated SOD1 species. It also recognized conformation-disordered wild-type and mutated SOD1 species, such as unfolded and oligomeric forms, but had less affinity for the aggregated form. Antibody-reactive SOD1 exhibited cytotoxicity to a motor neuron cell model, which was blocked by Zn treatment with Zn-deficient SOD1. Immunohistochemistry revealed antibody-reactive SOD1 mainly in spinal motor neurons of SOD1G93A mice throughout the disease course, and the distribution after symptomatic stages differed from that of other misfolded SOD1 species. This suggests that misfolded/non-native SOD1 species exist as heterogeneous populations. In conclusion, MS785-MS27 recognizes various conformation-disordered SOD1 species lacking the Zn ion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiichi Tokuda
- Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi 274-8555, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yume Sakashita
- Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi 274-8555, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Tokoro
- Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi 274-8555, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ayano Date
- Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi 274-8555, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kosuge
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi 274-8555, Chiba, Japan;
| | - Tomohiro Miyasaka
- Laboratory of Physiology and Anatomy, School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi 274-8555, Chiba, Japan;
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12
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Evans LJ, O'Brien D, Shaw PJ. Current neuroprotective therapies and future prospects for motor neuron disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:327-384. [PMID: 38802178 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Four medications with neuroprotective disease-modifying effects are now in use for motor neuron disease (MND). With FDA approvals for tofersen, relyvrio and edaravone in just the past year, 2022 ended a quarter of a century when riluzole was the sole such drug to offer to patients. The acceleration of approvals may mean we are witnessing the beginning of a step-change in how MND can be treated. Improvements in understanding underlying disease biology has led to more therapies being developed to target specific and multiple disease mechanisms. Consideration for how the pipeline of new therapeutic agents coming through in clinical and preclinical development can be more effectively evaluated with biomarkers, advances in patient stratification and clinical trial design pave the way for more successful translation for this archetypal complex neurodegenerative disease. While it must be cautioned that only slowed rates of progression have so far been demonstrated, pre-empting rapid neurodegeneration by using neurofilament biomarkers to signal when to treat, as is currently being trialled with tofersen, may be more effective for patients with known genetic predisposition to MND. Early intervention with personalized medicines could mean that for some patients at least, in future we may be able to substantially treat what is considered by many to be one of the most distressing diseases in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Evans
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - David O'Brien
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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13
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Lu J, He AX, Jin ZY, Zhang M, Li ZX, Zhou F, Ma L, Jin HM, Wang JY, Shen X. Desloratadine alleviates ALS-like pathology in hSOD1 G93A mice via targeting 5HTR 2A on activated spinal astrocytes. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:926-944. [PMID: 38286832 PMCID: PMC11053015 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01223-2] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with progressive loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord, cerebral cortex and brain stem. ALS is characterized by gradual muscle atrophy and dyskinesia. The limited knowledge on the pathology of ALS has impeded the development of therapeutics for the disease. Previous studies have shown that autophagy and astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of ALS, while 5HTR2A participates in the early stage of astrocyte activation, and 5HTR2A antagonism may suppress astrocyte activation. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of desloratadine (DLT), a selective 5HTR2A antagonist, in human SOD1G93A (hSOD1G93A) ALS model mice, and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. HSOD1G93A mice were administered DLT (20 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) from the age of 8 weeks for 10 weeks or until death. ALS onset time and lifespan were determined using rotarod and righting reflex tests, respectively. We found that astrocyte activation accompanying with serotonin receptor 2 A (5HTR2A) upregulation in the spinal cord was tightly associated with ALS-like pathology, which was effectively attenuated by DLT administration. We showed that DLT administration significantly delayed ALS symptom onset time, prolonged lifespan and ameliorated movement disorders, gastrocnemius injury and spinal motor neuronal loss in hSOD1G93A mice. Spinal cord-specific knockdown of 5HTR2A by intrathecal injection of adeno-associated virus9 (AAV9)-si-5Htr2a also ameliorated ALS pathology in hSOD1G93A mice, and occluded the therapeutic effects of DLT administration. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DLT administration promoted autophagy to reduce mutant hSOD1 levels through 5HTR2A/cAMP/AMPK pathway, suppressed oxidative stress through 5HTR2A/cAMP/AMPK/Nrf2-HO-1/NQO-1 pathway, and inhibited astrocyte neuroinflammation through 5HTR2A/cAMP/AMPK/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mice. In summary, 5HTR2A antagonism shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for ALS, highlighting the potential of DLT in the treatment of the disease. DLT as a 5HTR2A antagonist effectively promoted autophagy to reduce mutant hSOD1 level through 5HTR2A/cAMP/AMPK pathway, suppressed oxidative stress through 5HTR2A/cAMP/AMPK/Nrf2-HO-1/NQO-1 pathway, and inhibited astrocytic neuroinflammation through 5HTR2A/cAMP/AMPK/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - An-Xu He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhuo-Ying Jin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhong-Xin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hong-Ming Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jia-Ying Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Drug for Degenerative Diseases, School of Medicine & Holistic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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14
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Liddell JR, Hilton JBW, Kysenius K, Billings JL, Nikseresht S, McInnes LE, Hare DJ, Paul B, Mercer SW, Belaidi AA, Ayton S, Roberts BR, Beckman JS, McLean CA, White AR, Donnelly PS, Bush AI, Crouch PJ. Microglial ferroptotic stress causes non-cell autonomous neuronal death. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:14. [PMID: 38317225 PMCID: PMC10840184 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00691-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death characterised by lipid peroxidation as the terminal endpoint and a requirement for iron. Although it protects against cancer and infection, ferroptosis is also implicated in causing neuronal death in degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The precise role for ferroptosis in causing neuronal death is yet to be fully resolved. METHODS To elucidate the role of ferroptosis in neuronal death we utilised co-culture and conditioned medium transfer experiments involving microglia, astrocytes and neurones. We ratified clinical significance of our cell culture findings via assessment of human CNS tissue from cases of the fatal, paralysing neurodegenerative condition of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We utilised the SOD1G37R mouse model of ALS and a CNS-permeant ferroptosis inhibitor to verify pharmacological significance in vivo. RESULTS We found that sublethal ferroptotic stress selectively affecting microglia triggers an inflammatory cascade that results in non-cell autonomous neuronal death. Central to this cascade is the conversion of astrocytes to a neurotoxic state. We show that spinal cord tissue from human cases of ALS exhibits a signature of ferroptosis that encompasses atomic, molecular and biochemical features. Further, we show the molecular correlation between ferroptosis and neurotoxic astrocytes evident in human ALS-affected spinal cord is recapitulated in the SOD1G37R mouse model where treatment with a CNS-permeant ferroptosis inhibitor, CuII(atsm), ameliorated these markers and was neuroprotective. CONCLUSIONS By showing that microglia responding to sublethal ferroptotic stress culminates in non-cell autonomous neuronal death, our results implicate microglial ferroptotic stress as a rectifiable cause of neuronal death in neurodegenerative disease. As ferroptosis is currently primarily regarded as an intrinsic cell death phenomenon, these results introduce an entirely new pathophysiological role for ferroptosis in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Liddell
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - James B W Hilton
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Kai Kysenius
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jessica L Billings
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Sara Nikseresht
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Lachlan E McInnes
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Dominic J Hare
- Atomic Medicine Initiative, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Bence Paul
- School of Earth Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Stephen W Mercer
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Abdel A Belaidi
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Scott Ayton
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Blaine R Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Joseph S Beckman
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Catriona A McLean
- Anatomical Pathology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, 3005, Australia
| | - Anthony R White
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Paul S Donnelly
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ashley I Bush
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Peter J Crouch
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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15
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Monteiro Neto JR, Ribeiro GD, Magalhães RSS, Follmer C, Outeiro TF, Eleutherio ECA. Glycation modulates superoxide dismutase 1 aggregation and toxicity in models of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166835. [PMID: 37558009 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166835] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Different SOD1 proteoforms are implicated## in both familial and sporadic cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), an aging-associated disease that affects motor neurons. SOD1 is crucial to neuronal metabolism and health, regulating the oxidative stress response and the shift between oxidative-fermentative metabolism, which is important for astrocyte-neuron metabolic cooperation. Neurons have a limited capacity to metabolize methylglyoxal (MGO), a potentially toxic side product of glycolysis. MGO is highly reactive and can readily posttranslationally modify proteins, in a reaction known as glycation, impacting their normal biology. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of glycation on the aggregation and toxicity of human SOD1WT (hSOD1WT). Cells with deficiency in MGO metabolism showed increased levels of hSOD1WT inclusions, displaying also reduced hSOD1WT activity and viability. Strikingly, we also found that the presence of hSOD1WT in stress granules increased upon MGO treatment. The treatment of recombinant hSOD1WT with MGO resulted in the formation of SDS-stable oligomers, specially trimers, and thioflavin-T positive aggregates, which can promote cell toxicity and TDP-43 pathology. Together, our results suggest that glycation may play a still underappreciated role on hSOD1WT and TDP-43 pathologies in sporadic ALS, which could open novel perspectives for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R Monteiro Neto
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela D Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rayne S S Magalhães
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cristian Follmer
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elis C A Eleutherio
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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16
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Dilliott AA, Kwon S, Rouleau GA, Iqbal S, Farhan SMK. Characterizing proteomic and transcriptomic features of missense variants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genes. Brain 2023; 146:4608-4621. [PMID: 37394881 PMCID: PMC10629772 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Within recent years, there has been a growing number of genes associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), resulting in an increasing number of novel variants, particularly missense variants, many of which are of unknown clinical significance. Here, we leverage the sequencing efforts of the ALS Knowledge Portal (3864 individuals with ALS and 7839 controls) and Project MinE ALS Sequencing Consortium (4366 individuals with ALS and 1832 controls) to perform proteomic and transcriptomic characterization of missense variants in 24 ALS-associated genes. The two sequencing datasets were interrogated for missense variants in the 24 genes, and variants were annotated with gnomAD minor allele frequencies, ClinVar pathogenicity classifications, protein sequence features including Uniprot functional site annotations, and PhosphoSitePlus post-translational modification site annotations, structural features from AlphaFold predicted monomeric 3D structures, and transcriptomic expression levels from Genotype-Tissue Expression. We then applied missense variant enrichment and gene-burden testing following binning of variation based on the selected proteomic and transcriptomic features to identify those most relevant to pathogenicity in ALS-associated genes. Using predicted human protein structures from AlphaFold, we determined that missense variants carried by individuals with ALS were significantly enriched in β-sheets and α-helices, as well as in core, buried or moderately buried regions. At the same time, we identified that hydrophobic amino acid residues, compositionally biased protein regions and regions of interest are predominantly enriched in missense variants carried by individuals with ALS. Assessment of expression level based on transcriptomics also revealed enrichment of variants of high and medium expression across all tissues and within the brain. We further explored enriched features of interest using burden analyses and identified individual genes were indeed driving certain enrichment signals. A case study is presented for SOD1 to demonstrate proof-of-concept of how enriched features may aid in defining variant pathogenicity. Our results present proteomic and transcriptomic features that are important indicators of missense variant pathogenicity in ALS and are distinct from features associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison A Dilliott
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Seulki Kwon
- The Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sumaiya Iqbal
- The Center for the Development of Therapeutics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Sali M K Farhan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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17
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Billings JL, Hilton JBW, Liddell JR, Hare DJ, Crouch PJ. Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: Copper availability as a potential therapeutic target in progressive supranuclear palsy: Insight from other neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurochem 2023; 167:337-346. [PMID: 37800457 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15978] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the first description of Parkinson's disease (PD) over two centuries ago, the recognition of rare types of atypical parkinsonism has introduced a spectrum of related PD-like diseases. Among these is progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative condition that clinically differentiates through the presence of additional symptoms uncommon in PD. As with PD, the initial symptoms of PSP generally present in the sixth decade of life when the underpinning neurodegeneration is already significantly advanced. The causal trigger of neuronal cell loss in PSP is unknown and treatment options are consequently limited. However, converging lines of evidence from the distinct neurodegenerative conditions of PD and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are beginning to provide insights into potential commonalities in PSP pathology and opportunity for novel therapeutic intervention. These include accumulation of the high abundance cuproenzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in an aberrant copper-deficient state, associated evidence for altered availability of the essential micronutrient copper, and evidence for neuroprotection using compounds that can deliver available copper to the central nervous system. Herein, we discuss the existing evidence for SOD1 pathology and copper imbalance in PSP and speculate that treatments able to provide neuroprotection through manipulation of copper availability could be applicable to the treatment of PSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Billings
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - James B W Hilton
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Liddell
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dominic J Hare
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter J Crouch
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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18
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Sanghai N, Tranmer GK. Biochemical and Molecular Pathways in Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Integrated View. Cells 2023; 12:2318. [PMID: 37759540 PMCID: PMC10527779 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are defined by a myriad of complex aetiologies. Understanding the common biochemical molecular pathologies among NDDs gives an opportunity to decipher the overlapping and numerous cross-talk mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Numerous interrelated pathways lead to the progression of neurodegeneration. We present evidence from the past pieces of literature for the most usual global convergent hallmarks like ageing, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity-induced calcium butterfly effect, defective proteostasis including chaperones, autophagy, mitophagy, and proteosome networks, and neuroinflammation. Herein, we applied a holistic approach to identify and represent the shared mechanism across NDDs. Further, we believe that this approach could be helpful in identifying key modulators across NDDs, with a particular focus on AD, PD, and ALS. Moreover, these concepts could be applied to the development and diagnosis of novel strategies for diverse NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitesh Sanghai
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T5, Canada;
| | - Geoffrey K. Tranmer
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T5, Canada;
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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19
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Kioutchoukova IP, Foster D, Thakkar RN, Kurz HN, Lucke-Wold B. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: From Mechanisms to Current, Emerging, and Alternative Therapeutics. MED DISCOVERIES 2023; 2:1059. [PMID: 37799543 PMCID: PMC10552707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease affecting the motor neurons. Although the etiology remains unknown, mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 have been observed in patients with familial ALS, resulting in increased calcium in the cells and leading to cell death. Additionally, studies in patients with the C9orf72 repeat expansion have shown lower age of onset, cognitive and behavioral impairments, and reduced survival. Accumulation of TDP-43 in the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells caused by the loss of UBQLN2 has been shown to lead to mitotoxicity and proteasomal overload. Early diagnosis of ALS is necessary for the optimization of care between a patient's neurologist and interdisciplinary team members to ensure the best outcomes possible. Proper management between physical therapy, occupation therapy, and pharmaceutical medications can improve ALS symptoms, achieving the highest quality of life possible for the patient. The current therapeutic medication recommended for ALS is Riluzole, but new therapies are emerging. This paper analyzes mechanisms of injury and progression of ALS along while analyzing current, emerging, and alternative therapeutics targeting ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Devon Foster
- University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Rajvi N Thakkar
- University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Hayley N Kurz
- University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Brandon Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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20
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Yang Y, Rowe D, McCann H, Shepherd CE, Kril JJ, Kiernan MC, Halliday GM, Tan RH. Treatment with the copper compound CuATSM has no significant effect on motor neuronal pathology in patients with ALS. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2023; 49:e12919. [PMID: 37317638 PMCID: PMC10947464 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Although the orally available brain-penetrant copper compound CuATSM has demonstrated promising effects in SOD1-linked mouse models, the impact of CuATSM on disease pathology in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains unknown. METHODS The present study set out to address this deficit by performing the first pilot comparative analysis of ALS pathology in patients that had been administered CuATSM and riluzole [N = 6 cases composed of ALS-TDP (n = 5) and ALS-SOD1 (n = 1)] versus riluzole only [N = 6 cases composed of ALS-TDP (n = 4) and ALS-SOD1 (n = 2)]. RESULTS Our results revealed no significant difference in neuron density or TDP-43 burden in the motor cortex and spinal cord of patients that had received CuATSM compared with patients that had not. In patients that had received CuATSM, p62-immunoreactive astrocytes were observed in the motor cortex and reduced Iba1 density was found in the spinal cord. However, no significant difference in measures of astrocytic activity and SOD1 immunoreactivity was found with CuATSM treatment. DISCUSSION These findings, in this first postmortem investigation of patients with ALS in CuATSM trials, demonstrate that in contrast to that seen in preclinical models of disease, CuATSM does not significantly alleviate neuronal pathology or astrogliosis in patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Dominic Rowe
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human SciencesMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Heather McCann
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Jillian J. Kril
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical SchoolMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Institute of Clinical NeurosciencesRoyal Prince Alfred HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Glenda M. Halliday
- Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Rachel H. Tan
- Brain and Mind CentreUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
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21
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Morichon L, Hirtz C, Tiers L, Mezghrani A, Raoul C, Esselin F, La Cruz ED, Julien JP, Camu W, Lehmann S. Ultrasensitive digital immunoassays for SOD1 conformation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Bioanalysis 2023; 15:927-936. [PMID: 37650499 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2023-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to detect misfolded Cu/Zn SOD1 as a potential biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Materials & methods: Two ultrasensitive immunodetection assays were developed for the quantification of total and misfolded SOD1. Results: The detection of total and misfolded SOD1 was possible in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Total SOD1 was increased in cerebrospinal fluid from ALS patients. Misfolded SOD1 had low and variable expression in both control and ALS patient samples. Conclusion: These assays hold promise for improving our understanding of ALS and its detection, and could lead to more effective treatment options in the future. Further studies in larger cohorts are now required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Morichon
- LBPC-PPC, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, INM INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
| | - Christophe Hirtz
- LBPC-PPC, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, INM INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
| | - Laurent Tiers
- LBPC-PPC, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, INM INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
| | | | - Cédric Raoul
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
| | - Florence Esselin
- Department of Neurology, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, INM, INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
| | - Elisa De La Cruz
- Department of Neurology, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, INM, INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Julien
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, University Laval, Quebec City, 23027, Canada
| | - William Camu
- Department of Neurology, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, INM, INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- LBPC-PPC, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, INM INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, 34295, France
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22
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Martinelli I, Zucchi E, Simonini C, Gianferrari G, Zamboni G, Pinti M, Mandrioli J. The landscape of cognitive impairment in superoxide dismutase 1-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1427-1433. [PMID: 36571338 PMCID: PMC10075107 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.361535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 gene account for only a minority of total amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases, the discovery of this gene has been crucial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research. Since the identification of superoxide dismutase 1 in 1993, the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genetics has considerably widened, improving our understanding of the diverse pathogenic basis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review, we focus on cognitive impairment in superoxide dismutase 1-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Literature has mostly reported that cognition remains intact in superoxide dismutase 1-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, but recent reports highlight frontal lobe function frailty in patients carrying different superoxide dismutase 1-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mutations. We thoroughly reviewed all the various mutations reported in the literature to contribute to a comprehensive database of superoxide dismutase 1-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genotype-phenotype correlation. Such a resource could ultimately improve our mechanistic understanding of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, enabling a more robust assessment of how the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis phenotype responds to different variants across genes, which is important for the therapeutic strategy targeting genetic mutations. Cognition in superoxide dismutase 1-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis deserves further longitudinal research since this peculiar frailty in patients with similar mutations can be conditioned by external factors, including environment and other unidentified agents including modifier genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Martinelli
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gianferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Zamboni
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marcello Pinti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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23
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Ly CV, Ireland MD, Self WK, Bollinger J, Jockel‐Balsarotti J, Herzog H, Allred P, Miller L, Doyle M, Anez‐Bruzual I, Trikamji B, Hyman T, Kung T, Nicholson K, Bucelli RC, Patterson BW, Bateman RJ, Miller TM. Protein kinetics of superoxide dismutase-1 in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:1012-1024. [PMID: 37119480 PMCID: PMC10270254 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accumulation of misfolded superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) is a pathological hallmark of SOD1-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is observed in sporadic ALS where its role in pathogenesis is controversial. Understanding in vivo protein kinetics may clarify how SOD1 influences neurodegeneration and inform optimal dosing for therapies that lower SOD1 transcripts. METHODS We employed stable isotope labeling paired with mass spectrometry to evaluate in vivo protein kinetics and concentration of soluble SOD1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of SOD1 mutation carriers, sporadic ALS participants and controls. A deaminated SOD1 peptide, SDGPVKV, that correlates with protein stability was also measured. RESULTS In participants with heterozygous SOD1A5V mutations, known to cause rapidly progressive ALS, mutant SOD1 protein exhibited ~twofold faster turnover and ~ 16-fold lower concentration compared to wild-type SOD1 protein. SDGPVKV levels were increased in SOD1A5V carriers relative to controls. Thus, SOD1 mutations impact protein kinetics and stability. We applied this approach to sporadic ALS participants and found that SOD1 turnover, concentration, and SDGPVKV levels are not significantly different compared to controls. INTERPRETATION These results highlight the ability of stable isotope labeling approaches and peptide deamidation to discern the influence of disease mutations on protein kinetics and stability and support implementation of this method to optimize clinical trial design of gene and molecular therapies for neurological disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03449212.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy V. Ly
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Wade K. Self
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - James Bollinger
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Hillary Herzog
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Peggy Allred
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Leah Miller
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Michael Doyle
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Isabel Anez‐Bruzual
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Bhavesh Trikamji
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Ted Hyman
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Tyler Kung
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Katherine Nicholson
- Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | - Randall J. Bateman
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
- Hope Center for Neurological DisordersWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
- Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Timothy M. Miller
- Department of NeurologyWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
- Hope Center for Neurological DisordersWashington UniversitySaint LouisMissouriUSA
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24
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Tzeplaeff L, Wilfling S, Requardt MV, Herdick M. Current State and Future Directions in the Therapy of ALS. Cells 2023; 12:1523. [PMID: 37296644 PMCID: PMC10252394 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons, with death resulting mainly from respiratory failure three to five years after symptom onset. As the exact underlying causative pathological pathway is unclear and potentially diverse, finding a suitable therapy to slow down or possibly stop disease progression remains challenging. Varying by country Riluzole, Edaravone, and Sodium phenylbutyrate/Taurursodiol are the only drugs currently approved in ALS treatment for their moderate effect on disease progression. Even though curative treatment options, able to prevent or stop disease progression, are still unknown, recent breakthroughs, especially in the field of targeting genetic disease forms, raise hope for improved care and therapy for ALS patients. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of ALS therapy, including medication as well as supportive therapy, and discuss the ongoing developments and prospects in the field. Furthermore, we highlight the rationale behind the intense research on biomarkers and genetic testing as a feasible way to improve the classification of ALS patients towards personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tzeplaeff
- Department of Neurology, Rechts der Isar Hospital, Technical University of Munich, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Sibylle Wilfling
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Center for Human Genetics Regensburg, 93059 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maria Viktoria Requardt
- Formerly: Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, Münster University Hospital (UKM), 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Meret Herdick
- Precision Neurology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Luebeck, Germany
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25
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Garshin A, Altynova N, Djangalina E, Khamdiyeva O, Baratzhanova G, Tolebaeva A, Zhaniyazov Z, Khussainova E, Cakir-Kiefer C, Jurjanz S, Delannoy M, Djansugurova L. Individual Risk Assessment for Population Living on the Territories Long-Term Polluted by Organochlorine Pesticides. TOXICS 2023; 11:482. [PMID: 37368581 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11060482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The long-term storage of unutilized pesticides raised new problems of long-term environmental contamination. The study presents the results of surveying 151 individuals in 7 villages living close to pesticide-contaminated localities. All individuals have been surveyed concerning their consumption habits and lifestyle characteristics. An assessment of the general exposure risks of the local population was carried out using the analysis of pollutants in food products and the average levels of their consumption in the region. The cohort risk evaluation revealed that the greatest risk was associated with the regular consumption of cucumbers, pears, bell peppers, meat, and milk. The new model to estimate individual risks of long-term pesticide pollution was proposed as a calculation of the combined action of 9 risk factors, including individual genotypes, age, lifestyle, and personal pesticide consumption rates. The analysis of the predictive ability of this model showed that the final score for individual health risks corresponded to the development of chronic diseases. A high level of chromosomal aberrations was evidenced for individual genetic risk manifestations. The combined influence of all risk factors revealed contributions of 24.7% for health status and 14.2% for genetic status, while other impacts go to all unaccounted factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Garshin
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Nazym Altynova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
| | - Erika Djangalina
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Ozada Khamdiyeva
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Gulminyam Baratzhanova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
- INRAE, URAFPA, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Anar Tolebaeva
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhasulan Zhaniyazov
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | - Elmira Khussainova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Stefan Jurjanz
- INRAE, URAFPA, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | | | - Leyla Djansugurova
- Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty 050060, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue, 71, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
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26
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Gagliardi D, Ripellino P, Meneri M, Del Bo R, Antognozzi S, Comi GP, Gobbi C, Ratti A, Ticozzi N, Silani V, Ronchi D, Corti S. Clinical and molecular features of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and SOD1 mutations: a monocentric study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1169689. [PMID: 37265463 PMCID: PMC10230028 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1169689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction SOD1 was the first gene associated with both familial and sporadic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is the second most mutated gene in Caucasian ALS patients. Given their high clinical and molecular heterogeneity, a detailed characterization of SOD1-ALS patients could improve knowledge about the natural history of this disease. Here, the authors aimed to provide a clinical and molecular description of a monocentric cohort of SOD1-ALS patients. Methods Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients referring to the neurology unit of our center between 2008 and 2021 were clinically assessed and underwent molecular testing for SOD1. Segregation studies in available family members and in silico analysis were performed to sustain the pathogenicity of the identified SOD1 variants. Results Among the 576 patients in our cohort, we identified 19 individuals harboring a mutation in SOD1 (3.3%), including 15 (78.9%) with a familial and four (21.1%) with a sporadic form. The spinal onset of the disease was observed in all patients, and survival was extremely variable, ranging from 8 months to over 30 years. Twelve different SOD1 missense variants were identified in our cohort, including one novel mutation (p.Pro67Leu). Discussion In the present series, we provided the first description of an Italian monocentric cohort of SOD1-ALS patients, and we expanded the repertoire of SOD1 mutations. Our cohort presents several remarkable features, including variable expressivity in the same family, atypical presentation (ataxia, cognitive impairment, and other extra-motor symptoms), and different modes of inheritance of a given mutation in the same family. Given the recent authorization of SOD1-directed antisense oligonucleotide for use in SOD1-ALS patients, we recommend prompt screening for SOD1 mutations in novel ALS patients with familiar or sporadic presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Gagliardi
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Ripellino
- Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland EOC, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Megi Meneri
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Del Bo
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Antognozzi
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Gobbi
- Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland EOC, Lugano, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Ronchi
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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27
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Sandrelli F, Bisaglia M. Molecular and Physiological Determinants of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: What the DJ-1 Protein Teaches Us. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087674. [PMID: 37108835 PMCID: PMC10144135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset disease which causes the progressive degeneration of cortical and spinal motoneurons, leading to death a few years after the first symptom onset. ALS is mainly a sporadic disorder, and its causative mechanisms are mostly unclear. About 5-10% of cases have a genetic inheritance, and the study of ALS-associated genes has been fundamental in defining the pathological pathways likely also involved in the sporadic forms of the disease. Mutations affecting the DJ-1 gene appear to explain a subset of familial ALS forms. DJ-1 is involved in multiple molecular mechanisms, acting primarily as a protective agent against oxidative stress. Here, we focus on the involvement of DJ-1 in interconnected cellular functions related to mitochondrial homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, energy metabolism, and hypoxia response, in both physiological and pathological conditions. We discuss the possibility that impairments in one of these pathways may affect the others, contributing to a pathological background in which additional environmental or genetic factors may act in favor of the onset and/or progression of ALS. These pathways may represent potential therapeutic targets to reduce the likelihood of developing ALS and/or slow disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Bisaglia
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Study Center for Neurodegeneration (CESNE), 35100 Padova, Italy
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28
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Park JH, Nordström U, Tsiakas K, Keskin I, Elpers C, Mannil M, Heller R, Nolan M, Alburaiky S, Zetterström P, Hempel M, Schara-Schmidt U, Biskup S, Steinacker P, Otto M, Weishaupt J, Hahn A, Santer R, Marquardt T, Marklund SL, Andersen PM. The motor system is exceptionally vulnerable to absence of the ubiquitously expressed superoxide dismutase-1. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad017. [PMID: 36793789 PMCID: PMC9924500 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Superoxide dismutase-1 is a ubiquitously expressed antioxidant enzyme. Mutations in SOD1 can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, probably via a toxic gain-of-function involving protein aggregation and prion-like mechanisms. Recently, homozygosity for loss-of-function mutations in SOD1 has been reported in patients presenting with infantile-onset motor neuron disease. We explored the bodily effects of superoxide dismutase-1 enzymatic deficiency in eight children homozygous for the p.C112Wfs*11 truncating mutation. In addition to physical and imaging examinations, we collected blood, urine and skin fibroblast samples. We used a comprehensive panel of clinically established analyses to assess organ function and analysed oxidative stress markers, antioxidant compounds, and the characteristics of the mutant Superoxide dismutase-1. From around 8 months of age, all patients exhibited progressive signs of both upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction, cerebellar, brain stem, and frontal lobe atrophy and elevated plasma neurofilament concentration indicating ongoing axonal damage. The disease progression seemed to slow down over the following years. The p.C112Wfs*11 gene product is unstable, rapidly degraded and no aggregates were found in fibroblast. Most laboratory tests indicated normal organ integrity and only a few modest deviations were found. The patients displayed anaemia with shortened survival of erythrocytes containing decreased levels of reduced glutathione. A variety of other antioxidants and oxidant damage markers were within normal range. In conclusion, non-neuronal organs in humans show a remarkable tolerance to absence of Superoxide dismutase-1 enzymatic activity. The study highlights the enigmatic specific vulnerability of the motor system to both gain-of-function mutations in SOD1 and loss of the enzyme as in the here depicted infantile superoxide dismutase-1 deficiency syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien H Park
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden,Department of General Paediatrics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrika Nordström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Konstantinos Tsiakas
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isil Keskin
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Christiane Elpers
- Department of General Paediatrics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Manoj Mannil
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Münster, WWU University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Raoul Heller
- Starship Children’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Melinda Nolan
- Starship Children’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Salam Alburaiky
- Starship Children’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Per Zetterström
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maja Hempel
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany,Current address: Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Saskia Biskup
- CeGAT GmbH and Praxis für Humangenetik Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Petra Steinacker
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jochen Weishaupt
- Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Child Neurology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - René Santer
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Marquardt
- Department of General Paediatrics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan L Marklund
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Correspondence to: Peter Munch Andersen Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden E-mail:
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29
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Forsberg KM, Graffmo KS, Stenvall E, Tabikh N, Marklund SL, Brännström T, Andersen PM. Widespread CNS pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis homozygous for the D90A SOD1 mutation. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:13-28. [PMID: 36385230 PMCID: PMC9807479 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding the ubiquitously expressed free radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) are found in 2-6% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. The most frequent SOD1 mutation worldwide is D90A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by this mutation has some unusual features: the heredity is usually recessive, the phenotype is stereotypic with slowly evolving motor symptoms beginning in the legs and may also include sensory, autonomic, and urinary bladder involvement. Furthermore, the mutant protein resembles the wild type, with normal content and enzymatic activity in the central nervous system. Here, we report neuropathological findings in nine patients homozygous for the D90A mutation. All nine had numerous small granular inclusions immunoreactive for misfolded SOD1 in motor neurons and glial nuclei in the spinal cord and brainstem. In addition to degeneration of the corticospinal tracts, all patients had degeneration of the dorsal columns. We also found intense gliosis in circumscribed cortical areas of the frontal and temporal lobes and in the insula. In these areas and in adjacent white matter, there were SOD1 staining neuropil threads. A few SOD1-immunopositive cytoplasmic neuronal inclusions were observed in cortical areas, as were glial nuclear inclusions. As suggested by the symptoms and signs and earlier neurophysiological and imaging investigations, the histopathology in patients homozygous for the D90A SOD1 extends beyond the motor system to include cognitive and sensory cortical areas. However, even in the patients that had a symptomatic disease duration of more than 2 or 3 decades and lived into their 70s or 80s, there were no SOD1-inclusion pathology and no typical dysfunction (apart from the musculature) in non-nervous organs. Thus, only specific parts of the CNS seem to be vulnerable to toxicity provoked by homozygously expressed mutant SOD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Forsberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 90185, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Karin S Graffmo
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Erica Stenvall
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Naima Tabikh
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stefan L Marklund
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Thomas Brännström
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 90185, Umeå, Sweden.
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30
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Kumar MS, Fowler-Magaw ME, Kulick D, Boopathy S, Gadd DH, Rotunno M, Douthwright C, Golebiowski D, Yusuf I, Xu Z, Brown RH, Sena-Esteves M, O’Neil AL, Bosco DA. Anti-SOD1 Nanobodies That Stabilize Misfolded SOD1 Proteins Also Promote Neurite Outgrowth in Mutant SOD1 Human Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416013. [PMID: 36555655 PMCID: PMC9784173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
ALS-linked mutations induce aberrant conformations within the SOD1 protein that are thought to underlie the pathogenic mechanism of SOD1-mediated ALS. Although clinical trials are underway for gene silencing of SOD1, these approaches reduce both wild-type and mutated forms of SOD1. Here, we sought to develop anti-SOD1 nanobodies with selectivity for mutant and misfolded forms of human SOD1 over wild-type SOD1. Characterization of two anti-SOD1 nanobodies revealed that these biologics stabilize mutant SOD1 in vitro. Further, SOD1 expression levels were enhanced and the physiological subcellular localization of mutant SOD1 was restored upon co-expression of anti-SOD1 nanobodies in immortalized cells. In human motor neurons harboring the SOD1 A4V mutation, anti-SOD1 nanobody expression promoted neurite outgrowth, demonstrating a protective effect of anti-SOD1 nanobodies in otherwise unhealthy cells. In vitro assays revealed that an anti-SOD1 nanobody exhibited selectivity for human mutant SOD1 over endogenous murine SOD1, thus supporting the preclinical utility of anti-SOD1 nanobodies for testing in animal models of ALS. In sum, the anti-SOD1 nanobodies developed and presented herein represent viable biologics for further preclinical testing in human and mouse models of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Sundaram Kumar
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Megan E. Fowler-Magaw
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Daniel Kulick
- Department of Biology, Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Sivakumar Boopathy
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Del Hayden Gadd
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Melissa Rotunno
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Catherine Douthwright
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Diane Golebiowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Issa Yusuf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zuoshang Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Robert H. Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Alison L. O’Neil
- Department of Chemistry, Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Daryl A. Bosco
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(774)-445-3745; Fax: +1-(508)-856-6750
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31
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Dashnaw CM, Zhang AY, Gonzalez M, Koone JC, Shaw BF. Metal migration and subunit swapping in ALS-linked SOD1: Zn 2+ transfer between mutant and wild-type occurs faster than the rate of heterodimerization. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102610. [PMID: 36265587 PMCID: PMC9667317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterodimerization of WT Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), and mutant SOD1 might be a critical step in the pathogenesis of SOD1-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Rates and free energies of heterodimerization (ΔGHet) between WT and ALS-mutant SOD1 in mismatched metalation states-where one subunit is metalated and the other is not-have been difficult to obtain. Consequently, the hypothesis that under-metalated SOD1 might trigger misfolding of metalated SOD1 by "stealing" metal ions remains untested. This study used capillary zone electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to track heterodimerization and metal transfer between WT SOD1, ALS-variant SOD1 (E100K, E100G, D90A), and triply deamidated SOD1 (modeled with N26D/N131D/N139D substitutions). We determined that rates of subunit exchange between apo dimers and metalated dimers-expressed as time to reach 30% heterodimer-ranged from t30% = 67.75 ± 9.08 to 338.53 ± 26.95 min; free energies of heterodimerization ranged from ΔGHet = -1.21 ± 0.31 to -3.06 ± 0.12 kJ/mol. Rates and ΔGHet values of partially metalated heterodimers were more similar to those of fully metalated heterodimers than apo heterodimers, and largely independent of which subunit (mutant or WT) was metal-replete or metal-free. Mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis demonstrated that mutant or WT 4Zn-SOD1 could transfer up to two equivalents of Zn2+ to mutant or WT apo-SOD1 (at rates faster than the rate of heterodimerization). This result suggests that zinc-replete SOD1 can function as a chaperone to deliver Zn2+ to apo-SOD1, and that WT apo-SOD1 might increase the toxicity of mutant SOD1 by stealing its Zn2+.
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32
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Lum JS, Yerbury JJ. Misfolding at the synapse: A role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis? Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:997661. [PMID: 36157072 PMCID: PMC9500160 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.997661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing wave of evidence has placed the concept of protein homeostasis at the center of the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is due primarily to the presence of pathological transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43), fused in sarcoma (FUS) or superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) inclusions within motor neurons of ALS postmortem tissue. However, the earliest pathological alterations associated with ALS occur to the structure and function of the synapse, prior to motor neuron loss. Recent evidence demonstrates the pathological accumulation of ALS-associated proteins (TDP-43, FUS, C9orf72-associated di-peptide repeats and SOD1) within the axo-synaptic compartment of motor neurons. In this review, we discuss this recent evidence and how axo-synaptic proteome dyshomeostasis may contribute to synaptic dysfunction in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S. Lum
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Justin J. Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Justin J. Yerbury, ; orcid.org/0000-0003-2528-7039
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33
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Trist BG, Fifita JA, Hogan A, Grima N, Smith B, Troakes C, Vance C, Shaw C, Al-Sarraj S, Blair IP, Double KL. Co-deposition of SOD1, TDP-43 and p62 proteinopathies in ALS: evidence for multifaceted pathways underlying neurodegeneration. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:122. [PMID: 36008843 PMCID: PMC9404564 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01421-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple neurotoxic proteinopathies co-exist within vulnerable neuronal populations in all major neurodegenerative diseases. Interactions between these pathologies may modulate disease progression, suggesting they may constitute targets for disease-modifying treatments aiming to slow or halt neurodegeneration. Pairwise interactions between superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and ubiquitin-binding protein 62/sequestosome 1 (p62) proteinopathies have been reported in multiple transgenic cellular and animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), however corresponding examination of these relationships in patient tissues is lacking. Further, the coalescence of all three proteinopathies has not been studied in vitro or in vivo to date. These data are essential to guide therapeutic development and enhance the translation of relevant therapies into the clinic. Our group recently profiled SOD1 proteinopathy in post-mortem spinal cord tissues from familial and sporadic ALS cases, demonstrating an abundance of structurally-disordered (dis)SOD1 conformers which become mislocalized within these vulnerable neurons compared with those of aged controls. To explore any relationships between this, and other, ALS-linked proteinopathies, we profiled TDP-43 and p62 within spinal cord motor neurons of the same post-mortem tissue cohort using multiplexed immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. We identified distinct patterns of SOD1, TDP43 and p62 co-deposition and subcellular mislocalization between motor neurons of familial and sporadic ALS cases, which we primarily attribute to SOD1 gene status. Our data demonstrate co-deposition of p62 with mutant and wild-type disSOD1 and phosphorylated TDP-43 in familial and sporadic ALS spinal cord motor neurons, consistent with attempts by p62 to mitigate SOD1 and TDP-43 deposition. Wild-type SOD1 and TDP-43 co-deposition was also frequently observed in ALS cases lacking SOD1 mutations. Finally, alterations to the subcellular localization of the three proteins were tightly correlated, suggesting close relationships between the regulatory mechanisms governing the subcellular compartmentalization of these proteins. Our study is the first to profile spatial relationships between SOD1, TDP-43 and p62 pathologies in post-mortem spinal cord motor neurons of ALS patients, previously only studied in vitro. Our findings suggest interactions between these three key ALS-linked proteins are likely to modulate the formation of their respective proteinopathies, and perhaps the rate of motor neuron degeneration, in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin G Trist
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Jennifer A Fifita
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison Hogan
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie Grima
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bradley Smith
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Camberwell, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Claire Troakes
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Caroline Vance
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Camberwell, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Christopher Shaw
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Camberwell, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Safa Al-Sarraj
- London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kay L Double
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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34
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Synucleinopathy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Potential Avenue for Antisense Therapeutics? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169364. [PMID: 36012622 PMCID: PMC9409035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease classified as both a neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorder. With a complex aetiology and no current cure for ALS, broadening the understanding of disease pathology and therapeutic avenues is required to progress with patient care. Alpha-synuclein (αSyn) is a hallmark for disease in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy. A growing body of evidence now suggests that αSyn may also play a pathological role in ALS, with αSyn-positive Lewy bodies co-aggregating alongside known ALS pathogenic proteins, such as SOD1 and TDP-43. This review endeavours to capture the scope of literature regarding the aetiology and development of ALS and its commonalities with "synucleinopathy disorders". We will discuss the involvement of αSyn in ALS and motor neuron disease pathology, and the current theories and strategies for therapeutics in ALS treatment, as well as those targeting αSyn for synucleinopathies, with a core focus on small molecule RNA technologies.
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