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Gilbert JW, Kennedy Z, Godinho BMDC, Summers A, Weiss A, Echeverria D, Bramato B, McHugh N, Cooper D, Yamada K, Hassler M, Tran H, Gao FB, Brown RH, Khvorova A. Identification of selective and non-selective C9ORF72 targeting in vivo active siRNAs. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102291. [PMID: 39233852 PMCID: PMC11372813 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansion (HRE) within intron one of C9ORF72 is the leading genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). C9ORF72 haploinsufficiency, formation of RNA foci, and production of dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins have been proposed as mechanisms of disease. Here, we report the first example of disease-modifying siRNAs for C9ORF72 driven ALS/FTD. Using a combination of reporter assay and primary cortical neurons derived from a C9-ALS/FTD mouse model, we screened a panel of more than 150 fully chemically stabilized siRNAs targeting different C9ORF72 transcriptional variants. We demonstrate the lack of correlation between siRNA efficacy in reporter assay versus native environment; repeat-containing C9ORF72 mRNA variants are found to preferentially localize to the nucleus, and thus C9ORF72 mRNA accessibility and intracellular localization have a dominant impact on functional RNAi. Using a C9-ALS/FTD mouse model, we demonstrate that divalent siRNAs targeting C9ORF72 mRNA variants specifically or non-selectively reduce the expression of C9ORF72 mRNA and significantly reduce DPR proteins. Interestingly, siRNA silencing all C9ORF72 mRNA transcripts was more effective in removing intranuclear mRNA aggregates than targeting only HRE-containing C9ORF72 mRNA transcripts. Combined, these data support RNAi-based degradation of C9ORF72 as a potential therapeutic paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alexandra Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | | | | | - David Cooper
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Ken Yamada
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | - Hélène Tran
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Fen Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutic Institute, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Robert H Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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2
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Hutten S, Chen JX, Isaacs AM, Dormann D. Poly-GR Impairs PRMT1-Mediated Arginine Methylation of Disease-Linked RNA-Binding Proteins by Acting as a Substrate Sink. Biochemistry 2024; 63:2141-2152. [PMID: 39146246 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) are aberrant protein species found in C9orf72-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), two neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). In particular, arginine (R)-rich DPRs (poly-GR and poly-PR) have been suggested to promiscuously interact with multiple cellular proteins and thereby exert high cytotoxicity. Components of the protein arginine methylation machinery have been identified as modulators of DPR toxicity and/or potential cellular interactors of R-rich DPRs; however, the molecular details and consequences of such an interaction are currently not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that several members of the family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) can directly interact with R-rich DPRs in vitro and in the cytosol. In vitro, R-rich DPRs reduce solubility and promote phase separation of PRMT1, the main enzyme responsible for asymmetric arginine-dimethylation (ADMA) in mammalian cells, in a concentration- and length-dependent manner. Moreover, we demonstrate that poly-GR interferes more efficiently than poly-PR with PRMT1-mediated arginine methylation of RBPs such as hnRNPA3. We additionally show by two alternative approaches that poly-GR itself is a substrate for PRMT1-mediated arginine dimethylation. We propose that poly-GR may act as a direct competitor for arginine methylation of cellular PRMT1 targets, such as disease-linked RBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Hutten
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jia-Xuan Chen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, U.K
| | - Dorothee Dormann
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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3
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Dong D, Zhang Z, Li Y, Latallo MJ, Wang S, Nelson B, Wu R, Krishnan G, Gao FB, Wu B, Sun S. Poly-GR repeats associated with ALS/FTD gene C9ORF72 impair translation elongation and induce a ribotoxic stress response in neurons. Sci Signal 2024; 17:eadl1030. [PMID: 39106320 PMCID: PMC11466505 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adl1030] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the most frequent inherited cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The expansion results in multiple dipeptide repeat proteins, among which arginine-rich poly-GR proteins are highly toxic to neurons and decrease the rate of protein synthesis. We investigated whether the effect on protein synthesis contributes to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. We found that the expression of poly-GR proteins inhibited global translation by perturbing translation elongation. In iPSC-differentiated neurons, the translation of transcripts with relatively slow elongation rates was further slowed, and stalled, by poly-GR. Elongation stalling increased ribosome collisions and induced a ribotoxic stress response (RSR) mediated by ZAKα that increased the phosphorylation of the kinase p38 and promoted cell death. Knockdown of ZAKα or pharmacological inhibition of p38 ameliorated poly-GR-induced toxicity and improved the survival of iPSC-derived neurons from patients with C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Our findings suggest that targeting the RSR may be neuroprotective in patients with ALS/FTD caused by repeat expansion in C9ORF72.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoyuan Dong
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yini Li
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Malgorzata J. Latallo
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Blake Nelson
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Rong Wu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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4
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Wang H, Zeng R. Aberrant protein aggregation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2024; 271:4826-4851. [PMID: 38869826 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12485-z] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease. As its pathological mechanisms are not well understood, there are no efficient therapeutics for it at present. While it is highly heterogenous both etiologically and clinically, it has a common salient hallmark, i.e., aberrant protein aggregation (APA). The upstream pathogenesis and the downstream effects of APA in ALS are sophisticated and the investigation of this pathology would be of consequence for understanding ALS. In this paper, the pathomechanism of APA in ALS and the candidate treatment strategies for it are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaixiu Wang
- Department Neurology, Shanxi Provincial Peoples Hospital: Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030012, China.
- Beijing Ai-Si-Kang Medical Technology Co. Ltd., No. 18 11th St Economical & Technological Development Zone, Beijing, 100176, China.
| | - Rong Zeng
- Department Neurology, Shanxi Provincial Peoples Hospital: Fifth Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030012, China
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Fu X, Zhang Z, Hayes LR, Wright N, Asbury J, Li S, Ye Y, Sun S. DDX3X overexpression decreases dipeptide repeat proteins in a mouse model of C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Exp Neurol 2024; 376:114768. [PMID: 38556190 PMCID: PMC11058010 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114768] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 (C9) is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). One of the proposed pathogenic mechanisms is the neurotoxicity arising from dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins produced by repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. Therefore, reducing DPR levels emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy for C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. We previously identified an RNA helicase, DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked (DDX3X), modulates RAN translation. DDX3X overexpression decreases poly-GP accumulation in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-differentiated neurons (iPSNs) and reduces the glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. In this study, we examined the in vivo efficacy of DDX3X overexpression using a mouse model. We expressed exogenous DDX3X or GFP in the central nervous system (CNS) of the C9-500 ALS/FTD BAC transgenic or non-transgenic control mice using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9). The DPR levels were significantly reduced in the brains of DDX3X-expressing C9-BAC mice compared to the GFP control even twelve months after virus delivery. Additionally, p62 aggregation was also decreased. No neuronal loss or neuroinflammatory response were detected in the DDX3X overexpressing C9-BAC mice. This work demonstrates that DDX3X overexpression effectively reduces DPR levels in vivo without provoking neuroinflammation or neurotoxicity, suggesting the potential of increasing DDX3X expression as a therapeutic strategy for C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Fu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lindsey R Hayes
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Noelle Wright
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Julie Asbury
- Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA
| | - Shelley Li
- John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yingzhi Ye
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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6
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Arnold FJ, Putka AF, Raychaudhuri U, Hsu S, Bedlack RS, Bennett CL, La Spada AR. Revisiting Glutamate Excitotoxicity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Age-Related Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5587. [PMID: 38891774 PMCID: PMC11171854 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115587] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disorder. While there are five FDA-approved drugs for treating this disease, each has only modest benefits. To design new and more effective therapies for ALS, particularly for sporadic ALS of unknown and diverse etiologies, we must identify key, convergent mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. This review focuses on the origin and effects of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in ALS (the cortical hyperexcitability hypothesis), in which increased glutamatergic signaling causes motor neurons to become hyperexcitable and eventually die. We characterize both primary and secondary contributions to excitotoxicity, referring to processes taking place at the synapse and within the cell, respectively. 'Primary pathways' include upregulation of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors, dysfunction of the EAAT2 astrocytic glutamate transporter, increased release of glutamate from the presynaptic terminal, and reduced inhibition by cortical interneurons-all of which have been observed in ALS patients and model systems. 'Secondary pathways' include changes to mitochondrial morphology and function, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. By identifying key targets in the excitotoxicity cascade, we emphasize the importance of this pathway in the pathogenesis of ALS and suggest that intervening in this pathway could be effective for developing therapies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick J. Arnold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
| | - Alexandra F. Putka
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
| | - Urmimala Raychaudhuri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Solomon Hsu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Richard S. Bedlack
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
| | - Craig L. Bennett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Albert R. La Spada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (A.F.P.)
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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7
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Wang J, Zhu H, Tian R, Zhang Q, Zhang H, Hu J, Wang S. Physiological and pathological effects of phase separation in the central nervous system. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:599-615. [PMID: 38441598 PMCID: PMC11055734 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02435-7] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Phase separation, also known as biomolecule condensate, participates in physiological processes such as transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, gene expression, and DNA damage repair by creating a membrane-free compartment. Phase separation is primarily caused by the interaction of multivalent non-covalent bonds between proteins and/or nucleic acids. The strength of molecular multivalent interaction can be modified by component concentration, the potential of hydrogen, posttranslational modification, and other factors. Notably, phase separation occurs frequently in the cytoplasm of mitochondria, the nucleus, and synapses. Phase separation in vivo is dynamic or stable in the normal physiological state, while abnormal phase separation will lead to the formation of biomolecule condensates, speeding up the disease progression. To provide candidate suggestions for the clinical treatment of nervous system diseases, this review, based on existing studies, carefully and systematically represents the physiological roles of phase separation in the central nervous system and its pathological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongrui Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, China.
| | - Ruijia Tian
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoliang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Hu
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Sirozh O, Saez-Mas A, Jung B, Sanchez-Burgos L, Zarzuela E, Rodrigo-Perez S, Ventoso I, Lafarga V, Fernandez-Capetillo O. Nucleolar stress caused by arginine-rich peptides triggers a ribosomopathy and accelerates aging in mice. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1527-1540.e7. [PMID: 38521064 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.02.031] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Nucleolar stress (NS) has been associated with age-related diseases such as cancer or neurodegeneration. To investigate how NS triggers toxicity, we used (PR)n arginine-rich peptides present in some neurodegenerative diseases as inducers of this perturbation. We here reveal that whereas (PR)n expression leads to a decrease in translation, this occurs concomitant with an accumulation of free ribosomal (r) proteins. Conversely, (PR)n-resistant cells have lower rates of r-protein synthesis, and targeting ribosome biogenesis by mTOR inhibition or MYC depletion alleviates (PR)n toxicity in vitro. In mice, systemic expression of (PR)97 drives widespread NS and accelerated aging, which is alleviated by rapamycin. Notably, the generalized accumulation of orphan r-proteins is a common outcome of chemical or genetic perturbations that induce NS. Together, our study presents a general model to explain how NS induces cellular toxicity and provides in vivo evidence supporting a role for NS as a driver of aging in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandra Sirozh
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Anabel Saez-Mas
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Bomi Jung
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 171 21 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura Sanchez-Burgos
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Eduardo Zarzuela
- Proteomics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Sara Rodrigo-Perez
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Ivan Ventoso
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Lafarga
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain.
| | - Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain; Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, 171 21 Stockholm, Sweden.
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9
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Feng Y, Xu Z, Jin H, Chen Y, Fu C, Zhang Y, Yin Y, Wang H, Cheng W. Metformin ameliorates mitochondrial damage induced by C9orf72 poly(GR) via upregulating AKT phosphorylation. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30526. [PMID: 38229533 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are devastating neurodegenerative diseases with no effective cure. GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of both ALS and FTD. A key pathological feature of C9orf72 related ALS/FTD is the presence of abnormal dipeptide repeat proteins translated from GGGGCC repeat expansion, including poly Glycine-Arginine (GR). In this study, we observed that (GR)50 conferred significant mitochondria damage and cytotoxicity. Metformin, the most widely used clinical drug, successfully relieved (GR)50 induced mitochondrial damage and inhibited (GR)50 related cytotoxicity. Further research revealed metformin effectively restored mitochondrial function by upregulating AKT phosphorylation in (GR)50 expressed cells. Taken together, our results indicated restoring mitochondrial function with metformin may be a rational therapeutic strategy to reduce poly(GR) toxicity in C9orf72 ALS/FTD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyuan Feng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhongyun Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongfu Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenglai Fu
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yafu Yin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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Chang YJ, Lin KT, Shih O, Yang CH, Chuang CY, Fang MH, Lai WB, Lee YC, Kuo HC, Hung SC, Yao CK, Jeng US, Chen YR. Sulfated disaccharide protects membrane and DNA damages from arginine-rich dipeptide repeats in ALS. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj0347. [PMID: 38394210 PMCID: PMC10889363 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj0347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 (C9) is the most prevalent mutation among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. The patients carry over ~30 to hundreds or thousands of repeats translated to dipeptide repeats (DPRs) where poly-glycine-arginine (GR) and poly-proline-arginine (PR) are most toxic. The structure-function relationship is still unknown. Here, we examined the minimal neurotoxic repeat number of poly-GR and found that extension of the repeat number led to a loose helical structure disrupting plasma and nuclear membrane. Poly-GR/PR bound to nucleotides and interfered with transcription. We screened and identified a sulfated disaccharide that bound to poly-GR/PR and rescued poly-GR/PR-induced toxicity in neuroblastoma and C9-ALS-iPSC-derived motor neurons. The compound rescued the shortened life span and defective locomotion in poly-GR/PR expressing Drosophila model and improved motor behavior in poly-GR-injected mouse model. Overall, our results reveal structural and toxicity mechanisms for poly-GR/PR and facilitate therapeutic development for C9-ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jen Chang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Tai Lin
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Orion Shih
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hua Yang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yu Chuang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Han Fang
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Bin Lai
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chung Lee
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Kuo
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | | | - Chi-Kuang Yao
- Institute of Biochemical Sciences, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - U-Ser Jeng
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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11
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Smeele PH, Cesare G, Vaccari T. ALS' Perfect Storm: C9orf72-Associated Toxic Dipeptide Repeats as Potential Multipotent Disruptors of Protein Homeostasis. Cells 2024; 13:178. [PMID: 38247869 PMCID: PMC10813877 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020178] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostasis is essential for neuron longevity, requiring a balanced regulation between protein synthesis and degradation. The clearance of misfolded and aggregated proteins, mediated by autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome systems, maintains protein homeostasis in neurons, which are post-mitotic and thus cannot use cell division to diminish the burden of misfolded proteins. When protein clearance pathways are overwhelmed or otherwise disrupted, the accumulation of misfolded or aggregated proteins can lead to the activation of ER stress and the formation of stress granules, which predominantly attempt to restore the homeostasis by suppressing global protein translation. Alterations in these processes have been widely reported among studies investigating the toxic function of dipeptide repeats (DPRs) produced by G4C2 expansion in the C9orf72 gene of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In this review, we outline the modalities of DPR-induced disruptions in protein homeostasis observed in a wide range of models of C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD. We also discuss the relative importance of each DPR for toxicity, possible synergies between DPRs, and discuss the possible functional relevance of DPR aggregation to disease pathogenesis. Finally, we highlight the interdependencies of the observed effects and reflect on the importance of feedback and feedforward mechanisms in their contribution to disease progression. A better understanding of DPR-associated disease pathogenesis discussed in this review might shed light on disease vulnerabilities that may be amenable with therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Vaccari
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
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12
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Ortega JA, Sasselli IR, Boccitto M, Fleming AC, Fortuna TR, Li Y, Sato K, Clemons TD, Mckenna ED, Nguyen TP, Anderson EN, Asin J, Ichida JK, Pandey UB, Wolin SL, Stupp SI, Kiskinis E. CLIP-Seq analysis enables the design of protective ribosomal RNA bait oligonucleotides against C9ORF72 ALS/FTD poly-GR pathophysiology. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf7997. [PMID: 37948524 PMCID: PMC10637751 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf7997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia patients with a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 (C9-HRE) accumulate poly-GR and poly-PR aggregates. The pathogenicity of these arginine-rich dipeptide repeats (R-DPRs) is thought to be driven by their propensity to bind low-complexity domains of multivalent proteins. However, the ability of R-DPRs to bind native RNA and the significance of this interaction remain unclear. Here, we used computational and experimental approaches to characterize the physicochemical properties of R-DPRs and their interaction with RNA. We find that poly-GR predominantly binds ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in cells and exhibits an interaction that is predicted to be energetically stronger than that for associated ribosomal proteins. Critically, modified rRNA "bait" oligonucleotides restore poly-GR-associated ribosomal deficits and ameliorate poly-GR toxicity in patient neurons and Drosophila models. Our work strengthens the hypothesis that ribosomal function is impaired by R-DPRs, highlights a role for direct rRNA binding in mediating ribosomal dysfunction, and presents a strategy for protecting against C9-HRE pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A. Ortega
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08907, Spain
| | - Ivan R. Sasselli
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián 20014, Spain
- Centro de Fisica de Materiales (CFM), CSIC-UPV/EHU, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marco Boccitto
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Andrew C. Fleming
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tyler R. Fortuna
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Yichen Li
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kohei Sato
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tristan D. Clemons
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth D. Mckenna
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Thao P. Nguyen
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eric N. Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jesus Asin
- Department of Statistical Methods, School of Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50018, Spain
| | - Justin K. Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Udai B. Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Sandra L. Wolin
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Samuel I. Stupp
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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13
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Chang C, Zhao Q, Liu P, Yuan Y, Liu Z, Hu Y, Li W, Hou X, Tang X, Jiao B, Guo J, Shen L, Jiang H, Tang B, Zhang X, Wang J. ALS-plus related clinical and genetic study from China. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:3557-3566. [PMID: 37204564 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06843-4] [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: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. An increasing number of researchers have found extra motor features in ALS, which are also called ALS-plus syndromes. Besides, a great majority of ALS patients also have cognitive impairment. However, clinical surveys of the frequency and genetic background of ALS-plus syndromes are rare, especially in China. METHODS We investigated a large cohort of 1015 patients with ALS, classifying them into six groups according to different extramotor symptoms and documenting their clinical manifestations. Meanwhile, based on their cognitive function, we divided these patients into two groups and compared demographic characteristics. Genetic screening for rare damage variants (RDVs) was also performed on 847 patients. RESULTS As a result, 16.75% of patients were identified with ALS-plus syndrome, and 49.5% of patients suffered cognitive impairment. ALS-plus group had lower ALSFRS-R scores, longer diagnostic delay time, and longer survival times, compared to ALS pure group. RDVs occurred less frequently in ALS-plus patients than in ALS-pure patients (P = 0.042) but showed no difference between ALS-cognitive impairment patients and ALS-cognitive normal patients. Besides, ALS-cognitive impairment group tends to harbour more ALS-plus symptoms than ALS-cognitive normal group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION In summary, ALS-plus patients in China are not rare and show multiple differences from ALS-pure patients in clinical and genetic features. Besides, ALS-cognitive impairment group tends to harbour more ALS-plus syndrome than ALS-cognitive normal group. Our observations correspond with the theory that ALS involves several diseases with different mechanisms and provide clinical validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanchun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiting Hu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanzhen Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Hou
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuxiong Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jifeng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuewei Zhang
- Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Balendra R, Ruiz de Los Mozos I, Odeh HM, Glaria I, Milioto C, Wilson KM, Ule AM, Hallegger M, Masino L, Martin S, Patani R, Shorter J, Ule J, Isaacs AM. Transcriptome-wide RNA binding analysis of C9orf72 poly(PR) dipeptides. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201824. [PMID: 37438085 PMCID: PMC10338859 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
An intronic GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is a common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. The repeats are transcribed in both sense and antisense directions to generate distinct dipeptide repeat proteins, of which poly(GA), poly(GR), and poly(PR) have been implicated in contributing to neurodegeneration. Poly(PR) binding to RNA may contribute to toxicity, but analysis of poly(PR)-RNA binding on a transcriptome-wide scale has not yet been carried out. We therefore performed crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) analysis in human cells to identify the RNA binding sites of poly(PR). We found that poly(PR) binds to nearly 600 RNAs, with the sequence GAAGA enriched at the binding sites. In vitro experiments showed that poly(GAAGA) RNA binds poly(PR) with higher affinity than control RNA and induces the phase separation of poly(PR) into condensates. These data indicate that poly(PR) preferentially binds to poly(GAAGA)-containing RNAs, which may have physiological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubika Balendra
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Igor Ruiz de Los Mozos
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Department of Personalized Medicine, NASERTIC, Government of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Hana M Odeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Idoia Glaria
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Research Support Service, Institute of Agrobiotechnology, CSIC-Government of Navarra, Mutilva, Spain
| | - Carmelo Milioto
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Katherine M Wilson
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Agnieszka M Ule
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Laura Masino
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Stephen Martin
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Rickie Patani
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jernej Ule
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
| | - Adrian M Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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15
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Wang S, Sun S. Translation dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases: a focus on ALS. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:58. [PMID: 37626421 PMCID: PMC10464328 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00642-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA translation is tightly controlled in eukaryotic cells to regulate gene expression and maintain proteome homeostasis. RNA binding proteins, translation factors, and cell signaling pathways all modulate the translation process. Defective translation is involved in multiple neurological diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and poses a major public health challenge worldwide. Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in the understanding of the genetics and pathogenesis of ALS. Dysfunction of RNA metabolisms, including RNA translation, has been closely associated with ALS. Here, we first introduce the general mechanisms of translational regulation under physiological and stress conditions and review well-known examples of translation defects in neurodegenerative diseases. We then focus on ALS-linked genes and discuss the recent progress on how translation is affected by various mutant genes and the repeat expansion-mediated non-canonical translation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopeng Wang
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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16
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Viera Ortiz AP, Cajka G, Olatunji OA, Mikytuck B, Shalem O, Lee EB. Impaired ribosome-associated quality control of C9orf72 arginine-rich dipeptide-repeat proteins. Brain 2023; 146:2897-2912. [PMID: 36516294 PMCID: PMC10316761 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac479] [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: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein quality control pathways have evolved to ensure the fidelity of protein synthesis and efficiently clear potentially toxic protein species. Defects in ribosome-associated quality control and its associated factors have been implicated in the accumulation of aberrant proteins and neurodegeneration. C9orf72 repeat-associated non-AUG translation has been suggested to involve inefficient translation elongation, lead to ribosomal pausing and activation of ribosome-associated quality control pathways. However, the role of the ribosome-associated quality control complex in the processing of proteins generated through this non-canonical translation is not well understood. Here we use reporter constructs containing the C9orf72-associated hexanucleotide repeat, ribosome-associated quality control complex deficient cell models and stain for ribosome-associated quality control markers in C9orf72-expansion carrier human tissue to understand its role in dipeptide-repeat protein pathology. Our studies show that canonical ribosome-associated quality control substrates products are efficiently cleared by the ribosome-associated quality control complex in mammalian cells. Furthermore, using stalling reporter constructs, we show that repeats associated with the C9orf72-expansion induce ribosomal stalling when arginine (R)-rich dipeptide-repeat proteins are synthesized in a length-dependent manner. However, despite triggering this pathway, these arginine-rich dipeptide-repeat proteins are not efficiently processed by the core components of the ribosome-associated quality control complex (listerin, nuclear-export mediator factor and valosin containing protein) partly due to lack of lysine residues, which precludes ubiquitination. Deficient processing by this complex may be implicated in C9orf72-expansion associated disease as dipeptide-repeat protein inclusions were observed to be predominantly devoid of ubiquitin and co-localize with nuclear-export mediator factor in mutation carriers' frontal cortex and cerebellum tissue. These findings suggest that impaired processing of these arginine-rich dipeptide-repeat proteins derived from repeat-associated non-AUG translation by the ribosome-associated quality control complex may contribute to protein homeostasis dysregulation observed in C9orf72-expansion amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration neuropathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley P Viera Ortiz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gregory Cajka
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Olamide A Olatunji
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bailey Mikytuck
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ophir Shalem
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edward B Lee
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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17
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Miyagi T, Ueda K, Sugimoto M, Yagi T, Ito D, Yamazaki R, Narumi S, Hayamizu Y, Uji-i H, Kuroda M, Kanekura K. Differential toxicity and localization of arginine-rich C9ORF72 dipeptide repeat proteins depend on de-clustering of positive charges. iScience 2023; 26:106957. [PMID: 37332605 PMCID: PMC10275993 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine-rich dipeptide repeat proteins (R-DPRs), poly(PR) and poly(GR), translated from the hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-causative C9ORF72 gene, contribute significantly to pathogenesis of ALS. Although both R-DPRs share many similarities, there are critical differences in their subcellular localization, phase separation, and toxicity mechanisms. We analyzed localization, protein-protein interactions, and phase separation of R-DPR variants and found that sufficient segregation of arginine charges is necessary for nucleolar distribution. Proline not only efficiently separated the charges, but also allowed for weak, but highly multivalent binding. In contrast, because of its high flexibility, glycine cannot fully separate the charges, and poly(GR) behaves similarly to the contiguous arginines, being trapped in the cytoplasm. We conclude that the amino acid that spaces the arginine charges determines the strength and multivalency of the binding, leading to differences in localization and toxicity mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamami Miyagi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
| | - Koji Ueda
- Cancer Proteomics Group, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sugimoto
- Research and Development Center for Minimally Invasive Therapies, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, KEIO University, 246-2 Mizukami, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Takuya Yagi
- Department of Neurology, KEIO University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Department of Physiology, KEIO University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Rio Yamazaki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
| | - Satoshi Narumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Yuhei Hayamizu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Uji-i
- Department of Nanomaterials and Nanoscopy, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 10 Nishi 20, North Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0020, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200F, Heverlee, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Kanekura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
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18
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Lee S, Jun YW, Linares GR, Butler B, Yuva-Adyemir Y, Moore J, Krishnan G, Ruiz-Juarez B, Santana M, Pons M, Silverman N, Weng Z, Ichida JK, Gao FB. Downregulation of Hsp90 and the antimicrobial peptide Mtk suppresses poly(GR)-induced neurotoxicity in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Neuron 2023; 111:1381-1390.e6. [PMID: 36931278 PMCID: PMC10264157 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.029] [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: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
GGGGCC repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Repeat RNAs can be translated into dipeptide repeat proteins, including poly(GR), whose mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. In an RNA-seq analysis of poly(GR) toxicity in Drosophila, we found that several antimicrobial peptide genes, such as metchnikowin (Mtk), and heat shock protein (Hsp) genes are activated. Mtk knockdown in the fly eye or in all neurons suppresses poly(GR) neurotoxicity. These findings suggest a cell-autonomous role of Mtk in neurodegeneration. Hsp90 knockdown partially rescues both poly(GR) toxicity in flies and neurodegeneration in C9ORF72 motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Topoisomerase II (TopoII) regulates poly(GR)-induced upregulation of Hsp90 and Mtk. TopoII knockdown also suppresses poly(GR) toxicity in Drosophila and improves survival of C9ORF72 iPSC-derived motor neurons. These results suggest potential novel therapeutic targets for C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soojin Lee
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yong-Woo Jun
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gabriel R Linares
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Butler
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yeliz Yuva-Adyemir
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jill Moore
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Bryan Ruiz-Juarez
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manuel Santana
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marine Pons
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Neal Silverman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhiping Weng
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Justin K Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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19
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Parameswaran J, Zhang N, Braems E, Tilahun K, Pant DC, Yin K, Asress S, Heeren K, Banerjee A, Davis E, Schwartz SL, Conn GL, Bassell GJ, Van Den Bosch L, Jiang J. Antisense, but not sense, repeat expanded RNAs activate PKR/eIF2α-dependent ISR in C9ORF72 FTD/ALS. eLife 2023; 12:e85902. [PMID: 37073950 PMCID: PMC10188109 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The repeat is bidirectionally transcribed and confers gain of toxicity. However, the underlying toxic species is debated, and it is not clear whether antisense CCCCGG (C4G2) repeat expanded RNAs contribute to disease pathogenesis. Our study shows that C9ORF72 antisense C4G2 repeat expanded RNAs trigger the activation of the PKR/eIF2α-dependent integrated stress response independent of dipeptide repeat proteins that are produced through repeat-associated non-AUG-initiated translation, leading to global translation inhibition and stress granule formation. Reducing PKR levels with either siRNA or morpholinos mitigates integrated stress response and toxicity caused by the antisense C4G2 RNAs in cell lines, primary neurons, and zebrafish. Increased phosphorylation of PKR/eIF2α is also observed in the frontal cortex of C9ORF72 FTD/ALS patients. Finally, only antisense C4G2, but not sense G4C2, repeat expanded RNAs robustly activate the PKR/eIF2α pathway and induce aberrant stress granule formation. These results provide a mechanism by which antisense C4G2 repeat expanded RNAs elicit neuronal toxicity in FTD/ALS caused by C9ORF72 repeat expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Elke Braems
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | | | - Devesh C Pant
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Keena Yin
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Seneshaw Asress
- Department of Neurology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Kara Heeren
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | - Anwesha Banerjee
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Emma Davis
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | | | - Graeme L Conn
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus GasthuisbergLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory UniversityAtlantaUnited States
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20
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Storkebaum E, Rosenblum K, Sonenberg N. Messenger RNA Translation Defects in Neurodegenerative Diseases. N Engl J Med 2023; 388:1015-1030. [PMID: 36920757 DOI: 10.1056/nejmra2215795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Erik Storkebaum
- From the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, and the Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (E.S.); the Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Center for Genetic Manipulation in the Brain, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel (K.R.); and the Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal (N.S.)
| | - Kobi Rosenblum
- From the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, and the Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (E.S.); the Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Center for Genetic Manipulation in the Brain, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel (K.R.); and the Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal (N.S.)
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- From the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, and the Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands (E.S.); the Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Center for Genetic Manipulation in the Brain, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel (K.R.); and the Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal (N.S.)
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21
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Li Y, Geng J, Rimal S, Wang H, Liu X, Lu B, Li S. The mTORC2/AKT/VCP axis is associated with quality control of the stalled translation of poly(GR) dipeptide repeats in C9-ALS/FTD. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102995. [PMID: 36764521 PMCID: PMC10011831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Expansion of G4C2 hexanucleotide repeats in the chromosome 9 ORF 72 (C9ORF72) gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with frontotemporal dementia (C9-ALS/FTD). Dipeptide repeats generated by unconventional translation, especially the R-containing poly(GR), have been implicated in C9-ALS/FTD pathogenesis. Mutations in other genes, including TAR DNA-binding protein 43 KD (TDP-43), fused in sarcoma (FUS), and valosin-containing protein, have also been linked to ALS/FTD, and upregulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is observed at the early stage of ALS and FTD. Fundamental questions remain as to the relationships between these ALS/FTD genes and whether they converge on similar cellular pathways. Here, using biochemical, cell biological, and genetic analyses in Drosophila disease models, patient-derived fibroblasts, and mammalian cell culture, we show that mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2)/AKT signaling is activated by APP, TDP-43, and FUS and that mTORC2/AKT and its downstream target valosin-containing protein mediate the effect of APP, TDP-43, and FUS on the quality control of C9-ALS/FTD-associated poly(GR) translation. We also find that poly(GR) expression results in reduction of global translation and that the coexpression of APP, TDP-43, and FUS results in further reduction of global translation, presumably through the GCN2/eIF2α-integrated stress response pathway. Together, our results implicate mTORC2/AKT signaling and GCN2/eIF2α-integrated stress response as common signaling pathways underlying ALS/FTD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ji Geng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China; Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Suman Rimal
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Haochuan Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiangguo Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Bingwei Lu
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
| | - Shuangxi Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
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22
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Teng Y, Zhu M, Qiu Z. G-Quadruplexes in Repeat Expansion Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032375. [PMID: 36768697 PMCID: PMC9916761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The repeat expansions are the main genetic cause of various neurodegeneration diseases. More than ten kinds of repeat sequences with different lengths, locations, and structures have been confirmed in the past two decades. G-rich repeat sequences, such as CGG and GGGGCC, are reported to form functional G-quadruplexes, participating in many important bioprocesses. In this review, we conducted an overview concerning the contribution of G-quadruplex in repeat expansion disorders and summarized related mechanisms in current pathological studies, including the increasing genetic instabilities in replication and transcription, the toxic RNA foci formed in neurons, and the loss/gain function of proteins and peptides. Furthermore, novel strategies targeting G-quadruplex repeats were developed based on the understanding of disease mechanism. Small molecules and proteins binding to G-quadruplex in repeat expansions were investigated to protect neurons from dysfunction and delay the progression of neurodegeneration. In addition, the effects of environment on the stability of G-quadruplex were discussed, which might be critical factors in the pathological study of repeat expansion disorders.
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23
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Mori K, Gotoh S, Uozumi R, Miyamoto T, Akamine S, Kawabe Y, Tagami S, Ikeda M. RNA Dysmetabolism and Repeat-Associated Non-AUG Translation in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis due to C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansion. JMA J 2023; 6:9-15. [PMID: 36793534 PMCID: PMC9908409 DOI: 10.31662/jmaj.2022-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathological features of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to C9orf72 GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion include early dipeptide repeats, repeat RNA foci, and subsequent TDP-43 pathologies. Since the discovery of the repeat expansion, extensive studies have elucidated the disease mechanism of how the repeat causes neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of abnormal repeat RNA metabolism and repeat-associated non-AUG translation in C9orf72 frontotemporal lobar degeneration/ALS. For repeat RNA metabolism, we specifically focus on the role of hnRNPA3, the repeat RNA-binding protein, and the EXOSC10/RNA exosome complex, an intracellular RNA-degrading enzyme. In addition, the mechanism of repeat-associated non-AUG translation inhibition via TMPyP4, a repeat RNA-binding compound, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohji Mori
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Shiho Gotoh
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Ryota Uozumi
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tesshin Miyamoto
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan,Seifukai Ibaraki Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shoshin Akamine
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan,Minoh Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Minoh, Japan
| | - Shinji Tagami
- Minoh Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Minoh, Japan,Health and Counseling Center, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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24
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Kumar R, Malik Z, Singh M, Rachana R, Mani S, Ponnusamy K, Haider S. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Risk Genes and Suppressor. Curr Gene Ther 2023; 23:148-162. [PMID: 36366843 DOI: 10.2174/1566523223666221108113330] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to death by progressive paralysis and respiratory failure within 2-4 years of onset. About 90-95% of ALS cases are sporadic (sALS), and 5-10% are inherited through family (fALS). Though the mechanisms of the disease are still poorly understood, so far, approximately 40 genes have been reported as ALS causative genes. The mutations in some crucial genes, like SOD1, C9ORF72, FUS, and TDP-43, are majorly associated with ALS, resulting in ROS-associated oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, protein aggregation, altered RNA processing, axonal and vesicular trafficking dysregulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent studies show that dysfunctional cellular pathways get restored as a result of the repair of a single pathway in ALS. In this review article, our aim is to identify putative targets for therapeutic development and the importance of a single suppressor to reduce multiple symptoms by focusing on important mutations and the phenotypic suppressors of dysfunctional cellular pathways in crucial genes as reported by other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sec-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Zubbair Malik
- School of Computational and Integrative Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi-110067, India
| | - Manisha Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sec-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - R Rachana
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sec-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shalini Mani
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sec-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Shazia Haider
- Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Sec-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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25
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Jiménez-Villegas J, Kirby J, Mata A, Cadenas S, Turner MR, Malaspina A, Shaw PJ, Cuadrado A, Rojo AI. Dipeptide Repeat Pathology in C9orf72-ALS Is Associated with Redox, Mitochondrial and NRF2 Pathway Imbalance. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1897. [PMID: 36290620 PMCID: PMC9598689 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide expansion of the C9orf72 gene is found in 40% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. This genetic alteration has been connected with impaired management of reactive oxygen species. In this study, we conducted targeted transcriptional profiling in leukocytes from C9orf72 patients and control subjects by examining the mRNA levels of 84 redox-related genes. The expression of ten redox genes was altered in samples from C9orf72 ALS patients compared to healthy controls. Considering that Nuclear factor erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) modulates the expression of a wide range of redox genes, we further investigated its status on an in vitro model of dipeptide repeat (DPR) toxicity. This model mimics the gain of function, toxic mechanisms attributed to C9orf72 pathology. We found that exposure to DPRs increased superoxide levels and reduced mitochondrial potential as well as cell survival. Importantly, cells overexpressing DPRs exhibited reduced protein levels of NRF2 and its target genes upon inhibition of the proteasome or its canonical repressor, the E3 ligase adapter KEAP1. However, NRF2 activation was sufficient to recover cell viability and redox homeostasis. This study identifies NRF2 as a putative target in precision medicine for the therapy of ALS patients harboring C9orf72 expansion repeats.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Jiménez-Villegas
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC/UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Ana Mata
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (CSIC/UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Cadenas
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (CSIC/UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin R. Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Neuroscience and Trauma Centre, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
- Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Neuromuscular Department, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC/UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Rojo
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC/UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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26
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Chen C, Jia H, Nakamura Y, Kanekura K, Hayamizu Y. Effect of Multivalency on Phase-Separated Droplets Consisting of Poly(PR) Dipeptide Repeats and RNA at the Solid/Liquid Interface. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:19280-19287. [PMID: 35721931 PMCID: PMC9201888 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Dipeptide repeat proteins (DRPs) are considered a significant cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and their liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) formation with other biological molecules has been studied both in vitro and in vivo. The immobilization and wetting of the LLPS droplets on glass surfaces are technically crucial for the measurement with optical microscopy. In this work, we characterized the surface diffusion of LLPS droplets of the DRPs with different lengths to investigate the multivalent effect on the interactions of their LLPS droplets with the glass surface. Using fluorescence microscopy and the single-particle tracking method, we observed that the large multivalency drastically changed the surface behavior of the droplets. The coalescence and wetting of the droplets were accelerated by increasing the multivalency of peptides in the LLPS system. Our findings on the effect of multivalency on interactions between droplets and glass surfaces could provide a new insight to enhance the understanding of LLPS formation and biophysical properties related to the solid/liquid interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Han Jia
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Nakamura
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Kanekura
- Department
of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
| | - Yuhei Hayamizu
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical
Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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27
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Loveland AB, Svidritskiy E, Susorov D, Lee S, Park A, Zvornicanin S, Demo G, Gao FB, Korostelev AA. Ribosome inhibition by C9ORF72-ALS/FTD-associated poly-PR and poly-GR proteins revealed by cryo-EM. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2776. [PMID: 35589706 PMCID: PMC9120013 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30418-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxic dipeptide-repeat (DPR) proteins are produced from expanded G4C2 repeats in the C9ORF72 gene, the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Two DPR proteins, poly-PR and poly-GR, repress cellular translation but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here we show that poly-PR and poly-GR of ≥20 repeats inhibit the ribosome's peptidyl-transferase activity at nanomolar concentrations, comparable to specific translation inhibitors. High-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reveals that poly-PR and poly-GR block the polypeptide tunnel of the ribosome, extending into the peptidyl-transferase center (PTC). Consistent with these findings, the macrolide erythromycin, which binds in the tunnel, competes with poly-PR and restores peptidyl-transferase activity. Our results demonstrate that strong and specific binding of poly-PR and poly-GR in the ribosomal tunnel blocks translation, revealing the structural basis of their toxicity in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna B Loveland
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Egor Svidritskiy
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Denis Susorov
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Soojin Lee
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Alexander Park
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Sarah Zvornicanin
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Gabriel Demo
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- Department of Neurology, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| | - Andrei A Korostelev
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, UMass Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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28
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Bose K, Maity A, Ngo KH, Vandana JJ, Shneider NA, Phan AT. Formation of RNA G-wires by G4C2 repeats associated with ALS and FTD. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 610:113-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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29
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Katzeff JS, Bright F, Phan K, Kril JJ, Ittner LM, Kassiou M, Hodges JR, Piguet O, Kiernan MC, Halliday GM, Kim WS. Biomarker discovery and development for frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2022; 145:1598-1609. [PMID: 35202463 PMCID: PMC9166557 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia refers to a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by behaviour and language alterations and focal brain atrophy. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor neurons resulting in muscle wasting and paralysis. Frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are considered to exist on a disease spectrum given substantial overlap of genetic and molecular signatures. The predominant genetic abnormality in both frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an expanded hexanucleotide repeat sequence in the C9orf72 gene. In terms of brain pathology, abnormal aggregates of TAR-DNA-binding protein-43 are predominantly present in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Currently, sensitive and specific diagnostic and disease surveillance biomarkers are lacking for both diseases. This has impeded the capacity to monitor disease progression during life and the development of targeted drug therapies for the two diseases. The purpose of this review is to examine the status of current biofluid biomarker discovery and development in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The major pathogenic proteins implicated in different frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis molecular subtypes and proteins associated with neurodegeneration and the immune system will be discussed. Furthermore, the use of mass spectrometry-based proteomics as an emerging tool to identify new biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis will be summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared S Katzeff
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Bright
- The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine Phan
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jillian J Kril
- The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- The University of Sydney, School of Chemistry, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John R Hodges
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivier Piguet
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Woojin Scott Kim
- The University of Sydney, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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30
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Liu F, Morderer D, Wren MC, Vettleson-Trutza SA, Wang Y, Rabichow BE, Salemi MR, Phinney BS, Oskarsson B, Dickson DW, Rossoll W. Proximity proteomics of C9orf72 dipeptide repeat proteins identifies molecular chaperones as modifiers of poly-GA aggregation. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:22. [PMID: 35164882 PMCID: PMC8842533 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01322-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common inherited cause of two genetically and clinico-pathologically overlapping neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), is the presence of expanded GGGGCC intronic hexanucleotide repeats in the C9orf72 gene. Aside from haploinsufficiency and toxic RNA foci, another non-exclusive disease mechanism is the non-canonical translation of the repeat RNA into five different dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), which form neuronal inclusions in affected patient brains. While evidence from cellular and animal models supports a toxic gain-of-function of pathologic poly-GA, poly-GR, and poly-PR aggregates in promoting deposition of TDP-43 pathology and neurodegeneration in affected brain areas, the relative contribution of DPRs to the disease process in c9FTD/ALS patients remains unclear. Here we have used the proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) proximity proteomics approach to investigate the formation and collective composition of DPR aggregates using cellular models. While interactomes of arginine rich poly-GR and poly-PR aggregates overlapped and were enriched for nucleolar and ribosomal proteins, poly-GA aggregates demonstrated a distinct association with proteasomal components, molecular chaperones (HSPA1A/HSP70, HSPA8/HSC70, VCP/p97), co-chaperones (BAG3, DNAJA1A) and other factors that regulate protein folding and degradation (SQSTM1/p62, CALR, CHIP/STUB1). Experiments in cellular models of poly-GA pathology show that molecular chaperones and co-chaperones are sequestered to the periphery of dense cytoplasmic aggregates, causing depletion from their typical cellular localization. Their involvement in the pathologic process is confirmed in autopsy brain tissue, where HSPA8, BAG3, VCP, and its adapter protein UBXN6 show a close association with poly-GA aggregates in the frontal cortex, temporal cortex, and hippocampus of c9FTLD and c9ALS cases. The association of heat shock proteins and co-chaperones with poly-GA led us to investigate their potential role in reducing its aggregation. We identified HSP40 co-chaperones of the DNAJB family as potent modifiers that increased the solubility of poly-GA, highlighting a possible novel therapeutic avenue and a central role of molecular chaperones in the pathogenesis of human C9orf72-linked diseases.
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31
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Nedelsky NB, Taylor JP. Pathological phase transitions in ALS-FTD impair dynamic RNA-protein granules. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:97-113. [PMID: 34706979 PMCID: PMC8675280 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079001.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The genetics of human disease serves as a robust and unbiased source of insight into human biology, both revealing fundamental cellular processes and exposing the vulnerabilities associated with their dysfunction. Over the last decade, the genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have epitomized this concept, as studies of ALS-FTD-causing mutations have yielded fundamental discoveries regarding the role of biomolecular condensation in organizing cellular contents while implicating disturbances in condensate dynamics as central drivers of neurodegeneration. Here we review this genetic evidence, highlight its intersection with patient pathology, and discuss how studies in model systems have revealed a role for aberrant condensation in neuronal dysfunction and death. We detail how multiple, distinct types of disease-causing mutations promote pathological phase transitions that disturb the dynamics and function of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules. Dysfunction of RNP granules causes pleiotropic defects in RNA metabolism and can drive the evolution of these structures to end-stage pathological inclusions characteristic of ALS-FTD. We propose that aberrant phase transitions of these complex condensates in cells provide a parsimonious explanation for the widespread cellular abnormalities observed in ALS as well as certain histopathological features that characterize late-stage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia B Nedelsky
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - J Paul Taylor
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
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32
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Kanekura K, Hayamizu Y, Kuroda M. Order controls disordered droplets: structure-function relationships in C9orf72-derived poly(PR). Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 322:C197-C204. [PMID: 34910602 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00372.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have been thought as two distinct neurodegenerative diseases. However, recent genetic screening and careful investigations found the genetic and pathological overlap among these disorders. Hexanucleotide expansions in intron 1 of C9orf72 are a leading cause of familial ALS and familial FTD. These expansions facilitate the repeat-associated non-ATG initiated translation (RAN translation), producing five dipeptide repeat proteins (DRPs), including Arg-rich poly(PR: Pro-Arg) and poly-(GR: Gly-Arg) peptides. Arg is a positively charged, highly polar amino acid that facilitates interactions with anionic molecules such as nucleic acids and acidic amino acids via electrostatic forces and aromatic amino acids via cation-pi interaction, suggesting that Arg-rich DRPs underlie the pathophysiology of ALS via Arg-mediated molecular interactions. Arg-rich DRPs have also been reported to induce neurodegeneration in cellular and animal models via multiple mechanisms; however, it remains unclear why the Arg-rich DRPs exhibit such diverse toxic properties, because not all Arg-rich peptides are toxic. In this mini-review, we discuss the current understanding of the pathophysiology of Arg-rich C9orf72 DRPs and introduce recent findings on the role of Arg distribution as a determinant of the toxicity and its contribution to the pathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohsuke Kanekura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuhei Hayamizu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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33
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Thompson AG, Oeckl P, Feneberg E, Bowser R, Otto M, Fischer R, Kessler B, Turner MR. Advancing mechanistic understanding and biomarker development in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Proteomics 2021; 18:977-994. [PMID: 34758687 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2021.2004890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Proteomic analysis has contributed significantly to the study of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It has helped to define the pathological change common to nearly all cases, namely intracellular aggregates of phosphorylated TDP-43, shifting the focus of pathogenesis in ALS toward RNA biology. Proteomics has also uniquely underpinned the delineation of disease mechanisms in model systems and has been central to recent advances in human ALS biomarker development. AREAS COVERED The contribution of proteomics to understanding the cellular pathological changes, disease mechanisms, and biomarker development in ALS are covered. EXPERT OPINION Proteomics has delivered unique insights into the pathogenesis of ALS and advanced the goal of objective measurements of disease activity to improve therapeutic trials. Further developments in sensitivity and quantification are expected, with application to the presymptomatic phase of human disease offering the hope of prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Oeckl
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (Dzne e.V.), Ulm, Germany
| | - Emily Feneberg
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Bowser
- Departments of Neurology and Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Roman Fischer
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Benedikt Kessler
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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34
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Vanneste J, Van Den Bosch L. The Role of Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Defects in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12175. [PMID: 34830069 PMCID: PMC8620263 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is ample evidence that nucleocytoplasmic-transport deficits could play an important role in the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the currently available data are often circumstantial and do not fully clarify the exact causal and temporal role of nucleocytoplasmic transport deficits in ALS patients. Gaining this knowledge will be of great significance in order to be able to target therapeutically nucleocytoplasmic transport and/or the proteins involved in this process. The availability of good model systems to study the nucleocytoplasmic transport process in detail will be especially crucial in investigating the effect of different mutations, as well as of other forms of stress. In this review, we discuss the evidence for the involvement of nucleocytoplasmic transport defects in ALS and the methods used to obtain these data. In addition, we provide an overview of the therapeutic strategies which could potentially counteract these defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joni Vanneste
- Experimental Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven–University of Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Experimental Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven–University of Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Center for Brain & Disease Research, VIB, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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35
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Rossi S, Cozzolino M. Dysfunction of RNA/RNA-Binding Proteins in ALS Astrocytes and Microglia. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113005. [PMID: 34831228 PMCID: PMC8616248 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurological disease that primarily affects motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The process that leads to motor neuron degeneration is strongly influenced by non-motor neuronal events that occur in a variety of cell types. Among these, neuroinflammatory processes mediated by activated astrocytes and microglia play a relevant role. In recent years, it has become clear that dysregulation of essential steps of RNA metabolism, as a consequence of alterations in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), is a central event in the degeneration of motor neurons. Yet, a causal link between dysfunctional RNA metabolism and the neuroinflammatory processes mediated by astrocytes and microglia in ALS has been poorly defined. In this review, we will discuss the available evidence showing that RBPs and associated RNA processing are affected in ALS astrocytes and microglia, and the possible mechanisms involved in these events.
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36
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Chen C, Yamanaka Y, Ueda K, Li P, Miyagi T, Harada Y, Tezuka S, Narumi S, Sugimoto M, Kuroda M, Hayamizu Y, Kanekura K. Phase separation and toxicity of C9orf72 poly(PR) depends on alternate distribution of arginine. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:212626. [PMID: 34499080 PMCID: PMC8438627 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202103160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Arg (R)-rich dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs; poly(PR): Pro-Arg and poly(GR): Gly-Arg), encoded by a hexanucleotide expansion in the C9ORF72 gene, induce neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although R-rich DPRs undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which affects multiple biological processes, mechanisms underlying LLPS of DPRs remain elusive. Here, using in silico, in vitro, and in cellulo methods, we determined that the distribution of charged Arg residues regulates the complex coacervation with anionic peptides and nucleic acids. Proteomic analyses revealed that alternate Arg distribution in poly(PR) facilitates entrapment of proteins with acidic motifs via LLPS. Transcription, translation, and diffusion of nucleolar nucleophosmin (NPM1) were impaired by poly(PR) with an alternate charge distribution but not by poly(PR) variants with a consecutive charge distribution. We propose that the pathogenicity of R-rich DPRs is mediated by disturbance of proteins through entrapment in the phase-separated droplets via sequence-controlled multivalent protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Yamanaka
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Ueda
- Cancer Proteomics Group, Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Peiying Li
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tamami Miyagi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Harada
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Tezuka
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Narumi
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Sugimoto
- Research and Development Center for Minimally Invasive Therapies, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuhei Hayamizu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Kanekura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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37
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Riemslagh FW, Verhagen RFM, van der Toorn EC, Smits DJ, Quint WH, van der Linde HC, van Ham TJ, Willemsen R. Reduction of oxidative stress suppresses poly-GR-mediated toxicity in zebrafish embryos. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:272601. [PMID: 34693978 PMCID: PMC8649169 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide (G4C2)-repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common pathogenic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This repeat expansion can be translated into dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), and distribution of the poly-GR DPR correlates with neurodegeneration in postmortem C9FTD/ALS brains. Here, we assessed poly-GR toxicity in zebrafish embryos, using an annexin A5-based fluorescent transgenic line (secA5) that allows for detection and quantification of apoptosis in vivo. Microinjection of RNA encoding poly-GR into fertilized oocytes evoked apoptosis in the brain and abnormal motor neuron morphology in the trunk of 1-4-days postfertilization embryos. Poly-GR can be specifically detected in protein homogenates from injected zebrafish and in the frontal cortexes of C9FTD/ALS cases. Poly-GR expression further elevated MitoSOX levels in zebrafish embryos, indicating oxidative stress. Inhibition of reactive oxygen species using Trolox showed full suppression of poly-GR toxicity. Our study indicates that poly-GR can exert its toxicity via oxidative stress. This zebrafish model can be used to find suppressors of poly-GR toxicity and identify its molecular targets underlying neurodegeneration observed in C9FTD/ALS. Summary: Toxicity of C9ALS/FTD poly-GR in zebrafish embryos is suppressed by Trolox, and poly-GR can be detected and quantified in zebrafish model protein homogenates, and in the frontal cortex of C9FTD/ALS cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fréderike W Riemslagh
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob F M Verhagen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esmay C van der Toorn
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne J Smits
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wim H Quint
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Herma C van der Linde
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tjakko J van Ham
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Willemsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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38
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Torres P, Cabral-Miranda F, Gonzalez-Teuber V, Hetz C. Proteostasis deregulation as a driver of C9ORF72 pathogenesis. J Neurochem 2021; 159:941-957. [PMID: 34679204 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two related neurodegenerative disorders that display overlapping features. The hexanucleotide repeat expansion GGGGCC (G4 C2 ) in C9ORF72 gene has been causally linked to both ALS and FTD emergence, thus opening a novel potential therapeutic target for disease intervention. The main driver of C9ORF72 pathology is the disruption of distinct cellular processes involved in the function of the proteostasis network. Here we discuss main findings relating to the induction of neurodegeneration by C9ORF72 mutation and proteostasis deregulation, highlighting the role of the endoplasmic reticulum stress, nuclear transport, and autophagy in the disease process. We further discuss possible points of intervention to target proteostasis mediators to treat C9ORF72-linked ALS/FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Torres
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,FONDAP Center for Geroscience, Brain Health, and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile.,Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Cabral-Miranda
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vicente Gonzalez-Teuber
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,FONDAP Center for Geroscience, Brain Health, and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile.,Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio Hetz
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,FONDAP Center for Geroscience, Brain Health, and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile.,Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, USA
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39
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p53 Transactivation Domain Mediates Binding and Phase Separation with Poly-PR/GR. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111431. [PMID: 34768862 PMCID: PMC8583712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the presence of poly-PR/GR dipeptide repeats, which are encoded by the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene. Recently, it was shown that poly-PR/GR alters chromatin accessibility, which results in the stabilization and enhancement of transcriptional activity of the tumor suppressor p53 in several neurodegenerative disease models. A reduction in p53 protein levels protects against poly-PR and partially against poly-GR neurotoxicity in cells. Moreover, in model organisms, a reduction of p53 protein levels protects against neurotoxicity of poly-PR. Here, we aimed to study the detailed molecular mechanisms of how p53 contributes to poly-PR/GR-mediated neurodegeneration. Using a combination of biophysical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, fluorescence polarization, turbidity assays, and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, we found that p53 physically interacts with poly-PR/GR and triggers liquid–liquid phase separation of p53. We identified the p53 transactivation domain 2 (TAD2) as the main binding site for PR25/GR25 and showed that binding of poly-PR/GR to p53 is mediated by a network of electrostatic and/or hydrophobic interactions. Our findings might help to understand the mechanistic role of p53 in poly-PR/GR-associated neurodegeneration.
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40
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Sharpe JL, Harper NS, Garner DR, West RJH. Modeling C9orf72-Related Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Drosophila. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:770937. [PMID: 34744635 PMCID: PMC8566814 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.770937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
An intronic hexanucleotide (GGGGCC) expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the decade following its discovery, much progress has been made in enhancing our understanding of how it precipitates disease. Both loss of function caused by reduced C9orf72 transcript levels, and gain of function mechanisms, triggered by the production of repetitive sense and antisense RNA and dipeptide repeat proteins, are thought to contribute to the toxicity. Drosophila models, with their unrivaled genetic tractability and short lifespan, have played a key role in developing our understanding of C9orf72-related FTD/ALS. There is no C9orf72 homolog in fly, and although this precludes investigations into loss of function toxicity, it is useful for elucidating mechanisms underpinning gain of function toxicity. To date there are a range of Drosophila C9orf72 models, encompassing different aspects of gain of function toxicity. In addition to pure repeat transgenes, which produce both repeat RNA and dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), RNA only models and DPR models have been generated to unpick the individual contributions of RNA and each dipeptide repeat protein to C9orf72 toxicity. In this review, we discuss how Drosophila models have shaped our understanding of C9orf72 gain of function toxicity, and address opportunities to utilize these models for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L. Sharpe
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki S. Harper
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan R. Garner
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan J. H. West
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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41
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Malik I, Kelley CP, Wang ET, Todd PK. Molecular mechanisms underlying nucleotide repeat expansion disorders. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:589-607. [PMID: 34140671 PMCID: PMC9612635 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00382-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The human genome contains over one million short tandem repeats. Expansion of a subset of these repeat tracts underlies over fifty human disorders, including common genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (C9orf72), polyglutamine-associated ataxias and Huntington disease, myotonic dystrophy, and intellectual disability disorders such as Fragile X syndrome. In this Review, we discuss the four major mechanisms by which expansion of short tandem repeats causes disease: loss of function through transcription repression, RNA-mediated gain of function through gelation and sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, gain of function of canonically translated repeat-harbouring proteins, and repeat-associated non-AUG translation of toxic repeat peptides. Somatic repeat instability amplifies these mechanisms and influences both disease age of onset and tissue specificity of pathogenic features. We focus on the crosstalk between these disease mechanisms, and argue that they often synergize to drive pathogenesis. We also discuss the emerging native functions of repeat elements and how their dynamics might contribute to disease at a larger scale than currently appreciated. Lastly, we propose that lynchpins tying these disease mechanisms and native functions together offer promising therapeutic targets with potential shared applications across this class of human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Malik
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chase P Kelley
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Graduate Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Eric T Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Peter K Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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42
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Semmelink MFW, Steen A, Veenhoff LM. Measuring and Interpreting Nuclear Transport in Neurodegenerative Disease-The Example of C9orf72 ALS. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9217. [PMID: 34502125 PMCID: PMC8431710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transport from and into the nucleus is essential to all eukaryotic life and occurs through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). There are a multitude of data supporting a role for nuclear transport in neurodegenerative diseases, but actual transport assays in disease models have provided diverse outcomes. In this review, we summarize how nuclear transport works, which transport assays are available, and what matters complicate the interpretation of their results. Taking a specific type of ALS caused by mutations in C9orf72 as an example, we illustrate these complications, and discuss how the current data do not firmly answer whether the kinetics of nucleocytoplasmic transport are altered. Answering this open question has far-reaching implications, because a positive answer would imply that widespread mislocalization of proteins occurs, far beyond the reported mislocalization of transport reporters, and specific proteins such as FUS, or TDP43, and thus presents a challenge for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Liesbeth M. Veenhoff
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands; (M.F.W.S.); (A.S.)
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43
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Liu YJ, Chern Y. Contribution of Energy Dysfunction to Impaired Protein Translation in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:668500. [PMID: 34393724 PMCID: PMC8355359 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.668500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired energy homeostasis and aberrant translational control have independently been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. AMP kinase (AMPK), regulated by the ratio of cellular AMP and ATP, is a major gatekeeper for cellular energy homeostasis. Abnormal regulation of AMPK has been reported in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Most importantly, AMPK activation is known to suppress the translational machinery by inhibiting the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), activating translational regulators, and phosphorylating nuclear transporter factors. In this review, we describe recent findings on the emerging role of protein translation impairment caused by energy dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ju Liu
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yijuang Chern
- Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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44
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Zaepfel BL, Rothstein JD. RNA Is a Double-Edged Sword in ALS Pathogenesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:708181. [PMID: 34349625 PMCID: PMC8326408 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.708181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects upper and lower motor neurons. Familial ALS accounts for a small subset of cases (<10-15%) and is caused by dominant mutations in one of more than 10 known genes. Multiple genes have been causally or pathologically linked to both ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Many of these genes encode RNA-binding proteins, so the role of dysregulated RNA metabolism in neurodegeneration is being actively investigated. In addition to defects in RNA metabolism, recent studies provide emerging evidence into how RNA itself can contribute to the degeneration of both motor and cortical neurons. In this review, we discuss the roles of altered RNA metabolism and RNA-mediated toxicity in the context of TARDBP, FUS, and C9ORF72 mutations. Specifically, we focus on recent studies that describe toxic RNA as the potential initiator of disease, disease-associated defects in specific RNA metabolism pathways, as well as how RNA-based approaches can be used as potential therapies. Altogether, we highlight the importance of RNA-based investigations into the molecular progression of ALS, as well as the need for RNA-dependent structural studies of disease-linked RNA-binding proteins to identify clear therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Zaepfel
- Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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45
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Frottin F, Pérez-Berlanga M, Hartl FU, Hipp MS. Multiple pathways of toxicity induced by C9orf72 dipeptide repeat aggregates and G 4C 2 RNA in a cellular model. eLife 2021; 10:62718. [PMID: 34161229 PMCID: PMC8221807 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia is a G4C2 repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene. This expansion gives rise to translation of aggregating dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, including poly-GA as the most abundant species. However, gain of toxic function effects have been attributed to either the DPRs or the pathological G4C2 RNA. Here, we analyzed in a cellular model the relative toxicity of DPRs and RNA. Cytoplasmic poly-GA aggregates, generated in the absence of G4C2 RNA, interfered with nucleocytoplasmic protein transport, but had little effect on cell viability. In contrast, nuclear poly-GA was more toxic, impairing nucleolar protein quality control and protein biosynthesis. Production of the G4C2 RNA strongly reduced viability independent of DPR translation and caused pronounced inhibition of nuclear mRNA export and protein biogenesis. Thus, while the toxic effects of G4C2 RNA predominate in the cellular model used, DPRs exert additive effects that may contribute to pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Frottin
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Manuela Pérez-Berlanga
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - F Ulrich Hartl
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Mark S Hipp
- Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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46
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Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in C9orf72 ALS-FTD. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060601. [PMID: 34070550 PMCID: PMC8229688 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion mutation in the first intron of C9orf72 is the most common known genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Since the discovery in 2011, numerous pathogenic mechanisms, including both loss and gain of function, have been proposed. The body of work overall suggests that toxic gain of function arising from bidirectionally transcribed repeat RNA is likely to be the primary driver of disease. In this review, we outline the key pathogenic mechanisms that have been proposed to date and discuss some of the novel therapeutic approaches currently in development.
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47
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Lafarga V, Sirozh O, Díaz-López I, Galarreta A, Hisaoka M, Zarzuela E, Boskovic J, Jovanovic B, Fernandez-Leiro R, Muñoz J, Stoecklin G, Ventoso I, Fernandez-Capetillo O. Widespread displacement of DNA- and RNA-binding factors underlies toxicity of arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides. EMBO J 2021; 40:e103311. [PMID: 33978236 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to their capability to transport chemicals or proteins into target cells, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are being developed as therapy delivery tools. However, and despite their interesting properties, arginine-rich CPPs often show toxicity for reasons that remain poorly understood. Using a (PR)n dipeptide repeat that has been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as a model of an arginine-rich CPP, we here show that the presence of (PR)n leads to a generalized displacement of RNA- and DNA-binding proteins from chromatin and mRNA. Accordingly, any reaction involving nucleic acids, such as RNA transcription, translation, splicing and degradation, or DNA replication and repair, is impaired by the presence of the CPPs. Interestingly, the effects of (PR)n are fully mimicked by protamine, a small arginine-rich protein that displaces histones from chromatin during spermatogenesis. We propose that widespread coating of nucleic acids and consequent displacement of RNA- and DNA-binding factors from chromatin and mRNA accounts for the toxicity of arginine-rich CPPs, including those that have been recently associated with the onset of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Lafarga
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oleksandra Sirozh
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Díaz-López
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Galarreta
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Misaru Hisaoka
- Division of Biochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eduardo Zarzuela
- ProteoRed-ISCIII, Proteomics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jasminka Boskovic
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Bogdan Jovanovic
- Division of Biochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rafael Fernandez-Leiro
- Genomic Integrity and Structural Biology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Muñoz
- ProteoRed-ISCIII, Proteomics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Georg Stoecklin
- Division of Biochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Iván Ventoso
- Centro de Biología Molecular 'Severo Ochoa' (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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48
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Chen C, Li P, Luo W, Nakamura Y, Dimo VS, Kanekura K, Hayamizu Y. Diffusion of LLPS Droplets Consisting of Poly(PR) Dipeptide Repeats and RNA on Chemically Modified Glass Surface. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:5635-5641. [PMID: 33929866 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins and RNA molecules has emerged in recent years as an important physicochemical process to explain the organization of membrane-less organelles in living cells and cellular functions and even some fatal neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) due to the spontaneous condensation and growth of LLPS droplets. In general, the characterization of LLPS droplets has been performed by optical microscopy, where we need transparent substrates. By virtue of the liquid and wetting properties of LLPS droplets on a glass surface, there have been some technical protocols recommended to immobilize droplets on the surfaces. However, interactions between LLPS droplets and glass surfaces still remain unclear. Here, we investigated the surface diffusion of LLPS droplets on the glass surface to understand the interactions of droplets in a dynamic manner, and employed chemically modified glass surface with charges to investigate their Coulombic interaction with the surface. Using the single-particle tracking method, we first analyzed the diffusion of droplets on an untreated glass surface. Then, we compared the diffusion modes of LLPS droplets on each substrate and found that there were two major states of droplets on a solid surface: fix and diffusion mode for the LLPS droplet diffusion. While untreated glass showed a diffusion of droplets mainly, chemically modified glass with positive charges exhibited droplets fixed on the surface. It could arise from the Coulombic interaction between droplets and solid surface, where LLPS droplets have a negative ζ-potential. Our findings on the dynamics of LLPS at the solid/liquid interface could provide a novel insight to advance fundamental studies for understanding the LLPS formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Peiying Li
- Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Wei Luo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Nakamura
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Vanessa Seudo Dimo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Kanekura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
| | - Yuhei Hayamizu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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49
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Solomon DA, Smikle R, Reid MJ, Mizielinska S. Altered Phase Separation and Cellular Impact in C9orf72-Linked ALS/FTD. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:664151. [PMID: 33967699 PMCID: PMC8096919 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.664151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the C9orf72 repeat expansion mutation as causative for chromosome 9-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2011, a multitude of cellular pathways have been implicated. However, evidence has also been accumulating for a key mechanism of cellular compartmentalization—phase separation. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is fundamental for the formation of membraneless organelles including stress granules, the nucleolus, Cajal bodies, nuclear speckles and the central channel of the nuclear pore. Evidence has now accumulated showing that the formation and function of these membraneless organelles is impaired by both the toxic arginine rich dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), translated from the C9orf72 repeat RNA transcript, and the repeat RNA itself. Both the arginine rich DPRs and repeat RNA themselves undergo phase separation and disrupt the physiological phase separation of proteins involved in the formation of these liquid-like organelles. Hence abnormal phase separation may explain a number of pathological cellular phenomena associated with C9orf72-ALS/FTD. In this review article, we will discuss the principles of phase separation, phase separation of the DPRs and repeat RNA themselves and how they perturb LLPS associated with membraneless organelles and the functional consequences of this. We will then discuss how phase separation may impact the major pathological feature of C9orf72-ALS/FTD, TDP-43 proteinopathy, and how LLPS may be targeted therapeutically in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Solomon
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebekah Smikle
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J Reid
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Mizielinska
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
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50
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Fumagalli L, Young FL, Boeynaems S, De Decker M, Mehta AR, Swijsen A, Fazal R, Guo W, Moisse M, Beckers J, Dedeene L, Selvaraj BT, Vandoorne T, Madan V, van Blitterswijk M, Raitcheva D, McCampbell A, Poesen K, Gitler AD, Koch P, Vanden Berghe P, Thal DR, Verfaillie C, Chandran S, Van Den Bosch L, Bullock SL, Van Damme P. C9orf72-derived arginine-containing dipeptide repeats associate with axonal transport machinery and impede microtubule-based motility. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg3013. [PMID: 33837088 PMCID: PMC8034861 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg3013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). How this mutation leads to these neurodegenerative diseases remains unclear. Here, we show using patient stem cell-derived motor neurons that the repeat expansion impairs microtubule-based transport, a process critical for neuronal survival. Cargo transport defects are recapitulated by treating neurons from healthy individuals with proline-arginine and glycine-arginine dipeptide repeats (DPRs) produced from the repeat expansion. Both arginine-rich DPRs similarly inhibit axonal trafficking in adult Drosophila neurons in vivo. Physical interaction studies demonstrate that arginine-rich DPRs associate with motor complexes and the unstructured tubulin tails of microtubules. Single-molecule imaging reveals that microtubule-bound arginine-rich DPRs directly impede translocation of purified dynein and kinesin-1 motor complexes. Collectively, our study implicates inhibitory interactions of arginine-rich DPRs with axonal transport machinery in C9orf72-associated ALS/FTD and thereby points to potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fumagalli
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florence L Young
- Division of Cell Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Steven Boeynaems
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mathias De Decker
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Euan MacDonald Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ann Swijsen
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raheem Fazal
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wenting Guo
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieselot Dedeene
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory for Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Euan MacDonald Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tijs Vandoorne
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vanesa Madan
- Division of Cell Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Koen Poesen
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aaron D Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Philipp Koch
- Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dietmar Rudolf Thal
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory for Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- The Euan MacDonald Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, India
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon L Bullock
- Division of Cell Biology, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Philip Van Damme
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium.
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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