1
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Fare CM, Rothstein JD. Nuclear pore dysfunction and disease: a complex opportunity. Nucleus 2024; 15:2314297. [PMID: 38383349 PMCID: PMC10883112 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2314297] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The separation of genetic material from bulk cytoplasm has enabled the evolution of increasingly complex organisms, allowing for the development of sophisticated forms of life. However, this complexity has created new categories of dysfunction, including those related to the movement of material between cellular compartments. In eukaryotic cells, nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is a fundamental biological process, and cumulative disruptions to nuclear integrity and nucleocytoplasmic transport are detrimental to cell survival. This is particularly true in post-mitotic neurons, where nuclear pore injury and errors to nucleocytoplasmic trafficking are strongly associated with neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of nuclear pore biology in physiological and pathological contexts and discuss potential therapeutic approaches for addressing nuclear pore injury and dysfunctional nucleocytoplasmic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M Fare
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Department of Neurology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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Thumbadoo KM, Dieriks BV, Murray HC, Swanson MEV, Yoo JH, Mehrabi NF, Turner C, Dragunow M, Faull RLM, Curtis MA, Siddique T, Shaw CE, Newell KL, Henden L, Williams KL, Nicholson GA, Scotter EL. Hippocampal aggregation signatures of pathogenic UBQLN2 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Brain 2024; 147:3547-3561. [PMID: 38703371 PMCID: PMC11449146 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae140] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in the UBQLN2 gene cause X-linked dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and/or frontotemporal dementia characterized by ubiquilin 2 aggregates in neurons of the motor cortex, hippocampus and spinal cord. However, ubiquilin 2 neuropathology is also seen in sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and/or frontotemporal dementia cases not caused by UBQLN2 pathogenic variants, particularly C9orf72-linked cases. This makes the mechanistic role of mutant ubiquilin 2 protein and the value of ubiquilin 2 pathology for predicting genotype unclear. Here we examine a cohort of 44 genotypically diverse amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases with or without frontotemporal dementia, including eight cases with UBQLN2 variants [resulting in p.S222G, p.P497H, p.P506S, p.T487I (two cases) and p.P497L (three cases)]. Using multiplexed (five-label) fluorescent immunohistochemistry, we mapped the co-localization of ubiquilin 2 with phosphorylated TDP-43, dipeptide repeat aggregates and p62 in the hippocampus of controls (n = 6), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with or without frontotemporal dementia in sporadic (n = 20), unknown familial (n = 3), SOD1-linked (n = 1), FUS-linked (n = 1), C9orf72-linked (n = 5) and UBQLN2-linked (n = 8) cases. We differentiate between (i) ubiquilin 2 aggregation together with phosphorylated TDP-43 or dipeptide repeat proteins; and (ii) ubiquilin 2 self-aggregation promoted by UBQLN2 pathogenic variants that cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and/or frontotemporal dementia. Overall, we describe a hippocampal protein aggregation signature that fully distinguishes mutant from wild-type ubiquilin 2 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with or without frontotemporal dementia, whereby mutant ubiquilin 2 is more prone than wild-type to aggregate independently of driving factors. This neuropathological signature can be used to assess the pathogenicity of UBQLN2 gene variants and to understand the mechanisms of UBQLN2-linked disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyrah M Thumbadoo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Birger V Dieriks
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Helen C Murray
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Molly E V Swanson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Ji Hun Yoo
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Nasim F Mehrabi
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Clinton Turner
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, LabPlus, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Michael Dragunow
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Teepu Siddique
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Christopher E Shaw
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- UK Dementia Research Institute Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Kathy L Newell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Lyndal Henden
- Macquarie University Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Kelly L Williams
- Macquarie University Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Garth A Nicholson
- Macquarie University Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Research Institute, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, New South Wales 2139, Australia
| | - Emma L Scotter
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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3
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Ho PC, Hsieh TC, Tsai KJ. TDP-43 proteinopathy in frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: From pathomechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 100:102441. [PMID: 39069095 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Proteostasis failure is a common pathological characteristic in neurodegenerative diseases. Revitalizing clearance systems could effectively mitigate these diseases. The transactivation response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) plays a critical role as an RNA/DNA-binding protein in RNA metabolism and synaptic function. Accumulation of TDP-43 aggregates in the central nervous system is a hallmark of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Autophagy, a major and highly conserved degradation pathway, holds the potential for degrading aggregated TDP-43 and alleviating FTLD/ALS. This review explores the causes of TDP-43 aggregation, FTLD/ALS-related genes, key autophagy factors, and autophagy-based therapeutic strategies targeting TDP-43 proteinopathy. Understanding the underlying pathological mechanisms of TDP-43 proteinopathy can facilitate therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chuan Ho
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Chi Hsieh
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Jer Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Research Center of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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4
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Kodavati M, Maloji Rao VH, Provasek VE, Hegde ML. Regulation of DNA damage response by RNA/DNA-binding proteins: Implications for neurological disorders and aging. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 100:102413. [PMID: 39032612 PMCID: PMC11463832 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102413] [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: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are evolutionarily conserved across most forms of life, with an estimated 1500 RBPs in humans. Traditionally associated with post-transcriptional gene regulation, RBPs contribute to nearly every known aspect of RNA biology, including RNA splicing, transport, and decay. In recent years, an increasing subset of RBPs have been recognized for their DNA binding properties and involvement in DNA transactions. We refer to these RBPs with well-characterized DNA binding activity as RNA/DNA binding proteins (RDBPs), many of which are linked to neurological diseases. RDBPs are associated with both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA repair. Furthermore, the presence of intrinsically disordered domains in RDBPs appears to be critical for regulating their diverse interactions and plays a key role in controlling protein aggregation, which is implicated in neurodegeneration. In this review, we discuss the emerging roles of common RDBPs from the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family, such as TAR DNA binding protein-43 (TDP43) and fused in sarcoma (FUS) in controlling DNA damage response (DDR). We also explore the implications of RDBP pathology in aging and neurodegenerative diseases and provide a prospective on the therapeutic potential of targeting RDBP pathology mediated DDR defects for motor neuron diseases and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manohar Kodavati
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA.
| | - Vikas H Maloji Rao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA
| | - Vincent E Provasek
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA; School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Muralidhar L Hegde
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77047, USA; School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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5
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Shojaei M, Zhou Q, Palumbo G, Schaefer R, Kaskinoro J, Vehmaan-Kreula P, Bartenstein P, Brendel M, Edbauer D, Lindner S. Development and Preclinical Evaluation of a Copper-64-Labeled Antibody Targeting Glycine-Alanine Dipeptides for PET Imaging of C9orf72-Associated Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1404-1414. [PMID: 38751620 PMCID: PMC11091963 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Aggregating poly(glycine-alanine) (poly-GA) is derived from the unconventional translation of the pathogenic intronic hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Poly-GA accumulates predominantly in neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions unique to C9orf72 ALS/FTD patients. Poly-GA is, therefore, a promising target for PET/CT imaging of FTD/ALS to monitor disease progression and therapeutic interventions. A novel 64Cu-labeled anti-GA antibody (mAb1A12) targeting the poly-GA protein was developed and evaluated in a transgenic mouse model. It was obtained with high radiochemical purity (RCP), radiochemical yield (RCY), and specific activity, and showed high stability in vitro and ex vivo and specifically bound to poly-GA. The affinity of NODAGA-mAb1A12 for poly-GA was not affected by this modification. [64Cu]Cu-NODAGA-mAb1A12 was injected into transgenic mice expressing GFP-(GA)175 in excitatory neurons driven by Camk2a-Cre and in control littermates. PET/CT imaging was performed at 2, 20, and 40 h post-injection (p.i.) and revealed a higher accumulation in the cortex in transgenic mice than in wild-type mice, as reflected by higher standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) using the cerebellum as the reference region. The organs were isolated for biodistribution and ex vivo autoradiography. Autoradiography revealed a higher cortex-to-cerebellum ratio in the transgenic mice than in the controls. Results from autoradiography were validated by immunohistochemistry and poly-GA immunoassays. Moreover, we confirmed antibody uptake in the CNS in a pharmacokinetic study of the perfused tissues. In summary, [64Cu]Cu-NODAGA-mAb1A12 demonstrated favorable in vitro characteristics and an increased relative binding in poly-GA transgenic mice compared to wild-type mice in vivo. Our results with this first-in-class radiotracer suggested that targeting poly-GA is a promising approach for PET/CT imaging in FTD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Shojaei
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Qihui Zhou
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Giovanna Palumbo
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Rebecca Schaefer
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Edbauer
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Simon Lindner
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
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6
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Chong ZZ, Menkes DL, Souayah N. Pathogenesis underlying hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 gene in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:85-97. [PMID: 37525497 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Mutations in C9orf72 and the resulting hexanucleotide repeat (GGGGCC) expansion (HRE) has been identified as a major cause of familial ALS, accounting for about 40 % of familial and 6 % of sporadic cases of ALS in Western patients. The pathological outcomes of HRE expansion in ALS have been recognized as the results of two mechanisms that include both the toxic gain-of-function and loss-of-function of C9ORF72. The gain of toxicity results from RNA and dipeptide repeats (DPRs). The HRE can be bidirectionally transcribed into RNA foci, which can bind to and disrupt RNA splicing, transport, and translation. The DPRs that include poly-glycine-alanine, poly-glycine-proline, poly-glycine- arginine, poly-proline-alanine, and poly-proline-arginine can induce toxicity by direct binding and sequestrating other proteins to interfere rRNA synthesis, ribosome biogenesis, translation, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. The C9ORF72 functions through binding to its partners-Smith-Magenis chromosome regions 8 (SMCR8) and WD repeat-containing protein (WDR41). Loss of C9ORF72 function results in impairment of autophagy, deregulation of autoimmunity, increased stress, and disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Further insight into the mechanism in C9ORF72 HRE pathogenesis will facilitate identifying novel and effective therapeutic targets for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Zhong Chong
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, 185 S. Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Daniel L Menkes
- Department of Neurology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, 3555 West 13 Mile Road, Suite N120, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA
| | - Nizar Souayah
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, 90 Bergen Street DOC 8100, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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7
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Fu RH, Chen HJ, Hong SY. Glycine-Alanine Dipeptide Repeat Protein from C9-ALS Interacts with Sulfide Quinone Oxidoreductase (SQOR) to Induce the Activity of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in HMC3 Microglia: Irisflorentin Reverses This Interaction. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1896. [PMID: 37891975 PMCID: PMC10604625 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal rare disease of progressive degeneration of motor neurons. The most common genetic mutation in ALS is the hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) located in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene (C9-ALS). HRE can produce dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) such as poly glycine-alanine (GA) in a repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation. GA-DPR has been shown to be toxic to motor neurons in various biological models. However, its effects on microglia involved in C9-ALS have not been reported. Here, we show that GA-DPR (GA50) activates the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in a human HMC3 microglia model. MCC950 (specific inhibitor of the NLRP3) treatment can abrogate this activity. Next, using yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified sulfide quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) as a GA50 interacting protein. SQOR knockdown in HMC3 cells can significantly induce the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome by upregulating the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the cytoplasmic escape of mitochondrial DNA. Furthermore, we obtained irisflorentin as an effective blocker of the interaction between SQOR and GA50, thus inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activity in GA50-expressing HMC3 cells. These results imply the association of GA-DPR, SQOR, and NLRP3 inflammasomes in microglia and establish a treatment strategy for C9-ALS with irisflorentin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-Huei Fu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program for Aging, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Jye Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Syuan-Yu Hong
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
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8
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Arnold FJ, Nguyen AD, Bedlack RS, Bennett CL, La Spada AR. Intercellular transmission of pathogenic proteins in ALS: Exploring the pathogenic wave. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106218. [PMID: 37394036 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), disease symptoms and pathology typically spread in a predictable spatiotemporal pattern beginning at a focal site of onset and progressing along defined neuroanatomical tracts. Like other neurodegenerative diseases, ALS is characterized by the presence of protein aggregates in postmortem patient tissue. Cytoplasmic, ubiquitin-positive aggregates of TDP-43 are observed in approximately 97% of sporadic and familial ALS patients, while SOD1 inclusions are likely specific to cases of SOD1-ALS. Additionally, the most common subtype of familial ALS, caused by a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene (C9-ALS), is further characterized by the presence of aggregated dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). As we will describe, cell-to-cell propagation of these pathological proteins tightly correlates with the contiguous spread of disease. While TDP-43 and SOD1 are capable of seeding protein misfolding and aggregation in a prion-like manner, C9orf72 DPRs appear to induce (and transmit) a 'disease state' more generally. Multiple mechanisms of intercellular transport have been described for all of these proteins, including anterograde and retrograde axonal transport, extracellular vesicle secretion, and macropinocytosis. In addition to neuron-to-neuron transmission, transmission of pathological proteins occurs between neurons and glia. Given that the spread of ALS disease pathology corresponds with the spread of symptoms in patients, the various mechanisms by which ALS-associated protein aggregates propagate through the central nervous system should be closely examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Arnold
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - A D Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - R S Bedlack
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - C L Bennett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - A R La Spada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Departments of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA; UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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9
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Kohler V, Andréasson C. Reversible protein assemblies in the proteostasis network in health and disease. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1155521. [PMID: 37021114 PMCID: PMC10067754 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1155521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While proteins populating their native conformations constitute the functional entities of cells, protein aggregates are traditionally associated with cellular dysfunction, stress and disease. During recent years, it has become clear that large aggregate-like protein condensates formed via liquid-liquid phase separation age into more solid aggregate-like particles that harbor misfolded proteins and are decorated by protein quality control factors. The constituent proteins of the condensates/aggregates are disentangled by protein disaggregation systems mainly based on Hsp70 and AAA ATPase Hsp100 chaperones prior to their handover to refolding and degradation systems. Here, we discuss the functional roles that condensate formation/aggregation and disaggregation play in protein quality control to maintain proteostasis and why it matters for understanding health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Kohler
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Claes Andréasson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Tang L, Chen L, Liu X, He J, Ma Y, Zhang N, Fan D. The repeat length of C9orf72 is associated with the survival of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients without C9orf72 pathological expansions. Front Neurol 2022; 13:939775. [PMID: 35989899 PMCID: PMC9381700 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.939775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore whether the repeat lengths of the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene and the ataxin-2 (ATXN2) gene in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients without C9orf72 repeat expansions confer a risk of ALS or survival disadvantages in ALS.MethodsWe screened a hospital-based cohort of Chinese patients with sporadic ALS without C9orf72 repeat expansions and neurologically healthy controls for C9orf72 GGGGCC and AXTN2 CAG repeat length to compare the frequency of possible detrimental length alleles using several thresholds. Furthermore, the clinical features of ALS were compared between patients with ALS subgroups using different length thresholds of maximum C9orf72 and ATXN2 repeat alleles, such as sex, age of onset, diagnostic delay, and survival.ResultsOverall, 879 sporadic patients with ALS and 535 controls were included and the repeat lengths of the C9orf72 and ATXN2 were both detected. We found significant survival differences in patients using a series of C9orf72 repeat length thresholds from 2 to 5, among which the most significant difference was at the cutoff value of 2 (repeats 2 vs. >2: median survival 67 vs. 55 months, log-rank p = 0.032). Furthermore, Cox regression analysis revealed the role of age of onset [hazard ratio (HR) 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.05, p < 0.001], diagnostic delay (0.95, 0.94–0.96, p < 0.001), and carrying C9orf72 repeat length of 2 (0.72, 0.59–0.89, p = 0.002) in the survival of patients without C9orf72 repeat expansions. In addition, bulbar onset was associated with poorer survival when the patients carried the maximum C9orf72 repeat allele over 2 (1.81, 1.32–2.48, p < 0.001). However, no survival difference was found when applying a series of continuous cutoff values of ATXN2 or stratified by C9orf72 repeats of 2.ConclusionThe length of 2 in the maximum C9orf72 repeat allele was identified to be associated with favorable survival in ALS patients without C9orf72 repeat expansions. Our findings from the clinical setting implicated the possible cutoff definition of detrimental C9orf72 repeats, which should be helpful in the understanding of genetics in ALS and in clinical genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ji He
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Dongsheng Fan
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11
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Mee Hayes E, Sirvio L, Ye Y. A Potential Mechanism for Targeting Aggregates With Proteasomes and Disaggregases in Liquid Droplets. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:854380. [PMID: 35517053 PMCID: PMC9062979 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.854380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Insoluble protein deposits are hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders and common forms of dementia. The aberrant aggregation of misfolded proteins involves a complex cascade of events that occur over time, from the cellular to the clinical phase of neurodegeneration. Declining neuronal health through increased cell stress and loss of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) functions correlate with the accumulation of aggregates. On the cellular level, increasing evidence supports that misfolded proteins may undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which is emerging as an important process to drive protein aggregation. Studying, the reverse process of aggregate disassembly and degradation has only recently gained momentum, following reports of enzymes with distinct aggregate-disassembly activities. In this review, we will discuss how the ubiquitin-proteasome system and disaggregation machineries such as VCP/p97 and HSP70 system may disassemble and/or degrade protein aggregates. In addition to their canonically associated functions, these enzymes appear to share a common feature: reversibly assembling into liquid droplets in an LLPS-driven manner. We review the role of LLPS in enhancing the disassembly of aggregates through locally increasing the concentration of these enzymes and their co-proteins together within droplet structures. We propose that such activity may be achieved through the concerted actions of disaggregase machineries, the ubiquitin-proteasome system and their co-proteins, all of which are condensed within transient aggregate-associated droplets (TAADs), ultimately resulting in aggregate clearance. We further speculate that sustained engagement of these enzymatic activities within TAADs will be detrimental to normal cellular functions, where these activities are required. The possibility of facilitating endogenous disaggregation and degradation activities within TAADs potentially represents a novel target for therapeutic intervention to restore protein homeostasis at the early stages of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Mee Hayes
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Liina Sirvio
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Ye
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Yu Ye,
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12
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C9orf72 dipeptides disrupt the nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery and cause TDP-43 mislocalisation to the cytoplasm. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4799. [PMID: 35314728 PMCID: PMC8938440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08724-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the major cause of both frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, accounting for approximately 1 in 12 cases of either disease. The expansion is translated to produce five dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) which aggregate in patient brain and are toxic in numerous models, though the mechanisms underlying this toxicity are poorly understood. Recent studies highlight nucleocytoplasmic transport impairments as a potential mechanism underlying neurodegeneration in C9orf72-linked disease, although the contribution of DPRs to this remains unclear. We expressed DPRs in HeLa cells, in the absence of repeat RNA. Crucially, we expressed DPRs at repeat-lengths found in patients (> 1000 units), ensuring our findings were relevant to disease. Immunofluorescence imaging was used to investigate the impact of each DPR on the nucleus, nucleocytoplasmic transport machinery and TDP-43 localisation. DPRs impaired the structural integrity of the nucleus, causing nuclear membrane disruption and misshapen nuclei. Ran and RanGAP, two proteins required for nucleocytoplasmic transport, were also mislocalised in DPR-expressing cells. Furthermore, DPRs triggered mislocalisation of TDP-43 to the cytoplasm, and this occurred in the same cells as Ran and RanGAP mislocalisation, suggesting a potential link between DPRs, nucleocytoplasmic transport impairments and TDP-43 pathology.
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13
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Biomarkers in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: The State of the Art in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052580. [PMID: 35269723 PMCID: PMC8910056 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the progressive loss of lower motor neurons, weakness and muscle atrophy. ALS lacks an effective cure and diagnosis is often made by exclusion. Thus, it is imperative to search for biomarkers. Biomarkers can help in understanding ALS pathomechanisms, identification of targets for treatment and development of effective therapies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) represent a valid source for biomarkers compared to cerebrospinal fluid, as they are simple to collect, and to plasma, because of the possibility of detecting lower expressed proteins. They are a reliable model for patients’ stratification. This review provides an overview on PBMCs as a potential source of biomarkers in ALS. We focused on altered RNA metabolism (coding/non-coding RNA), including RNA processing, mRNA stabilization, transport and translation regulation. We addressed protein abnormalities (aggregation, misfolding and modifications); specifically, we highlighted that SOD1 appears to be the most characterizing protein in ALS. Finally, we emphasized the correlation between biological parameters and disease phenotypes, as regards prognosis, severity and clinical features. In conclusion, even though further studies are needed to standardize the use of PBMCs as a tool for biomarker investigation, they represent a promising approach in ALS research.
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14
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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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15
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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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16
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Božič J, Motaln H, Janež AP, Markič L, Tripathi P, Yamoah A, Aronica E, Lee YB, Heilig R, Fischer R, Thompson AJ, Goswami A, Rogelj B. Interactome screening of C9orf72 dipeptide repeats reveals VCP sequestration and functional impairment by polyGA. Brain 2021; 145:684-699. [PMID: 34534264 PMCID: PMC9014755 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab300] [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: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are a common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, two devastating neurodegenerative disorders. One of the proposed mechanisms of GGGGCC repeat expansion is their translation into non-canonical dipeptide repeats, which can then accumulate as aggregates and contribute to these pathologies. There are five different dipeptide repeat proteins (polyGA, polyGR, polyPR, polyPA and polyGP), some of which are known to be neurotoxic. In the present study, we used BioID2 proximity labelling to identify the interactomes of all five dipeptide repeat proteins consisting of 125 repeats each. We identified 113 interacting partners for polyGR, 90 for polyGA, 106 for polyPR, 25 for polyPA and 27 for polyGP. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of the proteomic data revealed that these target interaction partners are involved in a variety of functions, including protein translation, signal transduction pathways, protein catabolic processes, amide metabolic processes and RNA-binding. Using autopsy brain tissue from patients with C9orf72 expansion complemented with cell culture analysis, we evaluated the interactions between polyGA and valosin containing protein (VCP). Functional analysis of this interaction revealed sequestration of VCP with polyGA aggregates, altering levels of soluble valosin-containing protein. VCP also functions in autophagy processes, and consistent with this, we observed altered autophagy in cells expressing polyGA. We also observed altered co-localization of polyGA aggregates and p62 in cells depleted of VCP. All together, these data suggest that sequestration of VCP with polyGA aggregates contributes to the loss of VCP function, and consequently to alterations in autophagy processes in C9orf72 expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Božič
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Motaln
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anja Pucer Janež
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lara Markič
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Priyanka Tripathi
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alfred Yamoah
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Youn-Bok Lee
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Raphael Heilig
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roman Fischer
- Target Discovery Institute, Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Anand Goswami
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute (BRIS), Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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17
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Nanoscopic investigation of C9orf72 poly-GA oligomers on nuclear membrane disruption by a photoinducible platform. Commun Chem 2021; 4:111. [PMID: 36697556 PMCID: PMC9814621 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-021-00547-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycine-alanine dipeptide repeats (GA DPRs) translated from the mutated C9orf72 gene have recently been correlated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While GA DPRs aggregates have been suggested as amyloid, the biophysical features and cytotoxicity of GA DPRs oligomers has not been explored due to its unstable nature. In this study, we develop a photoinducible platform based on methoxynitrobenzene chemistry to enrich GA DPRs that allows monitoring the oligomerization process of GA DPRs in cells. By applying advanced microscopies, we examined the GA DPRs oligomerization process nanoscopically in a time-dependent manner. We provided direct evidences to demonstrate GA DPRs oligomers rather than nanofibrils disrupt nuclear membrane. Moreover, we found GA DPRs hamper nucleocytoplasmic transport in cells and cause cytosolic retention of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 in cortical neurons. Our results highlight the toxicity of GA DPRs oligomers, which is a key step toward elucidating the pathological roles of C9orf72 DPRs.
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18
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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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19
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Huang Z, Ba Z, Huang N, Li Y, Luo Y. Aberrant TDP-43 phosphorylation: a key wind gap from TDP-43 to TDP-43 proteinopathy. IBRAIN 2021; 7:119-131. [PMID: 37786905 PMCID: PMC10528777 DOI: 10.1002/j.2769-2795.2021.tb00074.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
TDP-43 proteinopathy is a kind of neurodegenerative diseases related to the TAR DNA-binding protein of 43-kDa molecular weight (TDP-43). The typical neurodegenerative diseases include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and so on. As the disease process cannot be blocked or slowed down, these patients have poor quality of life and poor prognosis, and bring a huge burden to the family and society. So far, the specific pathogenesis of TDP-43 proteinopathy is not clear, and there is no effective preventive measure and treatment program for this kind of disease. TDP-43 plays an important role in triggering or promoting the occurrence and progression of TDP-43 proteinopathy. The hyperphosphorylation of TDP-43 is undoubtedly an important factor in triggering or promoting the process of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Hyperphosphorylation of TDP-43 can inhibit the degradation of TDP-43, aggravate the aggregation of TDP-43 protein, increase the wrong localization of TDP-43 in cells, and enhance the cytotoxicity of TDP-43. More and more evidences show that the hyperphosphorylation of TDP-43 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Inhibition of TDP-43 hyperphosphorylation may be one of the important strategies for the treatment of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Therefore, this article reviews the role of TDP-43 phosphorylation in TDP-43 proteinopathy and the related mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi‐Qi Huang
- Department of NeurologyThird Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University & First People’s Hospital of ZunyiZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Zhi‐Sheng Ba
- Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University & First People’s Hospital of ZunyiZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Nan‐Qu Huang
- Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University & First People’s Hospital of ZunyiZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Yuan‐Yuan Li
- Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University & First People’s Hospital of ZunyiZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Yong Luo
- Department of NeurologyThird Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University & First People’s Hospital of ZunyiZunyiGuizhouChina
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20
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Cicardi ME, Marrone L, Azzouz M, Trotti D. Proteostatic imbalance and protein spreading in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106389. [PMID: 33792056 PMCID: PMC8126909 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder whose exact causative mechanisms are still under intense investigation. Several lines of evidence suggest that the anatomical and temporal propagation of pathological protein species along the neural axis could be among the main driving mechanisms for the fast and irreversible progression of ALS pathology. Many ALS-associated proteins form intracellular aggregates as a result of their intrinsic prion-like properties and/or following impairment of the protein quality control systems. During the disease course, these mutated proteins and aberrant peptides are released in the extracellular milieu as soluble or aggregated forms through a variety of mechanisms. Internalization by recipient cells may seed further aggregation and amplify existing proteostatic imbalances, thus triggering a vicious cycle that propagates pathology in vulnerable cells, such as motor neurons and other susceptible neuronal subtypes. Here, we provide an in-depth review of ALS pathology with a particular focus on the disease mechanisms of seeding and transmission of the most common ALS-associated proteins, including SOD1, FUS, TDP-43, and C9orf72-linked dipeptide repeats. For each of these proteins, we report historical, biochemical, and pathological evidence of their behaviors in ALS. We further discuss the possibility to harness pathological proteins as biomarkers and reflect on the implications of these findings for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Cicardi
- Department of NeuroscienceWeinberg ALS CenterVickie and Jack Farber Institute for NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Lara Marrone
- Department of NeuroscienceSheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)University of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Mimoun Azzouz
- Department of NeuroscienceSheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)University of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Davide Trotti
- Department of NeuroscienceWeinberg ALS CenterVickie and Jack Farber Institute for NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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21
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Soldatov VO, Kukharsky MS, Belykh AE, Sobolev AM, Deykin AV. Retinal Damage in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Underlying Mechanisms. Eye Brain 2021; 13:131-146. [PMID: 34012311 PMCID: PMC8128130 DOI: 10.2147/eb.s299423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease resulting in a gradual loss of motor neuron function. Although ophthalmic complaints are not presently considered a classic symptom of ALS, retinal changes such as thinning, axonal degeneration and inclusion bodies have been found in many patients. Retinal abnormalities observed in postmortem human tissues and animal models are similar to spinal cord changes in ALS. These findings are not dramatically unexpected because retina shares an ontogenetic relationship with the brain, and many genes are associated both with neurodegeneration and retinal diseases. Experimental studies have demonstrated that ALS affects many “vulnerable points” of the retina. Aggregate deposition, impaired nuclear protein import, endoplasmic reticulum stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, vascular regression, and mitochondrial dysfunction are factors suspected as being the main cause of motor neuron damage in ALS. Herein, we show that all of these pathways can affect retinal cells in the same way as motor neurons. Furthermore, we suppose that understanding the patterns of neuro-ophthalmic interaction in ALS can help in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav O Soldatov
- Core Facility Centre, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia
| | - Michail S Kukharsky
- Department of General and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medical Biology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Genetic Modelling of Neurodegenerative Processes, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Andrey E Belykh
- Department of Pathophysiology, Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
| | - Andrey M Sobolev
- Laboratory of Genetic Modelling of Neurodegenerative Processes, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Alexey V Deykin
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia.,Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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22
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Rostalski H, Hietanen T, Leskelä S, Behánová A, Abdollahzadeh A, Wittrahm R, Mäkinen P, Huber N, Hoffmann D, Solje E, Remes AM, Natunen T, Takalo M, Tohka J, Hiltunen M, Haapasalo A. BV-2 Microglial Cells Overexpressing C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansion Produce DPR Proteins and Show Normal Functionality but No RNA Foci. Front Neurol 2020; 11:550140. [PMID: 33123074 PMCID: PMC7573144 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.550140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the chromosome 9 open-reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene is the most common genetic cause underpinning frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It leads to the accumulation of toxic RNA foci and various dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins into cells. These C9orf72 HRE-specific hallmarks are abundant in neurons. So far, the role of microglia, the immune cells of the brain, in C9orf72 HRE-associated FTLD/ALS is unclear. In this study, we overexpressed C9orf72 HRE of a pathological length in the BV-2 microglial cell line and used biochemical methods and fluorescence imaging to investigate its effects on their phenotype, viability, and functionality. We found that BV-2 cells expressing the C9orf72 HRE presented strong expression of specific DPR proteins but no sense RNA foci. Transiently increased levels of cytoplasmic TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), slightly altered levels of p62 and lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP) 2A, and reduced levels of polyubiquitinylated proteins, but no signs of cell death were detected in HRE overexpressing cells. Overexpression of the C9orf72 HRE did not affect BV-2 cell phagocytic activity or response to an inflammatory stimulus, nor did it shift their RNA profile toward disease-associated microglia. These findings suggest that DPR proteins do not affect microglial cell viability or functionality in BV-2 cells. However, additional studies in other models are required to further elucidate the role of C9orf72 HRE in microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Rostalski
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tomi Hietanen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Stina Leskelä
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Andrea Behánová
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ali Abdollahzadeh
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rebekka Wittrahm
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petra Mäkinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nadine Huber
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Dorit Hoffmann
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine-Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuro Center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M Remes
- Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center (MRC) Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Teemu Natunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mari Takalo
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jussi Tohka
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko Hiltunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Annakaisa Haapasalo
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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23
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Konopka A, Whelan DR, Jamali MS, Perri E, Shahheydari H, Toth RP, Parakh S, Robinson T, Cheong A, Mehta P, Vidal M, Ragagnin AMG, Khizhnyak I, Jagaraj CJ, Galper J, Grima N, Deva A, Shadfar S, Nicholson GA, Yang S, Cutts SM, Horejsi Z, Bell TDM, Walker AK, Blair IP, Atkin JD. Impaired NHEJ repair in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is associated with TDP-43 mutations. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:51. [PMID: 32907630 PMCID: PMC7488163 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pathological forms of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) are present in motor neurons of almost all amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, and mutations in TDP-43 are also present in ALS. Loss and gain of TDP-43 functions are implicated in pathogenesis, but the mechanisms are unclear. While the RNA functions of TDP-43 have been widely investigated, its DNA binding roles remain unclear. However, recent studies have implicated a role for TDP-43 in the DNA damage response. Methods We used NSC-34 motor neuron-like cells and primary cortical neurons expressing wildtype TDP-43 or TDP-43 ALS associated mutants (A315T, Q331K), in which DNA damage was induced by etoposide or H2O2 treatment. We investigated the consequences of depletion of TDP-43 on DNA repair using small interfering RNAs. Specific non homologous end joining (NHEJ) reporters (EJ5GFP and EJ2GFP) and cells lacking DNA-dependent serine/threonine protein kinase (DNA-PK) were used to investigate the role of TDP-43 in DNA repair. To investigate the recruitment of TDP-43 to sites of DNA damage we used single molecule super-resolution microscopy and a co-immunoprecipitation assay. We also investigated DNA damage in an ALS transgenic mouse model, in which TDP-43 accumulates pathologically in the cytoplasm. We also examined fibroblasts derived from ALS patients bearing the TDP-43 M337V mutation for evidence of DNA damage. Results We demonstrate that wildtype TDP-43 is recruited to sites of DNA damage where it participates in classical NHEJ DNA repair. However, ALS-associated TDP-43 mutants lose this activity, which induces DNA damage. Furthermore, DNA damage is present in mice displaying TDP-43 pathology, implying an active role in neurodegeneration. Additionally, DNA damage triggers features typical of TDP-43 pathology; cytoplasmic mis-localisation and stress granule formation. Similarly, inhibition of NHEJ induces TDP-43 mis-localisation to the cytoplasm. Conclusions This study reveals that TDP-43 functions in DNA repair, but loss of this function triggers DNA damage and is associated with key pathological features of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Konopka
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Donna R Whelan
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
| | - Md Shafi Jamali
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Emma Perri
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Hamideh Shahheydari
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Reka P Toth
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Sonam Parakh
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Tina Robinson
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Alison Cheong
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Prachi Mehta
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Marta Vidal
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Audrey M G Ragagnin
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Ivan Khizhnyak
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Cyril J Jagaraj
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Jasmin Galper
- Brain and Mind Centre, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie Grima
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Anand Deva
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Macquarie University, and The Integrated Specialist Healthcare Education and Research Foundation, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sina Shadfar
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Garth A Nicholson
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.,ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shu Yang
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Suzanne M Cutts
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Zuzana Horejsi
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Toby D M Bell
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam K Walker
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia.,Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian P Blair
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, 75 Talavera Road NSW, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia. .,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
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24
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McAlary L, Yerbury JJ, Cashman NR. The prion-like nature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:261-296. [PMID: 32958236 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The misfolding, aggregation, and deposition of specific proteins is the key hallmark of most progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by the rapid and progressive degenerations of motor neurons in the spinal cord and motor cortex, resulting in paralysis of those who suffer from it. Pathologically, there are three major aggregating proteins associated with ALS, including TAR DNA-binding protein of 43kDa (TDP-43), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), and fused in sarcoma (FUS). While there are ALS-associated mutations found in each of these proteins, the most prevalent aggregation pathology is that of wild-type TDP-43 (97% of cases), with the remaining split between mutant forms of SOD1 (~2%) and FUS (~1%). Considering the progressive nature of ALS and its association with the aggregation of specific proteins, a growing notion is that the spread of pathology and symptoms can be explained by a prion-like mechanism. Prion diseases are a group of highly infectious neurodegenerative disorders caused by the misfolding, aggregation, and spread of a transmissible conformer of prion protein (PrP). Pathogenic PrP is capable of converting healthy PrP into a toxic form through template-directed misfolding. Application of this finding to other neurodegenerative disorders, and in particular ALS, has revolutionized our understanding of cause and progression of these disorders. In this chapter, we first provide a background on ALS pathology and genetic origin. We then detail and discuss the evidence supporting a prion-like propagation of protein misfolding and aggregation in ALS with a particular focus on SOD1 and TDP-43 as these are the most well-established models in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- L McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - J J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - N R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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25
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Suk TR, Rousseaux MWC. The role of TDP-43 mislocalization in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:45. [PMID: 32799899 PMCID: PMC7429473 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00397-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery as a primary component in cytoplasmic aggregates in post-mortem tissue of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), TAR DNA Binding Protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) has remained a central focus to understand the disease. TDP-43 links both familial and sporadic forms of ALS as mutations are causative for disease and cytoplasmic aggregates are a hallmark of nearly all cases, regardless of TDP-43 mutational status. Research has focused on the formation and consequences of cytosolic protein aggregates as drivers of ALS pathology through both gain- and loss-of-function mechanisms. Not only does aggregation sequester the normal function of TDP-43, but these aggregates also actively block normal cellular processes inevitably leading to cellular demise in a short time span. Although there may be some benefit to therapeutically targeting TDP-43 aggregation, this step may be too late in disease development to have substantial therapeutic benefit. However, TDP-43 pathology appears to be tightly linked with its mislocalization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, making it difficult to decouple the consequences of nuclear-to-cytoplasmic mislocalization from protein aggregation. Studies focusing on the effects of TDP-43 mislocalization have demonstrated both gain- and loss-of-function consequences including altered splicing regulation, over responsiveness to cellular stressors, increases in DNA damage, and transcriptome-wide changes. Additionally, mutations in TARDBP confer a baseline increase in cytoplasmic TDP-43 thus suggesting that small changes in the subcellular localization of TDP-43 could in fact drive early pathology. In this review, we bring forth the theme of protein mislocalization as a key mechanism underlying ALS, by highlighting the importance of maintaining subcellular proteostasis along with the gain- and loss-of-functional consequences when TDP-43 localization is dysregulated. Additional research, focusing on early events in TDP-43 pathogenesis (i.e. to the protein mislocalization stage) will provide insight into disease mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and novel biomarkers for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry R. Suk
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Maxime W. C. Rousseaux
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Eric Poulin Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Ottawa, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, Canada
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26
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Joseph C, Mangani AS, Gupta V, Chitranshi N, Shen T, Dheer Y, Kb D, Mirzaei M, You Y, Graham SL, Gupta V. Cell Cycle Deficits in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms to Drive Innovative Therapeutic Development. Aging Dis 2020; 11:946-966. [PMID: 32765956 PMCID: PMC7390532 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Specialised function obligates neuronal cells to subsist in a quiescent state of cell cycle once differentiated and therefore the circumstances and mechanisms underlying aberrant cell cycle activation in post-mitotic neurons in physiological and disease conditions remains an intriguing area of research. There is a strict requirement of concurrence to cell cycle regulation for neurons to ensure intracellular biochemical conformity as well as interrelationship with other cells within neural tissues. This review deliberates on various mechanisms underlying cell cycle regulation in neuronal cells and underscores potential implications of their non-compliance in neural pathology. Recent research suggests that successful duplication of genetic material without subsequent induction of mitosis induces inherent molecular flaws that eventually assert as apoptotic changes. The consequences of anomalous cell cycle activation and subsequent apoptosis are demonstrated by the increased presence of molecular stress response and apoptotic markers. This review delineates cell cycle events under normal physiological conditions and deficits amalgamated by alterations in protein levels and signalling pathways associated with cell-division are analysed. Cell cycle regulators essentially, cyclins, CDKs, cip/kip family of inhibitors, caspases, bax and p53 have been identified to be involved in impaired cell cycle regulation and associated with neural pathology. The pharmacological modulators of cell cycle that are shown to impart protection in various animal models of neurological deficits are summarised. Greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms that are indispensable to cell cycle regulation in neurons in health and disease conditions will facilitate targeted drug development for neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Joseph
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | | | - Veer Gupta
- 2School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nitin Chitranshi
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Ting Shen
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yogita Dheer
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Devaraj Kb
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- 3Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Yuyi You
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.,4Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.,4Save Sight Institute, Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Vivek Gupta
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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27
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Brasseur L, Coens A, Waeytens J, Melki R, Bousset L. Dipeptide repeat derived from C9orf72 hexanucleotide expansions forms amyloids or natively unfolded structures in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 526:410-416. [PMID: 32223927 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal repetition of the hexanucleotide GGGGCC within the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Different hypothesis have been proposed to explain the pathogenicity of this mutation. Among them, the production of aberrant proteins called Dipeptide Repeat Proteins (DPR) from the repeated sequence. Those proteins are of interest, as they are toxic and form insoluble deposits in patient brains. In this study, we characterized the structural features of three different DPR encoded by the hexanucleotide repeat GGGGCC, namely poly-GA, poly-GP and poly-PA. We showed that DPR are natively unstructured proteins and that only poly-GA forms in vitro fibrillary aggregates. Poly-GA fibrils are of amyloid nature as revealed by their high content in beta sheets. They neither bind Thioflavin T nor Primuline, the commonly used amyloid fluorescent dyes. Remarkably, not all of the poly-GA primary structure was part of fibrils amyloid core.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Brasseur
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, Fontenay-aux-Roses, F-92265, France.
| | - Audrey Coens
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, Fontenay-aux-Roses, F-92265, France.
| | - Jehan Waeytens
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, CNRS, UMR 8000, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France; Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, Fontenay-aux-Roses, F-92265, France.
| | - Luc Bousset
- Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, Fontenay-aux-Roses, F-92265, France.
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28
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Khosravi B, LaClair KD, Riemenschneider H, Zhou Q, Frottin F, Mareljic N, Czuppa M, Farny D, Hartmann H, Michaelsen M, Arzberger T, Hartl FU, Hipp MS, Edbauer D. Cell-to-cell transmission of C9orf72 poly-(Gly-Ala) triggers key features of ALS/FTD. EMBO J 2020; 39:e102811. [PMID: 32175624 PMCID: PMC7156967 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019102811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The C9orf72 repeat expansion causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia, but the poor correlation between C9orf72‐specific pathology and TDP‐43 pathology linked to neurodegeneration hinders targeted therapeutic development. Here, we addressed the role of the aggregating dipeptide repeat proteins resulting from unconventional translation of the repeat in all reading frames. Poly‐GA promoted cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of TDP‐43 non‐cell‐autonomously, and anti‐GA antibodies ameliorated TDP‐43 mislocalization in both donor and receiver cells. Cell‐to‐cell transmission of poly‐GA inhibited proteasome function in neighboring cells. Importantly, proteasome inhibition led to the accumulation of TDP‐43 ubiquitinated within the nuclear localization signal (NLS) at lysine 95. Mutagenesis of this ubiquitination site completely blocked poly‐GA‐dependent mislocalization of TDP‐43. Boosting proteasome function with rolipram reduced both poly‐GA and TDP‐43 aggregation. Our data from cell lines, primary neurons, transgenic mice, and patient tissue suggest that poly‐GA promotes TDP‐43 aggregation by inhibiting the proteasome cell‐autonomously and non‐cell‐autonomously, which can be prevented by inhibiting poly‐GA transmission with antibodies or boosting proteasome activity with rolipram.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Khosravi
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Qihui Zhou
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Frédéric Frottin
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nikola Mareljic
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Mareike Czuppa
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Farny
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Meike Michaelsen
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Arzberger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.,Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - F Ulrich Hartl
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Mark S Hipp
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Dieter Edbauer
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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29
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Zhou Q, Mareljic N, Michaelsen M, Parhizkar S, Heindl S, Nuscher B, Farny D, Czuppa M, Schludi C, Graf A, Krebs S, Blum H, Feederle R, Roth S, Haass C, Arzberger T, Liesz A, Edbauer D. Active poly-GA vaccination prevents microglia activation and motor deficits in a C9orf72 mouse model. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e10919. [PMID: 31858749 PMCID: PMC7005532 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201910919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The C9orf72 repeat expansion is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and/or frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Non-canonical translation of the expanded repeat results in abundant poly-GA inclusion pathology throughout the CNS. (GA)149 -CFP expression in mice triggers motor deficits and neuroinflammation. Since poly-GA is transmitted between cells, we investigated the therapeutic potential of anti-GA antibodies by vaccinating (GA)149 -CFP mice. To overcome poor immunogenicity, we compared the antibody response of multivalent ovalbumin-(GA)10 conjugates and pre-aggregated carrier-free (GA)15 . Only ovalbumin-(GA)10 immunization induced a strong anti-GA response. The resulting antisera detected poly-GA aggregates in cell culture and patient tissue. Ovalbumin-(GA)10 immunization largely rescued the motor function in (GA)149 -CFP transgenic mice and reduced poly-GA inclusions. Transcriptome analysis showed less neuroinflammation in ovalbumin-(GA)10 -immunized poly-GA mice, which was corroborated by semiquantitative and morphological analysis of microglia/macrophages. Moreover, cytoplasmic TDP-43 mislocalization and levels of the neurofilament light chain in the CSF were reduced, suggesting neuroaxonal damage is reduced. Our data suggest that immunotherapy may be a viable primary prevention strategy for ALS/FTD in C9orf72 mutation carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihui Zhou
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
| | - Nikola Mareljic
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
| | - Meike Michaelsen
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
| | - Samira Parhizkar
- Chair of Metabolic BiochemistryBiomedical Center (BMC)Faculty of MedicineLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MunichMunichGermany
| | - Steffanie Heindl
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia ResearchLudwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMunichGermany
| | - Brigitte Nuscher
- Chair of Metabolic BiochemistryBiomedical Center (BMC)Faculty of MedicineLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MunichMunichGermany
| | - Daniel Farny
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
| | - Mareike Czuppa
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
| | - Carina Schludi
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
| | - Alexander Graf
- Laboratory for Functional Genome AnalysisGene CenterLudwig Maximilian University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Stefan Krebs
- Laboratory for Functional Genome AnalysisGene CenterLudwig Maximilian University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Helmut Blum
- Laboratory for Functional Genome AnalysisGene CenterLudwig Maximilian University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Regina Feederle
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
- Monoclonal Antibody Core Facility and Research GroupInstitute for Diabetes and ObesityHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenGerman Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)MunichGermany
| | - Stefan Roth
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia ResearchLudwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMunichGermany
| | - Christian Haass
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
- Chair of Metabolic BiochemistryBiomedical Center (BMC)Faculty of MedicineLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität MunichMunichGermany
| | - Thomas Arzberger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion ResearchLudwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMunichGermany
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity HospitalLudwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMunichGermany
| | - Arthur Liesz
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia ResearchLudwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMunichGermany
| | - Dieter Edbauer
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), MunichMunichGermany
- Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
- Ludwig‐Maximilians‐University MunichMunichGermany
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30
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Congenic expression of poly-GA but not poly-PR in mice triggers selective neuron loss and interferon responses found in C9orf72 ALS. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:121-142. [PMID: 32562018 PMCID: PMC7360660 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02176-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Expansion of a (G4C2)n repeat in C9orf72 causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but the link of the five repeat-encoded dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins to neuroinflammation, TDP-43 pathology, and neurodegeneration is unclear. Poly-PR is most toxic in vitro, but poly-GA is far more abundant in patients. To directly compare these in vivo, we created congenic poly-GA and poly-PR mice. 40% of poly-PR mice were affected with ataxia and seizures, requiring euthanasia by 6 weeks of age. The remaining poly-PR mice were asymptomatic at 14 months of age, likely due to an 80% reduction of the transgene mRNA in this subgroup. In contrast, all poly-GA mice showed selective neuron loss, inflammation, as well as muscle denervation and wasting requiring euthanasia before 7 weeks of age. In-depth analysis of peripheral organs and blood samples suggests that peripheral organ failure does not drive these phenotypes. Although transgene mRNA levels were similar between poly-GA and affected poly-PR mice, poly-GA aggregated far more abundantly than poly-PR in the CNS and was also found in skeletal muscle. In addition, TDP-43 and other disease-linked RNA-binding proteins co-aggregated in rare nuclear inclusions in the hippocampus and frontal cortex only in poly-GA mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed activation of an interferon-responsive pro-inflammatory microglial signature in end-stage poly-GA but not poly-PR mice. This signature was also found in all ALS patients and enriched in C9orf72 cases. In summary, our rigorous comparison of poly-GA and poly-PR toxicity in vivo indicates that poly-GA, but not poly-PR at the same mRNA expression level, promotes interferon responses in C9orf72 disease and contributes to TDP-43 abnormalities and neuron loss selectively in disease-relevant regions.
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31
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Nonaka T, Hasegawa M. Prion-like properties of assembled TDP-43. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2019; 61:23-28. [PMID: 31862626 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A neuropathological hallmark of most neurodegenerative diseases is the appearance of characteristic inclusions composed of misfolded proteins in brains of patients. Increasing evidence shows that aggregation-prone proteins such as tau, α-synuclein and TDP-43 are accumulated in a seed-dependent and self-templating manner in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that pathological protein aggregates found in these diseases function like abnormal prion protein. Indeed, insoluble tau and α-synuclein aggregates are transferred from cell to cell both in vitro and in vivo, indicating that prion-like propagation of aberrant protein aggregates may play a key role in the pathogenesis of most neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we will review the prion-like properties of TDP-43, and discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the propagation of these accumulated proteins. The idea that aberrant protein aggregates propagate in a prion-like manner between cells opens up the possibility of novel therapeutic strategies to block the spread of these aggregates throughout the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Nonaka
- Dementia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
| | - Masato Hasegawa
- Dementia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
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32
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Morón-Oset J, Supèr T, Esser J, Isaacs AM, Grönke S, Partridge L. Glycine-alanine dipeptide repeats spread rapidly in a repeat length- and age-dependent manner in the fly brain. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:209. [PMID: 31843021 PMCID: PMC6916080 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0860-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansions of variable size in C9orf72 are the most prevalent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Sense and antisense transcripts of the expansions are translated by repeat-associated non-AUG translation into five dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). Of these, the polyGR, polyPR and, to a lesser extent, polyGA DPRs are neurotoxic, with polyGA the most abundantly detected DPR in patient tissue. Trans-cellular transmission of protein aggregates has recently emerged as a major driver of toxicity in various neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro evidence suggests that the C9 DPRs can spread. However, whether this phenomenon occurs under more complex in vivo conditions remains unexplored. Here, we used the adult fly brain to investigate whether the C9 DPRs can spread in vivo upon expression in a subset of neurons. We found that only polyGA can progressively spread throughout the brain, which accumulates in the shape of aggregate-like puncta inside recipient cells. Interestingly, GA transmission occurred as early as 3 days after expression induction. By comparing the spread of 36, 100 and 200 polyGA repeats, we found that polyGA spread is enhanced upon expression of longer GA DPRs. Transmission of polyGA is greater in older flies, indicating that age-associated factors exacerbate the spread. These data highlight a unique propensity of polyGA to spread throughout the brain, which could contribute to the greater abundance of polyGA in patient tissue. In addition, we present a model of early GA transmission that is suitable for genetic screens to identify mechanisms of spread and its consequences in vivo.
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Yang Y, Halliday GM, Kiernan MC, Tan RH. TDP-43 levels in the brain tissue of ALS cases with and without C9ORF72 or ATXN2 gene expansions. Neurology 2019; 93:e1748-e1755. [PMID: 31619481 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000008439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the amount of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in the motor brain regions of cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with and without repeat expansions in the ATXN2 or C9ORF72 genes. METHODS The 45-kDa phosphorylated form of TDP-43 and 43-kDa nonphosphorylated form of TDP-43 were quantified by immunoblot in postmortem brain tissue from the motor cortex, spinal cord, and cerebellar vermis of 23 cases with ALS with repeat expansions in the ATXN2 or C9ORF72 genes and sporadic disease and 10 controls. RESULTS Significantly greater levels of phosphorylated TDP-43 were identified in the motor cortex of cases with ALS with C9ORF72 expansions, and significantly greater amounts of phosphorylated TDP-43 were found in the spinal cord of cases with ALS with intermediate ATXN2 expansions. In contrast, however, similar levels of nonphosphorylated TDP-43 were found in all 3 regions between ALS groups. CONCLUSION Despite its central role in the pathogenesis of ALS and the emergence of potential targets to modify its aggregation, TDP-43 levels have not been quantified in pathologically confirmed cases with ALS. The present results demonstrating significant differences in phosphorylated but not nonphosphorylated TDP-43 levels suggest that different posttranslational modifications are involved in the generation of greater pathologic TDP-43 levels identified here in our cohort of cases with genetic expansions. These findings are consistent with emerging studies implicating distinct pathomechanisms in the generation of pathologic TDP-43 in cases with ALS with C9ORF72 or ATXN2 expansions and are of relevance to therapeutic research aimed at reducing pathologic TDP-43 in all or a subset of patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- From the University of Sydney (Y.Y., G.M.H., M.C.K., R.H.T.), Brain and Mind Centre and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences (G.M.H., R.H.T.), University of New South Wales; Neuroscience Research Australia (G.M.H., R.H.T.); and Department of Neurology (M.C.K.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Glenda M Halliday
- From the University of Sydney (Y.Y., G.M.H., M.C.K., R.H.T.), Brain and Mind Centre and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences (G.M.H., R.H.T.), University of New South Wales; Neuroscience Research Australia (G.M.H., R.H.T.); and Department of Neurology (M.C.K.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- From the University of Sydney (Y.Y., G.M.H., M.C.K., R.H.T.), Brain and Mind Centre and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences (G.M.H., R.H.T.), University of New South Wales; Neuroscience Research Australia (G.M.H., R.H.T.); and Department of Neurology (M.C.K.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rachel H Tan
- From the University of Sydney (Y.Y., G.M.H., M.C.K., R.H.T.), Brain and Mind Centre and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health; School of Medical Sciences (G.M.H., R.H.T.), University of New South Wales; Neuroscience Research Australia (G.M.H., R.H.T.); and Department of Neurology (M.C.K.), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
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34
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Coudert L, Nonaka T, Bernard E, Hasegawa M, Schaeffer L, Leblanc P. Phosphorylated and aggregated TDP-43 with seeding properties are induced upon mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) polyglutamine expression in human cellular models. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:2615-2632. [PMID: 30863908 PMCID: PMC11105362 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03059-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Tar DNA-Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) and its phosphorylated isoform (pTDP-43) are the major components associated with ubiquitin positive/Tau-negative inclusions found in neurons and glial cells of patients suffering of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or frontotemporal lobar degeneration-TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP). Many studies have revealed that TDP-43 is also in the protein inclusions associated with neurodegenerative conditions other than ALS and FTLD-TDP, thus suggesting that this protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurological disorders. In brains of Huntington-affected patients, pTDP-43 aggregates were shown to co-localize with mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) inclusions. Here, we show that expression of mHtt carrying 80-97 polyglutamines repeats in human cell cultures induces the aggregation and the phosphorylation of endogenous TDP-43, whereas non-pathological Htt with 25 polyglutamines repeats has no effect. Mutant Htt aggregation precedes accumulation of pTDP-43 and pTDP-43 co-localizes with mHtt inclusions reminding what it was previously described in brains of Huntington-affected patients. Detergent-insoluble fractions from cells expressing mHtt and containing mHtt-pTDP-43 co-aggregates can function as seeds for further TDP-43 aggregation in human cell culture. The human cellular prion protein PrPC was previously identified as a negative modulator of mHtt aggregation; here, we show that PrPC-mediated reduction of mHtt aggregation is tightly correlated with a decrease of TDP-43 aggregation and phosphorylation, thus confirming the close relationships between TDP-43 and mHtt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Coudert
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR5310, INSERM U1217, Faculté de Médecine Rockefeller, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France
| | - Takashi Nonaka
- Dementia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
| | - Emilien Bernard
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre-Wertheimer, Service de Neurologie C et Centre SLA de Lyon, Bron, France
- Université de Lyon, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Sud Charles Mérieux, Lyon, France
| | - Masato Hasegawa
- Dementia Research Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
| | - Laurent Schaeffer
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR5310, INSERM U1217, Faculté de Médecine Rockefeller, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France
| | - Pascal Leblanc
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR5310, INSERM U1217, Faculté de Médecine Rockefeller, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France.
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35
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Rostalski H, Leskelä S, Huber N, Katisko K, Cajanus A, Solje E, Marttinen M, Natunen T, Remes AM, Hiltunen M, Haapasalo A. Astrocytes and Microglia as Potential Contributors to the Pathogenesis of C9orf72 Repeat Expansion-Associated FTLD and ALS. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:486. [PMID: 31156371 PMCID: PMC6529740 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative diseases with a complex, but often overlapping, genetic and pathobiological background and thus they are considered to form a disease spectrum. Although neurons are the principal cells affected in FTLD and ALS, increasing amount of evidence has recently proposed that other central nervous system-resident cells, including microglia and astrocytes, may also play roles in neurodegeneration in these diseases. Therefore, deciphering the mechanisms underlying the disease pathogenesis in different types of brain cells is fundamental in order to understand the etiology of these disorders. The major genetic cause of FTLD and ALS is a hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the intronic region of the C9orf72 gene. In neurons, specific pathological hallmarks, including decreased expression of the C9orf72 RNA and proteins and generation of toxic RNA and protein species, and their downstream effects have been linked to C9orf72 HRE-associated FTLD and ALS. In contrast, it is still poorly known to which extent these pathological changes are presented in other brain cells. Here, we summarize the current literature on the potential role of astrocytes and microglia in C9orf72 HRE-linked FTLD and ALS and discuss their possible phenotypic alterations and neurotoxic mechanisms that may contribute to neurodegeneration in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Rostalski
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Stina Leskelä
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nadine Huber
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kasper Katisko
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Antti Cajanus
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eino Solje
- Institute of Clinical Medicine - Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Neuro Center, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikael Marttinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Teemu Natunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anne M Remes
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.,Research Unit of Clinical Neuroscience, Neurology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mikko Hiltunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Annakaisa Haapasalo
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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36
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Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration Related to C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansion. Behav Neurol 2019; 2019:2909168. [PMID: 30774737 PMCID: PMC6350563 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2909168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Two clinically distinct diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), have recently been classified as two extremes of the FTD/ALS spectrum. The neuropathological correlate of FTD is frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), characterized by tau-, TDP-43-, and FUS-immunoreactive neuronal inclusions. An earlier discovery that a hexanucleotide repeat expansion mutation in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene causes ALS and FTD established a special subtype of ALS and FTLD with TDP-43 pathology (C9FTD/ALS). Normal individuals carry 2–10 hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeats in the C9orf72 gene, while more than a few hundred repeats represent a risk for ALS and FTD. The proposed molecular mechanisms by which C9orf72 repeat expansions induce neurodegenerative changes are C9orf72 loss-of-function through haploinsufficiency, RNA toxic gain-of-function, and gain-of-function through the accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeat proteins. However, many more cellular processes are affected by pathological processes in C9FTD/ALS, including nucleocytoplasmic transport, RNA processing, normal function of nucleolus, formation of membraneless organelles, translation, ubiquitin proteasome system, Notch signalling pathway, granule transport, and normal function of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Although the exact molecular mechanisms through which C9orf72 repeat expansions account for neurodegeneration have not been elucidated, some potential therapeutics, such as antisense oligonucleotides targeting hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeats in mRNA, were successful in preclinical trials and are awaiting phase 1 clinical trials. In this review, we critically discuss each proposed mechanism and provide insight into the most recent studies aiming to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of C9FTD/ALS.
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37
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Vatsavayai SC, Nana AL, Yokoyama JS, Seeley WW. C9orf72-FTD/ALS pathogenesis: evidence from human neuropathological studies. Acta Neuropathol 2019; 137:1-26. [PMID: 30368547 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-018-1921-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
What are the most important and treatable pathogenic mechanisms in C9orf72-FTD/ALS? Model-based efforts to address this question are forging ahead at a blistering pace, often with conflicting results. But what does the human neuropathological literature reveal? Here, we provide a critical review of the human studies to date, seeking to highlight key gaps or uncertainties in our knowledge. First, we engage the C9orf72-specific mechanisms, including C9orf72 haploinsufficiency, repeat RNA foci, and dipeptide repeat protein inclusions. We then turn to some of the most prominent C9orf72-associated features, such as TDP-43 loss-of-function, TDP-43 aggregation, and nuclear transport defects. Finally, we review potential disease-modifying epigenetic and genetic factors and the natural history of the disease across the lifespan. Throughout, we emphasize the importance of anatomical precision when studying how candidate mechanisms relate to neuronal, regional, and behavioral findings. We further highlight methodological approaches that may help address lingering knowledge gaps and uncertainties, as well as other logical next steps for the field. We conclude that anatomically oriented human neuropathological studies have a critical role to play in guiding this fast-moving field toward effective new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarat C Vatsavayai
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Alissa L Nana
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jennifer S Yokoyama
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - William W Seeley
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, Box 1207, San Francisco, CA, 94143-1207, USA.
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38
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Konopka A, Atkin JD. The Emerging Role of DNA Damage in the Pathogenesis of the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103137. [PMID: 30322030 PMCID: PMC6213462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a behavioural disorder resulting in early-onset dementia. Hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansions in the gene encoding chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) are the major cause of familial forms of both ALS (~40%) and FTD (~20%) worldwide. The C9orf72 repeat expansion is known to form abnormal nuclei acid structures, such as hairpins, G-quadruplexes, and R-loops, which are increasingly associated with human diseases involving microsatellite repeats. These configurations form during normal cellular processes, but if they persist they also damage DNA, and hence are a serious threat to genome integrity. It is unclear how the repeat expansion in C9orf72 causes ALS, but recent evidence implicates DNA damage in neurodegeneration. This may arise from abnormal nucleic acid structures, the greatly expanded C9orf72 RNA, or by repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation, which generates toxic dipeptide repeat proteins. In this review, we detail recent advances implicating DNA damage in C9orf72-ALS. Furthermore, we also discuss increasing evidence that targeting these aberrant C9orf72 confirmations may have therapeutic value for ALS, thus revealing new avenues for drug discovery for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Konopka
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.
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