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Elovsson G, Klingstedt T, Brown M, Nilsson KPR, Brorsson AC. A Novel Drosophila Model of Alzheimer's Disease to Study Aβ Proteotoxicity in the Digestive Tract. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2105. [PMID: 38396782 PMCID: PMC10888607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) proteotoxicity is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is caused by protein aggregation, resulting in neuronal damage in the brain. In the search for novel treatments, Drosophila melanogaster has been extensively used to screen for anti-Aβ proteotoxic agents in studies where toxic Aβ peptides are expressed in the fly brain. Since drug molecules often are administered orally there is a risk that they fail to reach the brain, due to their inability to cross the brain barrier. To circumvent this problem, we have designed a novel Drosophila model that expresses the Aβ peptides in the digestive tract. In addition, a built-in apoptotic sensor provides a fluorescent signal from the green fluorescent protein as a response to caspase activity. We found that expressing different variants of Aβ1-42 resulted in proteotoxic phenotypes such as reduced longevity, aggregate deposition, and the presence of apoptotic cells. Taken together, this gut-based Aβ-expressing fly model can be used to study the mechanisms behind Aβ proteotoxicity and to identify different substances that can modify Aβ proteotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ann-Christin Brorsson
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden; (G.E.); (T.K.); (M.B.); (K.P.R.N.)
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2
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Ng GYL, Tan SC, Ong CS. On the use of QDE-SVM for gene feature selection and cell type classification from scRNA-seq data. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292961. [PMID: 37856458 PMCID: PMC10586655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell type identification is one of the fundamental tasks in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) studies. It is a key step to facilitate downstream interpretations such as differential expression, trajectory inference, etc. scRNA-seq data contains technical variations that could affect the interpretation of the cell types. Therefore, gene selection, also known as feature selection in data science, plays an important role in selecting informative genes for scRNA-seq cell type identification. Generally speaking, feature selection methods are categorized into filter-, wrapper-, and embedded-based approaches. From the existing literature, methods from filter- and embedded-based approaches are widely applied in scRNA-seq gene selection tasks. The wrapper-based method that gives promising results in other fields has yet been extensively utilized for selecting gene features from scRNA-seq data; in addition, most of the existing wrapper methods used in this field are clustering instead of classification-based. With a large number of annotated data available today, this study applied a classification-based approach as an alternative to the clustering-based wrapper method. In our work, a quantum-inspired differential evolution (QDE) wrapped with a classification method was introduced to select a subset of genes from twelve well-known scRNA-seq transcriptomic datasets to identify cell types. In particular, the QDE was combined with different machine-learning (ML) classifiers namely logistic regression, decision tree, support vector machine (SVM) with linear and radial basis function kernels, as well as extreme learning machine. The linear SVM wrapped with QDE, namely QDE-SVM, was chosen by referring to the feature selection results from the experiment. QDE-SVM showed a superior cell type classification performance among QDE wrapping with other ML classifiers as well as the recent wrapper methods (i.e., FSCAM, SSD-LAHC, MA-HS, and BSF). QDE-SVM achieved an average accuracy of 0.9559, while the other wrapper methods achieved average accuracies in the range of 0.8292 to 0.8872.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Yee Lin Ng
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Multimedia University, Bukit Beruang, Melaka, Malaysia
| | - Shing Chiang Tan
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Multimedia University, Bukit Beruang, Melaka, Malaysia
| | - Chia Sui Ong
- Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Multimedia University, Bukit Beruang, Melaka, Malaysia
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3
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Pascacio-Villafán C, Cohen AC. How Rearing Systems for Various Species of Flies Benefit Humanity. INSECTS 2023; 14:553. [PMID: 37367369 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Flies (Diptera) have played a prominent role in human history, and several fly species are reared at different scales and for different beneficial purposes worldwide. Here, we review the historical importance of fly rearing as a foundation for insect rearing science and technology and synthesize information on the uses and rearing diets of more than 50 fly species in the families Asilidae, Calliphoridae, Coelopidae, Drosophilidae, Ephydridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Stratiomyidae, Syrphidae, Tachinidae, Tephritidae, and Tipulidae. We report more than 10 uses and applications of reared flies to the well-being and progress of humanity. We focus on the fields of animal feed and human food products, pest control and pollination services, medical wound therapy treatments, criminal investigations, and on the development of several branches of biology using flies as model organisms. We highlight the relevance of laboratory-reared Drosophila melanogaster Meigen as a vehicle of great scientific discoveries that have shaped our understanding of many biological systems, including the genetic basis of heredity and of terrible diseases such as cancer. We point out key areas of fly-rearing research such as nutrition, physiology, anatomy/morphology, genetics, genetic pest management, cryopreservation, and ecology. We conclude that fly rearing is an activity with great benefits for human well-being and should be promoted for future advancement in diverse and innovative methods of improving existing and emerging problems to humanity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Pascacio-Villafán
- Red de Manejo Biorracional de Plagas y Vectores, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic®, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Allen Carson Cohen
- Insect Rearing Education and Research, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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4
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Unraveling the Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Insects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065753. [PMID: 36982826 PMCID: PMC10059942 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short, mainly positively charged, amphipathic molecules. AMPs are important effectors of the immune response in insects with a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activity. In addition to these well-known roles, AMPs exhibit many other, often unobvious, functions in the host. They support insects in the elimination of viral infections. AMPs participate in the regulation of brain-controlled processes, e.g., sleep and non-associative learning. By influencing neuronal health, communication, and activity, they can affect the functioning of the insect nervous system. Expansion of the AMP repertoire and loss of their specificity is connected with the aging process and lifespan of insects. Moreover, AMPs take part in maintaining gut homeostasis, regulating the number of endosymbionts as well as reducing the number of foreign microbiota. In turn, the presence of AMPs in insect venom prevents the spread of infection in social insects, where the prey may be a source of pathogens.
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Porosk L, Härk HH, Bicev RN, Gaidutšik I, Nebogatova J, Armolik EJ, Arukuusk P, da Silva ER, Langel Ü. Aggregation Limiting Cell-Penetrating Peptides Derived from Protein Signal Sequences. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054277. [PMID: 36901707 PMCID: PMC10002422 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054277] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease (ND) and the leading cause of dementia. It is characterized by non-linear, genetic-driven pathophysiological dynamics with high heterogeneity in the biological alterations and the causes of the disease. One of the hallmarks of the AD is the progression of plaques of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) or neurofibrillary tangles of Tau. Currently there is no efficient treatment for the AD. Nevertheless, several breakthroughs in revealing the mechanisms behind progression of the AD have led to the discovery of possible therapeutic targets. Some of these include the reduction in inflammation in the brain, and, although highly debated, limiting of the aggregation of the Aβ. In this work we show that similarly to the Neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) signal sequence, other Aβ interacting protein sequences, especially derived from Transthyretin, can be used successfully to reduce or target the amyloid aggregation/aggregates in vitro. The modified signal peptides with cell-penetrating properties reduce the Aβ aggregation and are predicted to have anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, we show that by expressing the Aβ-EGFP fusion protein, we can efficiently assess the potential for reduction in aggregation, and the CPP properties of peptides in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly Porosk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence:
| | - Heleri Heike Härk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Renata Naporano Bicev
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-062, Brazil
| | - Ilja Gaidutšik
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Eger-Jasper Armolik
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Piret Arukuusk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Ülo Langel
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Department Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, S.Arrheniusv. 16B, Room C472, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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Toft A, Sjödin S, Simonsen AH, Ejlerskov P, Roos P, Musaeus CS, Henriksen EE, Nielsen TT, Brinkmalm A, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Nielsen JE. Endo-lysosomal protein concentrations in CSF from patients with frontotemporal dementia caused by CHMP2B mutation. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12402. [PMID: 36815874 PMCID: PMC9936136 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Increasing evidence implicates proteostatic dysfunction as an early event in the development of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This study aimed to explore potential cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers associated with the proteolytic systems in genetic FTD caused by CHMP2B mutation. Methods Combining solid-phase extraction and parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry, a panel of 47 peptides derived from 20 proteins was analyzed in CSF from 31 members of the Danish CHMP2B-FTD family. Results Compared with family controls, mutation carriers had significantly higher levels of complement C9, lysozyme and transcobalamin II, and lower levels of ubiquitin, cathepsin B, and amyloid precursor protein. Discussion Lower CSF ubiquitin concentrations in CHMP2B mutation carriers indicate that ubiquitin levels relate to the specific disease pathology, rather than all-cause neurodegeneration. Increased lysozyme and complement proteins may indicate innate immune activation. Altered levels of amyloid precursor protein and cathepsins have previously been associated with impaired lysosomal proteolysis in FTD. Highlights CSF markers of proteostasis were explored in CHMP2B-mediated frontotemporal dementia (FTD).31 members of the Danish CHMP2B-FTD family were included.We used solid-phase extraction and parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry.Six protein levels were significantly altered in CHMP2B-FTD compared with controls.Lower CSF ubiquitin levels in patients suggest association with disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Toft
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Simon Sjödin
- Laboratory of Clinical ChemistrySahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburgSweden
| | - Anja Hviid Simonsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Patrick Ejlerskov
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Peter Roos
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Christian Sandøe Musaeus
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Emil Elbæk Henriksen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Troels Tolstrup Nielsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Ann Brinkmalm
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden,Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden,Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden,Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Institute of NeurologyQueen SquareLondonUK,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLLondonUK,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesClear Water BayHong KongChina
| | - Jørgen Erik Nielsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research LabDanish Dementia Research CentreRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
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Zhang E, Dai F, Chen T, Liu S, Xiao C, Shen X. Diagnostic models and predictive drugs associated with cuproptosis hub genes in Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurol 2023; 13:1064639. [PMID: 36776574 PMCID: PMC9909238 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1064639] [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: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, and its underlying genes and treatments are unclear. Abnormalities in copper metabolism can prevent the clearance of β-amyloid peptides and promote the progression of AD pathogenesis. Therefore, the present study used a bioinformatics approach to perform an integrated analysis of the hub gene based on cuproptosis that can influence the diagnosis and treatment of AD. The gene expression profiles were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including non-demented (ND) and AD samples. A total of 2,977 cuproptosis genes were retrieved from published articles. The seven hub genes associated with cuproptosis and AD were obtained from the differentially expressed genes and WGCNA in brain tissue from GSE33000. The GO analysis demonstrated that these genes were involved in phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate, lipid, and glucose metabolism. By stepwise regression and logistic regression analysis, we screened four of the seven cuproptosis genes to construct a diagnostic model for AD, which was validated by GES15222, GS48350, and GSE5281. In addition, immune cell infiltration of samples was investigated for correlation with these hub genes. We identified six drugs targeting these seven cuproptosis genes in DrugBank. Hence, these cuproptosis gene signatures may be an important prognostic indicator for AD and may offer new insights into treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China,Key Laboratory of Optimal Utilization of Natural Medicinal Resources, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China,*Correspondence: Erdong Zhang ✉
| | - Fengqiu Dai
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- Guiyang Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shanhui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Urological Diseases in Gansu Province, Gansu Nephro-Urological Clinical Center, Institute of Urology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chaolun Xiao
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiangchun Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China,Key Laboratory of Optimal Utilization of Natural Medicinal Resources, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China,Xiangchun Shen ✉
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Rabl M, Clark C, Dayon L, Bowman GL, Popp J. Blood plasma protein profiles of neuropsychiatric symptoms and related cognitive decline in older people. J Neurochem 2023; 164:242-254. [PMID: 36281546 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) severely affect patients and their caregivers, and are associated with worse long-term outcomes. This study tested the hypothesis that altered protein levels in blood plasma could serve as biomarkers of NPS; and that altered protein levels are associated with persisting NPS and cognitive decline over time. We performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal study in older subjects with cognitive impairment and cognitively unimpaired in a memory clinic setting. NPS were recorded through the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) while cognitive and functional impairment was assessed using the clinical dementia rating sum of boxes (CDR-SoB) score at baseline and follow-up visits. Shotgun proteomic analysis based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was conducted in blood plasma samples, identifying 420 proteins. The presence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology was determined by cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. Eighty-five subjects with a mean age of 70 (±7.4) years, 62% female and 54% with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia were included. We found 15 plasma proteins with altered baseline levels in participants with NPS (NPI-Q score > 0). Adding those 15 proteins to a reference model based on clinical data (age, CDR-SoB) significantly improved the prediction of NPS (from receiver operating characteristic area under the curve [AUC] 0.75 to AUC 0.91, p = 0.004) with a specificity of 89% and a sensitivity of 74%. The identified proteins additionally predicted both persisting NPS and cognitive decline at follow-up visits. The observed associations were independent of the presence of AD pathology. Using proteomics, we identified a panel of specific blood proteins associated with current and future NPS, and related cognitive decline in older people. These findings show the potential of untargeted proteomics to identify blood-based biomarkers of pathological alterations relevant for NPS and related clinical disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Rabl
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Clark
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Dayon
- Nestlé Institute of Food Safety and Analytical Sciences, Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gene L Bowman
- Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julius Popp
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Old Age Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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9
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Anusha-Kiran Y, Mol P, Dey G, Bhat FA, Chatterjee O, Deolankar SC, Philip M, Prasad TSK, Srinivas Bharath MM, Mahadevan A. Regional heterogeneity in mitochondrial function underlies region specific vulnerability in human brain ageing: Implications for neurodegeneration. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 193:34-57. [PMID: 36195160 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Selective neuronal vulnerability (SNV) of specific neuroanatomical regions such as frontal cortex (FC) and hippocampus (HC) is characteristic of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), although its pathogenetic basis remains unresolved. We hypothesized that physiological differences in mitochondrial function in neuroanatomical regions could contribute to SNV. To investigate this, we evaluated mitochondrial function in human brains (age range:1-90 y) in FC, striatum (ST), HC, cerebellum (CB) and medulla oblongata (MD), using enzyme assays and quantitative proteomics. Striking differences were noted in resistant regions- MD and CB compared to the vulnerable regions- FC, HC and ST. At younger age (25 ± 5 y), higher activity of electron transport chain enzymes and upregulation of metabolic and antioxidant proteins were noted in MD compared to FC and HC, that was sustained with increasing age (≥65 y). In contrast, the expression of synaptic proteins was higher in FC, HC and ST (vs. MD). In line with this, quantitative phospho-proteomics revealed activation of upstream regulators (ERS, PPARα) of mitochondrial metabolism and inhibition of synaptic pathways in MD. Microtubule Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) showed overexpression in FC, HC and ST both in young and older age (vs. MD). MAPT hyperphosphorylation and the activation of its kinases were noted in FC and HC with age. Our study demonstrates that regional heterogeneity in mitochondrial and other cellular functions contribute to SNV and protect regions such as MD, while rendering FC and HC vulnerable to NDDs. The findings also support the "last in, first out" hypothesis of ageing, wherein regions such as FC, that are the most recent to develop phylogenetically and ontogenetically, are the first to be affected in ageing and NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yarlagadda Anusha-Kiran
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India; Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neurotoxicology, NIMHANS, No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - Praseeda Mol
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India; Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, 690525, India
| | - Gourav Dey
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | - Firdous Ahmad Bhat
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India
| | - Oishi Chatterjee
- Institute of Bioinformatics, International Technology Park, White Field, Bangalore, 560066, India; Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kollam, 690525, India
| | - Sayali Chandrashekhar Deolankar
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India
| | - Mariamma Philip
- Department of Biostatistics, NIMHANS, No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India
| | - T S Keshava Prasad
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, 575018, India.
| | - M M Srinivas Bharath
- Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neurotoxicology, NIMHANS, No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India.
| | - Anita Mahadevan
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India.
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10
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Elovsson G, Bergkvist L, Brorsson AC. Exploring Aβ Proteotoxicity and Therapeutic Candidates Using Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910448. [PMID: 34638786 PMCID: PMC8508956 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is a widespread and devastating neurological disorder associated with proteotoxic events caused by the misfolding and aggregation of the amyloid-β peptide. To find therapeutic strategies to combat this disease, Drosophila melanogaster has proved to be an excellent model organism that is able to uncover anti-proteotoxic candidates due to its outstanding genetic toolbox and resemblance to human disease genes. In this review, we highlight the use of Drosophila melanogaster to both study the proteotoxicity of the amyloid-β peptide and to screen for drug candidates. Expanding the knowledge of how the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease is related to proteotoxicity and how drugs can be used to block disease progression will hopefully shed further light on the field in the search for disease-modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Elovsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Liza Bergkvist
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, 17164 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Ann-Christin Brorsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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11
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Uras G, Manca A, Zhang P, Markus Z, Mack N, Allen S, Bo M, Xu S, Xu J, Georgiou M, Zhu Z. In vivo Evaluation of a Newly Synthesized Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor in a Transgenic Drosophila Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:691222. [PMID: 34276297 PMCID: PMC8278008 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.691222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by disrupted memory, learning functions, reduced life expectancy, and locomotor dysfunction, as a result of the accumulation and aggregation of amyloid peptides that cause neuronal damage in neuronal circuits. In the current study, we exploited a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line, expressing amyloid-β peptides to investigate the efficacy of a newly synthesized acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, named XJP-1, as a potential AD therapy. Behavioral assays and confocal microscopy were used to characterize the drug effect on AD symptomatology and amyloid peptide deposition. The symptomatology induced in this particular transgenic model recapitulates the scenario observed in human AD patients, showing a shortened lifespan and reduced locomotor functions, along with a significant accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain. XJP-1 treatment resulted in a significant improvement of AD symptoms and a reduction of amyloid plaques by diminishing the amyloid aggregation rate. In comparison with clinically effective AD drugs, our results demonstrated that XJP-1 has similar effects on AD symptomatology, but at 10 times lower drug concentration than donepezil. It also showed an earlier beneficial effect on the reduction of amyloid plaques at 10 days after drug treatment, as observed for donepezil at 20 days, while the other drugs tested have no such effect. As a novel and potent AChE inhibitor, our study demonstrates that inhibition of the enzyme AChE by XJP-1 treatment improves the amyloid-induced symptomatology in Drosophila, by reducing the number of amyloid plaques within the fruit fly CNS. Thus, compound XJP-1 has the therapeutic potential to be further investigated for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Uras
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alessia Manca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zsuzsa Markus
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Mack
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Allen
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Bo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Shengtao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Marios Georgiou
- Queens Medical Centre, School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Zheying Zhu
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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12
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Bergkvist L, Du Z, Elovsson G, Appelqvist H, Itzhaki LS, Kumita JR, Kågedal K, Brorsson AC. Mapping pathogenic processes contributing to neurodegeneration in Drosophila models of Alzheimer's disease. FEBS Open Bio 2020; 10:338-350. [PMID: 31823504 PMCID: PMC7050262 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, affecting millions of people and currently lacking available disease‐modifying treatments. Appropriate disease models are necessary to investigate disease mechanisms and potential treatments. Drosophila melanogaster models of AD include the Aβ fly model and the AβPP‐BACE1 fly model. In the Aβ fly model, the Aβ peptide is fused to a secretion sequence and directly overexpressed. In the AβPP‐BACE1 model, human AβPP and human BACE1 are expressed in the fly, resulting in in vivo production of Aβ peptides and other AβPP cleavage products. Although these two models have been used for almost two decades, the underlying mechanisms resulting in neurodegeneration are not yet clearly understood. In this study, we have characterized toxic mechanisms in these two AD fly models. We detected neuronal cell death and increased protein carbonylation (indicative of oxidative stress) in both AD fly models. In the Aβ fly model, this correlates with high Aβ1–42 levels and down‐regulation of the levels of mRNA encoding lysosomal‐associated membrane protein 1, lamp1 (a lysosomal marker), while in the AβPP‐BACE1 fly model, neuronal cell death correlates with low Aβ1–42 levels, up‐regulation of lamp1 mRNA levels and increased levels of C‐terminal fragments. In addition, a significant amount of AβPP/Aβ antibody (4G8)‐positive species, located close to the endosomal marker rab5, was detected in the AβPP‐BACE1 model. Taken together, this study highlights the similarities and differences in the toxic mechanisms which result in neuronal death in two different AD fly models. Such information is important to consider when utilizing these models to study AD pathogenesis or screening for potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Bergkvist
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Zhen Du
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, UK.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Greta Elovsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Hanna Appelqvist
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Sweden.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
| | | | - Janet R Kumita
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Katarina Kågedal
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden
| | - Ann-Christin Brorsson
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Sweden
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13
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Sjödin S, Brinkmalm G, Öhrfelt A, Parnetti L, Paciotti S, Hansson O, Hardy J, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Brinkmalm A. Endo-lysosomal proteins and ubiquitin CSF concentrations in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2019; 11:82. [PMID: 31521194 PMCID: PMC6745076 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-019-0533-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [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: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence implicates dysfunctional proteostasis and the involvement of the autophagic and endo-lysosomal system and the ubiquitin-proteasome system in neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is an accumulation of autophagic vacuoles within the neurons. In Parkinson's disease (PD), susceptibility has been linked to genes encoding proteins involved in autophagy and lysosomal function, as well as mutations causing lysosomal disorders. Furthermore, both diseases are characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates. METHODS Proteins associated with endocytosis, lysosomal function, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and targeted by combining solid-phase extraction and parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. In total, 50 peptides from 18 proteins were quantified in three cross-sectional cohorts including AD (N = 61), PD (N = 21), prodromal AD (N = 10), stable mild cognitive impairment (N = 15), and controls (N = 68). RESULTS A pilot study, including subjects selected based on their AD CSF core biomarker concentrations, showed increased concentrations of several targeted proteins in subjects with core biomarker levels indicating AD pathology compared to controls. Next, in a clinically characterized cohort, lower concentrations in CSF of proteins in PD were found compared to subjects with prodromal AD. Further investigation in an additional clinical study again revealed lower concentrations in CSF of proteins in PD compared to controls and AD. CONCLUSION In summary, significantly different peptide CSF concentrations were identified from proteins AP2B1, C9, CTSB, CTSF, GM2A, LAMP1, LAMP2, TCN2, and ubiquitin. Proteins found to have altered concentrations in more than one study were AP2B1, CTSB, CTSF, GM2A, LAMP2, and ubiquitin. Interestingly, given the genetic implication of lysosomal function in PD, we did identify the CSF concentrations of CTSB, CTSF, GM2A, and LAMP2 to be altered. However, we also found differences in proteins associated with endocytosis (AP2B1) and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (ubiquitin). No difference in any peptide CSF concentration was found in clinically characterized subjects with AD compared to controls. In conclusion, CSF analyses of subjects with PD suggest a general lysosomal dysfunction, which resonates well with recent genetic findings, while such changes are minor or absent in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Sjödin
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, House V3, SU/Mölndal, SE-43180, Mölndal, Sweden.
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.
| | - Gunnar Brinkmalm
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, House V3, SU/Mölndal, SE-43180, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Annika Öhrfelt
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, House V3, SU/Mölndal, SE-43180, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurochemistry, Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Paciotti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurochemistry, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - John Hardy
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, House V3, SU/Mölndal, SE-43180, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, House V3, SU/Mölndal, SE-43180, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
| | - Ann Brinkmalm
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, House V3, SU/Mölndal, SE-43180, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
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14
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Schaefer N, Rotermund C, Blumrich EM, Lourenco MV, Joshi P, Hegemann RU, Jamwal S, Ali N, García Romero EM, Sharma S, Ghosh S, Sinha JK, Loke H, Jain V, Lepeta K, Salamian A, Sharma M, Golpich M, Nawrotek K, Paidi RK, Shahidzadeh SM, Piermartiri T, Amini E, Pastor V, Wilson Y, Adeniyi PA, Datusalia AK, Vafadari B, Saini V, Suárez-Pozos E, Kushwah N, Fontanet P, Turner AJ. The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior - a review from students to students. J Neurochem 2017. [PMID: 28632905 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
One of the most intriguing features of the brain is its ability to be malleable, allowing it to adapt continually to changes in the environment. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation and long-term depression, respectively. Such phenomena have been described in a variety of model organisms, which are used to study molecular, structural, and functional aspects of synaptic plasticity. This review originated from the first International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) Flagship School held in Alpbach, Austria (Sep 2016), and will use its curriculum and discussions as a framework to review some of the current knowledge in the field of synaptic plasticity. First, we describe the role of plasticity during development and the persistent changes of neural circuitry occurring when sensory input is altered during critical developmental stages. We then outline the signaling cascades resulting in the synthesis of new plasticity-related proteins, which ultimately enable sustained changes in synaptic strength. Going beyond the traditional understanding of synaptic plasticity conceptualized by long-term potentiation and long-term depression, we discuss system-wide modifications and recently unveiled homeostatic mechanisms, such as synaptic scaling. Finally, we describe the neural circuits and synaptic plasticity mechanisms driving associative memory and motor learning. Evidence summarized in this review provides a current view of synaptic plasticity in its various forms, offers new insights into the underlying mechanisms and behavioral relevance, and provides directions for future research in the field of synaptic plasticity. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 788. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13815.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Schaefer
- Institute for Clinical Neurobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carola Rotermund
- German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Blumrich
- Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, Faculty 2 (Biology/Chemistry), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.,Centre for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mychael V Lourenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pooja Joshi
- Inserm UMR 1141, Robert Debre Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Regina U Hegemann
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sumit Jamwal
- Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Nilufar Ali
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Sorabh Sharma
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan, India
| | - Shampa Ghosh
- National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Tarnaka, Hyderabad, India
| | - Jitendra K Sinha
- National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Tarnaka, Hyderabad, India
| | - Hannah Loke
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vishal Jain
- Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Katarzyna Lepeta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ahmad Salamian
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mahima Sharma
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mojtaba Golpich
- Department of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (HUKM), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Katarzyna Nawrotek
- Department of Process Thermodynamics, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ramesh K Paidi
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Sheila M Shahidzadeh
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Tetsade Piermartiri
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Elham Amini
- Department of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (HUKM), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Veronica Pastor
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia Prof. Eduardo De Robertis, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yvette Wilson
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip A Adeniyi
- Cell Biology and Neurotoxicity Unit, Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado - Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | | | - Benham Vafadari
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Vedangana Saini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Edna Suárez-Pozos
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Toxicología, México
| | - Neetu Kushwah
- Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Paula Fontanet
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Institute of Cellular Biology and Neuroscience (IBCN), CONICET-UBA, School of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Anthony J Turner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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