Pael-R transgenic mice crossed with parkin deficient mice displayed progressive and selective catecholaminergic neuronal loss

Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR37 as an Emerging Therapeutic Target

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are successful druggable targets, making up around 35% of all FDA-approved medications. However, a large number of receptors remain orphaned, with no known endogenous ligand, representing a challenging but untapped area to discover new therapeutic targets. Among orphan GPCRs (oGPCRs) of interest, G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) is highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in the spinal cord and oligodendrocytes. While its cellular signaling mechanisms and endogenous receptor ligands remain elusive, GPR37 has been implicated in several important neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease (PD), inflammation, pain, autism, and brain tumors. GPR37 structure, signaling, emerging physiology, and pharmacology are reviewed while integrating a discussion on potential therapeutic indications and opportunities.

Mouse Mutants of Gpr37 and Gpr37l1 Receptor Genes: Disease Modeling Applications

The vertebrate G protein–coupled receptor 37 and G protein–coupled receptor 37-like 1 (GPR37 and GPR37L1) proteins have amino acid sequence homology to endothelin and bombesin-specific receptors. The prosaposin glycoprotein, its derived peptides, and analogues have been reported to interact with and activate both putative receptors. The GPR37 and GPR37L1 genes are highly expressed in human and rodent brains. GPR37 transcripts are most abundant in oligodendrocytes and in the neurons of the substantia nigra and hippocampus, while the GPR37L1 gene is markedly expressed in cerebellar Bergmann glia astrocytes. The human GPR37 protein is a substrate of parkin, and its insoluble form accumulates in brain samples from patients of inherited juvenile Parkinson’s disease. Several Gpr37 and Gpr37l1 mouse mutant strains have been produced and applied to extensive in vivo and ex vivo analyses of respective receptor functions and involvement in brain and other organ pathologies. The genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of the different mouse strains so far published are reported and discussed, and their current and proposed applications to human disease modeling are highlighted.

Cytosolic GPR37, but not GPR37L1, multimerization and its reversal by Parkin: A live cell imaging study

Biochemical data have shown aggregated G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) in the cytoplasm and Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease (PD). Properly folded GPR37 at the plasma membrane appears to be neuroprotective. GPR37, and its homologue GPR37L1, are orphan G protein-coupled receptors and their homo- and hetero-dimers have not been established. We therefore examined GPR37 and GPR37L1 dimerization and extended studies of multimerization of GPR37 to live cells. In this study, we investigated GPR37 and GPR37L1 dimerization and multimerization in live cells using three quantitative imaging methods: Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy, Förster Resonance Energy Transfer, and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy. Our data show that GPR37 and GPR37L1 form homo- and heterodimers in live N2a cells. Importantly, aggregation of GPR37, but not GPR37L1, was identified in the cytoplasm, which could be counteracted by Parkin overexpression. These data provide further evidence that GPR37 participate in cytosolic aggregation processes implicated in PD pathology.

GPR37 modulates progenitor cell dynamics in a mouse model of ischemic stroke

The generation of neural stem and progenitor cells following injury is critical for the function of the central nervous system, but the molecular mechanisms modulating this response remain largely unknown. We have previously identified the G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) as a modulator of ischemic damage in a mouse model of stroke. Here we demonstrate that GPR37 functions as a critical negative regulator of progenitor cell dynamics and gliosis following ischemic injury. In the central nervous system, GPR37 is enriched in mature oligodendrocytes, but following injury we have found that its expression is dramatically increased within a population of Sox2-positive progenitor cells. Moreover, the genetic deletion of GPR37 did not alter the number of mature oligodendrocytes following injury but did markedly increase the number of both progenitor cells and injury-induced Olig2-expressing glia. Alterations in the glial environment were further evidenced by the decreased activation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. These data reveal that GPR37 regulates the response of progenitor cells to ischemic injury and provides new perspectives into the potential for manipulating endogenous progenitor cells following stroke.

Back and to the Future: From Neurotoxin-Induced to Human Parkinson's Disease Models

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity, and postural instability, as well as non-motor features like sleep disturbances, loss of ability to smell, depression, constipation, and pain. Motor symptoms are caused by depletion of dopamine in the striatum due to the progressive loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Approximately 10% of PD cases are familial arising from genetic mutations in α-synuclein, LRRK2, DJ-1, PINK1, parkin, and several other proteins. The majority of PD cases are, however, idiopathic, i.e., having no clear etiology. PD is characterized by progressive accumulation of insoluble inclusions, known as Lewy bodies, mostly composed of α-synuclein and membrane components. The cause of PD is currently attributed to cellular proteostasis deregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are likely interdependent. In addition, neuroinflammation is present in brains of PD patients, but whether it is the cause or consequence of neurodegeneration remains to be studied. Rodents do not develop PD or PD-like motor symptoms spontaneously; however, neurotoxins, genetic mutations, viral vector-mediated transgene expression and, recently, injections of misfolded α-synuclein have been successfully utilized to model certain aspects of the disease. Here, we critically review the advantages and drawbacks of rodent PD models and discuss approaches to advance pre-clinical PD research towards successful disease-modifying therapy. © 2020 The Authors.

GBA haploinsufficiency accelerates alpha-synuclein pathology with altered lipid metabolism in a prodromal model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by dopaminergic (DA) cell loss and the accumulation of pathological alpha synuclein (asyn), but its precise pathomechanism remains unclear, and no appropriate animal model has yet been established. Recent studies have shown that a heterozygous mutation of glucocerebrosidase (gba) is one of the most important genetic risk factors in PD. To create mouse model for PD, we crossed asyn Bacterial Artificial Chromosome transgenic mice with gba heterozygous knockout mice. These double-mutant (dm) mice express human asyn in a physiological manner through its native promoter and showed an increase in phosphorylated asyn in the regions vulnerable to PD, such as the olfactory bulb and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. Only dm mice showed a significant reduction in DA cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta, suggesting these animals were suitable for a prodromal model of PD. Next, we investigated the in vivo mechanism by which GBA insufficiency accelerates PD pathology, focusing on lipid metabolism. Dm mice showed an increased level of glucosylsphingosine without any noticeable accumulation of glucosylceramide, a direct substrate of GBA. In addition, the overexpression of asyn resulted in decreased GBA activity in mice, while dm mice tended to show an even further decreased level of GBA activity. In conclusion, we created a novel prodromal mouse model to study the disease pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutics for PD and also revealed the mechanism by which heterozygous gba deficiency contributes to PD through abnormal lipid metabolism under conditions of an altered asyn expression in vivo.

Does perturbation in the mitochondrial protein folding pave the way for neurodegeneration diseases?

Mitochondria, which are cell compartments that are widely present in eukaryotic cells, have been shown to be involved in a variety of synthetic, metabolic, and signaling processes, thereby playing a vital role in cells. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR) is a response in which mitochondria reverse the signal to the nucleus and maintain mitochondrial protein homeostasis when unfolded and misfolded proteins continue to accumulate. Multiple neurodegeneration diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), are public health challenges. Every year, countless efforts are expended trying to clarify the pathogenesis and treatment of neurological disorders, which are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction to some extent. Numerous studies have shown that mtUPR is involved in and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, but the exact mechanism of the disorders is still unclear. Further study of the process of mtUPR in neurological disorders can help us more accurately understand their pathogenesis in order to provide new therapeutic targets. In this paper, we briefly review mtUPR signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and mammals and summarize the role of mtUPR in neurodegeneration diseases, including AD, PD and fALS.

GPR37 and GPR37L1 differently interact with dopamine 2 receptors in live cells

Receptor-receptor interactions are essential to fine tune receptor responses and new techniques enable closer characterization of the interactions between involved proteins directly in the plasma membrane. Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS), which analyses concurrent movement of bound molecules with single-molecule detection limit, was here used to, in live N2a cells, study interactions between the Parkinson's disease (PD) associated orphan receptor GPR37, its homologue GPR37L1, and the two splice variants of the dopamine 2 receptor (D2R). An interaction between GPR37 and both splice forms of D2R was detected. 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA), a neuroprotective chemical chaperone known to increase GPR37 expression at the cell surface, increased the fraction of interacting molecules. The interaction was also increased by pramipexole, a D2R agonist commonly used in the treatment of PD, indicating a possible clinically relevance. Cross-correlation, indicating interaction between GPR37L1 and the short isoform of D2R, was also detected. However, this interaction was not changed with 4-PBA or pramipexole treatment. Overall, these data provide further evidence that heteromeric GPR37-D2R exist and can be pharmacologically modulated, which is relevant for the treatment of PD.

This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Receptor heteromers and their allosteric receptor-receptor interactions’.

•

GPCR interaction is studied with fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy.

•

Interaction between GPR37 and both isoforms of D2R is detected in live cells.

•

GPR37's homologue GPR37L1 is detected to interact with D2RS in live cells.

•

GPR37-D2R interaction is increased by D2-like agonist and 4-PBA treatment.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals That Midnolin Regulates mRNA Expression Levels of Multiple Parkinson's Disease Causative Genes

We recently found that 10.5% of sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) patients lacked one copy of the midnolin (MIDN) gene. In addition, gene knock-down/out of MIDN caused down-regulation of parkin E3 ubiquitin ligase, indicating MIDN to be a novel PD-risk factor or causative gene. In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing and transcriptome analysis of Midn wild-type and knockout cells. Midn positively or negatively regulated the expression of a wide variety of genes, including causative familial PD genes, such as α-synuclein, parkin, and EIF4G1. However, EIF4G1 protein levels were not altered by the reduction of its mRNA by Midn loss, as seen that parkin protein levels were correlated to the mRNA down-regulation. Taken together, these findings indicate that MIDN regulates the expression of a wide variety of genes, including multiple PD-causative genes and is associated with PD onset.

Spatiotemporal Control of GPR37 Signaling and Its Behavioral Effects by Optogenetics

Despite the progress in deorphanization of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), ≈100 GPCRs are still classified as orphan receptors without identified endogenous ligands and with unknown physiological functions. The lack of endogenous ligands triggering GPCR signaling has hampered the study of orphan GPCR functions. Using GPR37 as an example, we provide here the first demonstration of the channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2)-GPCR approach to bypass the endogenous ligand and selectively activate the orphan GPCR signal by optogenetics. Inspired by the opto-XR approach, we designed the ChR2-GPR37 chimera, in which the corresponding parts of GPR37 replaced the intracellular portions of ChR2. We showed that optogenetic activation of ChR2/opto-GPR37 elicited specific GPR37 signaling, as evidenced by reduced cAMP level, enhanced ERK phosphorylation and increased motor activity, confirming the specificity of opto-GPR37 signaling. Besides, optogenetic activation of opto-GPR37 uncovered novel aspects of GPR37 signaling (such as IP-3 signaling) and anxiety-related behavior. Optogenetic activation of opto-GPR37 permits the causal analysis of GPR37 activity in the defined cells and behavioral responses of freely moving animals. Importantly, given the evolutionarily conserved seven-helix transmembrane structures of ChR2 and orphan GPCRs, we propose that opto-GPR37 approach can be readily applied to other orphan GPCRs for their deorphanization in freely moving animals.

Midnolin is a novel regulator of parkin expression and is associated with Parkinson's Disease

Midnolin (MIDN) was first discovered in embryonic stem cells, but its physiological and pathological roles are, to date, poorly understood. In the present study, we therefore examined the role of MIDN in detail. We found that in PC12 cells, a model of neuronal cells, MIDN localized primarily to the nucleus and intracellular membranes. Nerve growth factor promoted MIDN gene expression, which was attenuated by specific inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and 5. MIDN-deficient PC12 cells created using CRISPR/Cas9 technology displayed significantly impaired neurite outgrowth. Interestingly, a genetic approach revealed that 10.5% of patients with sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD) had a lower MIDN gene copy number whereas no copy number variation was observed in healthy people, suggesting that MIDN is involved in PD pathogenesis. Furthermore, the expression of parkin, a major causative gene in PD, was significantly reduced by CRISPR/Cas9 knockout and siRNA knockdown of MIDN. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) was also down-regulated, which binds to the cAMP response element (CRE) in the parkin core promoter region. The activity of CRE was reduced following MIDN loss. Overall, our data suggests that MIDN promotes the expression of parkin E3 ubiquitin ligase, and that MIDN loss can trigger PD-related pathogenic mechanisms.

Folding Underlies Bidirectional Role of GPR37/Pael-R in Parkinson Disease

Since conformational flexibility, which is required for the function of a protein, comes at the expense of structural stability, many proteins, including G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), are under constant risk of misfolding and aggregation. In this regard GPR37 (also named PAEL-R and ETBR-LP-1) takes a prominent role, particularly in relation to Parkinson disease (PD). GPR37 is a substrate for parkin and accumulates abnormally in autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism, contributing to endoplasmic reticulum stress and death of dopaminergic neurons. GPR37 also constitutes a core structure of Lewy bodies, demonstrating a more general involvement in PD pathology. However, if folded and matured properly, GPR37 seems to be neuroprotective. Moreover, GPR37 modulates functionality of the dopamine transporter and the dopamine D2 receptor and stimulates dopamine neurotransmission. Here we review the multiple roles of GPR37 with relevance to potential disease modification and symptomatic therapies of PD and highlight unsolved issues in this field.

Physiological Roles of Ubiquitin Ligases Related to the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Studies on endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD), in which unfolded proteins accumulated in the ER are selectively transported to the cytosol for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, have been focused on molecular mechanisms in yeast. In human, disruption of the ER quality control system causes various diseases, such as neurodegenerative disease, lifestyle disease, and cancer. However, there are many ERAD genes with unknown physiological and pathological functions. We identified the novel ubiquitin ligase HRD1 involved in ERAD. HRD1 is expressed in brain neurons and protects against ER stress-induced apoptosis. In familial Parkinson's disease, accumulation of Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R), a substrate of ubiquitin ligase Parkin involved in ERAD, causes ER stress and apoptosis. We demonstrated that HRD1 promotes ubiquitination and degradation of Pael-R and suppresses ER stress and apoptosis induced by Pael-R. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is processed into amyloid β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease. We found that HRD1 promotes APP ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in decreased generation of Aβ. Furthermore, suppression of HRD1 expression causes APP accumulation and Aβ generation associated with ER stress and apoptosis. Interestingly, HRD1 protein levels significantly decreased in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients, possibly because of its insolubilization. We demonstrated that HRD1 protein was insolubilized by oxidative stress, resulting in the accumulation of HRD1 into the aggresome. In conclusion, oxidative stress-induced HRD1 insolubilization might be involved in a vicious cycle of increased Aβ production and Aβ-induced oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.

Gene regulation and genetics in neurochemistry, past to future

Ask any neuroscientist to name the most profound discoveries in the field in the past 60 years, and at or near the top of the list will be a phenomenon or technique related to genes and their expression. Indeed, our understanding of genetics and gene regulation has ushered in whole new systems of knowledge and new empirical approaches, many of which could not have even been imagined prior to the molecular biology boon of recent decades. Neurochemistry, in the classic sense, intersects with these concepts in the manifestation of neuropeptides, obviously dependent upon the central dogma (the established rules by which DNA sequence is eventually converted into protein primary structure) not only for their conformation but also for their levels and locales of expression. But, expanding these considerations to non-peptide neurotransmitters illustrates how gene regulatory events impact neurochemistry in a much broader sense, extending beyond the neurochemicals that translate electrical signals into chemical ones in the synapse, to also include every aspect of neural development, structure, function, and pathology. From the beginning, the mutability - yet relative stability - of genes and their expression patterns were recognized as potential substrates for some of the most intriguing phenomena in neurobiology - those instances of plasticity required for learning and memory. Near-heretical speculation was offered in the idea that perhaps the very sequence of the genome was altered to encode memories. A fascinating component of the intervening progress includes evidence that the central dogma is not nearly as rigid and consistent as we once thought. And this mutability extends to the potential to manipulate that code for both experimental and clinical purposes. Astonishing progress has been made in the molecular biology of neurochemistry during the 60 years since this journal debuted. Many of the gains in conceptual understanding have been driven by methodological progress, from automated high-throughput sequencing instruments to recombinant-DNA vectors that can convey color-coded genetic modifications in the chromosomes of live adult animals. This review covers the highlights of these advances, both theoretical and technological, along with a brief window into the promising science ahead. This article is part of the 60th Anniversary special issue.

Neuroprotection by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced HRD1 and Chaperones: Possible Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are neurodegenerative disorders with a severe medical and social impact. Further insights from clinical and scientific studies are essential to develop effective therapies. Various stresses on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) cause unfolded/misfolded proteins to aggregate, initiating unfolded protein responses (UPR), one of which is the induction of neuronal cell death. Some of the pathogenic factors for AD and PD are associated with UPR. ER molecules such as ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and chaperones are also produced during UPR to degrade and refold aberrant proteins that accumulate in the ER. In this review, we examine the role of HMG-CoA reductase degradation protein 1 (HRD1) and the chaperone protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI), which are both produced in the ER in response to stress. We discuss the importance of HRD1 in degrading amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R) to protect against neuronal death. PDI and the chemical chaperone 4-phenyl-butyrate also exert neuroprotective effects. We discuss the pathophysiological roles of ER stress, UPR, and the induction and neuroprotective effects of HRD1 and PDI, which may represent significant targets for novel AD and PD therapies.

Drug Discovery Opportunities at the Endothelin B Receptor-Related Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptors, GPR37 and GPR37L1

Orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a largely untapped resource for the treatment of a variety of diseases, despite sophisticated advances in drug discovery. Two promising orphan GPCRs are the endothelin B receptor-like proteins, GPR37 [ET(B)R-LP, Pael-R] and GPR37L1 [ET(B)R-LP-2]. Originally identified through searches for homologs of endothelin and bombesin receptors, neither GPR37 nor GPR37L1 were found to bind endothelins or related peptides. Instead, GPR37 was proposed to be activated by head activator (HA) and both GPR37 and GPR37L1 have been linked to the neuropeptides prosaposin and prosaptide, although these pairings are yet to be universally acknowledged. Both orphan GPCRs are widely expressed in the brain, where GPR37 has received the most attention for its link to Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism, while GPR37L1 deletion leads to precocious cerebellar development and hypertension. In this review, the existing pharmacology and physiology of GPR37 and GPR37L1 is discussed and the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting these receptors are explored.

The protective role of prosaposin and its receptors in the nervous system

Prosaposin (also known as SGP-1) is an intriguing multifunctional protein that plays roles both intracellularly, as a regulator of lysosomal enzyme function, and extracellularly, as a secreted factor with neuroprotective and glioprotective effects. Following secretion, prosaposin can undergo endocytosis via an interaction with the low-density lipoprotein-related receptor 1 (LRP1). The ability of secreted prosaposin to promote protective effects in the nervous system is known to involve activation of G proteins, and the orphan G protein-coupled receptors GPR37 and GPR37L1 have recently been shown to mediate signaling induced by both prosaposin and a fragment of prosaposin known as prosaptide. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of prosaposin, its receptors and their importance in the nervous system.

[Pharmacological studies on neurodegenerative diseases focusing on refolding and degradation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum]

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has physiological roles in the quality control of proteins. Various stresses (e.g., oxidation, aging) to the ER cause accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins in the ER lumen, followed by unfolded protein responses (UPR) such as refolding of unfolded protein by chaperons, ER-associated degradation (ERAD), and termination of protein synthesis. In this study, we identified protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) upregulation by hypoxic stress in the ER of rat brains/astroglial cells. PDI overexpression attenuates hypoxia-induced neuronal apoptosis. In the brain autopsy of patients with sporadic Alzheimer's and Parkinson diseases, PDI was found to be S-nitrosylated, which reduced chaperone activity of PDI, suggesting the involvement of PDI in these diseases. In addition, we identified the novel E3 ubiquitin ligase HRD1 and observed that HRD1 activates degradation of Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R). HRD1 suppresses ER stress and Pael-R-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, HRD1 ubiquitinates amyloid precursor protein (APP), resulting in the decrease in amyloid β (Aβ) generation. Suppression of HRD1 expression causes APP accumulation and Aβ generation. HRD1 protein significantly decreased in the cerebral cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease. HRD1 decrease in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease could be due to the insolubilization of HRD1 by oxidative stress. Subsequently, we observed that 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) possesses chaperone activity, which prevents protein aggregation and that 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)butanoic acid, a 4-PBA derivative, increases protective ability against ER stress-induced neuronal death. We believe that 4-PBA and its derivatives are potential candidates for pharmacological intervention for ER stress-induced neurodegenerative diseases.

A low level of GPR37 is associated with human hepatocellular carcinoma progression and poor patient survival

GPR37, also known as parkin-associated endothelin-like receptor (Pael-R), is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). It has been reported that GPCRs play vital roles in the development and progression of cancer. To investigate the potential roles of GPR37 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), expression of GPR37 was examined in human HCC samples. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses were performed for GPR37 in 57 hepatocellular carcinoma samples. GPR37 expression was low in hepatocellular carcinoma as compared with the adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Clinicopathological analysis showed that GPR37 expression was significantly correlated with histological grade and the level of alpha fetal protein (AFP) (P = 0.000 and 0.002, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that decreasing GPR37 expression was associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients, while in vitro, following the release from serum starvation of HuH7 HCC cell, the expression of GPR37 was downregulated. In addition, the transient GPR37 knockdown by siRNA in HuH7 cells significantly decreased the apoptosis of hepatoma cells with activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway. Our data suggest that GPR37 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by affecting the proliferation of H CC cells, and it could be a novel potential molecular therapy target for HCC.

The protein interacting with C-kinase (PICK1) interacts with and attenuates parkin-associated endothelial-like (PAEL) receptor-mediated cell death

The parkin-associated endothelial-like receptor (PAELR, GPR37) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor that interacts with and is degraded by parkin-mediated ubiquitination. Mutations in parkin are thought to result in PAELR accumulation and increase neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease. In this study, we find that the protein interacting with C-kinase (PICK1) interacts with PAELR. Specifically, the Postsynaptic density protein-95/Discs large/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain of PICK1 interacted with the last three residues of the c-terminal (ct) located PDZ motif of PAELR. Pull-down assays indicated that recombinant and native PICK1, obtained from heterologous cells and rat brain tissue, respectively, were retained by a glutathione S-transferase fusion of ct-PAELR. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation studies isolated a PAELR-PICK1 complex from transiently transfected cells. PICK1 interacts with parkin and our data showed that PICK1 reduces PAELR expression levels in transiently transfected heterologous cells compared to a PICK1 mutant that does not interact with PAELR. Finally, PICK1 over-expression in HEK293 cells reduced cell death induced by PAEALR over-expression during rotenone treatment and these effects of PICK1 were attenuated during inhibition of the proteasome. These results suggest a role for PICK1 in preventing PAELR-induced cell toxicity.

[Molecular pharmacological studies on the protection mechanism against endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced neurodegenerative disease]

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) is a mechanism against ER stress, wherein unfolded proteins accumulated in the ER are transported to the cytosol for degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. We identified the novel ubiquitin ligase HRD1 involved in ERAD. HRD1 is expressed in brain neurons and protects against ER stress-induced apoptosis. In familial Parkinson's disease, accumulation of Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R), a substrate of ubiquitin ligase Parkin involved in ERAD, leads to ER stress and apoptosis. We have demonstrated that HRD1 promotes ubiquitination and degradation of Pael-R and suppresses ER stress and apoptosis induced by Pael-R. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is processed into amyloid β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease. We showed that HRD1 promotes APP ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in decreased generation of Aβ. Furthermore, suppression of HRD1 expression causes APP accumulation and Aβ generation associated with ER stress and apoptosis. Interestingly, HRD1 levels significantly decreased in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients, possibly because of its insolubilization. 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) has been demonstrated to restore normal trafficking and activity of mutant proteins by acting as a chemical chaperone. We demonstrated that 4-PBA possesses chaperone activity in vitro, and this prevents protein aggregation. Furthermore, we revealed that 4-PBA attenuates the activation of ER stress responses and neuronal cell death, suggesting that HRD1 decreases unfolded protein accumulation in the ER. In addition, 4-PBA restores the normal expression of Pael-R protein and suppresses Pael-R-induced ER stress. Therefore, 4-PBA is a potential candidate for use in the pharmacotherapy of several neurodegenerative diseases linked to ER stress.

The Pael-R gene does not mediate the changes in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease model cells

In this study, we established cell models for Parkinson's disease using rotenone. An RNA interference vector targeting Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R) was transfected into the model cells. The results of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis showed that Pael-R expression was decreased after RNA interference compared with the control group (no treatment) and the model group (rotenone treatment), while the rate of apoptosis and survival of dopaminergic cells did not differ significantly between groups, as detected by flow cytometry and an MTT assay. These experimental findings indicate that the Pael-R gene has no role in the changes in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease model cells.

GPR37 protein trafficking to the plasma membrane regulated by prosaposin and GM1 gangliosides promotes cell viability

The subcellular distribution of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR37 affects cell viability and is implicated in the pathogenesis of parkinsonism. Intracellular accumulation and aggregation of GPR37 cause cell death, whereas GPR37 located in the plasma membrane provides cell protection. We define here a pathway through which the recently identified natural ligand, prosaposin, promotes plasma membrane association of GPR37. Immunoabsorption of extracellular prosaposin reduced GPR37(tGFP) surface density and decreased cell viability in catecholaminergic N2a cells. We found that GPR37(tGFP) partitioned in GM1 ganglioside-containing lipid rafts in the plasma membrane of live cells. This partitioning required extracellular prosaposin and was disrupted by lipid raft perturbation using methyl-β-cyclodextrin or cholesterol oxidase. Moreover, complex formation between GPR37(tGFP) and the GM1 marker cholera toxin was observed in the plasma membrane. These data show functional association between GPR37, prosaposin, and GM1 in the plasma membrane. These results thus tie together the three previously defined components of the cellular response to insult. Our findings identify a mechanism through which the receptor's natural ligand and GM1 may protect against toxic intracellular GPR37 aggregates observed in parkinsonism.

Chronic overload of SEPT4, a parkin substrate that aggregates in Parkinson's disease, causes behavioral alterations but not neurodegeneration in mice

Background

In autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinsonism (PARK2), the pathogenetic process from the loss of function of a ubiquitin ligase parkin to the death of dopamine neurons remains unclear. A dominant hypothesis attributes the neurotoxicity to accumulated substrates that are exempt from parkin-mediated degradation. Parkin substrates include two septins; SEPT4/CDCrel-2 which coaggregates with α-synuclein as Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease, and its closest homolog SEPT5/CDCrel-1/PNUTL1 whose overload with viral vector can rapidly eliminate dopamine neurons in rats. However, chronic effects of pan-neural overload of septins have never been examined in mammals. To address this, we established a line of transgenic mice that express the largest gene product SEPT4^54kDa via the prion promoter in the entire brain.

Results

Histological examination and biochemical quantification of SEPT4-associated proteins including α-synuclein and the dopamine transporter in the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons found no significant difference between Sept4^Tg/+ and wild-type littermates. Thus, the hypothetical pathogenicity by the chronic overload of SEPT4 alone, if any, is insufficient to trigger neurodegenerative process in the mouse brain. Intriguingly, however, a systematic battery of behavioral tests revealed unexpected abnormalities in Sept4^Tg/+ mice that include consistent attenuation of voluntary activities in distinct behavioral paradigms and altered social behaviors.

Conclusions

Together, these data indicate that septin dysregulations commonly found in postmortem human brains with Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders may be responsible for a subset of behavioral abnormalities in the patients.

GPR37 and GPR37L1 are receptors for the neuroprotective and glioprotective factors prosaptide and prosaposin

GPR37 (also known as Pael-R) and GPR37L1 are orphan G protein-coupled receptors that are almost exclusively expressed in the nervous system. We screened these receptors for potential activation by various orphan neuropeptides, and these screens yielded a single positive hit: prosaptide, which promoted the endocytosis of GPR37 and GPR37L1, bound to both receptors and activated signaling in a GPR37- and GPR37L1-dependent manner. Prosaptide stimulation of cells transfected with GPR37 or GPR37L1 induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner, stimulated (35)S-GTPγS binding, and promoted the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP production. Because prosaptide is the active fragment of the secreted neuroprotective and glioprotective factor prosaposin (also known as sulfated glycoprotein-1), we purified full-length prosaposin and found that it also stimulated GPR37 and GPR37L1 signaling. Moreover, both prosaptide and prosaposin were found to protect primary astrocytes against oxidative stress, with these protective effects being attenuated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous astrocytic GPR37 or GPR37L1. These data reveal that GPR37 and GPR37L1 are receptors for the neuroprotective and glioprotective factors prosaptide and prosaposin.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and Parkinson's disease: the role of HRD1 in averting apoptosis in neurodegenerative disease

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been known to be involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). We previously identified the human ubiquitin ligase HRD1 that is associated with protection against ER stress and its associated apoptosis. HRD1 promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of Parkin-associated endothelin receptor-like receptor (Pael-R), an ER stress inducer and causative factor of familial PD, thereby preventing Pael-R-induced neuronal cell death. Moreover, upregulation of HRD1 by the antiepileptic drug zonisamide suppresses 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal cell death. We review recent progress in the studies on the mechanism of ER stress-induced neuronal death related to PD, particularly focusing on the involvement of HRD1 in the prevention of neuronal death as well as a potential therapeutic approach for PD based on the upregulation of HRD1.

Functional GPR37 trafficking protects against toxicity induced by 6-OHDA, MPP+ or rotenone in a catecholaminergic cell line

G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) is suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and is accumulating in Lewy bodies within afflicted brain regions. Over-expressed GPR37 is prone to misfolding and aggregation, causing cell death via endoplasmic reticulum stress. Although the cytotoxicity of misfolded GPR37 is well established, effects of the functional receptor on cell viability are still unknown. An N2a cell line stably expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged human GPR37 was created to study its trafficking and effects on cell viability upon challenge with the toxins 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), rotenone and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Neuronal-like differentiation into a tyrosine hydroxylase expressing phenotype, using dibutyryl-cAMP, induced trafficking of GPR37 to the plasma membrane. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cell death assays revealed that GPR37 was protective against all three toxins in differentiated cells. In undifferentiated cells, the majority of GPR37 was cytoplasmic and the protective effects were more variable: GPR37 expression protected against rotenone and MPP+ but not against 6-OHDA in MTT assays, while it protected against 6-OHDA but not against MPP+ or rotenone in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. These results suggest that GPR37 functionally trafficked to the plasma membrane protects against toxicity.

Pathway-specific dopaminergic deficits in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by maternal deletions or mutations of the ubiquitin ligase E3A (UBE3A) allele and characterized by minimal verbal communication, seizures, and disorders of voluntary movement. Previous studies have suggested that abnormal dopamine neurotransmission may underlie some of these deficits, but no effective treatment currently exists for the core features of AS. A clinical trial of levodopa (L-DOPA) in AS is ongoing, although the underlying rationale for this treatment strategy has not yet been thoroughly examined in preclinical models. We found that AS model mice lacking maternal Ube3a (Ube3a(m-/p+) mice) exhibit behavioral deficits that correlated with abnormal dopamine signaling. These deficits were not due to loss of dopaminergic neurons or impaired dopamine synthesis. Unexpectedly, Ube3a(m-/p+) mice exhibited increased dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway while also exhibiting a decrease in dopamine release in the nigrostriatal pathway, as measured with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. These findings demonstrate the complex effects of UBE3A loss on dopamine signaling in subcortical motor pathways that may inform ongoing clinical trials of L-DOPA therapy in patients with AS.

Motor neuron-specific disruption of proteasomes, but not autophagy, replicates amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Evidence suggests that protein misfolding is crucially involved in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, controversy still exists regarding the involvement of proteasomes or autophagy in ALS due to previous conflicting results. Here, we show that impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, but not the autophagy-lysosome system in motor neurons replicates ALS in mice. Conditional knock-out mice of the proteasome subunit Rpt3 in a motor neuron-specific manner (Rpt3-CKO) showed locomotor dysfunction accompanied by progressive motor neuron loss and gliosis. Moreover, diverse ALS-linked proteins, including TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43), fused in sarcoma (FUS), ubiquilin 2, and optineurin were mislocalized or accumulated in motor neurons, together with other typical ALS hallmarks such as basophilic inclusion bodies. On the other hand, motor neuron-specific knock-out of Atg7, a crucial component for the induction of autophagy (Atg7-CKO), only resulted in cytosolic accumulation of ubiquitin and p62, and no TDP-43 or FUS pathologies or motor dysfunction was observed. These results strongly suggest that proteasomes, but not autophagy, fundamentally govern the development of ALS in which TDP-43 and FUS proteinopathy may play a crucial role. Enhancement of proteasome activity may be a promising strategy for the treatment of ALS.

Medaka fish Parkinson's disease model

The teleost fish has been widely used in creating neurodegenerative models. Here we describe the teleost medaka fish Parkinson's disease (PD) models we developed using toxin treatment and genetic engineering. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), proteasome inhibitors, lysosome inhibitors and tunicamycin treatment in our model fish replicated some salient features of PD: selective dopamine cell loss and reduced spontaneous movement with the last three toxins producing inclusion bodies ubiquitously in the brain. Despite the ubiquitous distribution of the inclusion bodies, the middle diencephalic dopaminergic neurons were particularly vulnerable to these toxins, supporting the idea that this dopamine cluster is similar to the human substantia nigra. PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) homozygous mutants also showed reduced spontaneous swimming movements. These data indicate that medaka fish can serve as a new model animal of PD. In this review we summarize our previous data and discuss future prospects.

The endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor, ATF6α, protects against neurotoxin-induced dopaminergic neuronal death

Oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson disease (PD), however, the relationship between these stresses remains unclear. ATF6α is an ER-membrane-bound transcription factor that is activated by protein misfolding in the ER and functions as a critical regulator of ER quality control proteins in mammalian cells. The goal of this study was to explore the cause-effect relationship between oxidative stress and ER stress in the pathogenesis of neurotoxin-induced model of PD. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a dopaminergic neurotoxin known to produce oxidative stress, activated ATF6α and increased ER chaperones and ER-associated degradation (ERAD) component in dopaminergic neurons. Importantly, MPTP induced formation of ubiquitin- immunopositive inclusions and loss of dopaminergic neurons more prominently in mice deficient in ATF6α than in wild-type mice. Cultured cell experiments revealed that 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced oxidative stress not only promoted phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) but also enhanced interaction between phosphorylated p38MAPK and ATF6α, leading to increment in transcriptional activator activity of ATF6α. Thus, our results revealed a link between oxidative stress and ER stress by showing the importance of ATF6α in the protection of the dopaminergic neurons from MPTP that occurs through oxidative stress-induced activation of ATF6α and p38MAPK-mediated enhancement of ATF6α transcriptional activity.

C. elegans as a model organism to investigate molecular pathways involved with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related movement disorder resulting, in part, from selective loss of dopaminergic neurons. Both invertebrate and mammalian models have been developed to study the cellular mechanisms altered during disease progression; nevertheless there are limitations within each model. Mammalian models remain invaluable in studying PD, but are expensive and time consuming. Here, we review genetic and environmental factors associated with PD, and describe how the nematode roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans, has been used as a model organism for studying various aspects of this neurodegenerative disease. Both genetic and chemical screens have been conducted in C. elegans to identify molecular pathways, proteins, and small molecules that can impact PD pathology. Lastly, we highlight future areas of investigation, in the context of emerging fields in biology, where the nematode can be exploited to provide mechanistic insights and potential strategies to accelerate the path toward possible therapeutic intervention for PD.

Deletion of Herp facilitates degradation of cytosolic proteins

Although intracellular stresses are believed to be involved in the process of neurodegeneration, it is not fully understood how one stress/stress response affects another. Herp is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-located membrane protein proposed to function in ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Herp is strongly induced by ER stress but rapidly degraded by proteasome. To elucidate the effect of Herp expression on proteolytic stress caused by impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), we utilized 293T Herp knockdown (KD) cells and F9 Herp knockout cells. Knockdown of Herp gene unexpectedly facilitated the degradation of Parkinson's disease-associated cytosolic proteins such as alpha-synuclein and its binding partner, synphilin-1, and improved cell viability during proteasomal inhibition. A similar tendency was observed in F9 Herp knockout cells transfected with synphilin-1. Herp temporarily bound to alpha-synuclein, synphilin-1 and the E3 ligase SIAH1a during proteolytic stress but not during ER stress. Furthermore, deletion of Herp enhanced the amount of ubiquitinated protein in the cytosol during proteasomal inhibition, although it did not affect the activity or expression of proteasome. These results suggest that ERAD molecule Herp may delay the degradation of cytosolic proteins at the ubiquitination step.

Genetic mouse models of Parkinson's disease The state of the art

The identification of several mutations causing familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) has led to the creation of multiple lines of mice expressing similar genetic alterations. These models present a unique opportunity for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms leading to PD in a mammalian brain and provide models that are suitable for the preclinical testing of new therapies. Different lines of mice recapitulate the symptoms and pathological features of PD to various extents. This chapter examines their respective advantages and highlights some of the key findings that have already emerged from the analysis of these new models of PD.

Protein misfolding and aggregation in Parkinson's disease

Protein aggregation as a result of misfolding is a common theme underlying neurodegenerative diseases. In Parkinson's disease (PD), research on protein misfolding and aggregation has taken center stage following the association of alpha-synuclein gene mutations with familial forms of the disease, and importantly, the identification of the protein as a major component of Lewy bodies, a pathological hallmark of PD. Fueling this excitement is the subsequent identification of another PD-linked gene, parkin, as a ubiquitin ligase associated with the proteasome, a major intracellular protein degradation machinery that destroys unwanted, albeit mainly soluble, proteins. Notably, a role for parkin in the clearance of insoluble protein aggregates via macroautophagy has also been implicated by more recent studies. Paradoxically, like alpha-synuclein, parkin is also prone to misfolding, especially in the presence of age-related stress. Similarly, protein misfolding can also affect the function of other key PD-linked genes such as DJ-1, PINK1, and perhaps also LRRK2. Here, we discuss the role of protein misfolding and aggregation in PD, and how impairments of the various cellular protein quality systems could precipitate these events and lead to neuronal demise. Towards the end of our discussion, we also revisited the role of Lewy body formation in PD.

Absence of nigral degeneration in aged parkin/DJ-1/PINK1 triple knockout mice

Recessively inherited loss-of-function mutations in the parkin, DJ-1, or PINK1 gene are linked to familial cases of early-onset Parkinson's diseases (PD), and heterozygous mutations are associated with increased incidence of late-onset PD. We previously reported that single knockout mice lacking Parkin, DJ-1, or PINK1 exhibited no nigral degeneration, even though evoked dopamine release from nigrostriatal terminals was reduced and striatal synaptic plasticity was impaired. In this study, we tested whether inactivation of all three recessive PD genes, each of which was required for nigral neuron survival in the aging human brain, resulted in nigral degeneration during the lifespan of mice. Surprisingly, we found that triple knockout mice lacking Parkin, DJ-1, and PINK1 have normal morphology and numbers of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus, respectively, at the ages of 3, 16, and 24 months. Interestingly, levels of striatal dopamine in triple knockout mice were normal at 16 months of age but increased at 24 months. These results demonstrate that inactivation of all three recessive PD genes is insufficient to cause significant nigral degeneration within the lifespan of mice, suggesting that these genes may be protective rather than essential for the survival of dopaminergic neurons during the aging process. These findings also support the notion that mammalian Parkin and PINK1 may function in the same genetic pathway as in Drosophila.

Cell death pathways in Parkinson's disease: proximal triggers, distal effectors, and final steps

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Neuronal cell death in PD is still poorly understood, despite a wealth of potential pathogenic mechanisms and pathways. Defects in several cellular systems have been implicated as early triggers that start cells down the road toward neuronal death. These include abnormal protein accumulation, particularly of alpha-synuclein; altered protein degradation via multiple pathways; mitochondrial dysfunction; oxidative stress; neuroinflammation; and dysregulated kinase signaling. As dysfunction in these systems mounts, pathways that are more explicitly involved in cell death become recruited. These include JNK signaling, p53 activation, cell cycle re-activation, and signaling through bcl-2 family proteins. Eventually, neurons become overwhelmed and degenerate; however, even the mechanism of final cell death in PD is still unsettled. In this review, we will discuss cell death triggers and effectors that are relevant to PD, highlighting important unresolved issues and implications for the development of neuroprotective therapies.

Induction of macroautophagy by overexpression of the Parkinson's disease-associated GPR37 receptor

The orphan G-protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) is a substrate of parkin, and its insoluble aggregates accumulate in brain tissue samples of Parkinson's disease patients, including Lewy bodies and neurites. Parkin activates the clearance of the unfolded receptor, while the overexpression of GPR37, in the absence of parkin, can lead to unfolded protein-induced cell death. We found that overexpression of the human GPR37 receptor in HEK293 cells and consequent activation of an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response had effects comparable to starvation, in inducing the cellular autophagic pathway. Treatment with specific modulators provided further evidence for the autophagic clearance of the overexpressed GPR37 protein, in detergent-soluble and -insoluble fractions, as confirmed by the conversion of the microtubule-associated protein 1, light chain 3 (LC3)-I marker to its LC3-II isoform. Furthermore, Gpr37-null mutant mice displayed consistent alterations of ER stress and autophagic pathway markers in brain tissue samples. These findings show that GPR37 overexpression per se can induce cellular autophagy, which may prevent the selective degeneration of GPR37-expressing neurons, as reported for Parkinson's and related neurodegenerative diseases.