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Saramowicz K, Siwecka N, Galita G, Kucharska-Lusina A, Rozpędek-Kamińska W, Majsterek I. Alpha-Synuclein Contribution to Neuronal and Glial Damage in Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:360. [PMID: 38203531 PMCID: PMC10778752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010360] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the widespread accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) protein aggregates. αSyn aggregation disrupts critical cellular processes, including synaptic function, mitochondrial integrity, and proteostasis, which culminate in neuronal cell death. Importantly, αSyn pathology extends beyond neurons-it also encompasses spreading throughout the neuronal environment and internalization by microglia and astrocytes. Once internalized, glia can act as neuroprotective scavengers, which limit the spread of αSyn. However, they can also become reactive, thereby contributing to neuroinflammation and the progression of PD. Recent advances in αSyn research have enabled the molecular diagnosis of PD and accelerated the development of targeted therapies. Nevertheless, despite more than two decades of research, the cellular function, aggregation mechanisms, and induction of cellular damage by αSyn remain incompletely understood. Unraveling the interplay between αSyn, neurons, and glia may provide insights into disease initiation and progression, which may bring us closer to exploring new effective therapeutic strategies. Herein, we provide an overview of recent studies emphasizing the multifaceted nature of αSyn and its impact on both neuron and glial cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ireneusz Majsterek
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (K.S.); (N.S.); (G.G.); (A.K.-L.); (W.R.-K.)
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Altay MF, Kumar ST, Burtscher J, Jagannath S, Strand C, Miki Y, Parkkinen L, Holton JL, Lashuel HA. Development and validation of an expanded antibody toolset that captures alpha-synuclein pathological diversity in Lewy body diseases. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:161. [PMID: 38062007 PMCID: PMC10703845 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00604-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The abnormal aggregation and accumulation of alpha-synuclein (aSyn) in the brain is a defining hallmark of synucleinopathies. Various aSyn conformations and post-translationally modified forms accumulate in pathological inclusions and vary in abundance among these disorders. Relying on antibodies that have not been assessed for their ability to detect the diverse forms of aSyn may lead to inaccurate estimations of aSyn pathology in human brains or disease models. To address this challenge, we developed and characterized an expanded antibody panel that targets different sequences and post-translational modifications along the length of aSyn, and that recognizes all monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar aSyn conformations. Next, we profiled aSyn pathology across sporadic and familial Lewy body diseases (LBDs) and reveal heterogeneous forms of aSyn pathology, rich in Serine 129 phosphorylation, Tyrosine 39 nitration and N- and C-terminal tyrosine phosphorylations, scattered both to neurons and glia. In addition, we show that aSyn can become hyperphosphorylated during processes of aggregation and inclusion maturation in neuronal and animal models of aSyn seeding and spreading. The validation pipeline we describe for these antibodies paves the way for systematic investigations into aSyn pathological diversity in the human brain, peripheral tissues, as well as in cellular and animal models of synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melek Firat Altay
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Human Genetics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Senthil T Kumar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Burtscher
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Somanath Jagannath
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Strand
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, England
| | - Yasuo Miki
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, England
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Brain Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Laura Parkkinen
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Janice L Holton
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, England
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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3
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Brembati V, Faustini G, Longhena F, Bellucci A. Alpha synuclein post translational modifications: potential targets for Parkinson's disease therapy? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1197853. [PMID: 37305556 PMCID: PMC10248004 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1197853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder with motor symptoms. The neuropathological alterations characterizing the brain of patients with PD include the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the nigrostriatal system and the presence of Lewy bodies (LB), intraneuronal inclusions that are mainly composed of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils. The accumulation of α-Syn in insoluble aggregates is a main neuropathological feature in PD and in other neurodegenerative diseases, including LB dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), which are therefore defined as synucleinopathies. Compelling evidence supports that α-Syn post translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, nitration, acetylation, O-GlcNAcylation, glycation, SUMOylation, ubiquitination and C-terminal cleavage, play important roles in the modulation α-Syn aggregation, solubility, turnover and membrane binding. In particular, PTMs can impact on α-Syn conformational state, thus supporting that their modulation can in turn affect α-Syn aggregation and its ability to seed further soluble α-Syn fibrillation. This review focuses on the importance of α-Syn PTMs in PD pathophysiology but also aims at highlighting their general relevance as possible biomarkers and, more importantly, as innovative therapeutic targets for synucleinopathies. In addition, we call attention to the multiple challenges that we still need to face to enable the development of novel therapeutic approaches modulating α-Syn PTMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Arianna Bellucci
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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4
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García-Revilla J, Boza-Serrano A, Jin Y, Vadukul DM, Soldán-Hidalgo J, Camprubí-Ferrer L, García-Cruzado M, Martinsson I, Klementieva O, Ruiz R, Aprile FA, Deierborg T, Venero JL. Galectin-3 shapes toxic alpha-synuclein strains in Parkinson's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2023:10.1007/s00401-023-02585-x. [PMID: 37202527 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02585-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative and progressive disorder characterised by intracytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy bodies (LB) and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Aggregated α-synuclein (αSYN) is known to be the main component of the LB. It has also been reported to interact with several proteins and organelles. Galectin-3 (GAL3) is known to have a detrimental function in neurodegenerative diseases. It is a galactose-binding protein without known catalytic activity and is expressed mainly by activated microglial cells in the central nervous system (CNS). GAL3 has been previously found in the outer layer of the LB in post-mortem brains. However, the role of GAL3 in PD is yet to be elucidated. In post-mortem samples, we identified an association between GAL3 and LB in all the PD subjects studied. GAL3 was linked to less αSYN in the LB outer layer and other αSYN deposits, including pale bodies. GAL3 was also associated with disrupted lysosomes. In vitro studies demonstrate that exogenous recombinant Gal3 is internalised by neuronal cell lines and primary neurons where it interacts with endogenous αSyn fibrils. In addition, aggregation experiments show that Gal3 affects spatial propagation and the stability of pre-formed αSyn fibrils resulting in short, amorphous toxic strains. To further investigate these observations in vivo, we take advantage of WT and Gal3KO mice subjected to intranigral injection of adenovirus overexpressing human αSyn as a PD model. In line with our in vitro studies, under these conditions, genetic deletion of GAL3 leads to increased intracellular αSyn accumulation within dopaminergic neurons and remarkably preserved dopaminergic integrity and motor function. Overall, our data suggest a prominent role for GAL3 in the aggregation process of αSYN and LB formation, leading to the production of short species to the detriment of larger strains which triggers neuronal degeneration in a mouse model of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan García-Revilla
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Antonio Boza-Serrano
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Yiyun Jin
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Devkee M Vadukul
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Jesús Soldán-Hidalgo
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Lluís Camprubí-Ferrer
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marta García-Cruzado
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Isak Martinsson
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oxana Klementieva
- Medical Microspecroscopy Lab, Department of Experimental Medical Science, SRA: NanoLund, Multipark, Lund University, BMC B10, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rocío Ruiz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Francesco A Aprile
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Tomas Deierborg
- Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC B11, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - José Luis Venero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
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Maor G, Dubreuil RR, Feany MB. α-Synuclein Promotes Neuronal Dysfunction and Death by Disrupting the Binding of Ankyrin to β-Spectrin. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1614-1626. [PMID: 36653193 PMCID: PMC10008058 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1922-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and related disorders, but critical interacting partners and molecular mechanisms mediating neurotoxicity are incompletely understood. We show that α-synuclein binds directly to β-spectrin. Using males and females in a Drosophila model of α-synuclein-related disorders, we demonstrate that β-spectrin is critical for α-synuclein neurotoxicity. Further, the ankyrin binding domain of β-spectrin is required for α-synuclein binding and neurotoxicity. A key plasma membrane target of ankyrin, Na+/K+ ATPase, is mislocalized when human α-synuclein is expressed in Drosophila Accordingly, membrane potential is depolarized in α-synuclein transgenic fly brains. We examine the same pathway in human neurons and find that Parkinson's disease patient-derived neurons with a triplication of the α-synuclein locus show disruption of the spectrin cytoskeleton, mislocalization of ankyrin and Na+/K+ ATPase, and membrane potential depolarization. Our findings define a specific molecular mechanism by which elevated levels of α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease and related α-synucleinopathies lead to neuronal dysfunction and death.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The small synaptic vesicle associate protein α-synuclein plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and related disorders, but the disease-relevant binding partners of α-synuclein and proximate pathways critical for neurotoxicity require further definition. We show that α-synuclein binds directly to β-spectrin, a key cytoskeletal protein required for localization of plasma membrane proteins and maintenance of neuronal viability. Binding of α-synuclein to β-spectrin alters the organization of the spectrin-ankyrin complex, which is critical for localization and function of integral membrane proteins, including Na+/K+ ATPase. These finding outline a previously undescribed mechanism of α-synuclein neurotoxicity and thus suggest potential new therapeutic approaches in Parkinson's disease and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gali Maor
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Ronald R Dubreuil
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607
| | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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Sandoval-Pistorius SS, Gerson JE, Liggans N, Ryou JH, Oak K, Li X, Negron-Rios KY, Fischer S, Barsh H, Crowley EV, Skinner ME, Sharkey LM, Barmada SJ, Paulson HL. Ubiquilin-2 regulates pathological alpha-synuclein. Sci Rep 2023; 13:293. [PMID: 36609661 PMCID: PMC9823102 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The key protein implicated in Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies is α-synuclein, and a post-translationally modified form of the protein, phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129), is a principal component in Lewy bodies, a pathological hallmark of PD. While altered proteostasis has been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease, we still have a limited understanding of how α-synuclein is regulated in the nervous system. The protein quality control protein Ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2) is known to accumulate in synucleinopathies, but whether it directly regulates α-synuclein is unknown. Using cellular and mouse models, we find that UBQLN2 decreases levels of α-synuclein, including the pS129 phosphorylated isoform. Pharmacological inhibition of the proteasome revealed that, while α-synuclein may be cleared by parallel and redundant quality control pathways, UBQLN2 preferentially targets pS129 for proteasomal degradation. Moreover, in brain tissue from human PD and transgenic mice expressing pathogenic α-synuclein (A53T), native UBQLN2 becomes more insoluble. Collectively, our studies support a role for UBQLN2 in directly regulating pathological forms of α-synuclein and indicate that UBQLN2 dysregulation in disease may contribute to α-synuclein-mediated toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S. Sandoval-Pistorius
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA ,grid.214458.e0000000086837370Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Julia E. Gerson
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Nyjerus Liggans
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Jaimie H. Ryou
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Kulin Oak
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Xingli Li
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Keyshla Y. Negron-Rios
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Svetlana Fischer
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Henry Barsh
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Emily V. Crowley
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Mary E. Skinner
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Lisa M. Sharkey
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Sami J. Barmada
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Henry L. Paulson
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
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Zhang N, Fu J, Gao X, Lu F, Lu Y, Liu S. Integrated Brain Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Analysis to Reveal the Improvement Effect of Bai Chan Ting on Parkinson's Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:6113093. [PMID: 36523484 PMCID: PMC9747319 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6113093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baichanting (BCT),a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, is a combination of Acanthopanax senticosus, Paeonia lactiflora, and Uncaria three herbs, which has the effect of benefiting the kidney and calming the liver. The study was aimed at investigating the protective effect of BCT against Parkinson's disease using an integrated strategy of network pharmacology and brain metabolomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS By integrating network pharmacology with metabolomic research, the protective effect of BCT against PD was investigated using a transgenic mouse model for α-synuclein. The metabolite level and gene level components of BCT that might be anti-PD were separated out. Indicators of behavior and pharmacodynamics were employed to gauge the effectiveness of BCT on PD in the preliminary stages. Network pharmacology, which may be the target of BCT, screened the active substances and target genes. The use of metabolomics to identify potential biomarkers of PD, and then through network pharmacology and metabolic pathways to determine their regulatory enzymes and regulatory genes, improve the pathway mechanism of the disease, has important guiding significance for the in-depth study of the pathogenesis of PD. RESULTS 101 putative target genes were identified by the network pharmacology analysis in relation to the treatment of PD with BCT. According to the functional enrichment analysis, the proposed mechanism was primarily related to the transport of neurotransmitters, the metabolism of arachidonic acid, dopamine, and alpha-amino acids, as well as the transport of dopamine and the negative regulation of amino acid transport. 25 distinct endogenous metabolites were shown to be potential biomarkers for the BCT for treating PD based on metabolomics. These metabolites were mostly implicated in the important methionine and cysteine, tyrosine, histidine, and arginine and proline metabolic pathways. These results somewhat agreed with those of the network pharmacology analysis. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study showed that BCT could delay the occurrence and development of PD by improving the brain metabolic disorder of α-Syn mice, which revealed the mechanism of BCT through multitarget and multipathway treatment, and provided a new explanation for the mechanism of anti-PD action. Our research, on the other hand, demonstrated that the network pharmacology-integrated metabolomics approach was a potent tool for discovering the active ingredients and mechanisms underlying the pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhang
- Heilongjiang Drug Safety Evaluation Center, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jiaqi Fu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Fang Lu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shumin Liu
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
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Yi S, Wang L, Wang H, Ho MS, Zhang S. Pathogenesis of α-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease: From a Neuron-Glia Crosstalk Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:14753. [PMID: 36499080 PMCID: PMC9739123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The classical behavioral defects of PD patients involve motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity, as well as non-motor symptoms such as anosmia, depression, and cognitive impairment. Pathologically, the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn)-composed Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs) are key hallmarks. Glia are more than mere bystanders that simply support neurons, they actively contribute to almost every aspect of neuronal development and function; glial dysregulation has been implicated in a series of neurodegenerative diseases including PD. Importantly, amounting evidence has added glial activation and neuroinflammation as new features of PD onset and progression. Thus, gaining a better understanding of glia, especially neuron-glia crosstalk, will not only provide insight into brain physiology events but also advance our knowledge of PD pathologies. This review addresses the current understanding of α-syn pathogenesis in PD, with a focus on neuron-glia crosstalk. Particularly, the transmission of α-syn between neurons and glia, α-syn-induced glial activation, and feedbacks of glial activation on DA neuron degeneration are thoroughly discussed. In addition, α-syn aggregation, iron deposition, and glial activation in regulating DA neuron ferroptosis in PD are covered. Lastly, we summarize the preclinical and clinical therapies, especially targeting glia, in PD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Margaret S. Ho
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shiping Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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9
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Mutation of Tyrosine Sites in the Human Alpha-Synuclein Gene Induces Neurotoxicity in Transgenic Mice with Soluble Alpha-Synuclein Oligomer Formation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223673. [PMID: 36429099 PMCID: PMC9688722 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223673] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of α-synuclein with tyrosine mutated to phenylalanine at position 125 leads to a severe phenotype with motor impairment and neuropathology in Drosophila. Here, we hypothesized that tyrosine mutations would similarly lead to impaired motor performance with neuropathology in a rodent model. In transgenic mice (ASO), tyrosines at positions 125, 133, and 136 in human α-synuclein were mutated to phenylalanine and cloned into a Thy1.2 expression vector, which was used to create transgenic mouse lines on a mixed genetic background TgN(Thy-1-SNCA-YF)4Emfu (YF). The YF mice had a decreased lifespan and displayed a dramatic motor phenotype with paralysis of both hind- and forelegs. Post-translational modification of α-synuclein due to phosphorylation of serine 129 is often seen in inclusions in the brains of patients with α-synucleinopathies. We observed a slight but significant increase in phosphorylation of serine 129 in the cytosol in YF mice compared to age-matched human α-synuclein transgenic mice (ASO). Conversely, significantly decreased phosphorylation of serine 129 was seen in synaptosomes of YF mice that also contained higher amounts of soluble oligomers. YF mice deposited full-length α-synuclein aggregates in neurons widespread in the CNS with the main occurrence in the forebrain structures of the cerebral cortex, the basal ganglia, and limbic structures. Full-length α-synuclein labeling was also prominent in many nuclear regions of the brain stem, deep cerebellar nuclei, and cerebellar cortex. The study shows that the substitution of tyrosines to phenylalanine in α-synuclein at positions 125, 133, and 136 leads to severe toxicity in vivo. An insignificant change upon tyrosine substitution suggests that the phosphorylation of serine 129 is not the cause of the toxicity.
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10
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Jin M, Matsumoto S, Ayaki T, Yamakado H, Taguchi T, Togawa N, Konno A, Hirai H, Nakajima H, Komai S, Ishida R, Chiba S, Takahashi R, Takao T, Hirotsune S. DOPAnization of tyrosine in α-synuclein by tyrosine hydroxylase leads to the formation of oligomers. Nat Commun 2022. [PMID: 36371400 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34555-4.pmid:36371400;pmcid:pmc9653393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the preferential loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-expressing dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, we found that TH converts Tyr136 in α-synuclein into dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA; Y136DOPA) through mass spectrometric analysis. Y136DOPA modification was clearly detected by a specific antibody in the dopaminergic neurons of α-synuclein-overexpressing mice as well as human α-synucleinopathies. Furthermore, dopanized α-synuclein tended to form oligomers rather than large fibril aggregates and significantly enhanced neurotoxicity. Our findings suggest that the dopanization of α-synuclein by TH may contribute to oligomer and/or seed formation causing neurodegeneration with the potential to shed light on the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Jin
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, China
| | - Sakiko Matsumoto
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Takashi Ayaki
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hodaka Yamakado
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Taguchi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Natsuko Togawa
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Ayumu Konno
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Hirai
- Department of Neurophysiology & Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nakajima
- Division of Molecular Materials Science, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, 558-8585, Japan
| | - Shoji Komai
- Department of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science Technology, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Ishida
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Syuhei Chiba
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Takao
- Laboratory of Protein Profiling and Functional Proteomics, Osaka University Institute for Protein Research, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shinji Hirotsune
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.
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11
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Shadfar S, Khanal S, Bohara G, Kim G, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Ghavami S, Choi H, Choi DY. Methanolic Extract of Boswellia serrata Gum Protects the Nigral Dopaminergic Neurons from Rotenone-Induced Neurotoxicity. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5874-5890. [PMID: 35804280 PMCID: PMC9395310 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02943-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Boswellia serrata gum is a natural product that showed beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases in recent studies. In this study, we investigated the effects of Boswellia serrata resin on rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Firstly, we attempted to see if the resin can induce AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway which has been known to have broad neuroprotective effects. Boswellia increased AMPK phosphorylation and reduced phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and α-synuclein (p-α-synuclein) in the striatum while increased the expression level of Beclin1, a marker for autophagy and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Next, we examined the neuroprotective effects of the Boswellia extract in the rotenone-injected mice. The results showed that Boswellia evidently attenuated the loss of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and microglial activation caused by rotenone. Moreover, Boswellia ameliorated rotenone-induced decrease in the striatal dopamine and impairment in motor function. Accumulation of α-synuclein meditated by rotenone was significantly ameliorated by Boswellia. Also, we showed that β-boswellic acid, the active constituents of Boswellia serrata gum, induced AMPK phosphorylation and attenuated α-synuclein phosphorylation in SHSY5 cells. These results suggest that Boswellia protected the dopaminergic neurons from rotenone neurotoxicity via activation of the AMPK pathway which might be associated with attenuation of α-synuclein aggregation and neuroinflammation. Further investigations are warranted to identify specific molecules in Boswellia which are responsible for the neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Shadfar
- Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2121 NSW, Australia.
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak Avenue, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea.
| | - Shristi Khanal
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak Avenue, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Ganesh Bohara
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak Avenue, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Geumjin Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak Avenue, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada
- Research Institutes of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba-University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada
- Autophagy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 7134845794, Iran
- Faculty of Medicine, Katowice School of Technology, 40-555, Katowice, Poland
| | - Hyukjae Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak Avenue, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Young Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak Avenue, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Yoo JM, Lin Y, Heo Y, Lee YH. Polymorphism in alpha-synuclein oligomers and its implications in toxicity under disease conditions. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:959425. [PMID: 36032665 PMCID: PMC9412080 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.959425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The major hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is represented by the formation of pathological protein plaques largely consisting of α-synuclein (αSN) amyloid fibrils. Nevertheless, the implications of αSN oligomers in neuronal impairments and disease progression are more importantly highlighted than mature fibrils, as they provoke more detrimental damages in neuronal cells and thereby exacerbate α-synucleinopathy. Interestingly, although generation of oligomeric species under disease conditions is likely correlated to cytotoxicity and different cellular damages, αSN oligomers manifest varying toxicity profiles dependent on the specific environments as well as the shapes and conformations the oligomers adopt. As such, this minireview discusses polymorphism in αSN oligomers and the association of the underlying heterogeneity in regard to toxicity under pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Je Min Yoo
- BioGraphene Inc, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yuxi Lin
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, South Korea
| | - Yunseok Heo
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, South Korea
| | - Young-Ho Lee
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, South Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
- Research Headquarters, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Young-Ho Lee,
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13
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Yoo H, Lee J, Kim B, Moon H, Jeong H, Lee K, Song WJ, Hur JK, Oh Y. Role of post-translational modifications on the alpha-synuclein aggregation-related pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. BMB Rep 2022. [PMID: 35733294 PMCID: PMC9340086 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2022.55.7.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Together with neuronal loss, the existence of insoluble inclusions of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain is widely accepted as a hallmark of synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy body. Because the α-syn aggregates are deeply involved in the pathogenesis, there have been many attempts to demonstrate the mechanism of the aggregation and its potential causative factors including post-translational modifications (PTMs). Although no concrete conclusions have been made based on the previous study results, growing evidence suggests that modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination can alter α-syn characteristics to have certain effects on the aggregation process in PD; either facilitating or inhibiting fibrillization. In the present work, we reviewed studies showing the significant impacts of PTMs on α-syn aggregation. Furthermore, the PTMs modulating α-syn aggregation-induced cell death have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajung Yoo
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Jeongmin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Bokwang Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Heechang Moon
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Huisu Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Kyungmi Lee
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Woo Jeung Song
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Junho K. Hur
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Yohan Oh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
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14
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Abstract
Amyloids are protein aggregates bearing a highly ordered cross β structural motif, which may be functional but are mostly pathogenic. Their formation, deposition in tissues and consequent organ dysfunction is the central event in amyloidogenic diseases. Such protein aggregation may be brought about by conformational changes, and much attention has been directed toward factors like metal binding, post-translational modifications, mutations of protein etc., which eventually affect the reactivity and cytotoxicity of the associated proteins. Over the past decade, a global effort from different groups working on these misfolded/unfolded proteins/peptides has revealed that the amino acid residues in the second coordination sphere of the active sites of amyloidogenic proteins/peptides cause changes in H-bonding pattern or protein-protein interactions, which dramatically alter the structure and reactivity of these proteins/peptides. These second sphere effects not only determine the binding of transition metals and cofactors, which define the pathology of some of these diseases, but also change the mechanism of redox reactions catalyzed by these proteins/peptides and form the basis of oxidative damage associated with these amyloidogenic diseases. The present review seeks to discuss such second sphere modifications and their ramifications in the etiopathology of some representative amyloidogenic diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2Dm), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuparna Roy
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Arnab Kumar Nath
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Ishita Pal
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Somdatta Ghosh Dey
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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15
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Rahul, Siddique YH. Drosophila: A Model to Study the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2022; 21:259-277. [PMID: 35040399 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210809120621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human Central Nervous System (CNS) is the complex part of the human body, which regulates multiple cellular and molecular events taking place simultaneously. Parkinsons Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease (AD). The pathological hallmarks of PD are loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantianigra (SN) pars compacta (SNpc) and accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein, in intra-cytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy bodies (LBs). So far, there is no cure for PD, due to the complexities of molecular mechanisms and events taking place during the pathogenesis of PD. Drosophila melanogaster is an appropriate model organism to unravel the pathogenicity not only behind PD but also other NDs. In this context as numerous biological functions are preserved between Drosophila and humans. Apart from sharing 75% of human disease-causing genes homolog in Drosophila, behavioral responses like memory-based tests, negative geotaxis, courtship and mating are also well studied. The genetic, as well as environmental factors, can be studied in Drosophila to understand the geneenvironment interactions behind the disease condition. Through genetic manipulation, mutant flies can be generated harboring human orthologs, which can prove to be an excellent model to understand the effect of the mutant protein on the pathogenicity of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, Uttar Pradesh,India
| | - Yasir Hasan Siddique
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, Uttar Pradesh,India
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16
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Subedi S, Sasidharan S, Nag N, Saudagar P, Tripathi T. Amyloid Cross-Seeding: Mechanism, Implication, and Inhibition. Molecules 2022; 27:1776. [PMID: 35335141 PMCID: PMC8955620 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, etc. are caused by inclusions and plaques containing misfolded protein aggregates. These protein aggregates are essentially formed by the interactions of either the same (homologous) or different (heterologous) sequences. Several experimental pieces of evidence have revealed the presence of cross-seeding in amyloid proteins, which results in a multicomponent assembly; however, the molecular and structural details remain less explored. Here, we discuss the amyloid proteins and the cross-seeding phenomena in detail. Data suggest that targeting the common epitope of the interacting amyloid proteins may be a better therapeutic option than targeting only one species. We also examine the dual inhibitors that target the amyloid proteins participating in the cross-seeding events. The future scopes and major challenges in understanding the mechanism and developing therapeutics are also considered. Detailed knowledge of the amyloid cross-seeding will stimulate further research in the practical aspects and better designing anti-amyloid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushma Subedi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India; (S.S.); (N.N.)
| | - Santanu Sasidharan
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal 506004, India;
| | - Niharika Nag
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India; (S.S.); (N.N.)
| | - Prakash Saudagar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal 506004, India;
| | - Timir Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India; (S.S.); (N.N.)
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17
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Sano K, Iwasaki Y, Yamashita Y, Irie K, Hosokawa M, Satoh K, Mishima K. Tyrosine 136 phosphorylation of α-synuclein aggregates in the Lewy body dementia brain: involvement of serine 129 phosphorylation by casein kinase 2. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:182. [PMID: 34772466 PMCID: PMC8590312 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01281-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine 129 (S129) phosphorylation of α-synuclein (αSyn) is a central feature of Lewy body (LB) disease pathology. Although the neighboring tyrosine residues Y125, Y133, and Y136 are also phosphorylation sites, little is known regarding potential roles of phosphorylation cross-talk between these sites and its involvement in the pathogenesis of LB disease. Here, we found that αSyn aggregates are predominantly phosphorylated at Y136 in the Lewy body dementia brain, which is mediated by unexpected kinase activity of Casein kinase 2 (CK2). Aggregate formation with S129 and Y136 phosphorylation of recombinant αSyn (r-αSyn) were induced by CK2 but abolished by replacement of S129 with alanine (S129A) in vitro. Mutation of Y136 to alanine (Y136A) promoted aggregate formation and S129 phosphorylation of r-αSyn by CK2 in vitro. Introduction of Y136A r-αSyn oligomers into cultured cells exhibited increased levels of aggregates with S129 phosphorylation compared to wild-type r-αSyn oligomers. In addition, aggregate formation with S129 phosphorylation induced by introduction of wild-type r-αSyn oligomers was significantly attenuated by CK2 inhibition, which resulted in an unexpected increase in Y136 phosphorylation in cultured cells. Our findings suggest the involvement of CK2-related αSyn Y136 phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of LB disease and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Sano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180 Japan
| | - Yasushi Iwasaki
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, 480-1195 Japan
| | - Yuta Yamashita
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180 Japan
| | - Keiichi Irie
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180 Japan
| | - Masato Hosokawa
- Department of Immunological and Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, 814-0180 Japan
| | - Katsuya Satoh
- Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Medical and Dental Sciences, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, 852-8523 Japan
| | - Kenichi Mishima
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180 Japan
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18
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de Pins B, Mendes T, Giralt A, Girault JA. The Non-receptor Tyrosine Kinase Pyk2 in Brain Function and Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:749001. [PMID: 34690733 PMCID: PMC8527176 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.749001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyk2 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase highly enriched in forebrain neurons. Pyk2 is closely related to focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which plays an important role in sensing cell contacts with extracellular matrix and other extracellular signals controlling adhesion and survival. Pyk2 shares some of FAK’s characteristics including recruitment of Src-family kinases after autophosphorylation, scaffolding by interacting with multiple partners, and activation of downstream signaling pathways. Pyk2, however, has the unique property to respond to increases in intracellular free Ca2+, which triggers its autophosphorylation following stimulation of various receptors including glutamate NMDA receptors. Pyk2 is dephosphorylated by the striatal-enriched phosphatase (STEP) that is highly expressed in the same neuronal populations. Pyk2 localization in neurons is dynamic, and altered following stimulation, with post-synaptic and nuclear enrichment. As a signaling protein Pyk2 is involved in multiple pathways resulting in sometimes opposing functions depending on experimental models. Thus Pyk2 has a dual role on neurites and dendritic spines. With Src family kinases Pyk2 participates in postsynaptic regulations including of NMDA receptors and is necessary for specific types of synaptic plasticity and spatial memory tasks. The diverse functions of Pyk2 are also illustrated by its role in pathology. Pyk2 is activated following epileptic seizures or ischemia-reperfusion and may contribute to the consequences of these insults whereas Pyk2 deficit may contribute to the hippocampal phenotype of Huntington’s disease. Pyk2 gene, PTK2B, is associated with the risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Studies of underlying mechanisms indicate a complex contribution with involvement in amyloid toxicity and tauopathy, combined with possible functional deficits in neurons and contribution in microglia. A role of Pyk2 has also been proposed in stress-induced depression and cocaine addiction. Pyk2 is also important for the mobility of astrocytes and glioblastoma cells. The implication of Pyk2 in various pathological conditions supports its potential interest for therapeutic interventions. This is possible through molecules inhibiting its activity or increasing it through inhibition of STEP or other means, depending on a precise evaluation of the balance between positive and negative consequences of Pyk2 actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit de Pins
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.,Inserm UMR-S 1270, Paris, France.,Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Tiago Mendes
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.,Inserm UMR-S 1270, Paris, France.,Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Albert Giralt
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies (Creatio), Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jean-Antoine Girault
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France.,Inserm UMR-S 1270, Paris, France.,Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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19
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Shan FY, Fung KM, Zieneldien T, Kim J, Cao C, Huang JH. Examining the Toxicity of α-Synuclein in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111126. [PMID: 34833002 PMCID: PMC8621244 DOI: 10.3390/life11111126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neurodegenerative disorders are complex disorders that display a variety of clinical manifestations. The second-most common neurodegenerative disorder is Parkinson’s disease, and the leading pathological protein of the disorder is considered to be α-synuclein. Nonetheless, α-synuclein accumulation also seems to result in multiple system atrophy and dementia with Lewy bodies. In order to obtain a more proficient understanding in the pathological progression of these synucleinopathies, it is crucial to observe the post-translational modifications of α-synuclein and the conformations of α-synuclein, as well as its role in the dysfunction of cellular pathways. Abstract α-synuclein is considered the main pathological protein in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. As of now, numerous studies have been aimed at examining the post-translational modifications of α-synuclein to determine their effects on α-synuclein aggregation, propagation, and oligomerization, as well as the potential cellular pathway dysfunctions caused by α-synuclein, to determine the role of the protein in disease progression. Furthermore, α-synuclein also appears to contribute to the fibrilization of tau and amyloid beta, which are crucial proteins in Alzheimer’s disease, advocating for α-synuclein’s preeminent role in neurodegeneration. Due to this, investigating the mechanisms of toxicity of α-synuclein in neurodegeneration may lead to a more proficient understanding of the timeline progression in neurodegenerative synucleinopathies and could thereby lead to the development of potent targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Y. Shan
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX 76508, USA
- Correspondence: (F.Y.S.); (T.Z.)
| | - Kar-Ming Fung
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Medical Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA;
| | - Tarek Zieneldien
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; (J.K.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: (F.Y.S.); (T.Z.)
| | - Janice Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; (J.K.); (C.C.)
| | - Chuanhai Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Taneja College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA; (J.K.); (C.C.)
| | - Jason H. Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX 76508, USA;
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20
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GSK-3β, FYN, and DYRK1A: Master Regulators in Neurodegenerative Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169098. [PMID: 34445804 PMCID: PMC8396491 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases (PKs) have been recognized as central nervous system (CNS)-disease-relevant targets due to their master regulatory role in different signal transduction cascades in the neuroscience space. Among them, GSK-3β, FYN, and DYRK1A play a crucial role in the neurodegeneration context, and the deregulation of all three PKs has been linked to different CNS disorders with unmet medical needs, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and several neuromuscular disorders. The multifactorial nature of these diseases, along with the failure of many advanced CNS clinical trials, and the lengthy approval process of a novel CNS drug have strongly limited the CNS drug discovery. However, in the near-decade from 2010 to 2020, several computer-assisted drug design strategies have been combined with synthetic efforts to develop potent and selective GSK-3β, FYN, and DYRK1A inhibitors as disease-modifying agents. In this review, we described both structural and functional aspects of GSK-3β, FYN, and DYRK1A and their involvement and crosstalk in different CNS pathological signaling pathways. Moreover, we outlined attractive medicinal chemistry approaches including multi-target drug design strategies applied to overcome some limitations of known PKs inhibitors and discover improved modulators with suitable blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and drug-like properties.
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21
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Kayed R, Dettmer U, Lesné SE. Soluble endogenous oligomeric α-synuclein species in neurodegenerative diseases: Expression, spreading, and cross-talk. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2021; 10:791-818. [PMID: 32508330 PMCID: PMC7458533 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-201965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
There is growing recognition in the field of neurodegenerative diseases that mixed proteinopathies are occurring at greater frequency than originally thought. This is particularly true for three amyloid proteins defining most of these neurological disorders, amyloid-beta (Aβ), tau, and alpha-synuclein (αSyn). The co-existence and often co-localization of aggregated forms of these proteins has led to the emergence of concepts positing molecular interactions and cross-seeding between Aβ, tau, and αSyn aggregates. Amongst this trio, αSyn has received particular attention in this context during recent years due to its ability to modulate Aβ and tau aggregation in vivo, to interact at a molecular level with Aβ and tau in vivo and to cross-seed tau in mice. Here we provide a comprehensive, critical, and accessible review about the expression, role and nature of endogenous soluble αSyn oligomers because of recent developments in the understanding of αSyn multimerization, misfolding, aggregation, cross-talk, spreading and cross-seeding in neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease. We will also discuss our current understanding about the relative toxicity of endogenous αSyn oligomers in vivo and in vitro, and introduce potential opportunities to counter their deleterious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakez Kayed
- Departments of Neurology & Neuroscience & Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA,George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ulf Dettmer
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sylvain E. Lesné
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Correspondence to: Sylvain E. Lesné, PhD, University of Minnesota, Wallin Medical Biosciences Building (Room 4-114), 2101 Sixth Street SE, CDC 2641, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA. Tel.: +1 612 626 8341; E-mail: ; Website: https://lesnelab.org
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22
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Krzystek TJ, Banerjee R, Thurston L, Huang J, Swinter K, Rahman SN, Falzone TL, Gunawardena S. Differential mitochondrial roles for α-synuclein in DRP1-dependent fission and PINK1/Parkin-mediated oxidation. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:796. [PMID: 34404758 PMCID: PMC8371151 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles with strict quality control processes that maintain cellular homeostasis. Within axons, coordinated cycles of fission-fusion mediated by dynamin related GTPase protein (DRP1) and mitofusins (MFN), together with regulated motility of healthy mitochondria anterogradely and damaged/oxidized mitochondria retrogradely, control mitochondrial shape, distribution and size. Disruption of this tight regulation has been linked to aberrant oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction causing mitochondrial disease and neurodegeneration. Although pharmacological induction of Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans/animals with toxins or in mice overexpressing α-synuclein (α-syn) exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, mice lacking α-syn showed resistance to mitochondrial toxins; yet, how α-syn influences mitochondrial dynamics and turnover is unclear. Here, we isolate the mechanistic role of α-syn in mitochondrial homeostasis in vivo in a humanized Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease (PD). We show that excess α-syn causes fragmented mitochondria, which persists with either truncation of the C-terminus (α-syn1-120) or deletion of the NAC region (α-synΔNAC). Using in vivo oxidation reporters Mito-roGFP2-ORP1/GRX1 and MitoTimer, we found that α-syn-mediated fragments were oxidized/damaged, but α-syn1-120-induced fragments were healthy, suggesting that the C-terminus is required for oxidation. α-syn-mediated oxidized fragments showed biased retrograde motility, but α-syn1-120-mediated healthy fragments did not, demonstrating that the C-terminus likely mediates the retrograde motility of oxidized mitochondria. Depletion/inhibition or excess DRP1-rescued α-syn-mediated fragmentation, oxidation, and the biased retrograde motility, indicating that DRP1-mediated fragmentation is likely upstream of oxidation and motility changes. Further, excess PINK/Parkin, two PD-associated proteins that function to coordinate mitochondrial turnover via induction of selective mitophagy, rescued α-syn-mediated membrane depolarization, oxidation and cell death in a C-terminus-dependent manner, suggesting a functional interaction between α-syn and PINK/Parkin. Taken together, our findings identify distinct roles for α-syn in mitochondrial homeostasis, highlighting a previously unknown pathogenic pathway for the initiation of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Krzystek
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Rupkatha Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Layne Thurston
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - JianQiao Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Kelsey Swinter
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Saad Navid Rahman
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Tomas L Falzone
- Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias IBCN (CONICET-UBA), Universidad De Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA), Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Shermali Gunawardena
- Department of Biological Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
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Manzanza NDO, Sedlackova L, Kalaria RN. Alpha-Synuclein Post-translational Modifications: Implications for Pathogenesis of Lewy Body Disorders. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:690293. [PMID: 34248606 PMCID: PMC8267936 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.690293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lewy Body Disorders (LBDs) lie within the spectrum of age-related neurodegenerative diseases now frequently categorized as the synucleinopathies. LBDs are considered to be among the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementias after Alzheimer's disease. They are progressive conditions with variable clinical symptoms embodied within specific cognitive and behavioral disorders. There are currently no effective treatments for LBDs. LBDs are histopathologically characterized by the presence of abnormal neuronal inclusions commonly known as Lewy Bodies (LBs) and extracellular Lewy Neurites (LNs). The inclusions predominantly comprise aggregates of alpha-synuclein (aSyn). It has been proposed that post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as aSyn phosphorylation, ubiquitination SUMOylation, Nitration, o-GlcNacylation, and Truncation play important roles in the formation of toxic forms of the protein, which consequently facilitates the formation of these inclusions. This review focuses on the role of different PTMs in aSyn in the pathogenesis of LBDs. We highlight how these PTMs interact with aSyn to promote misfolding and aggregation and interplay with cell membranes leading to the potential functional and pathogenic consequences detected so far, and their involvement in the development of LBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson de Oliveira Manzanza
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia Sedlackova
- Biosciences Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Raj N. Kalaria
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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24
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Mavroeidi P, Xilouri M. Neurons and Glia Interplay in α-Synucleinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4994. [PMID: 34066733 PMCID: PMC8125822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of the neuronal presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein within proteinaceous inclusions represents the key histophathological hallmark of a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, referred to by the umbrella term a-synucleinopathies. Even though alpha-synuclein is expressed predominantly in neurons, pathological aggregates of the protein are also found in the glial cells of the brain. In Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, alpha-synuclein accumulates mainly in neurons forming the Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, whereas in multiple system atrophy, the protein aggregates mostly in the glial cytoplasmic inclusions within oligodendrocytes. In addition, astrogliosis and microgliosis are found in the synucleinopathy brains, whereas both astrocytes and microglia internalize alpha-synuclein and contribute to the spread of pathology. The mechanisms underlying the pathological accumulation of alpha-synuclein in glial cells that under physiological conditions express low to non-detectable levels of the protein are an area of intense research. Undoubtedly, the presence of aggregated alpha-synuclein can disrupt glial function in general and can contribute to neurodegeneration through numerous pathways. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of alpha-synuclein in both neurons and glia, highlighting the contribution of the neuron-glia connectome in the disease initiation and progression, which may represent potential therapeutic target for a-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Xilouri
- Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
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25
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He S, Wang F, Yung KKL, Zhang S, Qu S. Effects of α-Synuclein-Associated Post-Translational Modifications in Parkinson's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1061-1071. [PMID: 33769791 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn), a small highly conserved presynaptic protein containing 140 amino acids, is thought to be the main pathological hallmark in related neurodegenerative disorders. Although the normal function of α-syn is closely involved in the regulation of vesicular neurotransmission in these diseases, the underlying mechanisms of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of α-syn in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) have not been fully characterized. The pathological accumulation of misfolded α-syn has a critical role in PD pathogenesis. Recent studies of factors contributing to α-syn-associated aggregation and misfolding have expanded our understanding of the PD disease process. In this Review, we summarize the structure and physiological function of α-syn, and we further highlight the major PTMs (namely phosphorylation, ubiquitination, nitration, acetylation, truncation, SUMOylation, and O-GlcNAcylation) of α-syn and the effects of these modifications on α-syn aggregation, which may elucidate mechanisms for PD pathogenesis and lay a theoretical foundation for clinical treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songzhe He
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Fushun Wang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610066, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, 14643, United States
| | - Ken Kin Lam Yung
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Shiqing Zhang
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Shaogang Qu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
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26
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Sarkar S, Olsen AL, Sygnecka K, Lohr KM, Feany MB. α-synuclein impairs autophagosome maturation through abnormal actin stabilization. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009359. [PMID: 33556113 PMCID: PMC7895402 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular trafficking defects, particularly those in the autophagolysosomal system, have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related α-synucleinopathies. However, mechanisms mediating dysfunction of membrane trafficking remain incompletely understood. Using a Drosophila model of α-synuclein neurotoxicity with widespread and robust pathology, we find that human α-synuclein expression impairs autophagic flux in aging adult neurons. Genetic destabilization of the actin cytoskeleton rescues F-actin accumulation, promotes autophagosome clearance, normalizes the autophagolysosomal system, and rescues neurotoxicity in α-synuclein transgenic animals through an Arp2/3 dependent mechanism. Similarly, mitophagosomes accumulate in human α-synuclein-expressing neurons, and reversal of excessive actin stabilization promotes both clearance of these abnormal mitochondria-containing organelles and rescue of mitochondrial dysfunction. These results suggest that Arp2/3 dependent actin cytoskeleton stabilization mediates autophagic and mitophagic dysfunction and implicate failure of autophagosome maturation as a pathological mechanism in Parkinson’s disease and related α-synucleinopathies. Vesicle trafficking is a central cell biological pathway perturbed in Parkinson’s disease. Here we use a genetic approach to define an underlying mechanism by demonstrating that the key Parkinson’s disease protein α-synuclein impairs maturation of autophagosomes and mitophagosomes through Arp2/3 dependent excess stabilization of cellular actin networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvarish Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Abby L. Olsen
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katja Sygnecka
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kelly M. Lohr
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mel B. Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- * E-mail:
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27
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Reverse engineering Lewy bodies: how far have we come and how far can we go? Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:111-131. [PMID: 33432241 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-00416-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Lewy bodies (LBs) are α-synuclein (α-syn)-rich intracellular inclusions that are an important pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease and several other neurodegenerative diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that the aggregation of α-syn has a central role in LB formation and is one of the key processes that drive neurodegeneration and pathology progression in Parkinson disease. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the formation of LBs, their biochemical composition and ultrastructural properties, how they evolve and spread with disease progression, and their role in neurodegeneration. In this Review, we discuss current knowledge of α-syn pathology, including the biochemical, structural and morphological features of LBs observed in different brain regions. We also review the most used cellular and animal models of α-syn aggregation and pathology spreading in relation to the extent to which they reproduce key features of authentic LBs. Finally, we provide important insights into molecular and cellular determinants of LB formation and spreading, and highlight the critical need for more detailed and systematic characterization of α-syn pathology, at both the biochemical and structural levels. This would advance our understanding of Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative diseases and allow the development of more-reliable disease models and novel effective therapeutic strategies.
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28
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Weston LJ, Stackhouse TL, Spinelli KJ, Boutros SW, Rose EP, Osterberg VR, Luk KC, Raber J, Weissman TA, Unni VK. Genetic deletion of Polo-like kinase 2 reduces alpha-synuclein serine-129 phosphorylation in presynaptic terminals but not Lewy bodies. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100273. [PMID: 33428941 PMCID: PMC7948797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein at serine-129 is an important marker of pathologically relevant, aggregated forms of the protein in several important human diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, and Multiple system atrophy. Although several kinases have been shown to be capable of phosphorylating alpha-synuclein in various model systems, the identity of the kinase that phosphorylates alpha-synuclein in the Lewy body remains unknown. One member of the Polo-like kinase family, PLK2, is a strong candidate for being the Lewy body kinase. To examine this possibility, we have used a combination of approaches, including biochemical, immunohistochemical, and in vivo multiphoton imaging techniques to study the consequences of PLK2 genetic deletion on alpha-synuclein phosphorylation in both the presynaptic terminal and preformed fibril-induced Lewy body pathology in mouse cortex. We find that PLK2 deletion reduces presynaptic terminal alpha-synuclein serine-129 phosphorylation, but has no effect on Lewy body phosphorylation levels. Serine-129 mutation to the phosphomimetic alanine or the unphosphorylatable analog aspartate does not change the rate of cell death of Lewy inclusion-bearing neurons in our in vivo multiphoton imaging paradigm, but PLK2 deletion does slow the rate of neuronal death. Our data indicate that inhibition of PLK2 represents a promising avenue for developing new therapeutics, but that the mechanism of neuroprotection by PLK2 inhibition is not likely due to reducing alpha-synuclein serine-129 phosphorylation and that the true Lewy body kinase still awaits discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah J Weston
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Teresa L Stackhouse
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Kateri J Spinelli
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Sydney W Boutros
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Elizabeth P Rose
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Valerie R Osterberg
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Kelvin C Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jacob Raber
- Departments of Behavioral Neuroscience, Neurology, and Radiation Medicine and Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Vivek K Unni
- Department of Neurology & Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; OHSU Parkinson Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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29
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Retina as a Model to Study In Vivo Transmission of α-Synuclein in the A53T Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2224:75-85. [PMID: 33606207 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1008-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein within the central nervous system (CNS). Retinal manifestations have been widely described as a prodromal symptom; however, we have a limited understanding of the retinal pathology associated with Parkinson's disease. The strong similarities between the retina and the brain and the accessibility of the retina has potentiated studies to investigate retinal pathology in an effort to identify biomarkers for early detection, as well as for monitoring the progression of disease and efficacy of therapies as they become available. Here, we discuss a study conducted using a transgenic mouse model of Parkinson's disease (TgM83, expressing human α-synuclein containing the familial PD-associated A53T mutation) to demonstrate the effect of the A53T α-synuclein mutation on the retina. Additionally, we show that "seeding" with brain homogenates from clinically ill TgM83 mice accelerates the accumulation of retinal α-synuclein. The work described in this chapter provides insight into retinal changes associated with Parkinson's disease and identifies retinal indicators of Parkinson's disease pathogenesis that could serve as potential biomarkers for early detection.
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30
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Akiyama T, Sato S, Ko SBH, Sano O, Sato S, Saito M, Nagai H, Ko MSH, Iwata H. Synthetic mRNA-based differentiation method enables early detection of Parkinson's phenotypes in neurons derived from Gaucher disease-induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 10:572-581. [PMID: 33342090 PMCID: PMC7980209 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaucher disease, the most prevalent metabolic storage disorder, is caused by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene GBA1, which lead to the accumulation of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in affected cells. Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1), although defined as a nonneuronopathic subtype, is accompanied by an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. To gain insights into the association of progressive accumulation of GlcCer and the Parkinson's disease phenotypes, we generated dopaminergic (DA) neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a GD1 patient and a healthy donor control, and measured GlcCer accumulation by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. We tested two DA neuron differentiation methods: a well‐established method that mimics a step‐wise developmental process from iPSCs to neural progenitor cells, and to DA neurons; and a synthetic mRNA‐based method that overexpresses a transcription factor in iPSCs. GD1‐specific accumulation of GlcCer was detected after 60 days of differentiation by the former method, whereas it was detected after only 10 days by the latter method. With this synthetic mRNA‐based rapid differentiation method, we found that the metabolic defect in GD1 patient cells can be rescued by the overexpression of wild‐type GBA1 or the treatment with an inhibitor for GlcCer synthesis. Furthermore, we detected the increased phosphorylation of α‐synuclein, a biomarker for Parkinson's disease, in DA neurons derived from a GD1 patient, which was significantly decreased by the overexpression of wild‐type GBA1. These results suggest that synthetic mRNA‐based method accelerates the analyses of the pathological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease in GD1 patients and possibly facilitates drug discovery processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiko Akiyama
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saeko Sato
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeru B H Ko
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Sano
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Sho Sato
- DMPK Laboratories, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Masayo Saito
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nagai
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Minoru S H Ko
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidehisa Iwata
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Research, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Fujisawa, Japan
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Pivotal Role of Fyn Kinase in Parkinson's Disease and Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia: a Novel Therapeutic Target? Mol Neurobiol 2020; 58:1372-1391. [PMID: 33175322 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02201-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The exact etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains obscure, although many cellular mechanisms including α-synuclein aggregation, oxidative damage, excessive neuroinflammation, and dopaminergic neuronal apoptosis are implicated in its pathogenesis. There is still no disease-modifying treatment for PD and the gold standard therapy, chronic use of levodopa is usually accompanied by severe side effects, mainly levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). Hence, the elucidation of the precise underlying molecular mechanisms is of paramount importance. Fyn is a tyrosine phospho-transferase of the Src family nonreceptor kinases that is highly implicated in immune regulation, cell proliferation and normal brain development. Accumulating preclinical evidence highlights the emerging role of Fyn in key aspects of PD and LID pathogenesis: it may regulate α-synuclein phosphorylation, oxidative stress-induced dopaminergic neuronal death, enhanced neuroinflammation and glutamate excitotoxicity by mediating key signaling pathways, such as BDNF/TrkB, PKCδ, MAPK, AMPK, NF-κB, Nrf2, and NMDAR axes. These findings suggest that therapeutic targeting of Fyn or Fyn-related pathways may represent a novel approach in PD treatment. Saracatinib, a nonselective Fyn inhibitor, has already been tested in clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, and novel selective Fyn inhibitors are under investigation. In this comprehensive review, we discuss recent evidence on the role of Fyn in the pathogenesis of PD and LID and provide insights on additional Fyn-related molecular mechanisms to be explored in PD and LID pathology that could aid in the development of future Fyn-targeted therapeutic approaches.
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32
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Gracia P, Camino JD, Volpicelli-Daley L, Cremades N. Multiplicity of α-Synuclein Aggregated Species and Their Possible Roles in Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8043. [PMID: 33126694 PMCID: PMC7663424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein amyloid aggregation is a defining molecular feature of Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy, but can also be found in other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The process of α-synuclein aggregation can be initiated through alternative nucleation mechanisms and dominated by different secondary processes giving rise to multiple amyloid polymorphs and intermediate species. Some aggregated species have more inherent abilities to induce cellular stress and toxicity, while others seem to be more potent in propagating neurodegeneration. The preference for particular types of polymorphs depends on the solution conditions and the cellular microenvironment that the protein encounters, which is likely related to the distinct cellular locations of α-synuclein inclusions in different synucleinopathies, and the existence of disease-specific amyloid polymorphs. In this review, we discuss our current understanding on the nature and structure of the various types of α-synuclein aggregated species and their possible roles in pathology. Precisely defining these distinct α-synuclein species will contribute to understanding the molecular origins of these disorders, developing accurate diagnoses, and designing effective therapeutic interventions for these highly debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Gracia
- Joint Unit BIFI-IQFR (CSIC), Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (P.G.); (J.D.C.)
| | - José D. Camino
- Joint Unit BIFI-IQFR (CSIC), Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (P.G.); (J.D.C.)
| | - Laura Volpicelli-Daley
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Nunilo Cremades
- Joint Unit BIFI-IQFR (CSIC), Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (P.G.); (J.D.C.)
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Liu J, Xu F, Nie Z, Shao L. Gut Microbiota Approach-A New Strategy to Treat Parkinson's Disease. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:570658. [PMID: 33194809 PMCID: PMC7643014 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.570658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss and dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra, which contain a variety of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn). Medications that increase or substitute for dopamine can be used for the treatment of PD. Recently, numerous studies have shown gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating and maintaining multiple aspects of host physiology including host metabolism and neurodevelopment. In this review article, the role of gut microbiota in the etiological mechanism of PD will be reviewed. Furthermore, we discussed current pharmaceutical medicine-based methods to prevent and treat PD, followed by describing specific strains that affect the host brain function through the gut-brain axis. We explained in detail how gut microbiota directly produces neurotransmitters or regulate the host biosynthesis of neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters secreted by the intestinal lumen bacteria may induce epithelial cells to release molecules that, in turn, can regulate neural signaling in the enteric nervous system and subsequently control brain function and behavior through the brain-gut axis. Finally, we proved that the microbial regulation of the host neuronal system. Endogenous α-syn can be transmitted long distance and bidirectional between ENS and brain through the circulatory system which gives us a new option that the possibility of altering the community of gut microbiota in completely new medication option for treating PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunity, The College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Microbial Pharmacology Laboratory, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunity, The College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Microbial Pharmacology Laboratory, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyan Nie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunity, The College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shao
- Microbial Pharmacology Laboratory, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
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Landeck N, Strathearn KE, Ysselstein D, Buck K, Dutta S, Banerjee S, Lv Z, Hulleman JD, Hindupur J, Lin LK, Padalkar S, Stanciu LA, Lyubchenko YL, Kirik D, Rochet JC. Two C-terminal sequence variations determine differential neurotoxicity between human and mouse α-synuclein. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:49. [PMID: 32900375 PMCID: PMC7487555 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00380-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND α-Synuclein (aSyn) aggregation is thought to play a central role in neurodegenerative disorders termed synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Mouse aSyn contains a threonine residue at position 53 that mimics the human familial PD substitution A53T, yet in contrast to A53T patients, mice show no evidence of aSyn neuropathology even after aging. Here, we studied the neurotoxicity of human A53T, mouse aSyn, and various human-mouse chimeras in cellular and in vivo models, as well as their biochemical properties relevant to aSyn pathobiology. METHODS Primary midbrain cultures transduced with aSyn-encoding adenoviruses were analyzed immunocytochemically to determine relative dopaminergic neuron viability. Brain sections prepared from rats injected intranigrally with aSyn-encoding adeno-associated viruses were analyzed immunohistochemically to determine nigral dopaminergic neuron viability and striatal dopaminergic terminal density. Recombinant aSyn variants were characterized in terms of fibrillization rates by measuring thioflavin T fluorescence, fibril morphologies via electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and protein-lipid interactions by monitoring membrane-induced aSyn aggregation and aSyn-mediated vesicle disruption. Statistical tests consisted of ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparisons post hoc test and the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by a Dunn's multiple comparisons test or a two-tailed Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS Mouse aSyn was less neurotoxic than human aSyn A53T in cell culture and in rat midbrain, and data obtained for the chimeric variants indicated that the human-to-mouse substitutions D121G and N122S were at least partially responsible for this decrease in neurotoxicity. Human aSyn A53T and a chimeric variant with the human residues D and N at positions 121 and 122 (respectively) showed a greater propensity to undergo membrane-induced aggregation and to elicit vesicle disruption. Differences in neurotoxicity among the human, mouse, and chimeric aSyn variants correlated weakly with differences in fibrillization rate or fibril morphology. CONCLUSIONS Mouse aSyn is less neurotoxic than the human A53T variant as a result of inhibitory effects of two C-terminal amino acid substitutions on membrane-induced aSyn aggregation and aSyn-mediated vesicle permeabilization. Our findings highlight the importance of membrane-induced self-assembly in aSyn neurotoxicity and suggest that inhibiting this process by targeting the C-terminal domain could slow neurodegeneration in PD and other synucleinopathy disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Landeck
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katherine E. Strathearn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Present address: Fujifilm Irvine Scientific, Santa Ana, CA USA
| | - Daniel Ysselstein
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Present address: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Kerstin Buck
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Present address: AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Sayan Dutta
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Siddhartha Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Zhengjian Lv
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
- Present address: Bruker Nanosurfaces Division, Goleta, Santa Barbara, CA USA
| | - John D. Hulleman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Present address: Departments of Ophthalmology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA
| | - Jagadish Hindupur
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Present address: Liveon Biolabs Pvt. Ltd., Tumakuru, Karnataka India
| | - Li-Kai Lin
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Sonal Padalkar
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Present address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA USA
| | - Lia A. Stanciu
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Yuri L. Lyubchenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Deniz Kirik
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jean-Christophe Rochet
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
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Curry AM, Fernàndez RD, Pagani TD, Abeyawardhane DL, Trahan ML, Lucas HR. Mapping of Photochemically-Derived Dityrosine across Fe-Bound N-Acetylated α-Synuclein. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10080124. [PMID: 32726960 PMCID: PMC7459884 DOI: 10.3390/life10080124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disease and belongs to a group of neurodegenerative disorders called synucleinopathies in which pathological aggregates of N-terminally acetylated α-synuclein (NAcα-Syn) accumulate in various regions of the brain. In PD, these NAcα-Syn aggregates have been found to contain covalent dityrosine crosslinks, which can occur either intermolecularly or intramolecularly. Cerebral metal imbalance is also a hallmark of PD, warranting investigations into the effects of brain biometals on NAcα-Syn. NAcα-Syn is an intrinsically disordered protein, and metal-mediated conformational modifications of this structurally dynamic protein have been demonstrated to influence its propensity for dityrosine formation. In this study, a library of tyrosine-to-phenylalanine (Y-to-F) NAcα-Syn constructs were designed in order to elucidate the nature and the precise residues involved in dityrosine crosslinking of Fe-bound NAcα-Syn. The structural capacity of each mutant to form dityrosine crosslinks was assessed using Photo-Induced Cross-Linking of Unmodified Proteins (PICUP), demonstrating that coordination of either FeIII or FeII to NAcα-Syn inhibits dityrosine crosslinking among the C-terminal residues. We further demonstrate that Y39 is the main contributor to dityrosine formation of Fe-bound NAcα-Syn, while Y125 is the main residue involved in dityrosine crosslinks in unmetalated NAcα-Syn. Our results confirm that iron coordination has a global effect on NAcα-Syn structure and reactivity.
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Savyon M, Engelender S. SUMOylation in α-Synuclein Homeostasis and Pathology. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:167. [PMID: 32670048 PMCID: PMC7330056 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein are central to Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet the molecular mechanisms responsible for these events are not fully understood. Post-translational modifications of α-synuclein regulate several of its properties, including degradation, interaction with proteins and membranes, aggregation and toxicity. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification involved in various nuclear and extranuclear processes, such as subcellular protein targeting, mitochondrial fission and synaptic plasticity. Protein SUMOylation increases in response to several stressful situations, from viral infections to trauma. In this framework, an increasing amount of evidence has implicated SUMOylation in several neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. This review will discuss recent findings in the role of SUMOylation as a regulator of α-synuclein accumulation, aggregation and toxicity, and its possible implication in neurodegeneration that underlies PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mor Savyon
- Department of Biochemistry, The B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Medical Research, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Simone Engelender
- Department of Biochemistry, The B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Medical Research, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Fayyad M, Erskine D, Majbour NK, Vaikath NN, Ghanem SS, Sudhakaran IP, Abdesselem H, Lamprokostopoulou A, Vekrellis K, Morris CM, Attems J, El-Agnaf OMA. Investigating the presence of doubly phosphorylated α-synuclein at tyrosine 125 and serine 129 in idiopathic Lewy body diseases. Brain Pathol 2020; 30:831-843. [PMID: 32324926 PMCID: PMC7384146 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the protein α‐synuclein (α‐syn) into insoluble intracellular assemblies termed Lewy bodies (LBs) is thought to be a critical pathogenic event in LB diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia with LBs. In LB diseases, the majority of α‐syn is phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129), suggesting that this is an important disease‐related post‐translational modification (PTM). However, PTMs do not typically occur in isolation and phosphorylation at the proximal tyrosine 125 (pY125) residue has received considerable attention and has been inconsistently reported to be present in LBs. Furthermore, the proximity of Y125 to S129 means that some pS129 antibodies may have epitopes that include Y125, in which case phosphorylation of Y125 will impede recognition of α‐syn. This would potentially lead to underestimating LB pathology burdens if pY125 occurs alongside pS129. To address the apparent controversy in the literature regarding the detection of pY125, we investigated its presence in the LB pathology. We generated pS129 antibodies whose epitope includes or does not include Y125 and compared the extent of α‐syn pathology recognized in mouse models of α‐synucleinopathies, human brain tissue lysates and fixed post‐mortem brain tissues. Our study demonstrated no difference in α‐syn pathology recognized between pS129 antibodies, irrespective of whether Y125 was part of the epitope or not. Furthermore, evaluation with pY125 antibodies whose epitope does not include S129 demonstrated no labeling of LB pathology. This study reconciles disparate results in the literature and demonstrates pY125 is not a key component of LB pathology in murine models or human tissues in idiopathic LB diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneera Fayyad
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Daniel Erskine
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nour K Majbour
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nishant N Vaikath
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Simona S Ghanem
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Indulekha P Sudhakaran
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Houari Abdesselem
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Kostas Vekrellis
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christopher M Morris
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Johannes Attems
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Omar M A El-Agnaf
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.,Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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38
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Hernandez SM, Tikhonova EB, Karamyshev AL. Protein-Protein Interactions in Alpha-Synuclein Biogenesis: New Potential Targets in Parkinson's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:72. [PMID: 32256340 PMCID: PMC7092629 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder defined by a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra in the brain. It is associated with cytosolic inclusions known as Lewy bodies. The major component of Lewy bodies is aggregated alpha-synuclein. The molecular mechanism of alpha-synuclein aggregation is not known. Our conceptual model is that alpha-synuclein aggregates due to a dysregulation of its interactions with other protein partners that are required for its biogenesis. In this mini review article, we identified alpha-synuclein interactions using both current literature and predictive pathway analysis. Alterations of these interactions may be crucial elements for the molecular mechanism of the protein aggregation and related pathology in the disease. Identification of alpha-synuclein interactions provides valuable tools to understand PD pathology and find new pharmacological targets for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Hernandez
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Elena B Tikhonova
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Andrey L Karamyshev
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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39
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Teil M, Arotcarena ML, Faggiani E, Laferriere F, Bezard E, Dehay B. Targeting α-synuclein for PD Therapeutics: A Pursuit on All Fronts. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10030391. [PMID: 32138193 PMCID: PMC7175302 DOI: 10.3390/biom10030391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is characterized both by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy Bodies. These Lewy Bodies contain the aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) protein, which has been shown to be able to propagate from cell to cell and throughout different regions in the brain. Due to its central role in the pathology and the lack of a curative treatment for PD, an increasing number of studies have aimed at targeting this protein for therapeutics. Here, we reviewed and discussed the many different approaches that have been studied to inhibit α-syn accumulation via direct and indirect targeting. These analyses have led to the generation of multiple clinical trials that are either completed or currently active. These clinical trials and the current preclinical studies must still face obstacles ahead, but give hope of finding a therapy for PD with time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Teil
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Marie-Laure Arotcarena
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Emilie Faggiani
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Florent Laferriere
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- Univ. de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (M.T.); (M.-L.A.); (E.F.); (F.L.); (E.B.)
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence:
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Oláh J, Lehotzky A, Szunyogh S, Szénási T, Orosz F, Ovádi J. Microtubule-Associated Proteins with Regulatory Functions by Day and Pathological Potency at Night. Cells 2020; 9:E357. [PMID: 32033023 PMCID: PMC7072251 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The sensing, integrating, and coordinating features of the eukaryotic cells are achieved by the complex ultrastructural arrays and multifarious functions of the cytoskeleton, including the microtubule network. Microtubules play crucial roles achieved by their decoration with proteins/enzymes as well as by posttranslational modifications. This review focuses on the Tubulin Polymerization Promoting Protein (TPPP/p25), a new microtubule associated protein, on its "regulatory functions by day and pathological functions at night". Physiologically, the moonlighting TPPP/p25 modulates the dynamics and stability of the microtubule network by bundling microtubules and enhancing the tubulin acetylation due to the inhibition of tubulin deacetylases. The optimal endogenous TPPP/p25 level is crucial for its physiological functions, to the differentiation of oligodendrocytes, which are the major constituents of the myelin sheath. Pathologically, TPPP/p25 forms toxic oligomers/aggregates with α-synuclein in neurons and oligodendrocytes in Parkinson's disease and Multiple System Atrophy, respectively; and their complex is a potential therapeutic drug target. TPPP/p25-derived microtubule hyperacetylation counteracts uncontrolled cell division. All these issues reveal the anti-mitotic and α-synuclein aggregation-promoting potency of TPPP/p25, consistent with the finding that Parkinson's disease patients have reduced risk for certain cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Judit Ovádi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.O.); (A.L.); (S.S.); (T.S.); (F.O.)
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Cheng J, Lu Q, Song L, Ho MS. α-Synuclein Trafficking in Parkinson's Disease: Insights From Fly and Mouse Models. ASN Neuro 2019; 10:1759091418812587. [PMID: 30482039 PMCID: PMC6259071 DOI: 10.1177/1759091418812587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation and accumulation are common pathological hallmarks in neurodegenerative diseases. To efficiently clear and eliminate such aggregation becomes an important cellular strategy for cell survival. Lewy bodies inclusion and aggregation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) during the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) serve as a good example and are potentially linked to other pathological PD features such as progressive dopaminergic neuron cell death, behavioral defects, and nonmotor symptoms like anosmia, cognitive impairment, and depression. Years of research have revealed a variety of mechanisms underlying α-Syn aggregation, clearance, and spread. Particularly, vesicular routes associated with the trafficking of α-Syn, leading to its aggregation and accumulation, have been shown to play vital roles in PD pathogenesis. How α-Syn proteins propagate among cells in a prion-like manner, either from or to neurons and glia, via means of uptake or secretion, are questions under active investigation and have been of central interest in the field of PD study. This review covers components and pathways of possible vesicular routes involved in α-Syn trafficking. Events including but not limited to exocytosis and endocytosis will be discussed within the context of an overall cellular trafficking theme. Recent advances on α-Syn trafficking mechanisms and their significance in mediating PD pathogenesis will be thoroughly reviewed, ending with a discussion on the advantages and limitations of different animal PD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Cheng
- 1 School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Qingqing Lu
- 2 Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Li Song
- 2 Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Margaret S Ho
- 1 School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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Krejciova Z, Carlson GA, Giles K, Prusiner SB. Replication of multiple system atrophy prions in primary astrocyte cultures from transgenic mice expressing human α-synuclein. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:81. [PMID: 31109379 PMCID: PMC6526619 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0703-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) containing aggregated and hyperphosphorylated α-synuclein are the signature neuropathological hallmark of multiple system atrophy (MSA). Native α-synuclein can adopt a prion conformation that self-propagates and spreads throughout the brain ultimately resulting in neurodegeneration. A growing body of evidence argues that, in addition to oligodendrocytes, astrocytes contain α-synuclein inclusions in MSA and other α-synucleinopathies at advanced stages of disease. To study the role of astrocytes in MSA, we added MSA brain homogenate to primary cultures of astrocytes from transgenic (Tg) mouse lines expressing human α-synuclein. Astrocytes from four Tg lines, expressing either wild-type or mutant (A53T or A30P) human α-synuclein, propagated and accumulated α-synuclein prions. Furthermore, we found that MSA-infected astrocytes formed two morphologically distinct α-synuclein inclusions: filamentous and granular. Both types of cytoplasmic inclusions shared several features characteristic of α-synuclein inclusions in synucleinopathies: hyperphosphorylation preceded by aggregation, ubiquitination, thioflavin S–positivity, and co-localization with p62. Our findings demonstrate that human α-synuclein forms distinct inclusion morphologies and propagates within cultured Tg astrocytes exposed to MSA prions, indicating that α-synuclein expression determines the tropism of inclusion formation in certain cells. Thus, our work may prove useful in elucidating the role of astrocytes in the pathogenic mechanisms that feature in neurodegeneration caused by MSA prions.
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El Turk F, De Genst E, Guilliams T, Fauvet B, Hejjaoui M, Di Trani J, Chiki A, Mittermaier A, Vendruscolo M, Lashuel HA, Dobson CM. Exploring the role of post-translational modifications in regulating α-synuclein interactions by studying the effects of phosphorylation on nanobody binding. Protein Sci 2019; 27:1262-1274. [PMID: 29603451 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular deposits of α-synuclein in the form of Lewy bodies are major hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD) and a range of related neurodegenerative disorders. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of α-synuclein are increasingly thought to be major modulators of its structure, function, degradation and toxicity. Among these PTMs, phosphorylation near the C-terminus at S129 has emerged as a dominant pathogenic modification as it is consistently observed to occur within the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of post-mortem PD patients, and its level appears to correlate with disease progression. Phosphorylation at the neighboring tyrosine residue Y125 has also been shown to protect against α-synuclein toxicity in a Drosophila model of PD. In the present study we address the potential roles of C-terminal phosphorylation in modulating the interaction of α-synuclein with other protein partners, using a single domain antibody fragment (NbSyn87) that binds to the C-terminal region of α-synuclein with nanomolar affinity. The results reveal that phosphorylation at S129 has negligible effect on the binding affinity of NbSyn87 to α-synuclein while phosphorylation at Y125, only four residues away, decreases the binding affinity by a factor of 400. These findings show that, despite the fact that α-synuclein is intrinsically disordered in solution, selective phosphorylation can modulate significantly its interactions with other molecules and suggest how this particular form of modification could play a key role in regulating the normal and aberrant function of α-synuclein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah El Turk
- Centre for Mosfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.,Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada
| | - Erwin De Genst
- Centre for Mosfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Guilliams
- Centre for Mosfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Fauvet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH 1015, Switzerland
| | - Mirva Hejjaoui
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH 1015, Switzerland
| | - Justin Di Trani
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada
| | - Anass Chiki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH 1015, Switzerland
| | - Anthony Mittermaier
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Mosfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, CH 1015, Switzerland
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Centre for Mosfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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Chen H, Zhao YF, Chen YX, Li YM. Exploring the Roles of Post-Translational Modifications in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease Using Synthetic and Semisynthetic Modified α-Synuclein. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:910-921. [PMID: 30628768 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-syn), a small soluble protein containing 140 amino acids, is associated with the recycling pool of synaptic vesicles in presynaptic terminals. The misfolding and aggregation of α-syn is closely related to a group of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), which is one of the most common progressive neurodegenerative diseases. Varieties of the post-translational modifications (PTMs) of α-syn, including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and glycosylation, have been detected in soluble and aggregated α-syn in vivo. These PTMs can have either positive or negative effects on α-syn aggregation and toxicity, which may play critical roles in PD pathogenesis. Herein, we review the advances in synthetic and semisynthetic chemistry to generate homogeneous α-syn variants with site-specific modifications. Using these modified α-syn, we gain insight into the consequences of PTMs on α-syn aggregation and other biophysical properties, which can help elucidate the role of PTMs in the pathogenesis of PD and develop potential therapies to PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huai Chen
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Fen Zhao
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Xiang Chen
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
- Beijing Institute
for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100069, P.R. China
- Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
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Pajarillo E, Rizor A, Lee J, Aschner M, Lee E. The role of posttranslational modifications of α-synuclein and LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease: Potential contributions of environmental factors. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1865:1992-2000. [PMID: 30481588 PMCID: PMC6534484 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the most prevalent movement disorder. PD is characterized by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra, but its etiology has yet to be established. Among several genetic variants contributing to PD pathogenesis, α-synuclein and leucine-rich repeat kinase (LRRK2) are widely associated with neuropathological phenotypes in familial and sporadic PD. α-Synuclein and LRRK2 found in Lewy bodies, a pathogenic hallmark of PD, are often posttranslationally modified. As posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are key processes in regulating the stability, localization, and function of proteins, PTMs have emerged as important modulators of α-synuclein and LRRK2 pathology. Aberrant PTMs altering phosphorylation, ubiquitination, nitration and truncation of these proteins promote PD pathogenesis, while other PTMs such as sumoylation may be protective. Although the causes of many aberrant PTMs are unknown, environmental risk factors may contribute to their aberrancy. Environmental toxicants such as rotenone and paraquat have been shown to interact with these proteins and promote their abnormal PTMs. Notably, manganese (Mn) exposure leads to a PD-like neurological disorder referred to as manganism-and induces pathogenic PTMs of α-synuclein and LRRK2. In this review, we highlight the role of PTMs of α-synuclein and LRRK2 in PD pathogenesis and discuss the impact of environmental risk factors on their aberrancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Pajarillo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32301, United States of America
| | - Asha Rizor
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32301, United States of America
| | - Jayden Lee
- Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, United States of America
| | - Eunsook Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32301, United States of America.
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Gong S, Zhang J, Guo Z, Fu W. Senkyunolide A protects neural cells against corticosterone-induced apoptosis by modulating protein phosphatase 2A and α-synuclein signaling. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:1865-1879. [PMID: 29983543 PMCID: PMC6025771 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s161748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Depression is characterized by a pathological injury to the hippocampal neurons. Senkyunolide A (SenA) is one of the major active components of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san, which is widely used in the treatment of depression-related disorders. Materials and methods In the present study, it was hypothesized that the antidepressant effect of Dan-zhi-xiao-yao-san depended on the function of SenA and the authors attempted to reveal the molecular mechanism associated with the treatment. An in vitro depression model was induced using corticosterone (Cort), and the effect of SenA on the cell viability, apoptosis, and protein phosphatase 2A/α-synuclein (PP2A/α-syn) signaling was detected. To validate the mechanism driving the therapeutic effect of SenA, activity of PP2A and α-syn was modulated and the effect on neural cells was evaluated. Results The results showed that SenA protects Cort-induced cell apoptosis in PC12 cells. In addition, SenA increased Cort-induced reduction of PP2A activity, while it decreased the expression of p-PP2A, α-syn, and p-α-syn (Ser129). Further, modulation of PP2A activity with specific inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) increased Cort-induced cell apoptosis, while PP2A activator D-erythro-sphingosine (SPH) exhibited an opposite effect. The neuroprotective effects of SenA on neural cells also depended on inhibition of α-syn function, the regulation of which would influence the activity of PP2A in a negative loop. Conclusion Collectively, the results suggested that the neuroprotective effects of SenA were exerted by modulating activities of PP2A activities and α-syn. The findings partially explained the mechanism associated with the neuroprotective effect of SenA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglan Gong
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China,
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhouke Guo
- Department of Neurology and Psychology, Shenzhen Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518033, People's Republic of China,
| | - Wenjun Fu
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, People's Republic of China,
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Xiong Y, Yu J. Modeling Parkinson's Disease in Drosophila: What Have We Learned for Dominant Traits? Front Neurol 2018; 9:228. [PMID: 29686647 PMCID: PMC5900015 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is recognized as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure or proven disease modifying therapy for PD. The recent discovery of a number of genes involved in both sporadic and familial forms of PD has enabled disease modeling in easily manipulable model systems. Various model systems have been developed to study the pathobiology of PD and provided tremendous insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Among all the model systems, the power of Drosophila has revealed many genetic factors involved in the various pathways, and provided potential therapeutic targets. This review focuses on Drosophila models of PD, with emphasis on how Drosophila models have provided new insights into the mutations of dominant genes causing PD and what are the convergent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulan Xiong
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Jianzhong Yu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, United States
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Abstract
α-Synuclein is an abundant neuronal protein that is highly enriched in presynaptic nerve terminals. Genetics and neuropathology studies link α-synuclein to Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Accumulation of misfolded oligomers and larger aggregates of α-synuclein defines multiple neurodegenerative diseases called synucleinopathies, but the mechanisms by which α-synuclein acts in neurodegeneration are unknown. Moreover, the normal cellular function of α-synuclein remains debated. In this perspective, we review the structural characteristics of α-synuclein, its developmental expression pattern, its cellular and subcellular localization, and its function in neurons. We also discuss recent progress on secretion of α-synuclein, which may contribute to its interneuronal spread in a prion-like fashion, and describe the neurotoxic effects of α-synuclein that are thought to be responsible for its role in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Burré
- Appel Institute for Alzheimer's Disease Research, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
| | - Manu Sharma
- Appel Institute for Alzheimer's Disease Research, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York 10021
| | - Thomas C Südhof
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California 94305
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Ordonez DG, Lee MK, Feany MB. α-synuclein Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction through Spectrin and the Actin Cytoskeleton. Neuron 2017; 97:108-124.e6. [PMID: 29249285 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Genetics and neuropathology strongly link α-synuclein aggregation and neurotoxicity to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and related α-synucleinopathies. Here we describe a new Drosophila model of α-synucleinopathy based on widespread expression of wild-type human α-synuclein, which shows robust neurodegeneration, early-onset locomotor deficits, and abundant α-synuclein aggregation. We use results of forward genetic screening and genetic analysis in our new model to demonstrate that α-synuclein expression promotes reorganization of the actin filament network and consequent mitochondrial dysfunction through altered Drp1 localization. Similar changes are present in a mouse α-synucleinopathy model and in postmortem brain tissue from patients with α-synucleinopathy. Importantly, we provide evidence that the interaction of α-synuclein with spectrin initiates pathological alteration of the actin cytoskeleton and downstream neurotoxicity. These findings suggest new therapeutic approaches for α-synuclein induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalila G Ordonez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michael K Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Mel B Feany
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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50
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Vicente Miranda H, Cássio R, Correia-Guedes L, Gomes MA, Chegão A, Miranda E, Soares T, Coelho M, Rosa MM, Ferreira JJ, Outeiro TF. Posttranslational modifications of blood-derived alpha-synuclein as biochemical markers for Parkinson's disease. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13713. [PMID: 29057912 PMCID: PMC5651848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14175-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder known for the typical motor features associated. Pathologically, it is characterized by the intracellular accumulation of alpha-synuclein (aSyn) in Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Currently, there are no established biochemical markers for diagnosing or for following disease progression, a major limitation for the clinical practice. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) in aSyn have been identified and implicated on its pathobiology. Since aSyn is abundant in blood erythrocytes, we aimed to evaluate whether PTMs of aSyn in the blood might hold value as a biomarker for PD. We examined 58 patients with PD and 30 healthy age-matched individuals. We found that the levels of Y125 phosphorylated, Y39 nitrated, and glycated aSyn were increased in PD, while those of SUMO were reduced. A combinatory analysis of the levels of these PTMs resulted in an increased sensitivity, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.843 for PD versus healthy controls, and correlated with disease severity and duration. We conclude that the levels of these selected PTMs hold strong potential as biochemical markers for PD. Ultimately, our findings might facilitate the monitoring of disease progression in clinical trials, opening the possibility for developing more effective therapies against PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Vicente Miranda
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal.
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Rafaela Cássio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Leonor Correia-Guedes
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Neurology, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHLN, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marcos António Gomes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Chegão
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Elisa Miranda
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago Soares
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Coelho
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Neurology, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHLN, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Miguel Rosa
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Neurology, Hospital de Santa Maria-CHLN, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joaquim J Ferreira
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056, Lisboa, Portugal.
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
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