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Nam E, Lin Y, Park J, Do H, Han J, Jeong B, Park S, Lee DY, Kim M, Han J, Baik M, Lee Y, Lim MH. APP-C31: An Intracellular Promoter of Both Metal-Free and Metal-Bound Amyloid-β 40 Aggregation and Toxicity in Alzheimer's Disease. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307182. [PMID: 37949680 PMCID: PMC10811509 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular C-terminal cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is elevated in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and produces a peptide labeled APP-C31 that is suspected to be involved in the pathology of AD. But details about the role of APP-C31 in the development of the disease are not known. Here, this work reports that APP-C31 directly interacts with the N-terminal and self-recognition regions of amyloid-β40 (Aβ40 ) to form transient adducts, which facilitates the aggregation of both metal-free and metal-bound Aβ40 peptides and aggravates their toxicity. Specifically, APP-C31 increases the perinuclear and intranuclear generation of large Aβ40 deposits and, consequently, damages the nucleus leading to apoptosis. The Aβ40 -induced degeneration of neurites and inflammation are also intensified by APP-C31 in human neurons and murine brains. This study demonstrates a new function of APP-C31 as an intracellular promoter of Aβ40 amyloidogenesis in both metal-free and metal-present environments, and may offer an interesting alternative target for developing treatments for AD that have not been considered thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunju Nam
- Department of ChemistryKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Yuxi Lin
- Research Center for Bioconvergence AnalysisKorea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)OchangChungbuk28119Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyong Park
- Department of ChemistryKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon FunctionalizationsInstitute for Basic Science (IBS)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsu Do
- Graduate School of Medical Science and EngineeringKAISTDaejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeon Han
- Department of ChemistryKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Bohyeon Jeong
- Rare Disease Research CenterKorea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Subin Park
- Rare Disease Research CenterKorea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
- Department of BiochemistryDepartment of Medical ScienceChungnam National University School of MedicineDaejeon35015Republic of Korea
| | - Da Yong Lee
- Rare Disease Research CenterKorea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Mingeun Kim
- Department of ChemistryKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Jinju Han
- Graduate School of Medical Science and EngineeringKAISTDaejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Mu‐Hyun Baik
- Department of ChemistryKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
- Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon FunctionalizationsInstitute for Basic Science (IBS)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
| | - Young‐Ho Lee
- Research Center for Bioconvergence AnalysisKorea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)OchangChungbuk28119Republic of Korea
- Bio‐Analytical ScienceUniversity of Science and Technology (UST)Daejeon34113Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and TechnologyChungnam National UniversityDaejeon34134Republic of Korea
- Department of Systems BiotechnologyChung‐Ang UniversityGyeonggi17546Republic of Korea
- Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary SciencesTohoku UniversityMiyagi980‐8578Japan
| | - Mi Hee Lim
- Department of ChemistryKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Daejeon34141Republic of Korea
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Li K, Li A, Mei Y, Zhao J, Zhou Q, Li Y, Yang M, Xu Q. Trace elements and Alzheimer dementia in population-based studies: A bibliometric and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120782. [PMID: 36464120 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in the concentrations of trace elements may play a vital role in Alzheimer dementia progression. However, previous research results are inconsistent, and there is still a lack of review on the relationship between all the studied-trace elements and AD from various perspectives of population-based studies. In this study, we systematically reviewed previous population-based studies and identified the altered trace elements in AD patients. We searched the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, and Scopus database, and ultimately included 73 articles. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore the evolution of the field from an epidemiological perspective. Bibliometric data such as trace elements, biological materials, detection methods, cognitive tests, co-occurrence and co-citation statistics are all analyzed and presented in a quantitative manner. The 73 included studies analyzed 39 trace elements in total. In a further meta-analysis, standardized mean differences (SMDs) of 13 elements were calculated to evaluate their altered in AD patients, including copper, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese, lead, aluminum, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, mercury, cobalt, and manganese. We identified four trace elements-copper (serum), iron (plasma), zinc (hair), and selenium (plasma)-altered in AD patients, with SMDs of 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10, 0.65), -0.68 (95% CI: -1.34, -0.02), -0.35 (95% CI: -0.62, -0.08), and -0.61 (95% CI: -0.97, -0.25), respectively. Finally, we formed a database of various trace element levels in AD patients and healthy controls. Our study can help future researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of the advancements in the field, and our results provide comprehensive population-based data for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Ang Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yayuan Mei
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Yanbing Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Qun Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China; Center of Environmental and Health Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
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Cabrera P, Jara-Guajardo P, Oyarzún MP, Parra-Muñoz N, Campos A, Soler M, Álvarez A, Morales-Zavala F, Araya E, Minniti AN, Aldunate R, Kogan MJ. Surface enhanced fluorescence effect improves the in vivo detection of amyloid aggregates. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2022; 44:102569. [PMID: 35595016 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide is one of the key etiological agents in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The in vivo detection of Aβ species is challenging in all stages of the illness. Currently, the development of fluorescent probes allows the detection of Aβ in animal models in the near-infrared region (NIR). However, considering future applications in biomedicine, it is relevant to develop strategies to improve detection of amyloid aggregates using NIR probes. An innovative approach to increase the fluorescence signal of these fluorophores is the use of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (surface-enhanced fluorescence effect). In this work, we improved the detection of Aβ aggregates in C. elegans and mouse models of AD by co-administering functionalized gold nanorods (GNRs-PEG-D1) with the fluorescent probes CRANAD-2 or CRANAD-58, which bind selectively to different amyloid species (soluble and insoluble). This work shows that GNRs improve the detection of Aβ using NIR probes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Cabrera
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago 8380494, Chile
| | - Pedro Jara-Guajardo
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago 8380494, Chile
| | - María Paz Oyarzún
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago 8380494, Chile
| | - Nicole Parra-Muñoz
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Biotecnología y Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile
| | - Aldo Campos
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Biotecnología y Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile
| | - Mónica Soler
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Biotecnología y Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Santiago 8370456, Chile
| | - Alejandra Álvarez
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O´Higgins 340, Santiago 8331150, Chile; Cell Signaling Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE), Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Biological Sciences Faculty, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile
| | - Francisco Morales-Zavala
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Centro de Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Piramide 5750, Huechuraba, Chile
| | - Eyleen Araya
- Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. Republica 275, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alicia N Minniti
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O´Higgins 340, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Rebeca Aldunate
- Escuela de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Ejercito 146, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Marcelo J Kogan
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380494, Chile; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago 8380494, Chile.
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Ahmad W. Glucose enrichment impair neurotransmission and induce Aβ oligomerization that cannot be reversed by manipulating O-β-GlcNAcylation in the C. elegans model of Alzheimer's disease. J Nutr Biochem 2022; 108:109100. [PMID: 35779795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques formation and impaired neurotransmission and neuronal behaviors are primary hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that are further associated with impaired glucose metabolism in elderly AD's patients. However, the exact role of glucose metabolism on disease progression has not been elucidated yet. In this study, the effect of glucose on Aβ-mediated toxicity, neurotransmission and neuronal behaviors has been investigated using a C. elegans model system expressing human Aβ. In addition to regular diet, worms expressing Aβ were supplemented with different concentrations of glucose and glycerol and 5 mM 2-deoxyglucose to draw any conclusions. Addition of glucose to the growth medium delayed Aβ-associated paralysis, promoted abnormal body shapes and movement, unable to restore impaired acetylcholine neurotransmission, inhibited egg laying and hatching in pre-existing Aβ-mediated pathology. The harmful effects of glucose may associate with an increase in toxic Aβ oligomers and impaired neurotransmission. O-β-GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc), a well-known post-translational modification is directly associated with glucose metabolism and has been found to ameliorates the Aβ- toxicity. We reasoned that glucose addition might induce O-GlcNAc, thereby protect against Aβ. Contrary to our expectations, induced glucose levels were not protective. Increasing O-GlcNAc, either with Thiamet-G (TMG) or by suppressing the O-GlcNAcase (oga-1) gene does interfere with and, therefore, reduce Aβ- toxicity but not in the presence of high glucose. The effects of glucose cannot be effectively managed by manipulating O-GlcNAc in AD models of C. elegans. Our observations suggest that glucose enrichment is unlikely to be an appropriate therapy to minimize AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ahmad
- School of Biological Sciences, the University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
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5
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Ginsenoside Rf inhibits human tau proteotoxicity and causes specific LncRNA, miRNA and mRNA expression changes in Caenorhabditis elegans model of tauopathy. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 922:174887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Mitkevich VA, Barykin EP, Eremina S, Pani B, Katkova-Zhukotskaya O, Polshakov VI, Adzhubei AA, Kozin SA, Mironov AS, Makarov AA, Nudler E. Zn-dependent β-amyloid Aggregation and its Reversal by the Tetrapeptide HAEE. Aging Dis 2022; 14:309-318. [PMID: 37008059 PMCID: PMC10017155 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with the formation of cerebral amyloid plaques, the main components of which are the modified Aβ molecules as well as the metal ions. Aβ isomerized at Asp7 residue (isoD7-Aβ) is the most abundant isoform in amyloid plaques. We hypothesized that the pathogenic effect of isoD7-Aβ is due to the formation of zinc-dependent oligomers, and that this interaction can be disrupted by the rationally designed tetrapeptide (HAEE). Here, we utilized surface plasmon resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulation to demonstrate Zn2+-dependent oligomerization of isoD7-Aβ and the formation of a stable isoD7-Aβ:Zn2+:HAEE complex incapable of forming oligomers. To demonstrate the physiological importance of zinc-dependent isoD7-Aβ oligomerization and the ability of HAEE to interfere with this process at the organismal level, we employed transgenic nematodes overexpressing human Aβ. We show that the presence of isoD7-Aβ in the medium triggers extensive amyloidosis that occurs in a Zn2+-dependent manner, enhances paralysis, and shortens the animals' lifespan. Exogenous HAEE completely reverses these pathological effects of isoD7-Aβ. We conclude that the synergistic action of isoD7-Aβ and Zn2+ promotes Aβ aggregation and that the selected small molecules capable of interrupting this process, such as HAEE, can potentially serve as anti-amyloid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir A Mitkevich
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Evgeny P Barykin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Svetlana Eremina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Bibhusita Pani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.
| | | | - Vladimir I Polshakov
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexei A Adzhubei
- Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Sergey A Kozin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander S Mironov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander A Makarov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Evgeny Nudler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Evgeny Nudler, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. .
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Metaxas A. Imbalances in Copper or Zinc Concentrations Trigger Further Trace Metal Dyshomeostasis in Amyloid-Beta Producing Caenorhabditis elegans. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:755475. [PMID: 34707479 PMCID: PMC8542683 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.755475] [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: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the buildup of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, is believed to be a disease of trace metal dyshomeostasis. Amyloid-beta is known to bind with high affinity to trace metals copper and zinc. This binding is believed to cause a conformational change in Aβ, transforming Aβ into a configuration more amenable to forming aggregations. Currently, the impact of Aβ-trace metal binding on trace metal homeostasis and the role of trace metals copper and zinc as deleterious or beneficial in AD remain elusive. Given that Alzheimer's Disease is the sixth leading cause of adult death in the U.S., elucidating the molecular interactions that characterize Alzheimer's Disease pathogenesis will allow for better treatment options. To that end, the model organism C. elegans is used in this study. C. elegans, a transparent nematode whose connectome has been fully established, is an amenable model to study AD phenomena using a multi-layered, interconnected approach. Aβ-producing and non-Aβ-producing C. elegans were individually supplemented with copper and zinc. On day 6 and day 9 after synchronization, the percent of worms paralyzed, concentration of copper, and concentration of zinc were measured in both groups of worms. This study demonstrates that dyshomeostasis of trace metals copper or zinc triggers further trace metal dyshomeostasis in Aβ-producing worms, while dyshomeostasis of copper or zinc triggers a return to equilibrium in non-Aβ-producing worms. This supports the characterization of Alzheimer's Disease as a disease of trace metal dyshomeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Metaxas
- Princeton High School, Princeton, NJ, United States
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Althobaiti NA, Menaa F, Albalawi AE, Dalzell JJ, Warnock ND, Mccammick EM, Alsolais A, Alkhaibari AM, Green BD. Assessment and Validation of Globodera pallida as a Novel In Vivo Model for Studying Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:2481. [PMID: 34572130 PMCID: PMC8465914 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whole transgenic or non-transgenic organism model systems allow the screening of pharmacological compounds for protective actions in Alzheimer's disease (AD). AIM In this study, a plant parasitic nematode, Globodera pallida, which assimilates intact peptides from the external environment, was investigated as a new potential non-transgenic model system of AD. Methods: Fresh second-stage juveniles of G. pallida were used to measure their chemosensory, perform immunocytochemistry on their neurological structures, evaluate their survival rate, measure reactive oxygen species, and determine total oxidized glutathione to reduced glutathione ratio (GSSG/GSH) levels, before and after treatment with 100 µM of various amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides (1-40, 1-42, 17-42, 17-40, 1-28, or 1-16). Wild-type N2 C. elegans (strain N2) was cultured on Nematode Growth Medium and directly used, as control, for chemosensory assays. RESULTS We demonstrated that: (i) G. pallida (unlike Caenorhabditis elegans) assimilates amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides which co-localise with its neurological structures; (ii) pre-treatment with various Aβ isoforms (1-40, 1-42, 17-42, 17-40, 1-28, or 1-16) impairs G. pallida's chemotaxis to differing extents; (iii) Aβ peptides reduced survival, increased the production of ROS, and increased GSSG/GSH levels in this model; (iv) this unique model can distinguish differences between different treatment concentrations, durations, and modalities, displaying good sensitivity; (v) clinically approved neuroprotective agents were effective in protecting G. pallida from Aβ (1-42) exposure. Taken together, the data indicate that G. pallida is an interesting in vivo model with strong potential for discovery of novel bioactive compounds with anti-AD activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah A. Althobaiti
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (J.J.D.); (N.D.W.); (E.M.M.)
- Biology Department, College of Science and Humanities-Al Quwaiiyah, Shaqra University, Al Quwaiiyah 19257, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farid Menaa
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Advanced Technologies, Fluorotronics-California Innovations Corporation, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Aishah E. Albalawi
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia; (A.E.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Johnathan J. Dalzell
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (J.J.D.); (N.D.W.); (E.M.M.)
| | - Neil D. Warnock
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (J.J.D.); (N.D.W.); (E.M.M.)
| | - Erin M. Mccammick
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (J.J.D.); (N.D.W.); (E.M.M.)
| | - Abdulellah Alsolais
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Applied Health Science, Shaqra University, Al Dawadmi 17452, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Abeer M. Alkhaibari
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia; (A.E.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Brian D. Green
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (J.J.D.); (N.D.W.); (E.M.M.)
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WITHDRAWN: Assessment and Validation of Globodera pallida as a Novel In Vivo Model for Studying Alzheimer's Disease. Neurobiol Aging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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10
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Lei P, Ayton S, Bush AI. The essential elements of Alzheimer's disease. J Biol Chem 2020; 296:100105. [PMID: 33219130 PMCID: PMC7948403 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.008207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) directed against the prominent amyloid plaque neuropathology are yet to be proved effective despite many phase 3 clinical trials. There are several other neurochemical abnormalities that occur in the AD brain that warrant renewed emphasis as potential therapeutic targets for this disease. Among those are the elementomic signatures of iron, copper, zinc, and selenium. Here, we review these essential elements of AD for their broad potential to contribute to Alzheimer’s pathophysiology, and we also highlight more recent attempts to translate these findings into therapeutics. A reinspection of large bodies of discovery in the AD field, such as this, may inspire new thinking about pathogenesis and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lei
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, P.R. China; Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Scott Ayton
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashley I Bush
- Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Cheah IK, Ng LT, Ng LF, Lam VY, Gruber J, Huang CYW, Goh FQ, Lim KHC, Halliwell B. Inhibition of amyloid-induced toxicity by ergothioneine in a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:2139-2150. [PMID: 31211853 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal accumulation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) is recognized as a central component in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. While many aspects of Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity remain elusive, Aβ has been associated with numerous underlying pathologies, including oxidative and nitrosative stress, inflammation, metal ion imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and even tau pathology. Ergothioneine (ET), a naturally occurring thiol/thione-derivative of histidine, has demonstrated antioxidant and neuroprotective properties against various oxidative and neurotoxic stressors. This study investigates ET's potential to counteract Aβ-toxicity in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans overexpressing a human Aβ peptide. The accumulation of Aβ in this model leads to paralysis and premature death. We show that ET dose-dependently reduces Aβ-oligomerization and extends the lifespan and healthspan of the nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irwin K Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li-Theng Ng
- Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Yale-NUS College, Singapore
| | | | - Vanessa Y Lam
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jan Gruber
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Yale-NUS College, Singapore
| | - Cheryl Y W Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fang-Qin Goh
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keith H C Lim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Health System, National University Cancer Institute Singapore, Singapore
| | - Barry Halliwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Life Science Institute, Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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12
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Zhu Z, Yang T, Zhang L, Liu L, Yin E, Zhang C, Guo Z, Xu C, Wang X. Inhibiting Aβ toxicity in Alzheimer's disease by a pyridine amine derivative. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 168:330-339. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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13
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Fares A, Borrmann D. Neurochemical Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease and Movement Disturbances: A Theory of β-Amyloid and τ-Protein. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2018; 33:535-540. [PMID: 30045626 PMCID: PMC10852508 DOI: 10.1177/1533317518790631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The pathologic and molecular substrate of people diagnosed with cognitive deficits and movement disturbance may not occur exclusively in the context of a brain region, but it may be expressed in another part of body such as muscle. A large body of research has demonstrated that slow motor performance is associated with cognitive impairment in elderly people. The interdependence between motor dysfunction and cognition decline is still not fully understood. Although several factors have been suggested to give a plausible explanation, β-amyloid (Aβ) and τ-protein aggregation is a common feature of a number of neurodegenerative disorders which are characterized by both motor and cognitive impairment, and it is assumed that the aggregation process plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview of the available evidence that can help to better elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between cognitive and movement disturbances by focusing on Aβ and τ-protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auda Fares
- Department of Acute Geriatric Medicine & Rehabilitation, St Willibrord-Spital Emmerich-Rees, Emmerich, Germany
| | - Dieter Borrmann
- Department of Acute Geriatric Medicine & Rehabilitation, St Willibrord-Spital Emmerich-Rees, Emmerich, Germany
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14
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Morales-Zavala F, Arriagada H, Hassan N, Velasco C, Riveros A, Álvarez AR, Minniti AN, Rojas-Silva X, Muñoz LL, Vasquez R, Rodriguez K, Sanchez-Navarro M, Giralt E, Araya E, Aldunate R, Kogan MJ. Peptide multifunctionalized gold nanorods decrease toxicity of β-amyloid peptide in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer's disease. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 13:2341-2350. [PMID: 28673851 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The properties of nanometric materials make nanotechnology a promising platform for tackling problems of contemporary medicine. In this work, gold nanorods were synthetized and stabilized with polyethylene glycols and modified with two kinds of peptides. The D1 peptide that recognizes toxic aggregates of Aβ, a peptide involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD); and the Angiopep 2 that can be used to deliver nanorods to the mammalian central nervous system. The nanoconjugates were characterized using absorption spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy, among other techniques. We determined that the nanoconjugate does not affect neuronal viability; it penetrates the cells, and decreases aggregation of Aβ peptide in vitro. We also showed that when we apply our nanosystem to a Caenorhabditis elegans AD model, the toxicity of aggregated Aβ peptide is decreased. This work may contribute to the development of therapies for AD based on metallic nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Morales-Zavala
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Hector Arriagada
- Escuela de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Ejercito 146, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Natalia Hassan
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago; Programa Institucional de Fomento a la I+D+I, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Edificio de Ciencia y Tecnologia, Ignacio Valdivieso 2409, San Joaquin.
| | - Carolina Velasco
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Ana Riveros
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Alejandra R Álvarez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago 8331010, Chile; Centro de envejecimiento y regeneración (CARE), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Alicia N Minniti
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago 8331010, Chile.
| | - Ximena Rojas-Silva
- Sección de Metrología Química, Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear, Nueva Bilbao 12501, La Reina, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Luis L Muñoz
- Sección de Metrología Química, Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear, Nueva Bilbao 12501, La Reina, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Rodrigo Vasquez
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. Republica 275, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Katherine Rodriguez
- Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. Republica 275, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Macarena Sanchez-Navarro
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ernest Giralt
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Eyleen Araya
- Departamento de Ciencias Quimicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. Republica 275, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Rebeca Aldunate
- Escuela de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Ejercito 146, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Marcelo J Kogan
- Departamento de Química Farmacológica y Toxicológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago; Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Sergio Livingstone 1007, Independencia, Santiago, Chile.
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15
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Afzali AM, Ruck T, Wiendl H, Meuth SG. Animal models in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: How to overcome a translational roadblock? Autoimmun Rev 2017; 16:478-494. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2017.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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16
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Soares FA, Fagundez DA, Avila DS. Neurodegeneration Induced by Metals in Caenorhabditis elegans. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 18:355-383. [PMID: 28889277 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60189-2_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Metals are a component of a variety of ecosystems and organisms. They can generally be divided into essential and nonessential metals. The essential metals are involved in physiological processes once the deficiency of these metals has been associated with diseases. Although iron, manganese, copper, and zinc are important for life, it has been evidenced that they are also involved in neuronal damage in many neurodegenerative disorders. Nonessential metals, which are metals without physiological functions, are present in trace or higher levels in living organisms. Occupational, environmental, or deliberate exposures to lead, mercury, aluminum, and cadmium are clearly correlated with the increase of toxicity and varied kinds of pathological situations. Actually, the field of neurotoxicology needs to satisfy two opposing demands: the testing of a growing list of chemicals and resource limitations and ethical concerns associated with testing using traditional mammalian species. Toxicological assays using alternative animal models may relieve some of this pressure by allowing testing of more compounds while reducing expenses and using fewer mammals. The nervous system is by far the more complex system in C. elegans. Almost a third of their cells are neurons (302 neurons versus 959 cells in adult hermaphrodite). It initially underwent extensive development as a model organism in order to study the nervous system, and its neuronal lineage and the complete wiring diagram of its nervous system are stereotyped and fully described. The neurotransmission systems are phylogenetically conserved from nematodes to vertebrates, which allows for findings from C. elegans to be extrapolated and further confirmed in vertebrate systems. Different strains of C. elegans offer a new perspective on neurodegenerative processes. Some genes have been found to be related to neurodegeneration induced by metals. Studying these interactions may be an effective tool to slow neuronal loss and deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Antunes Soares
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Daiana Silva Avila
- Universidade Federal do Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, 97508-000, Brazil.
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Diomede L, Romeo M, Cagnotto A, Rossi A, Beeg M, Stravalaci M, Tagliavini F, Di Fede G, Gobbi M, Salmona M. The new β amyloid-derived peptide Aβ1-6A2V-TAT(D) prevents Aβ oligomer formation and protects transgenic C. elegans from Aβ toxicity. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 88:75-84. [PMID: 26792398 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
One attractive pharmacological strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to design small peptides to interact with amyloid-β (Aβ) protein reducing its aggregation and toxicity. Starting from clinical observations indicating that patients coding a mutated Aβ variant (AβA2V) in the heterozygous state do not develop AD, we developed AβA2V synthetic peptides, as well as a small peptide homologous to residues 1-6. These hindered the amyloidogenesis of Aβ and its neurotoxicity in vitro, suggesting a basis for the design of a new small peptide in D-isomeric form, linked to the arginine-rich TAT sequence [Aβ1-6A2V-TAT(D)], to allow translocation across biological membranes and the blood-brain barrier. Aβ1-6A2V-TAT(D) was resistant to protease degradation, stable in serum and specifically able to interfere with Aβ aggregation in vitro, reducing the appearance of toxic soluble species and protecting transgenic C. elegans from toxicity related to the muscular expression of human Aβ. These observations offer a proof of concept for future pharmacological studies in mouse models of AD, providing a foundation for the design of AβA2V-based peptidomimetic molecules for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Diomede
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy.
| | - Margherita Romeo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Alfredo Cagnotto
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rossi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Marten Beeg
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Stravalaci
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Tagliavini
- Division of Neurology and Neuropathology, "Carlo Besta" National Neurological Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Fede
- Division of Neurology and Neuropathology, "Carlo Besta" National Neurological Institute, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Salmona
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
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18
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Ganio K, James SA, Hare DJ, Roberts BR, McColl G. Accurate biometal quantification per individual Caenorhabditis elegans. Analyst 2016; 141:1434-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c5an02544c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A comparison of complementary methods to quantify biometals per individual for analytical biochemical studies using microscopic model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Ganio
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
- The University of Melbourne
- Parkville
- Australia
| | - Simon A. James
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
- The University of Melbourne
- Parkville
- Australia
| | - Dominic J. Hare
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
- The University of Melbourne
- Parkville
- Australia
- Elemental Bio-imaging Facility
| | - Blaine R. Roberts
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
- The University of Melbourne
- Parkville
- Australia
| | - Gawain McColl
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
- The University of Melbourne
- Parkville
- Australia
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19
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Singh SK, Srivastav S, Yadav AK, Srikrishna S, Perry G. Overview of Alzheimer's Disease and Some Therapeutic Approaches Targeting Aβ by Using Several Synthetic and Herbal Compounds. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2015; 2016:7361613. [PMID: 27034741 PMCID: PMC4807045 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7361613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex age-related neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we carefully detail amyloid-β metabolism and its role in AD. We also consider the various genetic animal models used to evaluate therapeutics. Finally, we consider the role of synthetic and plant-based compounds in therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Saurabh Srivastav
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Amarish Kumar Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Saripella Srikrishna
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - George Perry
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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20
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Minniti AN, Arrazola MS, Bravo-Zehnder M, Ramos F, Inestrosa NC, Aldunate R. The protein oxidation repair enzyme methionine sulfoxide reductase a modulates Aβ aggregation and toxicity in vivo. Antioxid Redox Signal 2015; 22:48-62. [PMID: 24988428 PMCID: PMC4270145 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To examine the role of the enzyme methionine sulfoxide reductase A-1 (MSRA-1) in amyloid-β peptide (Aβ)-peptide aggregation and toxicity in vivo, using a Caenorhabditis elegans model of the human amyloidogenic disease inclusion body myositis. RESULTS MSRA-1 specifically reduces oxidized methionines in proteins. Therefore, a deletion of the msra-1 gene was introduced into transgenic C. elegans worms that express the Aβ-peptide in muscle cells to prevent the reduction of oxidized methionines in proteins. In a constitutive transgenic Aβ strain that lacks MSRA-1, the number of amyloid aggregates decreases while the number of oligomeric Aβ species increases. These results correlate with enhanced synaptic dysfunction and mislocalization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ACR-16 at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). INNOVATION This approach aims at modulating the oxidation of Aβ in vivo indirectly by dismantling the methionine sulfoxide repair system. The evidence presented here shows that the absence of MSRA-1 influences Aβ aggregation and aggravates locomotor behavior and NMJ dysfunction. The results suggest that therapies which boost the activity of the Msr system could have a beneficial effect in managing amyloidogenic pathologies. CONCLUSION The absence of MSRA-1 modulates Aβ-peptide aggregation and increments its deleterious effects in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia N Minniti
- 1 Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile , Santiago, Chile
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21
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Bio-orthogonal labeling as a tool to visualize and identify newly synthesized proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nat Protoc 2014; 9:2237-55. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2014.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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22
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Utility of an improved model of amyloid-beta (Aβ₁₋₄₂) toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans for drug screening for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2012; 7:57. [PMID: 23171715 PMCID: PMC3519830 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-7-57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The definitive indicator of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is the profuse accumulation of amyloid-ß (Aß) within the brain. Various in vitro and cell-based models have been proposed for high throughput drug screening for potential therapeutic benefit in diseases of protein misfolding. Caenorhabditis elegans offers a convenient in vivo system for examination of Aß accumulation and toxicity in a complex multicellular organism. Ease of culturing and a short life cycle make this animal model well suited to rapid screening of candidate compounds. Results We have generated a new transgenic strain of C. elegans that expresses full length Aß1-42. This strain differs from existing Aß models that predominantly express amino-truncated Aß3-42. The Aß1-42 is expressed in body wall muscle cells, where it oligomerizes, aggregates and results in severe, and fully penetrant, age progressive-paralysis. The in vivo accumulation of Aß1-42 also stains positive for amyloid dyes, consistent with in vivo fibril formation. The utility of this model for identification of potential protective compounds was examined using the investigational Alzheimer’s therapeutic PBT2, shown to be neuroprotective in mouse models of AD and significantly improve cognition in AD patients. We observed that treatment with PBT2 provided rapid and significant protection against the Aß-induced toxicity in C. elegans. Conclusion This C. elegans model of full length Aß1-42 expression can now be adopted for use in screens to rapidly identify and assist in development of potential therapeutics and to study underlying toxic mechanism(s) of Aß.
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23
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Fatouros C, Pir GJ, Biernat J, Koushika SP, Mandelkow E, Mandelkow EM, Schmidt E, Baumeister R. Inhibition of tau aggregation in a novel Caenorhabditis elegans model of tauopathy mitigates proteotoxicity. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:3587-603. [PMID: 22611162 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased Tau protein amyloidogenicity has been causatively implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, collectively called tauopathies. In pathological conditions, Tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and forms intracellular aggregates. The deletion of K280, which is a mutation that commonly appears in patients with frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, enhances Tau aggregation propensity (pro-aggregation). In contrast, introduction of the I277P and I308P mutations prevents β-sheet formation and subsequent aggregation (anti-aggregation). In this study, we created a tauopathy model by expressing pro- or anti-aggregant Tau species in the nervous system of Caenorhabditis elegans. Animals expressing the highly amyloidogenic Tau species showed accelerated Tau aggregation and pathology manifested by severely impaired motility and evident neuronal dysfunction. In addition, we observed that the axonal transport of mitochondria was perturbed in these animals. Control animals expressing the anti-aggregant combination had rather mild phenotype. We subsequently tested several Tau aggregation inhibitor compounds and observed a mitigation of Tau proteotoxicity. In particular, a novel compound that crosses the blood-brain barrier of mammals proved effective in ameliorating the motility as well as delaying the accumulation of neuronal defects. Our study establishes a new C. elegans model of Tau aggregation-mediated toxicity and supports the emerging notion that inhibiting the nucleation of Tau aggregation can be neuroprotective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chronis Fatouros
- Institute of Biology III, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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24
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Synaptic defects associated with s-inclusion body myositis are prevented by copper. Biometals 2012; 25:815-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-012-9553-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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25
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Curcumin promotes A-beta fibrillation and reduces neurotoxicity in transgenic Drosophila. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31424. [PMID: 22348084 PMCID: PMC3278449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of extracellular deposits of misfolded and aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and intraneuronal accumulation of tangles comprised of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. For several years, the natural compound curcumin has been proposed to be a candidate for enhanced clearance of toxic Aβ amyloid. In this study we have studied the potency of feeding curcumin as a drug candidate to alleviate Aβ toxicity in transgenic Drosophila. The longevity as well as the locomotor activity of five different AD model genotypes, measured relative to a control line, showed up to 75% improved lifespan and activity for curcumin fed flies. In contrast to the majority of studies of curcumin effects on amyloid we did not observe any decrease in the amount of Aβ deposition following curcumin treatment. Conformation-dependent spectra from p-FTAA, a luminescent conjugated oligothiophene bound to Aβ deposits in different Drosophila genotypes over time, indicated accelerated pre-fibrillar to fibril conversion of Aβ1–42 in curcumin treated flies. This finding was supported by in vitro fibrillation assays of recombinant Aβ1–42. Our study shows that curcumin promotes amyloid fibril conversion by reducing the pre-fibrillar/oligomeric species of Aβ, resulting in a reduced neurotoxicity in Drosophila.
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Martinez-Finley EJ, Chakraborty S, Caito S, Fretham S, Aschner M. C. elegans and Neurodegeneration In Caenorhabditis Elegans: Anatomy, Life Cycles and Biological Functions. ADVANCES IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 44:1-46. [PMID: 32346495 PMCID: PMC7188451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ebany J. Martinez-Finley
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sudipta Chakraborty
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sam Caito
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Stephanie Fretham
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Michael Aschner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Center in Molecular Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- The Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Copper reduces Aβ oligomeric species and ameliorates neuromuscular synaptic defects in a C. elegans model of inclusion body myositis. J Neurosci 2011; 31:10149-58. [PMID: 21752991 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0336-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and inclusion body myositis (IBM) are disorders frequently found in the elderly and characterized by the presence of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) aggregates. We used Caenorhabditis elegans that express Aβ in muscle cells as a model of IBM, with the aim of analyzing Aβ-induced muscle pathology and evaluating the consequences of modulating Aβ aggregation. First, we tested whether the altered motility we observed in the Aβ transgenic strain could be the result of a compromised neuromuscular synapse. Our pharmacological analyses show that synaptic transmission is defective in our model and suggest a specific defect on nicotine-sensitive acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Through GFP-coupled protein visualization, we found that synaptic dysfunction correlates with mislocalization of ACR-16, the AChR subunit essential for nicotine-triggered currents. Histological and biochemical analysis allowed us to determine that copper treatment increases the amyloid deposits and decreases Aβ oligomers in this model. Furthermore, copper treatment improves motility, ACR-16 localization, and synaptic function and delays Aβ-induced paralysis. Our results indicate that copper modulates Aβ-induced pathology and suggest that Aβ oligomers are triggering neuromuscular dysfunction. Our findings emphasize the importance of neuromuscular synaptic dysfunction and the relevance of modulating the amyloidogenic component as an alternative therapeutic approach for this debilitating disease.
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Kim C, Srivastava S, Rice M, Godenschwege TA, Bentley B, Ravi S, Shao S, Woodard CT, Schwartz LM. Expression of human amyloid precursor protein in the skeletal muscles of Drosophila results in age- and activity-dependent muscle weakness. BMC PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 11:7. [PMID: 21518451 PMCID: PMC3112101 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6793-11-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Accepted: 04/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, and several other degenerative disorders such as Inclusion Body Myositis, is the abnormal accumulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its proteolytic amyloid peptides. To better understand the pathological consequences of inappropriate APP expression on developing tissues, we generated transgenic flies that express wild-type human APP in the skeletal muscles, and then performed anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral analysis of the adults. RESULTS We observed that neither muscle development nor animal longevity was compromised in these transgenic animals. However, human APP expressing adults developed age-dependent defects in both climbing and flying. We could advance or retard the onset of symptoms by rearing animals in vials with different surface properties, suggesting that human APP expression-mediated behavioral defects are influenced by muscle activity. Muscles from transgenic animals did not display protein aggregates or structural abnormalities at the light or transmission electron microscopic levels. In agreement with genetic studies performed with developing mammalian myoblasts, we observed that co-expression of the ubiquitin E3 ligase Parkin could ameliorate human APP-induced defects. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that: 1) ectopic expression of human APP in fruit flies leads to age- and activity-dependent behavioral defects without overt changes to muscle development or structure; 2) environmental influences can greatly alter the phenotypic consequences of human APP toxicity; and 3) genetic modifiers of APP-induced pathology can be identified and analyzed in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chul Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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29
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Martinez-Finley EJ, Avila DS, Chakraborty S, Aschner M. Insights from Caenorhabditis elegans on the role of metals in neurodegenerative diseases. Metallomics 2011; 3:271-9. [PMID: 21210060 PMCID: PMC3172965 DOI: 10.1039/c0mt00064g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is characterized by the cell death or loss of structure and/or function of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the result of neurodegenerative processes. Metals are essential for many life processes, but they are also culpable for several neurodegenerative mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the role of metals in neurodegenerative diseases with emphasis on the utility of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) genetic models in deciphering mechanisms associated with the etiology of PD and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebany J. Martinez-Finley
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 11425 MRB IV, 2215-B Garland Ave., Nashville, TN 37232-0414, USA; Tel: 615-322-8024
- Center in Molecular Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Daiana Silva Avila
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 11425 MRB IV, 2215-B Garland Ave., Nashville, TN 37232-0414, USA; Tel: 615-322-8024
| | - Sudipta Chakraborty
- Center in Molecular Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Pediatric Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 11425 MRB IV, 2215-B Garland Ave., Nashville, TN 37232-0414, USA; Tel: 615-322-8024
- Center in Molecular Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- The Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Pediatric Toxicology, Nashville, TN, USA
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30
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Zhang YW, Thompson R, Zhang H, Xu H. APP processing in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Brain 2011; 4:3. [PMID: 21214928 PMCID: PMC3022812 DOI: 10.1186/1756-6606-4-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 572] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An important pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the presence of extracellular senile plaques in the brain. Senile plaques are composed of aggregations of small peptides called β-amyloid (Aβ). Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that overproduction/aggregation of Aβ in the brain is a primary cause of AD and inhibition of Aβ generation has become a hot topic in AD research. Aβ is generated from β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) through sequential cleavages first by β-secretase and then by γ-secretase complex. Alternatively, APP can be cleaved by α-secretase within the Aβ domain to release soluble APPα and preclude Aβ generation. Cleavage of APP by caspases may also contribute to AD pathologies. Therefore, understanding the metabolism/processing of APP is crucial for AD therapeutics. Here we review current knowledge of APP processing regulation as well as the patho/physiological functions of APP and its metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-wu Zhang
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Xiamen University, 422 SiMingNanLu, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, PR China
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31
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Avila D, Helmcke K, Aschner M. The Caenorhabiditis elegans model as a reliable tool in neurotoxicology. Hum Exp Toxicol 2010; 31:236-43. [PMID: 21148196 DOI: 10.1177/0960327110392084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabiditis elegans (C. elegans) offers an attractive experimental platform as it has a short life cycle, is inexpensive to maintain and most importantly has high degree of evolutionary conservation with higher eukaryotes. Understanding the contribution of inherent genes that regulate neurotoxicity and antioxidant stress responses in the worm provides critical insight into mechanisms of mammalian neurotoxicity. The C. elegans model readily enables multi-gene approach, allowing for combinatorial genetic variation to be studied within the context of the influence of multigenic polymorphisms in environmental risk and vulnerability. This review provides a synopsis of recent studies on metal and pesticides toxicity in C. elegans, highlighting the utility of the model system in understanding molecular mechanisms that underlie developmental, reproductive and neuronal damage. The continuation of these investigations combining basic toxicological experimentation with novel genetic and high throughput methods will continue to make C. elegans an invaluable tool for future research, providing insight into molecular and cellular mechanisms of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Avila
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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32
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Uranga RM, Giusto NM, Salvador GA. Effect of transition metals in synaptic damage induced by amyloid beta peptide. Neuroscience 2010; 170:381-9. [PMID: 20674685 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2010] [Revised: 07/20/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta), which is thought to be the major cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is known to be capable of aggregating in different states: soluble monomers and oligomers, and insoluble aggregates. The Abeta aggregation state as well as its toxicity has been related to the interaction between the peptide and transition metals such as iron and copper. However, this relationship, as well as the effects of Abeta on the synaptic endings, is not fully understood. The aggregation states of Abeta in the presence of iron and copper, as well as their effects on synaptic viability and signaling were investigated in this work. During acute incubation treatments (5 min-4 h), Abeta/metal impaired mitochondrial function to the same extent as has been observed with the metal alone. However, in the presence of Abeta/iron (10 and 50 muM), plasma membrane integrity was disrupted to a greater extent than when generated by either iron or Abeta alone, indicating that the membrane constitutes the first target of synaptic injury. Akt activation by Abeta/iron was evident after 5 min of incubation and was higher than that observed in the presence of the metal alone. This activation was barely detected after 4 h of incubation, demonstrating that there is no correlation between the extent of synaptic damage and the activation of this kinase. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation profile was different from that observed for Akt. Accordingly, the presence of Abeta/metal could differentially modulate the activity of these kinases. This work shows evidence of the initial events locally triggered at the synapse by Abeta and transition metals. As synapses have been proposed as the starting point of Abeta/metal-triggered events, the characterization of early mechanisms occurring in models that mimic AD could be important for the search of unexplored therapeutics tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Uranga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, CC 857, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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33
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Abstract
AbstractThe nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a genetic model organism and the only animal with a complete nervous system wiring diagram. With only 302 neurons and 95 striated muscle cells, a rich array of mutants with defective locomotion and the facility for individual targeted gene knockdown by RNA interference, it lends itself to the exploration of gene function at nerve muscle junctions. With approximately 60% of human disease genes having a C. elegans homologue, there is growing interest in the deployment of lowcost, high-throughput, drug screens of nematode transgenic and mutant strains mimicking aspects of the pathology of devastating human neuromuscular disorders. Here we explore the contributions already made by C. elegans to our understanding of muscular dystrophies (Duchenne and Becker), spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich’s ataxia, inclusion body myositis and the prospects for contributions to other neuromuscular disorders. A bottleneck to low-cost, in vivo, large-scale chemical library screening for new candidate therapies has been rapid, automated, behavioural phenotyping. Recent progress in quantifying simple swimming (thrashing) movements is making such screening possible and is expediting the translation of drug candidates towards the clinic.
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McColl G, Roberts BR, Gunn AP, Perez KA, Tew DJ, Masters CL, Barnham KJ, Cherny RA, Bush AI. The Caenorhabditis elegans A beta 1-42 model of Alzheimer disease predominantly expresses A beta 3-42. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:22697-702. [PMID: 19574211 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c109.028514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic expression of human amyloid beta (A beta) peptide in body wall muscle cells of Caenorhabditis elegans has been used to better understand aspects of Alzheimer disease (AD). In human aging and AD, A beta undergoes post-translational changes including covalent modifications, truncations, and oligomerization. Amino truncated A beta is increasingly recognized as potentially contributing to AD pathogenesis. Here we describe surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry mass spectrometry of A beta peptide in established transgenic C. elegans lines. Surprisingly, the A beta being expressed is not full-length 1-42 (amino acids) as expected but rather a 3-42 truncation product. In vitro analysis demonstrates that A beta(3-42) self-aggregates like A beta(1-42), but more rapidly, and forms fibrillar structures. Similarly, A beta(3-42) is also the more potent initiator of A beta(1-40) aggregation. Seeded aggregation via A beta(3-42) is further enhanced via co-incubation with the transition metal Cu(II). Although unexpected, the C. elegans model of A beta expression can now be co-opted to study the proteotoxic effects and processing of A beta(3-42).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gawain McColl
- Mental Health Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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