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Area-Gomez E, Schon EA. Towards a Unitary Hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 98:1243-1275. [PMID: 38578892 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The "amyloid cascade" hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis invokes the accumulation in the brain of plaques (containing the amyloid-β protein precursor [AβPP] cleavage product amyloid-β [Aβ]) and tangles (containing hyperphosphorylated tau) as drivers of pathogenesis. However, the poor track record of clinical trials based on this hypothesis suggests that the accumulation of these peptides is not the only cause of AD. Here, an alternative hypothesis is proposed in which the AβPP cleavage product C99, not Aβ, is the main culprit, via its role as a regulator of cholesterol metabolism. C99, which is a cholesterol sensor, promotes the formation of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAM), a cholesterol-rich lipid raft-like subdomain of the ER that communicates, both physically and biochemically, with mitochondria. We propose that in early-onset AD (EOAD), MAM-localized C99 is elevated above normal levels, resulting in increased transport of cholesterol from the plasma membrane to membranes of intracellular organelles, such as ER/endosomes, thereby upregulating MAM function and driving pathology. By the same token, late-onset AD (LOAD) is triggered by any genetic variant that increases the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol that, in turn, boosts the levels of C99 and again upregulates MAM function. Thus, the functional cause of AD is upregulated MAM function that, in turn, causes the hallmark disease phenotypes, including the plaques and tangles. Accordingly, the MAM hypothesis invokes two key interrelated elements, C99 and cholesterol, that converge at the MAM to drive AD pathogenesis. From this perspective, AD is, at bottom, a lipid disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela Area-Gomez
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas "Margarita Salas", Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric A Schon
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development>, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Lyubetsky VA, Rubanov LI, Tereshina MB, Ivanova AS, Araslanova KR, Uroshlev LA, Goremykina GI, Yang JR, Kanovei VG, Zverkov OA, Shitikov AD, Korotkova DD, Zaraisky AG. Wide-scale identification of novel/eliminated genes responsible for evolutionary transformations. Biol Direct 2023; 18:45. [PMID: 37568147 PMCID: PMC10416458 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00405-6] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is generally accepted that most evolutionary transformations at the phenotype level are associated either with rearrangements of genomic regulatory elements, which control the activity of gene networks, or with changes in the amino acid contents of proteins. Recently, evidence has accumulated that significant evolutionary transformations could also be associated with the loss/emergence of whole genes. The targeted identification of such genes is a challenging problem for both bioinformatics and evo-devo research. RESULTS To solve this problem we propose the WINEGRET method, named after the first letters of the title. Its main idea is to search for genes that satisfy two requirements: first, the desired genes were lost/emerged at the same evolutionary stage at which the phenotypic trait of interest was lost/emerged, and second, the expression of these genes changes significantly during the development of the trait of interest in the model organism. To verify the first requirement, we do not use existing databases of orthologs, but rely purely on gene homology and local synteny by using some novel quickly computable conditions. Genes satisfying the second requirement are found by deep RNA sequencing. As a proof of principle, we used our method to find genes absent in extant amniotes (reptiles, birds, mammals) but present in anamniotes (fish and amphibians), in which these genes are involved in the regeneration of large body appendages. As a result, 57 genes were identified. For three of them, c-c motif chemokine 4, eotaxin-like, and a previously unknown gene called here sod4, essential roles for tail regeneration were demonstrated. Noteworthy, we established that the latter gene belongs to a novel family of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutases lost by amniotes, SOD4. CONCLUSIONS We present a method for targeted identification of genes whose loss/emergence in evolution could be associated with the loss/emergence of a phenotypic trait of interest. In a proof-of-principle study, we identified genes absent in amniotes that participate in body appendage regeneration in anamniotes. Our method provides a wide range of opportunities for studying the relationship between the loss/emergence of phenotypic traits and the loss/emergence of specific genes in evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassily A Lyubetsky
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), 19 Build. 1, Bolshoy Karetny per., Moscow, Russia, 127051
- Department of Mechanics and Mathematics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Kolmogorova Str., 1, Moscow, Russia, 119234
| | - Lev I Rubanov
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), 19 Build. 1, Bolshoy Karetny per., Moscow, Russia, 127051
| | - Maria B Tereshina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 117997
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasiya S Ivanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 117997
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, USA
| | - Karina R Araslanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 117997
| | - Leonid A Uroshlev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32, Vavilova Str., Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Galina I Goremykina
- Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Stremyanny Lane 36, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jian-Rong Yang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Department of Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Vladimir G Kanovei
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), 19 Build. 1, Bolshoy Karetny per., Moscow, Russia, 127051
| | - Oleg A Zverkov
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), 19 Build. 1, Bolshoy Karetny per., Moscow, Russia, 127051
| | - Alexander D Shitikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 117997
| | - Daria D Korotkova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 117997
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrey G Zaraisky
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 117997.
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
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Shilovsky GA, Dibrova DV. Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Defense: Conservation of Keap1 Cysteines and Nrf2 Binding Site in the Context of the Evolution of KLHL Family. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041045. [PMID: 37109574 PMCID: PMC10146909 DOI: 10.3390/life13041045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) is one of the major negative regulators of the transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2), which induces the expression of numerous proteins defending the cell against different stress conditions. Keap1 is generally negatively regulated by post-translational modification (mostly via its cysteine residues) and interaction with other proteins that compete with Nrf2 for binding. Cysteine residues in Keap1 have different effects on protein regulation, as basic residues (Lys, Arg, and His) in close proximity to them increase cysteine modification potential. In this paper, we present an evolutionary analysis of residues involved in both mechanisms of Keap1 regulation in the broader context of the KLHL protein family in vertebrates. We identified the typical domain structure of the KLHL protein family in several proteins outside of this family (namely in KBTBD proteins 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 14). We found several cysteines that are flanked by basic residues (namely, C14, C38, C151, C226, C241, C273, C288, C297, C319, and C613) and, therefore, may be considered more susceptible to regulatory modification. The Nrf2 binding site is completely conserved in Keap1 in vertebrates but is absent or located in nonaligned DA and BC loops of the Kelch domain within the KLHL family. The development of specific substrate binding regions could be an evolutionary factor of diversification in the KLHL protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Shilovsky
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Russian Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), 127051 Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria V Dibrova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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Shilovsky GA, Putyatina TS, Markov AV. Evolution of Longevity as a Species-Specific Trait in Mammals. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:1579-1599. [PMID: 36717448 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922120148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
From the evolutionary point of view, the priority problem for an individual is not longevity, but adaptation to the environment associated with the need for survival, food supply, and reproduction. We see two main vectors in the evolution of mammals. One is a short lifespan and numerous offspring ensuring reproductive success (r-strategy). The other one is development of valuable skills in order compete successfully (K-strategy). Species with the K-strategy should develop and enhance specific systems (anti-aging programs) aimed at increasing the reliability and adaptability, including lifespan. These systems are signaling cascades that provide cell repair and antioxidant defense. Hence, any arbitrarily selected long-living species should be characterized by manifestation to a different extent of the longevity-favoring traits (e.g., body size, brain development, sociality, activity of body repair and antioxidant defense systems, resistance to xenobiotics and tumor formation, presence of neotenic traits). Hereafter, we will call a set of such traits as the gerontological success of a species. Longevity is not equivalent to the evolutionary or reproductive success. This difference between these phenomena reaches its peak in mammals due to the development of endothermy and cephalization associated with the cerebral cortex expansion, which leads to the upregulated production of oxidative radicals by the mitochondria (and, consequently, accelerated aging), increase in the number of non-dividing differentiated cells, accumulation of the age-related damage in these cells, and development of neurodegenerative diseases. The article presents mathematical indicators used to assess the predisposition to longevity in different species (including the standard mortality rate and basal metabolic rate, as well as their derivatives). The properties of the evolution of mammals (including the differences between modern mammals and their ancestral forms) are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Shilovsky
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia. .,Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127051, Russia
| | - Tatyana S Putyatina
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Alexander V Markov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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Rubanov LI, Zverkov OA, Shilovsky GA, Seliverstov AV, Lyubetsky VA. Protein-Coding Genes in Euarchontoglires with Pseudogene Homologs in Humans. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10090192. [PMID: 32927891 PMCID: PMC7555810 DOI: 10.3390/life10090192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
An original bioinformatics technique is developed to identify the protein-coding genes in rodents, lagomorphs and nonhuman primates that are pseudogenized in humans. The method is based on per-gene verification of local synteny, similarity of exon-intronic structures and orthology in a set of genomes. It is applicable to any genome set, even with the number of genomes exceeding 100, and efficiently implemented using fast computer software. Only 50 evolutionary recent human pseudogenes were predicted. Their functional homologs in model species are often associated with the immune system or digestion and mainly express in the testes. According to current evidence, knockout of most of these genes leads to an abnormal phenotype. Some genes were pseudogenized or lost independently in human and nonhuman hominoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lev I. Rubanov
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), Moscow 127051, Russia; (L.I.R.); (O.A.Z.); (G.A.S.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Oleg A. Zverkov
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), Moscow 127051, Russia; (L.I.R.); (O.A.Z.); (G.A.S.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Gregory A. Shilovsky
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), Moscow 127051, Russia; (L.I.R.); (O.A.Z.); (G.A.S.); (A.V.S.)
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119192, Russia
| | - Alexandr V. Seliverstov
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), Moscow 127051, Russia; (L.I.R.); (O.A.Z.); (G.A.S.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Vassily A. Lyubetsky
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Kharkevich Institute), Moscow 127051, Russia; (L.I.R.); (O.A.Z.); (G.A.S.); (A.V.S.)
- Correspondence:
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