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Wu X, Wang G, Zhao Z, Qian Z. In silico study on graphene quantum dots modified with various functional groups inhibiting α‑synuclein dimerization. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 667:723-730. [PMID: 38641462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with various functional groups are hypothesized to inhibit the α-synuclein (αS) dimerization, a crucial step in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. The potential of differently functionalized GQDs is systematically explored. EXPERIMENTS All-atom replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations (accumulating to 75.6 μs) in explicit water were performed to study the dimerization of the αS non-amyloid component region and the influence of GQDs modified with various functional groups. Conformation ensemble, binding behavior, and free energy analysis were conducted. FINDINGS All studied GQDs inhibit β-sheet and backbone hydrogen bond formation in αS dimers, leading to looser oligomeric conformations. Charged GQDs severely impede the growth of extended β-sheets by providing extra contact surface. GQD binding primarily disrupts αS inter-peptide interactions through π-π stacking, CH-π interactions, and for charged GQDs, additionally through salt-bridge and hydrogen bonding interactions. GQD-COO- showed the most optimal inhibitory effect, binding mode, and intensity, which holds promise for the development of nanomedicines targeting amyloid aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ziqian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhenyu Qian
- Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, and School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200438, China.
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2
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Lei K, Li J, Tu Z, Gong C, Liu J, Luo M, Ai W, Wu L, Li Y, Zhou Z, Chen Z, Lv S, Ye M, Wu M, Long X, Zhu X, Huang K. Endosome-microautophagy targeting chimera (eMIATAC) for targeted proteins degradation and enhance CAR-T cell anti-tumor therapy. Theranostics 2024; 14:4481-4498. [PMID: 39113807 PMCID: PMC11303074 DOI: 10.7150/thno.98574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Since oncogene expression products often exhibit upregulation or abnormally activated activity, developing a technique to regulate abnormal protein levels represent a viable approach for treating tumors and protein abnormality-related diseases. Methods: We first screened out eMIATAC components with high targeted degradation efficiency and explored the mechanism by which eMIATAC induced target protein degradation, and verified the degradation efficiency of the target protein by protein imprinting and flow cytometry. Next, we recombined eMIATAC with some controllable elements to verify the regulatable degradation performance of the target protein. Subsequently, we constructed eMIATAC that can express targeted degradation of AKT1 and verified its effect on GBM cell development in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we concatenated eMIATAC with CAR sequences to construct CAR-T cells with low BATF protein levels and verified the changes in their anti-tumor efficacy. Results: we developed a system based on the endosome-microautophagy-lysosome pathway for degrading endogenous proteins: endosome-MicroAutophagy TArgeting Chimera (eMIATAC), dependent on Vps4A instead of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2A (LAMP2A) to bind to the chaperone Hsc70 and the protein of interest (POI). The complex was then transported to the lysosome by late endosomes, where degradation occurred similarly to microautophagy. The eMIATACs demonstrated accuracy, efficiency, reversibility, and controllability in degrading the target protein EGFP. Moreover, eMIATAC exhibited excellent performance in knocking down POI when targeting endogenous proteins in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: The eMIATACs could not only directly knock down abnormal proteins for glioma treatment but also enhance the therapeutic effect of CAR-T cell therapy for tumors by knocking down T cell exhaustion-related proteins. The newly developed eMIATAC system holds promise as a novel tool for protein knockdown strategies. By enabling direct control over endogenous protein levels, eMIATAC has the potential to revolutionize treatment for cancer and genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunjian Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
| | - Jingying Li
- Department of Comprehensive Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
| | - Zewei Tu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Chuandong Gong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Junzhe Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Min Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Wenqian Ai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, 330031, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Lei Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Yishuang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Zhihao Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, P. R. China
| | - Shigang Lv
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
| | - Minhua Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
| | - Miaojing Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Long
- East China Institute of Digital Medical Engineering, Shangrao, Jiangxi 334000, P. R. China
| | - Xingen Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
| | - Kai Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, P. R. China
- JXHC Key Laboratory of Neurological Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, P. R. China
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Tapia-Arellano A, Cabrera P, Cortés-Adasme E, Riveros A, Hassan N, Kogan MJ. Tau- and α-synuclein-targeted gold nanoparticles: applications, opportunities, and future outlooks in the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:248. [PMID: 38741193 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02526-0] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of nanomaterials in medicine offers multiple opportunities to address neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. These diseases are a significant burden for society and the health system, affecting millions of people worldwide without sensitive and selective diagnostic methodologies or effective treatments to stop their progression. In this sense, the use of gold nanoparticles is a promising tool due to their unique properties at the nanometric level. They can be functionalized with specific molecules to selectively target pathological proteins such as Tau and α-synuclein for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. Additionally, these proteins are used as diagnostic biomarkers, wherein gold nanoparticles play a key role in enhancing their signal, even at the low concentrations present in biological samples such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid, thus enabling an early and accurate diagnosis. On the other hand, gold nanoparticles act as drug delivery platforms, bringing therapeutic agents directly into the brain, improving treatment efficiency and precision, and reducing side effects in healthy tissues. However, despite the exciting potential of gold nanoparticles, it is crucial to address the challenges and issues associated with their use in the medical field before they can be widely applied in clinical settings. It is critical to ensure the safety and biocompatibility of these nanomaterials in the context of the central nervous system. Therefore, rigorous preclinical and clinical studies are needed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of these strategies in patients. Since there is scarce and sometimes contradictory literature about their use in this context, the main aim of this review is to discuss and analyze the current state-of-the-art of gold nanoparticles in relation to delivery, diagnosis, and therapy for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as recent research about their use in preclinical, clinical, and emerging research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Tapia-Arellano
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico (IDT), Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Santiago, Chile.
- Facultad de Cs. Qcas. y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santiago, Chile.
- Millenium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Pablo Cabrera
- Facultad de Cs. Qcas. y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santiago, Chile
| | - Elizabeth Cortés-Adasme
- Facultad de Cs. Qcas. y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana Riveros
- Facultad de Cs. Qcas. y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Hassan
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico (IDT), Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Santiago, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santiago, Chile.
- Millenium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Marcelo J Kogan
- Facultad de Cs. Qcas. y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDis), Santiago, Chile.
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4
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Bertran-Mostazo A, Putriūtė G, Álvarez-Berbel I, Busquets MA, Galdeano C, Espargaró A, Sabate R. Proximity-Induced Pharmacology for Amyloid-Related Diseases. Cells 2024; 13:449. [PMID: 38474412 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Proximity-induced pharmacology (PIP) for amyloid-related diseases is a cutting-edge approach to treating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. By bringing small molecules close to amyloid-related proteins, these molecules can induce a plethora of effects that can break down pathogenic proteins and reduce the buildup of plaques. One of the most promising aspects of this drug discovery modality is that it can be used to target specific types of amyloid proteins, such as the beta-amyloid protein that is commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease. This level of specificity could allow for more targeted and effective treatments. With ongoing research and development, it is hoped that these treatments can be refined and optimized to provide even greater benefits to patients. As our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these diseases continues to grow, proximity-induced pharmacology treatments may become an increasingly important tool in the fight against dementia and other related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bertran-Mostazo
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabrielė Putriūtė
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Álvarez-Berbel
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Antònia Busquets
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Galdeano
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Espargaró
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raimon Sabate
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Galkin M, Priss A, Kyriukha Y, Shvadchak V. Navigating α-Synuclein Aggregation Inhibition: Methods, Mechanisms, and Molecular Targets. CHEM REC 2024; 24:e202300282. [PMID: 37919046 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a yet incurable, age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the aggregation of small neuronal protein α-synuclein into amyloid fibrils. Inhibition of this process is a prospective strategy for developing a disease-modifying treatment. We overview here small molecule, peptide, and protein inhibitors of α-synuclein fibrillization reported to date. Special attention was paid to the specificity of inhibitors and critical analysis of their action mechanisms. Namely, the importance of oxidation of polyphenols and cross-linking of α-synuclein into inhibitory dimers was highlighted. We also compared strategies of targeting monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar α-synuclein species, thoroughly discussed the strong and weak sides of different approaches to testing the inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksym Galkin
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anastasiia Priss
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Yevhenii Kyriukha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States
| | - Volodymyr Shvadchak
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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Allen SG, Meade RM, White Stenner LL, Mason JM. Peptide-based approaches to directly target alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:80. [PMID: 37940962 PMCID: PMC10633918 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00675-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides and their mimetics are increasingly recognised as drug-like molecules, particularly for intracellular protein-protein interactions too large for inhibition by small molecules, and inaccessible to larger biologics. In the past two decades, evidence associating the misfolding and aggregation of alpha-synuclein strongly implicates this protein in disease onset and progression of Parkinson's disease and related synucleinopathies. The subsequent formation of toxic, intracellular, Lewy body deposits, in which alpha-synuclein is a major component, is a key diagnostic hallmark of the disease. To reach their therapeutic site of action, peptides must both cross the blood-brain barrier and enter dopaminergic neurons to prevent the formation of these intracellular inclusions. In this review, we describe and summarise the current efforts made in the development of peptides and their mimetics to directly engage with alpha-synuclein with the intention of modulating aggregation, and importantly, toxicity. This is a rapidly expanding field with great socioeconomic impact; these molecules harbour significant promise as therapeutics, or as early biomarkers during prodromal disease stages, or both. As these are age-dependent conditions, an increasing global life expectancy means disease prevalence is rising. No current treatments exist to either prevent or slow disease progression. It is therefore crucial that drugs are developed for these conditions before health care and social care capacities become overrun.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott G Allen
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Richard M Meade
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Lucy L White Stenner
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Jody M Mason
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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Carrera-Aubesart A, Gallo M, Defaus S, Todorovski T, Andreu D. Topoisomeric Membrane-Active Peptides: A Review of the Last Two Decades. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2451. [PMID: 37896211 PMCID: PMC10610229 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, bioactive peptides have been gaining recognition in various biomedical areas, such as intracellular drug delivery (cell-penetrating peptides, CPPs) or anti-infective action (antimicrobial peptides, AMPs), closely associated to their distinct mode of interaction with biological membranes. Exploiting the interaction of membrane-active peptides with diverse targets (healthy, tumoral, bacterial or parasitic cell membranes) is opening encouraging prospects for peptides in therapeutics. However, ordinary peptides formed by L-amino acids are easily decomposed by proteases in biological fluids. One way to sidestep this limitation is to use topoisomers, namely versions of the peptide made up of D-amino acids in either canonic (enantio) or inverted (retroenantio) sequence. Rearranging peptide sequences in this fashion provides a certain degree of native structure mimicry that, in appropriate contexts, may deliver desirable biological activity while avoiding protease degradation. In this review, we will focus on recent accounts of membrane-active topoisomeric peptides with therapeutic applications as CPP drug delivery vectors, or as antimicrobial and anticancer candidates. We will also discuss the most common modes of interaction of these peptides with their membrane targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Carrera-Aubesart
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Maria Gallo
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Sira Defaus
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
| | - Toni Todorovski
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.C.-A.); (M.G.); (S.D.); (T.T.)
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8
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Tong Y, Zhu W, Chen J, Zhang W, Xu F, Pang J. Targeted Degradation of Alpha-Synuclein by Autophagosome-Anchoring Chimera Peptides. J Med Chem 2023; 66:12614-12628. [PMID: 37652467 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) confers knockdown of "undruggable" targets such as alpha-synuclein (αSyn), a pathogenic protein in multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Though many of these proteins were mainly degraded through the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP), few TPD tools harnessing the ALP were reported. Herein, we developed a strategy termed autophagosome-anchoring chimera (ATACC), in which the protein of interest (POI) can be anchored to microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3B (LC3B) on the autophagosome with the assistance of an LC3-interacting region (LIR)-containing bifunctional peptide, and the selective autophagy of the POI is thus facilitated. A series of αSyn-targeting ATACC peptides were designed and synthesized. Biological evaluations demonstrated that these compounds could degrade αSyn specifically and effectively through a "chemical-induced cargo recognition-ALP degradation" mechanism. The neuroprotective effects of ATACC peptide P1 were further validated in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our results provided a new TPD tool and revealed a potential therapeutic strategy against synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Tong
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wentao Zhu
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jian Chen
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenqian Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Fang Xu
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE) & Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jiyan Pang
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Naskar A, Nayak A, Salaikumaran MR, Vishal SS, Gopal PP. Phase separation and pathologic transitions of RNP condensates in neurons: implications for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1242925. [PMID: 37720552 PMCID: PMC10502346 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1242925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation results in the formation of dynamic biomolecular condensates, also known as membrane-less organelles, that allow for the assembly of functional compartments and higher order structures within cells. Multivalent, reversible interactions between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), including FUS, TDP-43, and hnRNPA1, and/or RNA (e.g., RBP-RBP, RBP-RNA, RNA-RNA), result in the formation of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates, which are critical for RNA processing, mRNA transport, stability, stress granule assembly, and translation. Stress granules, neuronal transport granules, and processing bodies are examples of cytoplasmic RNP condensates, while the nucleolus and Cajal bodies are representative nuclear RNP condensates. In neurons, RNP condensates promote long-range mRNA transport and local translation in the dendrites and axon, and are essential for spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression, axonal integrity and synaptic function. Mutations of RBPs and/or pathologic mislocalization and aggregation of RBPs are hallmarks of several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer's disease. ALS/FTD-linked mutations of RBPs alter the strength and reversibility of multivalent interactions with other RBPs and RNAs, resulting in aberrant phase transitions. These aberrant RNP condensates have detrimental functional consequences on mRNA stability, localization, and translation, and ultimately lead to compromised axonal integrity and synaptic function in disease. Pathogenic protein aggregation is dependent on various factors, and aberrant dynamically arrested RNP condensates may serve as an initial nucleation step for pathologic aggregate formation. Recent studies have focused on identifying mechanisms by which neurons resolve phase transitioned condensates to prevent the formation of pathogenic inclusions/aggregates. The present review focuses on the phase separation of neurodegenerative disease-linked RBPs, physiological functions of RNP condensates, and the pathologic role of aberrant phase transitions in neurodegenerative disease, particularly ALS/FTD. We also examine cellular mechanisms that contribute to the resolution of aberrant condensates in neurons, and potential therapeutic approaches to resolve aberrantly phase transitioned condensates at a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Naskar
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Asima Nayak
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Sonali S. Vishal
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Pallavi P. Gopal
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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10
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Thomas BAI, Lewis HL, Jones DH, Ward SE. Central Nervous System Targeted Protein Degraders. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1164. [PMID: 37627229 PMCID: PMC10452695 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases of the central nervous system, which once occupied a large component of the pharmaceutical industry research and development portfolio, have for many years played a smaller part in major pharma pipelines-primarily due to the well cited challenges in target validation, valid translational models, and clinical trial design. Unfortunately, this decline in research and development interest has occurred in tandem with an increase in the medical need-in part driven by the success in treating other chronic diseases, which then results in a greater overall longevity along with a higher prevalence of diseases associated with ageing. The lead modality for drug agents targeting the brain remains the traditionally small molecule, despite potential in gene-based therapies and antibodies, particularly in the hugely anticipated anti-amyloid field, clearly driven by the additional challenge of effective distribution to the relevant brain compartments. However, in recognition of the growing disease burden, advanced therapies are being developed in tandem with improved delivery options. Hence, methodologies which were initially restricted to systemic indications are now being actively explored for a range of CNS diseases-an important class of which include the protein degradation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bedwyr ab Ion Thomas
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK (H.L.L.)
| | - H. Lois Lewis
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK (H.L.L.)
| | - D. Heulyn Jones
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK (H.L.L.)
- Chemistry Department, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Simon E. Ward
- Medicines Discovery Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK (H.L.L.)
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11
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Wang H, Zhou R, Xu F, Yang K, Zheng L, Zhao P, Shi G, Dai L, Xu C, Yu L, Li Z, Wang J, Wang J. Beyond canonical PROTAC: biological targeted protein degradation (bioTPD). Biomater Res 2023; 27:72. [PMID: 37480049 PMCID: PMC10362593 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00385-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging therapeutic strategy with the potential to modulate disease-associated proteins that have previously been considered undruggable, by employing the host destruction machinery. The exploration and discovery of cellular degradation pathways, including but not limited to proteasomes and lysosome pathways as well as their degraders, is an area of active research. Since the concept of proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) was introduced in 2001, the paradigm of TPD has been greatly expanded and moved from academia to industry for clinical translation, with small-molecule TPD being particularly represented. As an indispensable part of TPD, biological TPD (bioTPD) technologies including peptide-, fusion protein-, antibody-, nucleic acid-based bioTPD and others have also emerged and undergone significant advancement in recent years, demonstrating unique and promising activities beyond those of conventional small-molecule TPD. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in bioTPD technologies, summarize their compositional features and potential applications, and briefly discuss their drawbacks. Moreover, we present some strategies to improve the delivery efficacy of bioTPD, addressing their challenges in further clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Respirology, The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Runhua Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Fushan Xu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Kongjun Yang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Liuhai Zheng
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Respirology, The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Pan Zhao
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Respirology, The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Guangwei Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China
| | - Lingyun Dai
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Respirology, The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Chengchao Xu
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Respirology, The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, P. R. China
| | - Le Yu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China.
| | - Zhijie Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Respirology, The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China.
| | - Jianhong Wang
- Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China.
| | - Jigang Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Respirology, The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, P. R. China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, P. R. China.
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, P. R. China.
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12
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Naskar S, Gour N. Realization of Amyloid-like Aggregation as a Common Cause for Pathogenesis in Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1523. [PMID: 37511898 PMCID: PMC10381831 DOI: 10.3390/life13071523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids were conventionally referred to as extracellular and intracellular accumulation of Aβ42 peptide, which causes the formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles inside the brain leading to the pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Subsequently, amyloid-like deposition was found in the etiology of prion diseases, Parkinson's disease, type II diabetes, and cancer, which was attributed to the aggregation of prion protein, α-Synuclein, islet amyloid polypeptide protein, and p53 protein, respectively. Hence, traditionally amyloids were considered aggregates formed exclusively by proteins or peptides. However, since the last decade, it has been discovered that other metabolites, like single amino acids, nucleobases, lipids, glucose derivatives, etc., have a propensity to form amyloid-like toxic assemblies. Several studies suggest direct implications of these metabolite assemblies in the patho-physiology of various inborn errors of metabolisms like phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, cystinuria, and Gaucher's disease, to name a few. In this review, we present a comprehensive literature overview that suggests amyloid-like structure formation as a common phenomenon for disease progression and pathogenesis in multiple syndromes. The review is devoted to providing readers with a broad knowledge of the structure, mode of formation, propagation, and transmission of different extracellular amyloids and their implications in the pathogenesis of diseases. We strongly believe a review on this topic is urgently required to create awareness about the understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanism behind the origin of diseases from an amyloid perspective and possibly look for a common therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these maladies by designing generic amyloid inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumick Naskar
- Department of Chemistry, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana 382740, Gujarat, India
| | - Nidhi Gour
- Department of Chemistry, Indrashil University, Kadi, Mehsana 382740, Gujarat, India
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13
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Rivera Velez SM, Newkirk M, Roux A, Ellis G, Harlan R, Go MDA, Parimi PS, Graham D. Characterization of D-amino acids in colostral, transitional, and mature preterm human milk. Amino Acids 2023; 55:51-59. [PMID: 36580144 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03204-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
D-Amino acids are regulatory molecules that affect biological processes. Therefore, being able to accurately detect and quantify these compounds is important for understanding their impact on nutrition and health. There is a paucity of information regarding D-amino acids in human milk. We developed a fast method for simultaneous analysis of amino acid enantiomers in human milk using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The method enables the separation of 41 amino acids without chemical derivatization. Our results revealed that human milk from mothers of preterm infants contains concentrations of D-amino acids that range from 0.5 to 45% that of their L-counterparts and that levels of most D-amino acids decrease as the milk production matures. Moreover, we found that Holder pasteurization of milk does not cause racemization of L-amino acids. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe percentages of D-amino acid levels in human milk; changes in D-amino acid concentration as the milk matures; and the effect of Holder pasteurization on D- and L-amino acid concentrations in human milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Maiam Rivera Velez
- Molecular Determinants Center and Core, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - Melanie Newkirk
- Clinical Nutrition, Lactation, Milk Depot, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - Aurelie Roux
- Molecular Determinants Center and Core, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - Greg Ellis
- Molecular Determinants Center and Core, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - Robert Harlan
- Molecular Determinants Center and Core, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - Mitzi Donabel Ang Go
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Prabhu Satya Parimi
- Division of Neonatology, Case Western Reserve University, Metro Health Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA
| | - David Graham
- Molecular Determinants Center and Core, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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14
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Pirhaghi M, Frank SA, Alam P, Nielsen J, Sereikaite V, Gupta A, Strømgaard K, Andreasen M, Sharma D, Saboury AA, Otzen DE. A penetratin-derived peptide reduces the membrane permeabilization and cell toxicity of α-synuclein oligomers. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102688. [PMID: 36370848 PMCID: PMC9791135 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder associated with the intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). Cytotoxicity is mainly associated with the oligomeric species (αSOs) formed at early stages in α-syn aggregation. Consequently, there is an intense focus on the discovery of novel inhibitors such as peptides to inhibit oligomer formation and toxicity. Here, using peptide arrays, we identified nine peptides with high specificity and affinity for αSOs. Of these, peptides p194, p235, and p249 diverted α-syn aggregation from fibrils to amorphous aggregates with reduced β-structures and increased random coil content. However, they did not reduce αSO cytotoxicity and permeabilization of large anionic unilamellar vesicles. In parallel, we identified a non-self-aggregating peptide (p216), derived from the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin, which showed 12-fold higher binding affinity to αSOs than to α-syn monomers (Kdapp 2.7 and 31.2 μM, respectively). p216 reduced αSOs-induced large anionic unilamellar vesicle membrane permeability at 10-1 to 10-3 mg/ml by almost 100%, was not toxic to SH-SY5Y cells, and reduced αSOs cytotoxicity by about 20%. We conclude that p216 is a promising starting point from which to develop peptides targeting toxic αSOs in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Pirhaghi
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Signe Andrea Frank
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Parvez Alam
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Vita Sereikaite
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Arpit Gupta
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kristian Strømgaard
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India; G.N. Ramachandran Protein Centre, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Chennai, India
| | - Ali Akbar Saboury
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Daniel Erik Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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15
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Khan I, Preeti K, Fernandes V, Khatri DK, Singh SB. Role of MicroRNAs, Aptamers in Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022; 42:2075-2095. [PMID: 33934227 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01093-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the microRNAs and aptamers for their therapeutic role as biological drugs has expanded the horizon of its applicability against various human diseases, explicitly targeting the genetic materials. RNA-based therapeutics are widely being explored for the treatment and diagnosis of multiple diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders (NDD). Latter includes microRNA, aptamers, ribozymes, and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which control the gene expression mainly at the transcriptional strata. One RNA transcript translates into different protein types; hence, therapies targeted at the transcriptional sphere may have prominent and more extensive effects than alternative therapeutics. Unlike conventional gene therapy, RNAs, upon delivery, can either altogether abolish or alter the synthesis of the protein of interest, therefore, regulating their activities in a controlled and diverse manner. NDDs like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Prion disease, and others are characterized by deposition of misfolded protein such as amyloid-ß, tau, α-synuclein, huntingtin and prion proteins. Neuroinflammation, one of the perquisites for neurodegeneration, is induced during neurodegenerative pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss microRNAs and aptamers' role as two different RNA-based approaches for their unique ability to regulate protein production at the transcription level, hence offering many advantages over other biologicals. The microRNA acts either by alleviating the malfunctioning RNA expression or by working as a replacement to lost microRNA. On the contrary, aptamer act as a chemical antibody and forms an aptamer-target complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islauddin Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Kumari Preeti
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Valencia Fernandes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
| | - Shashi Bala Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
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16
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Targeted protein degraders march towards the clinic for neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 78:101616. [PMID: 35378298 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein degraders are emerging as potent therapeutic tools to address neurological disorders and many complex diseases. It offered several key advantages, including the doses, drug resistance, and side effects over traditional occupancy-based inhibitors. Translation of chemical degraders into a clinical therapy for neurodegenerative disorders has a well-documented knowledge and resource gap. Researchers strive to develop clinical candidates employing chemical degraders' technologies, including hydrophobic tagging, molecular glues, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), specific and nongenetic Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP)-dependent protein erasers (SNIPERs), autophagy targeted chimeras, and autophagosome-tethered compounds for targeted degradation of pathological markers in neurodegenerative disease. Herein, we examined the present state of chemical-mediated targeted protein degradation in the quest for medications to treat neurodegenerative diseases. We further identified targeted degraders under clinical development for neurodegenerative diseases summarizing pertinent discoveries guiding the future of degradation therapeutics. We also addressed the necessary pharmacological interventions needed to achieve unprecedented therapeutic efficacy and its associated challenges.
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17
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Wu X, Ma F, Pan B, Zhang Y, Zhu L, Deng F, Xu L, Zhao Y, Yin X, Niu H, Su X, Shi L. Tailoring a Nanochaperone to Regulate α‐Synuclein Assembly. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202200192. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Feihe Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes and School of Materials Science and Engineering Tiangong University Tianjin 300387 P. R. China
| | - Bin‐Bin Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Fei Deng
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Linlin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Xu Yin
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Haihong Niu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Xun‐Cheng Su
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Linqi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
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18
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α-Synuclein at the Presynaptic Axon Terminal as a Double-Edged Sword. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12040507. [PMID: 35454096 PMCID: PMC9029495 DOI: 10.3390/biom12040507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
α-synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic, lipid-binding protein strongly associated with the neuropathology observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In normal physiology, α-syn plays a pivotal role in facilitating endocytosis and exocytosis. Interestingly, mutations and modifications of precise α-syn domains interfere with α-syn oligomerization and nucleation that negatively affect presynaptic vesicular dynamics, protein expressions, and mitochondrial profiles. Furthermore, the integration of the α-syn oligomers into the presynaptic membrane results in pore formations, ion influx, and excitotoxicity. Targeted therapies against specific domains of α-syn, including the use of small organic molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and synthetic peptides, are being screened and developed. However, the prospect of an effective α-syn targeted therapy is still plagued by low permeability across the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and poor entry into the presynaptic axon terminals. The present review proposes a modification of current strategies, which includes the use of novel encapsulation technology, such as lipid nanoparticles, to bypass the BBB and deliver such agents into the brain.
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19
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Wu X, Ma F, Pan B, Zhang Y, Zhu L, Deng F, Xu L, Zhao Y, Yin X, Niu H, Su X, Shi L. Tailoring a Nanochaperone to Regulate α‐Synuclein Assembly. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202200192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Feihe Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes and School of Materials Science and Engineering Tiangong University Tianjin 300387 P. R. China
| | - Bin‐Bin Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Fei Deng
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Linlin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Xu Yin
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Haihong Niu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Xun‐Cheng Su
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
| | - Linqi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Institute of Polymer Chemistry and College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China
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20
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Ma S, Ji J, Tong Y, Zhu Y, Dou J, Zhang X, Xu S, Zhu T, Xu X, You Q, Jiang Z. Non-small molecule PROTACs (NSM-PROTACs): Protein degradation kaleidoscope. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2990-3005. [PMID: 35865099 PMCID: PMC9293674 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) technology has been rapidly developed since its birth in 2001, attracting rapidly growing attention of scientific institutes and pharmaceutical companies. At present, a variety of small molecule PROTACs have entered the clinical trial. However, as small molecule PROTACs flourish, non-small molecule PROTACs (NSM-PROTACs) such as peptide PROTACs, nucleic acid PROTACs and antibody PROTACs have also advanced considerably over recent years, exhibiting the unique characters beyond the small molecule PROTACs. Here, we briefly introduce the types of NSM-PROTACs, describe the advantages of NSM-PROTACs, and summarize the development of NSM-PROTACs so far in detail. We hope this article could not only provide useful insights into NSM-PROTACs, but also expand the research interest of NSM-PROTACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jianai Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuanyuan Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuxuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Junwei Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shicheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Tianbao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaoli Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 25 83271351.
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 25 83271351.
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel./fax: +86 25 83271351.
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21
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Hayashi J, Carver JA. β-Synuclein: An Enigmatic Protein with Diverse Functionality. Biomolecules 2022; 12:142. [PMID: 35053291 PMCID: PMC8773819 DOI: 10.3390/biom12010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) is a small, unstructured, presynaptic protein expressed in the brain. Its aggregated form is a major component of Lewy bodies, the large proteinaceous deposits in Parkinson's disease. The closely related protein, β-Synuclein (βS), is co-expressed with αS. In vitro, βS acts as a molecular chaperone to inhibit αS aggregation. As a result of this assignation, βS has been largely understudied in comparison to αS. However, recent reports suggest that βS promotes neurotoxicity, implying that βS is involved in other cellular pathways with functions independent of αS. Here, we review the current literature pertaining to human βS in order to understand better the role of βS in homeostasis and pathology. Firstly, the structure of βS is discussed. Secondly, the ability of βS to (i) act as a molecular chaperone; (ii) regulate synaptic function, lipid binding, and the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system; (iii) mediate apoptosis; (iv) participate in protein degradation pathways; (v) modulate intracellular metal levels; and (vi) promote cellular toxicity and protein aggregation is explored. Thirdly, the P123H and V70M mutations of βS, which are associated with dementia with Lewy bodies, are discussed. Finally, the importance of post-translational modifications on the structure and function of βS is reviewed. Overall, it is concluded that βS has both synergistic and antagonistic interactions with αS, but it may also possess important cellular functions independent of αS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John A. Carver
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia;
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22
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Mondal S, Mondal S, Bandyopadhyay S. Importance of Solvent in Guiding the Conformational Properties of an Intrinsically Disordered Peptide. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:14429-14442. [PMID: 34817184 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aggregated form of α-synuclein in the brain has been found to be the major component of Lewy bodies that are hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most devastating neurodegenerative disorder. We have carried out room-temperature all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of an ensemble of widely different α-synuclein1-95 peptide monomer conformations in aqueous solution. Attempts have been made to obtain a generic understanding of the local conformational motions of different repeat unit segments, namely R1-R7, of the peptide and the correlated properties of the solvent at the interface. The analyses revealed relatively greater rigidity of the hydrophobic R6 unit as compared to the other repeat units of the peptide. Besides, water molecules around R6 have been found to be less structured and weakly interacting with the peptide. These are important observations as the R6 unit with reduced conformational motions can act as the nucleation site for the aggregation process, while less structured weakly interacting water around it can become displaced easily, thereby facilitating the hydrophobic collapse of the peptide monomers and their association during the nucleation phase at higher concentrations. In addition, we demonstrated presence of doubly coordinated highly ordered as well as triply coordinated relatively disordered water molecules at the interface. We believe that while the ordered water molecules can favor water-mediated interactions between different peptide monomers, the randomly ordered ones on the other hand are likely to be expelled easily from the interface, thereby facilitating direct peptide-peptide interactions during the aggregation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Mondal
- Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Sandip Mondal
- Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Sanjoy Bandyopadhyay
- Molecular Modeling Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
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23
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Mukherjee SK, Knop JM, Winter RHA. Modulation of the Conformational Space of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Quadruplex RG-1 by Cellular Components and the Amyloidogenic Peptides α-Synuclein and hIAPP. Chemistry 2021; 28:e202104182. [PMID: 34882862 PMCID: PMC9015630 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202104182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Given the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which particularly threatens older people with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and dementia, understanding the relationship between Covid-19 and other diseases is an important factor for treatment. Possible targets for medical intervention include G-quadruplexes (G4Qs) and their protein interaction partners. We investigated the stability and conformational space of the RG-1 RNA-G-quadruplex of the SARS-CoV-2 N-gene in the presence of salts, cosolutes, crowders and intrinsically disordered peptides, focusing on α-Synuclein and the human islet amyloid polypeptide, which are involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) and type-II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), respectively. We found that the conformational dynamics of the RG-1 G4Q is strongly affected by the various solution conditions. Further, the amyloidogenic peptides were found to strongly modulate the conformational equilibrium of the RG-1. Considerable changes are observed with respect to their interaction with human telomeric G4Qs, which adopt different topologies. These results may therefore shed more light on the relationship between PD as well as T2DM and the SARS-CoV-2 disease and their molecular underpinnings. Since dysregulation of G4Q formation by rationally designed targeting compounds affects the control of cellular processes, this study should contribute to the development of specific ligands for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjib K Mukherjee
- TU Dortmund University: Technische Universitat Dortmund, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, GERMANY
| | - Jim-Marcel Knop
- TU Dortmund University: Technische Universitat Dortmund, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, GERMANY
| | - Roland Hermann Alfons Winter
- TU Dortmund University, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn Str. 4a, Physical Chemistry I, 44227, Dortmund, GERMANY
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24
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Recent Applications of Retro-Inverso Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168677. [PMID: 34445382 PMCID: PMC8395423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural and de novo designed peptides are gaining an ever-growing interest as drugs against several diseases. Their use is however limited by the intrinsic low bioavailability and poor stability. To overcome these issues retro-inverso analogues have been investigated for decades as more stable surrogates of peptides composed of natural amino acids. Retro-inverso peptides possess reversed sequences and chirality compared to the parent molecules maintaining at the same time an identical array of side chains and in some cases similar structure. The inverted chirality renders them less prone to degradation by endogenous proteases conferring enhanced half-lives and an increased potential as new drugs. However, given their general incapability to adopt the 3D structure of the parent peptides their application should be careful evaluated and investigated case by case. Here, we review the application of retro-inverso peptides in anticancer therapies, in immunology, in neurodegenerative diseases, and as antimicrobials, analyzing pros and cons of this interesting subclass of molecules.
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25
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Abstract
Qu et al. (2020) demonstrate a peptide-induced targeted degradation of the alpha-synuclein protein, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. Using a modular three-component design, the target-protein-specific, cell-permeable peptide disposed of alpha-synuclein via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway rather than the standard autophagy-lysosome pathway.
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26
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Jin JW, Fan X, Del Cid-Pellitero E, Liu XX, Zhou L, Dai C, Gibbs E, He W, Li H, Wu X, Hill A, Leavitt BR, Cashman N, Liu L, Lu J, Durcan TM, Dong Z, Fon EA, Wang YT. Development of an α-synuclein knockdown peptide and evaluation of its efficacy in Parkinson's disease models. Commun Biol 2021; 4:232. [PMID: 33608634 PMCID: PMC7895943 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01746-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Convincing evidence supports the premise that reducing α-synuclein levels may be an effective therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD); however, there has been lack of a clinically applicable α-synuclein reducing therapeutic strategy. This study was undertaken to develop a blood-brain barrier and plasma membrane-permeable α-synuclein knockdown peptide, Tat-βsyn-degron, that may have therapeutic potential. The peptide effectively reduced the level of α-synuclein via proteasomal degradation both in cell cultures and in animals. Tat-βsyn-degron decreased α-synuclein aggregates and microglial activation in an α-synuclein pre-formed fibril model of spreading synucleinopathy in transgenic mice overexpressing human A53T α-synuclein. Moreover, Tat-βsyn-degron reduced α-synuclein levels and significantly decreased the parkinsonian toxin-induced neuronal damage and motor impairment in a mouse toxicity model of PD. These results show the promising efficacy of Tat-βsyn-degron in two different animal models of PD and suggest its potential use as an effective PD therapeutic that directly targets the disease-causing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Wuyang Jin
- The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xuelai Fan
- The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Esther Del Cid-Pellitero
- McGill Parkinson Program, Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xing-Xing Liu
- McGill Parkinson Program, Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Limin Zhou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunfang Dai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ebrima Gibbs
- The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wenting He
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongjie Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaobin Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Austin Hill
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Blair R Leavitt
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Neil Cashman
- The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lidong Liu
- The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jie Lu
- The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- McGill Parkinson Program, Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zhifang Dong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Edward A Fon
- McGill Parkinson Program, Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Yu Tian Wang
- The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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27
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Tomoshige S, Ishikawa M. PROTACs and Other Chemical Protein Degradation Technologies for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202004746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shusuke Tomoshige
- Graduate School of Life Sciences Tohoku University 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8577 Japan
| | - Minoru Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Life Sciences Tohoku University 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku Sendai 980-8577 Japan
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28
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Mitra A, Sarkar N. Sequence and structure-based peptides as potent amyloid inhibitors: A review. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 695:108614. [PMID: 33010227 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Misfolded and natively disordered globular proteins tend to aggregate together in an interwoven fashion to form fibrous, proteinaceous deposits referred to as amyloid fibrils. Formation and deposition of such insoluble fibrils are the characteristic features of a broad group of diseases, known as amyloidosis. Some of these proteins are known to cause several degenerative disorders in humans, such as Amyloid-Beta (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (hIAPP, amylin) in type 2 diabetes, α-synuclein (α-syn) in Parkinson's disease (PD) and so on. The fact that these proteins do not share any significant sequence or structural homology in their native states make therapy quite challenging. However, it is observed that aggregation-prone proteins and peptides tend to adopt a similar type of secondary structure during the formation of fibrils. Rationally designed peptides can be a potent inhibitor that has been shown to disrupt the fibril structure by binding specifically to the amyloidogenic region(s) within a protein. The following review will analyze the inhibitory potency of both sequence-based and structure-based small peptides that have been shown to inhibit amyloidogenesis of proteins such as Aβ, human amylin, and α-synuclein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Mitra
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Nandini Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, 769008, Odisha, India.
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29
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Lombardi A, Concepcion E, Hou H, Arib H, Mezei M, Osman R, Tomer Y. Retro-inverso D-peptides as a novel targeted immunotherapy for Type 1 diabetes. J Autoimmun 2020; 115:102543. [PMID: 32951964 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the past four decades, the number of people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) has increased by 4% per year, making it an important public health challenge. Currently, no curative therapy exists for T1D and the only available treatment is insulin replacement. HLA-DQ8 has been shown to present antigenic islet peptides driving the activation of CD4+ T-cells in T1D patients. Specifically, the insulin peptide InsB:9-23 activates self-reactive CD4+ T-cells, causing pancreatic beta cell destruction. The aim of the current study was to identify retro-inverso-d-amino acid based peptides (RI-D-peptides) that can suppress T-cell activation by blocking the presentation of InsB:9-23 peptide within HLA-DQ8 pocket. We identified a RI-D-peptide (RI-EXT) that inhibited InsB:9-23 binding to recombinant HLA-DQ8 molecule, as well as its binding to DQ8 expressed on human B-cells. RI-EXT prevented T-cell activation in a cellular antigen presentation assay containing human DQ8 cells loaded with InsB:9-23 peptide and murine T-cells expressing a human T-cell receptor specific for the InsB:9-23-DQ8 complex. Moreover, RI-EXT blocked T-cell activation by InsB:9-23 in a humanized DQ8 mice both ex vivo and in vivo, as shown by decreased production of IL-2 and IFN-γ and reduced lymphocyte proliferation. Interestingly, RI-EXT also blocked lymphocyte activation and proliferation by InsB:9-23 in PBMCs isolated from recent onset DQ8-T1D patients. In summary, we discovered a RI-D-peptide that blocks InsB:9-23 binding to HLA-DQ8 and its presentation to T-cells in T1D. These findings set the stage for using our approach as a novel therapy for patients with T1D and potentially other autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lombardi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Erlinda Concepcion
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Hanxi Hou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Hanane Arib
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mihaly Mezei
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roman Osman
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yaron Tomer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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30
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Sharma K, Mehra S, Sawner AS, Markam PS, Panigrahi R, Navalkar A, Chatterjee D, Kumar R, Kadu P, Patel K, Ray S, Kumar A, Maji SK. Effect of Disease-Associated P123H and V70M Mutations on β-Synuclein Fibrillation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2836-2848. [PMID: 32833434 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). The common pathological hallmark of synucleinopathies is the filamentous α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates along with membrane components in cytoplasmic inclusions in the brain. β-Synuclein (β-Syn), an isoform of α-Syn, inhibits α-Syn aggregation and prevents its neurotoxicity, suggesting the neuroprotective nature of β-Syn. However, this notion changed with the discovery of disease-associated β-Syn mutations, V70M and P123H, in patients with DLB. It is still unclear how these missense mutations alter the structural and amyloidogenic properties of β-Syn, leading to neurodegeneration. Here, we characterized the biophysical properties and investigated the effect of mutations on β-Syn fibrillation under different conditions. V70M and P123H show high membrane binding affinity compared to wild-type β-Syn, suggesting their potential role in membrane interactions. β-Syn and its mutants do not aggregate under normal physiological conditions; however, the proteins undergo self-polymerization in a slightly acidic microenvironment and/or in the presence of an inducer, forming long unbranched amyloid fibrils similar to α-Syn. Strikingly, V70M and P123H mutants exhibit accelerated fibrillation compared to native β-Syn under these conditions. NMR study further revealed that these point mutations induce local perturbations at the site of mutation in β-Syn. Overall, our data provide insight into the biophysical properties of disease-associated β-Syn mutations and demonstrate that these mutants make the native protein more susceptible to aggregation in an altered microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan Sharma
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Surabhi Mehra
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Ajay S. Sawner
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Pratap S. Markam
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Rajlaxmi Panigrahi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Ambuja Navalkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Debdeep Chatterjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Pradeep Kadu
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Komal Patel
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Soumik Ray
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
| | - Samir K. Maji
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India 400076
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31
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Fouka M, Mavroeidi P, Tsaka G, Xilouri M. In Search of Effective Treatments Targeting α-Synuclein Toxicity in Synucleinopathies: Pros and Cons. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:559791. [PMID: 33015057 PMCID: PMC7500083 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.559791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) represent pathologically similar, progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the pathological aggregation of the neuronal protein α-synuclein. PD and DLB are characterized by the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein in proteinaceous inclusions within neurons named Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs), whereas in MSA α-synuclein inclusions are mainly detected within oligodendrocytes named glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs). The presence of pathologically aggregated α-synuclein along with components of the protein degradation machinery, such as ubiquitin and p62, in LBs and GCIs is considered to underlie the pathogenic cascade that eventually leads to the severe neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation that characterizes these diseases. Importantly, α-synuclein is proposed to undergo pathogenic misfolding and oligomerization into higher-order structures, revealing self-templating conformations, and to exert the ability of "prion-like" spreading between cells. Therefore, the manner in which the protein is produced, is modified within neural cells and is degraded, represents a major focus of current research efforts in the field. Given that α-synuclein protein load is critical to disease pathogenesis, the identification of means to limit intracellular protein burden and halt α-synuclein propagation represents an obvious therapeutic approach in synucleinopathies. However, up to date the development of effective therapeutic strategies to prevent degeneration in synucleinopathies is limited, due to the lack of knowledge regarding the precise mechanisms underlying the observed pathology. This review critically summarizes the recent developed strategies to counteract α-synuclein toxicity, including those aimed to increase protein degradation, to prevent protein aggregation and cell-to-cell propagation, or to engage antibodies against α-synuclein and discuss open questions and unknowns for future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Xilouri
- Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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32
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Tomoshige S, Ishikawa M. PROTACs and Other Chemical Protein Degradation Technologies for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 60:3346-3354. [PMID: 32410219 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202004746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) are a group of diseases that cause neural cell damage, leading to motility and/or cognitive dysfunctions. One of the causative agents is misfolded protein aggregates, which are considered as undruggable in terms of conventional tools, such as inhibitors and agonists/antagonists. Indeed, there is currently no FDA-approved drug for the causal treatment of NDs. However, emerging technologies for chemical protein degradation are opening up the possibility of selective elimination of target proteins through physiological protein degradation machineries, which do not depend on the functions of the target proteins. Here, we review recent efforts towards the treatment of NDs using chemical protein degradation technologies, and we briefly discuss the challenges and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusuke Tomoshige
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
| | - Minoru Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
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Qu J, Ren X, Xue F, He Y, Zhang R, Zheng Y, Huang H, Wang W, Zhang J. Specific Knockdown of α-Synuclein by Peptide-Directed Proteasome Degradation Rescued Its Associated Neurotoxicity. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:751-762.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Marvian AT, Koss DJ, Aliakbari F, Morshedi D, Outeiro TF. In vitro models of synucleinopathies: informing on molecular mechanisms and protective strategies. J Neurochem 2019; 150:535-565. [PMID: 31004503 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) is a central player in Parkinson's disease (PD) and in a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases collectively known as synucleinopathies. The protein was first associated with PD just over 20 years ago, when it was found to (i) be a major component of Lewy bodies and (ii) to be also associated with familial forms of PD. The characterization of α-Syn pathology has been achieved through postmortem studies of human brains. However, the identification of toxic mechanisms associated with α-Syn was only achieved through the use of experimental models. In vitro models are highly accessible, enable relatively rapid studies, and have been extensively employed to address α-Syn-associated neurodegeneration. Given the diversity of models used and the outcomes of the studies, a cumulative and comprehensive perspective emerges as indispensable to pave the way for further investigations. Here, we subdivided in vitro models of α-Syn pathology into three major types: (i) models simulating α-Syn fibrillization and the formation of different aggregated structures in vitro, (ii) models based on the intracellular expression of α-Syn, reporting on pathogenic conditions and cellular dysfunctions induced, and (iii) models using extracellular treatment with α-Syn aggregated species, reporting on sites of interaction and their downstream consequences. In summary, we review the underlying molecular mechanisms discovered and categorize protective strategies, in order to pave the way for future studies and the identification of effective therapeutic strategies. This article is part of the Special Issue "Synuclein".
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Tayaranian Marvian
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - David J Koss
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Farhang Aliakbari
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, Göttingen, Germany.,University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
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Alza NP, Iglesias González PA, Conde MA, Uranga RM, Salvador GA. Lipids at the Crossroad of α-Synuclein Function and Dysfunction: Biological and Pathological Implications. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:175. [PMID: 31118888 PMCID: PMC6504812 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery, the study of the biological role of α-synuclein and its pathological implications has been the subject of increasing interest. The propensity to adopt different conformational states governing its aggregation and fibrillation makes this small 14-kDa cytosolic protein one of the main etiologic factors associated with degenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies. The structure, function, and toxicity of α-synuclein and the possibility of different therapeutic approaches to target the protein have been extensively investigated and reviewed. One intriguing characteristic of α-synuclein is the different ways in which it interacts with lipids. Though in-depth studies have been carried out in this field, the information they have produced is puzzling and the precise role of lipids in α-synuclein biology and pathology and vice versa is still largely unknown. Here we provide an overview and discussion of the main findings relating to α-synuclein/lipid interaction and its involvement in the modulation of lipid metabolism and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia P Alza
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Pablo A Iglesias González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Melisa A Conde
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Romina M Uranga
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Gabriela A Salvador
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.,Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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Paul A, Zhang BD, Mohapatra S, Li G, Li YM, Gazit E, Segal D. Novel Mannitol-Based Small Molecules for Inhibiting Aggregation of α-Synuclein Amyloids in Parkinson's Disease. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:16. [PMID: 30968030 PMCID: PMC6438916 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aggregation of the amyloidogenic protein α-synuclein (α-Syn) into toxic oligomers and mature fibrils is the major pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Small molecules that inhibit α-Syn aggregation thus may be useful therapeutics for PD. Mannitol and naphthoquinone-tryptophan (NQTrp) have been shown in the past to inhibit α-Syn aggregation by different mechanisms. Herein, we tested whether the conjugation of Mannitol and NQTrp may result in enhance efficacy toward α-Syn. The molecules were conjugated either by a click linker or via a PEG linker. The effect of the conjugate molecules on α-Syn aggregation in vitro was monitored using Thioflavin T fluorescence assay, circular dichroism, transmission electron microscopy, and Congo red birefringence assay. One of the conjugate molecules was found to be more effective than the two parent molecules and as effective as a mixture of the two. The conjugate molecules attenuated the disruptive effect of α-Syn on artificial membrane of Large Unilamellar Vesicles as monitored by dye leakage assay. The conjugates were found to be have low cytotoxicity and reduced toxicity of α-Syn toward SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These novel designed entities can be attractive scaffold for the development of therapeutic agents for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashim Paul
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bo-Dou Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Satabdee Mohapatra
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gao Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Institute of Parkinson Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.,Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ehud Gazit
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- School of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol Interdisciplinary School of Neurosciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Oliveri V. Toward the discovery and development of effective modulators of α-synuclein amyloid aggregation. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 167:10-36. [PMID: 30743095 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A host of human diseases, including Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies, are suspected to be directly linked to protein aggregation. Amyloid protein aggregates and oligomeric intermediates of α-synuclein are observed in synucleinopathies and considered to be mediators of cellular toxicity. Hence, α-synuclein has seen as one of the leading and most compelling targets and is receiving a great deal of attention from researchers. Nevertheless, there is no neuroprotective approach directed toward Parkinson's disease or other synucleinopathies so far. In this review, we summarize the available data concerning inhibitors of α-synuclein aggregation and their advancing towards clinical use. The compounds are grouped according to their chemical structures, providing respective insights into their mechanism of action, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. Overall, shared structure-activity elements are emerging, as well as specific binding modes related to the ability of the modulators to establish hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds interactions with the protein. Some molecules with encouraging in vivo data support the possibility of translation to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Oliveri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Catania, viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.
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38
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Quinolinic Acid Amyloid-like Fibrillar Assemblies Seed α-Synuclein Aggregation. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:3847-3862. [PMID: 30098337 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Quinolinic acid (QA), a downstream neurometabolite in the kynurenine pathway, the biosynthetic pathway of tryptophan, is associated with neurodegenerative diseases pathology. Mutations in genes encoding kynurenine pathway enzymes, which control the level of QA production, are linked with elevated risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Recent findings have revealed the accumulation and deposition of QA in post-mortem samples, as well as in cellular models of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Furthermore, intrastriatal inoculation of mice with QA results in increased levels of phosphorylated α-synuclein and neurodegenerative pathological and behavioral characteristics. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of QA accumulation in protein aggregation and neurodegeneration remain elusive. We recently established that self-assembled ordered structures are formed by various metabolites and hypothesized that these "metabolite amyloids" may seed amyloidogenic proteins. Here we demonstrate the formation of QA amyloid-like fibrillar assemblies and seeding of α-synuclein aggregation by these nanostructures both in vitro and in cell culture. Notably, α-synuclein aggregation kinetics was accelerated by an order of magnitude. Additional amyloid-like properties of QA assemblies were demonstrated using thioflavin T assay, powder X-ray diffraction and cell apoptosis analysis. Moreover, fluorescently labeled QA assemblies were internalized by neuronal cells and co-localized with α-synuclein aggregates. In addition, we observed cell-to-cell propagation of fluorescently labeled QA assemblies in a co-culture of treated and untreated cells. Our findings suggest that excess QA levels, due to mutations in the kynurenine pathway, for example, may lead to the formation of metabolite assemblies that seed α-synuclein aggregation, resulting in neuronal toxicity and induction of Parkinson's disease.
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Katyal N, Agarwal M, Sen R, Kumar V, Deep S. Paradoxical Effect of Trehalose on the Aggregation of α-Synuclein: Expedites Onset of Aggregation yet Reduces Fibril Load. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:1477-1491. [PMID: 29601727 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of α-synuclein is closely connected to the pathology of Parkinson's disease. The phenomenon involves multiple steps, commenced by partial misfolding and eventually leading to mature amyloid fibril formation. Trehalose, a widely accepted osmolyte, has been shown previously to inhibit aggregation of various globular proteins owing to its ability to prevent the initial unfolding of protein. In this study, we have examined if it behaves in a similar fashion with intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein and possesses the potential to act as therapeutic agent against Parkinson's disease. It was observed experimentally that samples coincubated with trehalose fibrillate faster compared to the case in its absence. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that this initial acceleration is manifestation of trehalose's tendency to perturb the conformational transitions between different conformers of monomeric protein. It stabilizes the aggregation prone "extended" conformer of α-synuclein, by binding to its exposed acidic residues of the C terminus. It also favors the β-rich oligomers once formed. Interestingly, the total fibrils formed are still promisingly less since it accelerates the competing pathway toward formation of amorphous aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Katyal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz-Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Manish Agarwal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz-Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Raktim Sen
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz-Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz-Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Shashank Deep
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Hauz-Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
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40
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Multi-Pronged Interactions Underlie Inhibition of α-Synuclein Aggregation by β-Synuclein. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:2360-2371. [PMID: 29782835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered protein β-synuclein is known to inhibit the aggregation of its intrinsically disordered homolog, α-synuclein, which is implicated in Parkinson's disease. While β-synuclein itself does not form fibrils at the cytoplasmic pH 7.4, alteration of pH and other environmental perturbations are known to induce its fibrilization. However, the sequence and structural determinants of β-synuclein inhibition and self-aggregation are not well understood. We have utilized a series of domain-swapped chimeras of α-synuclein and β-synuclein to probe the relative contributions of the N-terminal, C-terminal, and the central non-amyloid-β component domains to the inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation. Changes in the rates of α-synuclein fibril formation in the presence of the chimeras indicate that the non-amyloid-β component domain is the primary determinant of self-association leading to fibril formation, while the N- and C-terminal domains play critical roles in the fibril inhibition process. Our data provide evidence that all three domains of β-synuclein together contribute to providing effective inhibition, and support a model of transient, multi-pronged interactions between IDP chains in both processes. Inclusion of such multi-site inhibitory interactions spread over the length of synuclein chains may be critical for the development of therapeutics that are designed to mimic the inhibitory effects of β-synuclein.
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41
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Angelova DM, Jones HBL, Brown DR. Levels of α- and β-synuclein regulate cellular susceptibility to toxicity from α-synuclein oligomers. FASEB J 2018; 32:995-1006. [PMID: 29054856 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700675r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-syn) is associated with a range of diseases, including Parkinson disease. In disease, α-syn is known to aggregate and has the potential to be neurotoxic. The association between copper and α-syn results in the formation of stellate toxic oligomers that are highly toxic to cultured neurons. We further investigated the mechanism of toxicity of α-syn oligomers. Cells that overexpress α-syn showed increased susceptibility to the toxicity of the oligomers, while those that overexpressed β-syn showed increased resistance to the toxic oligomers. Elevated α-syn expression caused an increase in expression of the transcription factor Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a). Inhibition of FoxO3a activity by the overexpression of DNA binding domain of FoxO3a resulted in significant protection from α-syn oligomer toxicity. Increased FoxO3a expression in cells was shown to be caused by increased ferrireductase activity and Fe(II) levels. These results suggest that α-syn increases FoxO3a expression as a result of its intrinsic ferrireductase activity. The results also suggest that FoxO3a plays a pivotal role in the toxicity of both Fe(II) and toxic α-syn species to neuronal cells.-Angelova, D. M., Jones, H. B. L., Brown, D. R. Levels of α- and β-synuclein regulate cellular susceptibility to toxicity from α-synuclein oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafina M Angelova
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah B L Jones
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - David R Brown
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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42
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Gámez-Valero A, Beyer K. Alternative Splicing of Alpha- and Beta-Synuclein Genes Plays Differential Roles in Synucleinopathies. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9020063. [PMID: 29370097 PMCID: PMC5852559 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The synuclein family is composed of three members, two of which, α- and β-synuclein, play a major role in the development of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD) as most important movement disorder, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) as the second most frequent cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease and multiple system atrophy. Whereas abnormal oligomerization and fibrillation of α-synuclein are now well recognized as initial steps in the development of synucleinopathies, β-synuclein is thought to be a natural α-synuclein anti-aggregant. α-synuclein is encoded by the SNCA gene, and β-synuclein by SNCB. Both genes are homologous and undergo complex splicing events. On one hand, in-frame splicing of coding exons gives rise to at least three shorter transcripts, and the functional properties of the corresponding protein isoforms are different. Another type of alternative splicing is the alternative inclusion of at least four initial exons in the case of SNCA, and two in the case of SNCB. Finally, different lengths of 3’ untranslated regions have been also reported for both genes. SNCB only expresses in the brain, but some of the numerous SNCA transcripts are also brain-specific. With the present article, we aim to provide a systematic review of disease related changes in the differential expression of the various SNCA and SNCB transcript variants in brain, blood, and non-neuronal tissue of synucleinopathies, but especially PD and DLB as major neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gámez-Valero
- Department of Pathology, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Katrin Beyer
- Department of Pathology, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain.
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Unveiling a Selective Mechanism for the Inhibition of α-Synuclein Aggregation by β-Synuclein. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020334. [PMID: 29364143 PMCID: PMC5855556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αS) is an intrinsically disordered protein that is associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) through its ability to self-assemble into oligomers and fibrils. Inhibition of this oligomerization cascade is an interesting approach to developing therapeutical strategies and β-synuclein (βS) has been described as a natural negative regulator of this process. However, the biological background and molecular mechanisms by which this inhibition occurs is unclear. Herein, we focused on assessing the effect of βS on the aggregation of five αS pathological mutants linked to early-onset PD (A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D and A53T). By coupling single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy to a cell-free protein expression system, we validated the ability of βS to act as a chaperone of αS, effectively inhibiting its aggregation. Interestingly, we found that βS does so in a selective manner, i.e., is a more effective inhibitor for certain αS pathological mutants—A30P and G51D—as compared to E46K, H50Q and A53T. Moreover, two-color coincidence experiments proved that this discrepancy is due to a preferential incorporation of βS into smaller oligomers of αS. This was validated by showing that the chaperoning effect was lost when proteins were mixed after being expressed individually. This study highlights the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy to deconstruct αS aggregation cascade and its interplay with βS.
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Abstract
Developmental biology is a fascinating branch of science which helps us to understand the mechanism of development, thus the findings are used in various therapeutic approach. Drosophila melanogaster served as a model to find the key molecules that initiate and regulate the mechanism of development. Various genes, transcription factors, and signaling pathways helping in development are identified in Drosophila. Many toxic compounds, which can affect the development, are also recognized using Drosophila model. These compounds, which can affect the development, are named as a teratogen. Many teratogens identified using Drosophila may also act as a teratogen for a human being since 75% of conservation exist between the disease genes present in Drosophila and human. There are certain teratogens, which do not cause developmental defect if exposed during pregnancy, however; behavioral defect appears in later part of development. Such compounds are named as a behavioral teratogen. Thus, it is worthy to identify the potential behavioral teratogen using Drosophila model. Drosophila behavior is well studied in various developmental stages. This chapter describes various methods which can be employed to test behavioral teratogenesis in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monalisa Mishra
- Neural Developmental Biology Lab, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India.
| | - Bedanta Kumar Barik
- Neural Developmental Biology Lab, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
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45
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Nash Y, Schmukler E, Trudler D, Pinkas-Kramarski R, Frenkel D. DJ-1 deficiency impairs autophagy and reduces alpha-synuclein phagocytosis by microglia. J Neurochem 2017; 143:584-594. [PMID: 28921554 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, of which 1% of the hereditary cases are linked to mutations in DJ-1, an oxidative stress sensor. The pathological hallmark of PD is intercellular inclusions termed Lewy Bodies, composed mainly of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) protein. Recent findings have shown that α-Syn can be transmitted from cell to cell, suggesting an important role of microglia, as the main scavenger cells of the brain, in clearing α-Syn. We previously reported that the knock down (KD) of DJ-1 in microglia increased cells' neurotoxicity to dopaminergic neurons. Here, we discovered that α-Syn significantly induced elevated secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β and a significant dose-dependent elevation in the production of nitric oxide in DJ-1 KD microglia, compared to control microglia. We further investigated the ability of DJ-1 KD microglia to uptake and degrade soluble α-Syn, and discovered that DJ-1 KD reduces cell-surface lipid raft expression in microglia and impairs their ability to uptake soluble α-Syn. Autophagy is an important mechanism for degradation of intracellular proteins and organelles. We discovered that DJ-1 KD microglia exhibit an impaired autophagy-dependent degradation of p62 and LC3 proteins, and that manipulation of autophagy had less effect on α-Syn uptake and clearance in DJ-1 KD microglia, compared to control microglia. Further studies of the link between DJ-1, α-Syn uptake and autophagy may provide useful insights into the role of microglia in the etiology of the PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Nash
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eran Schmukler
- Department of Neurobiology George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dorit Trudler
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Neurobiology George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Pinkas-Kramarski
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Neurobiology George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dan Frenkel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Neurobiology George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Rezaeian N, Shirvanizadeh N, Mohammadi S, Nikkhah M, Arab SS. The inhibitory effects of biomimetically designed peptides on α-synuclein aggregation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2017; 634:96-106. [PMID: 28965745 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is characterized by accumulation of inclusion bodies in dopaminergic neurons, where insoluble and fibrillar α-synuclein makes up the major component of these inclusion bodies. So far, several strategies have been applied in order to suppress α-synuclein aggregation and toxicity in Parkinson's disease. In the present study, a new database has been established by segmentation of all the proteins deposited in protein Data Bank. The database data base was searched for the sequences which adopt β structure and are identical or very similar to the regions of α-synuclein which are involved in aggregation. The adjacent β strands of the found sequences were chosen as the peptide inhibitors of α-synuclein aggregation. Two of the predicted peptides, namely KISVRV and GQTYVLPG, were experimentally proved to be efficient in suppressing aggregation of α-synuclein in vitro. Moreover, KISVRV exhibited the ability to disrupt oligomers of α-syn which are assumed to be the pathogenic species in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Rezaeian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Shirvanizadeh
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Mohammadi
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Nikkhah
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Seyed Shahriar Arab
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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47
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Paillusson S, Gomez-Suaga P, Stoica R, Little D, Gissen P, Devine MJ, Noble W, Hanger DP, Miller CCJ. α-Synuclein binds to the ER-mitochondria tethering protein VAPB to disrupt Ca 2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial ATP production. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 134:129-149. [PMID: 28337542 PMCID: PMC5486644 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1704-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is strongly linked to Parkinson’s disease but the molecular targets for its toxicity are not fully clear. However, many neuronal functions damaged in Parkinson’s disease are regulated by signalling between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. This signalling involves close physical associations between the two organelles that are mediated by binding of the integral ER protein vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) to the outer mitochondrial membrane protein, protein tyrosine phosphatase-interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51). VAPB and PTPIP51 thus act as a scaffold to tether the two organelles. Here we show that α-synuclein binds to VAPB and that overexpression of wild-type and familial Parkinson’s disease mutant α-synuclein disrupt the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers to loosen ER–mitochondria associations. This disruption to the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers is also seen in neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from familial Parkinson’s disease patients harbouring pathogenic triplication of the α-synuclein gene. We also show that the α-synuclein induced loosening of ER–mitochondria contacts is accompanied by disruption to Ca2+ exchange between the two organelles and mitochondrial ATP production. Such disruptions are likely to be particularly damaging to neurons that are heavily dependent on correct Ca2+ signaling and ATP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Paillusson
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Patricia Gomez-Suaga
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Radu Stoica
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Daniel Little
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Gissen
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael J Devine
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Wendy Noble
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Diane P Hanger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Christopher C J Miller
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe road, London, SE5 9RX, UK.
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48
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Chemerovski‐Glikman M, Frenkel‐Pinter M, Mdah R, Abu‐Mokh A, Gazit E, Segal D. Inhibition of the Aggregation and Toxicity of the Minimal Amyloidogenic Fragment of Tau by Its Pro‐Substituted Analogues. Chemistry 2017; 23:9618-9624. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201701218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Chemerovski‐Glikman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologySagol Interdisciplinary School of NeurosciencesGeorge S. Wise Faculty of Life SciencesTel-Aviv University Tel-Aviv 69978 Israel
| | - Moran Frenkel‐Pinter
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologySagol Interdisciplinary School of NeurosciencesGeorge S. Wise Faculty of Life SciencesTel-Aviv University Tel-Aviv 69978 Israel
| | - Ragad Mdah
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologySagol Interdisciplinary School of NeurosciencesGeorge S. Wise Faculty of Life SciencesTel-Aviv University Tel-Aviv 69978 Israel
| | - Amjaad Abu‐Mokh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologySagol Interdisciplinary School of NeurosciencesGeorge S. Wise Faculty of Life SciencesTel-Aviv University Tel-Aviv 69978 Israel
| | - Ehud Gazit
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologySagol Interdisciplinary School of NeurosciencesGeorge S. Wise Faculty of Life SciencesTel-Aviv University Tel-Aviv 69978 Israel
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringIby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of EngineeringTel Aviv University Tel Aviv 6997801 Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologySagol Interdisciplinary School of NeurosciencesGeorge S. Wise Faculty of Life SciencesTel-Aviv University Tel-Aviv 69978 Israel
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49
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Qu J, Yu S, Zheng Y, Zheng Y, Yang H, Zhang J. Aptamer and its applications in neurodegenerative diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:683-695. [PMID: 27563707 PMCID: PMC11107737 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2345-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are small single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotide fragments or small peptides, which can bind to targets by high affinity and specificity. Because aptamers are specific, non-immunogenic and non-toxic, they are ideal materials for clinical applications. Neurodegenerative disorders are ravaging the lives of patients. Even though the mechanism of these diseases is still elusive, they are mainly characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the central nervous system. So it is essential to develop potential measures to slow down or prevent the onset of these diseases. With the advancements of the technologies, aptamers have opened up new areas in this research field. Aptamers could bind with these related target proteins to interrupt their accumulation, subsequently blocking or preventing the process of neurodegenerative diseases. This review presents recent advances in the aptamer generation and its merits and limitations, with emphasis on its applications in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shuqing Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, State Key Disciplinary of Neurosurgery Department, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuan Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jianliang Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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50
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Landeck N, Buck K, Kirik D. Toxic effects of human and rodent variants of alpha-synuclein in vivo. Eur J Neurosci 2017; 45:536-547. [PMID: 27893183 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In Parkinson's disease, abnormal alpha-synuclein (asyn) accumulation leads to the formation of soluble oligomeric species thought to be toxic to cells as well as intraneuronal inclusions. To date, the precise mechanisms leading to aggregation of asyn in the brain is not well-understood. Previous studies in yeast, drosophila, and transgenic mice suggested that a non-A beta component depleted version of human asyn [h-asyn(D70-83)] or human beta-synuclein (h-bsyn), naturally lacking this centrally located hydrophobic region, are less prone to form aggregates in vitro and are expected to be less toxic compared to h-asyn in vivo, although not all experimental studies unequivocally support the latter view. To address this outstanding issue, we directly compared the neurotoxicity of human asyn against that of h-asyn(D70-83), h-bsyn as well as rat asyn using an adeno-associated viral vector to express these proteins in a dose-response study where the vector load was varied over two orders of magnitude. By quantifying the neurodegeneration of rat substantia nigra dopamine neurons here we show that h-asyn, h-bsyn, and h-asyn(D70-83) display comparable neurotoxicity across the vector doses tested. On the other hand, rat asyn and GFP control vectors displayed a different profile, where no detectable neurodegeneration was seen except at the highest vector titer. Thus, the two main conclusions of our study are that (i) deletion of the central hydrophobic region in h-asyn is not sufficient to alter its neurotoxic properties and (ii) expression of the widely used GFP control protein can cause measurable neurodegeneration at high titers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Landeck
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems (BRAINS) Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D11, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Buck
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems (BRAINS) Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D11, Lund, 22184, Sweden
| | - Deniz Kirik
- Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems (BRAINS) Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, BMC D11, Lund, 22184, Sweden
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