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Garfagnini T, Bemporad F, Harries D, Chiti F, Friedler A. Amyloid Aggregation Is Potently Slowed Down by Osmolytes Due to Compaction of Partially Folded State. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168281. [PMID: 37734431 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168281] [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: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid aggregation is a key process in amyloidoses and neurodegenerative diseases. Hydrophobicity is one of the major driving forces for this type of aggregation, as an increase in hydrophobicity generally correlates with aggregation susceptibility and rate. However, most experimental systems in vitro and prediction tools in silico neglect the contribution of protective osmolytes present in the cellular environment. Here, we assessed the role of hydrophobic mutations in amyloid aggregation in the presence of osmolytes. To achieve this goal, we used the model protein human muscle acylphosphatase (mAcP) and mutations to leucine that increased its hydrophobicity without affecting its thermodynamic stability. Osmolytes significantly slowed down the aggregation kinetics of the hydrophobic mutants, with an effect larger than that observed on the wild-type protein. The effect increased as the mutation site was closer to the middle of the protein sequence. We propose that the preferential exclusion of osmolytes from mutation-introduced hydrophobic side-chains quenches the aggregation potential of the ensemble of partially unfolded states of the protein by inducing its compaction and inhibiting its self-assembly with other proteins. Our results suggest that including the effect of the cellular environment in experimental setups and predictive softwares, for both mechanistic studies and drug design, is essential in order to obtain a more complete combination of the driving forces of amyloid aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Garfagnini
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Francesco Bemporad
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Daniel Harries
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel; The Fritz Haber Research Center, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Fabrizio Chiti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
| | - Assaf Friedler
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel.
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PFN1 Inhibits Myogenesis of Bovine Myoblast Cells via Cdc42-PAK/JNK. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203188. [PMID: 36291059 PMCID: PMC9600610 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoblast differentiation is essential for the formation of skeletal muscle myofibers. Profilin1 (Pfn1) has been identified as an actin-associated protein, and has been shown to be critically important to cellular function. Our previous study found that PFN1 may inhibit the differentiation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here, we confirmed that PFN1 negatively regulated the myogenic differentiation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells. Immunoprecipitation assay combined with mass spectrometry showed that Cdc42 was a binding protein of PFN1. Cdc42 could be activated by PFN1 and could inhibit the myogenic differentiation like PFN1. Mechanistically, activated Cdc42 increased the phosphorylation level of p2l-activated kinase (PAK), which further activated the phosphorylation activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), whereas PAK and JNK are inhibitors of myogenic differentiation. Taken together, our results reveal that PFN1 is a repressor of bovine myogenic differentiation, and provide the regulatory mechanism.
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Multiple roles for the cytoskeleton in ALS. Exp Neurol 2022; 355:114143. [PMID: 35714755 PMCID: PMC10163623 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by more than sixty genes identified through classic linkage analysis and new sequencing methods. Yet no clear mechanism of onset, cure, or effective treatment is known. Popular discourse classifies the proteins encoded from ALS-related genes into four disrupted processes: proteostasis, mitochondrial function and ROS, nucleic acid regulation, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Surprisingly, the mechanisms detailing the contribution of the neuronal cytoskeletal in ALS are the least explored, despite involvement in these cell processes. Eight genes directly regulate properties of cytoskeleton function and are essential for the health and survival of motor neurons, including: TUBA4A, SPAST, KIF5A, DCTN1, NF, PRPH, ALS2, and PFN1. Here we review the properties and studies exploring the contribution of each of these genes to ALS.
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The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis M114T PFN1 Mutation Deregulates Alternative Autophagy Pathways and Mitochondrial Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105694. [PMID: 35628504 PMCID: PMC9143529 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in profilin 1 (PFN1) have been identified in rare familial cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). PFN1 is involved in multiple pathways that could intervene in ALS pathology. However, the specific pathogenic role of PFN1 mutations in ALS is still not fully understood. We hypothesized that PFN1 could play a role in regulating autophagy pathways and that PFN1 mutations could disrupt this function. We used patient cells (lymphoblasts) or tissue (post-mortem) carrying PFN1 mutations (M114T and E117G), and designed experimental models expressing wild-type or mutant PFN1 (cell lines and novel PFN1 mice established by lentiviral transgenesis) to study the effects of PFN1 mutations on autophagic pathway markers. We observed no accumulation of PFN1 in the spinal cord of one E117G mutation carrier. Moreover, in patient lymphoblasts and transfected cell lines, the M114T mutant PFN1 protein was unstable and deregulated the RAB9-mediated alternative autophagy pathway involved in the clearance of damaged mitochondria. In vivo, motor neurons expressing M114T mutant PFN1 showed mitochondrial abnormalities. Our results demonstrate that the M114T PFN1 mutation is more deleterious than the E117G variant in patient cells and experimental models and suggest a role for the RAB9-dependent autophagic pathway in ALS.
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Liu X, Pimm ML, Haarer B, Brawner AT, Henty-Ridilla JL. Biochemical characterization of actin assembly mechanisms with ALS-associated profilin variants. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151212. [PMID: 35248815 PMCID: PMC10163920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight separate mutations in the actin-binding protein profilin-1 have been identified as a rare cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Profilin is essential for many neuronal cell processes through its regulation of lipids, nuclear signals, and cytoskeletal dynamics, including actin filament assembly. Direct interactions between profilin and actin monomers inhibit actin filament polymerization. In contrast, profilin can also stimulate polymerization by simultaneously binding actin monomers and proline-rich tracts found in other proteins. Whether the ALS-associated mutations in profilin compromise these actin assembly functions is unclear. We performed a quantitative biochemical comparison of the direct and formin mediated impact for the eight ALS-associated profilin variants on actin assembly using classic protein-binding and single-filament microscopy assays. We determined that the binding constant of each profilin for actin monomers generally correlates with the actin nucleation strength associated with each ALS-related profilin. In the presence of formin, the A20T, R136W, Q139L, and C71G variants failed to activate the elongation phase of actin assembly. This diverse range of formin-activities is not fully explained through profilin-poly-L-proline (PLP) interactions, as all ALS-associated variants bind a formin-derived PLP peptide with similar affinities. However, chemical denaturation experiments suggest that the folding stability of these profilins impact some of these effects on actin assembly. Thus, changes in profilin protein stability and alterations in actin filament polymerization may both contribute to the profilin-mediated actin disruptions in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Morgan L Pimm
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Brian Haarer
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Andrew T Brawner
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Jessica L Henty-Ridilla
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
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Nekouei M, Aliahmadi A, Kiaei M, Ghassempour AR. Mutant Profilin1 Aggregation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An in Vivo Biochemical Analysis. Basic Clin Neurosci 2021; 12:213-222. [PMID: 34925718 PMCID: PMC8672666 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.12.2.1631.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Profilin1 (PFN1) is a ubiquitously expressed protein known for its function as a regulator of actin polymerization and dynamics. A recent discovery linked mutant PFN1 to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which is a fatal and progressive motor neuron disease. We have also demonstrated that Gly118Val mutation in PFN1 is a cause of ALS, and the formation of aggregates containing mutant PFN1 may be a mechanism for motor neuron death. Hence, we were interested in investigating the aggregation of PFN1 further and searching for co-aggregated proteins in our mouse model overexpressing mutant PFN1. Methods We investigated protein aggregation in several tissues of transgenic and notransgenic mice using western blotting. To further understand the neurotoxicity of mutant PFN1, we conducted a pull-down assay using an insoluble fraction of spinal cord lysates from hPFN1G118V transgenic mice. For this assay, we expressed His6-tagged PFN1WT and PFN1G118V in E. coli and purified these proteins using the Ni-NTA column. Results In this study, we demonstrated that mutant PFN1 forms aggregate in the brain and spinal cord of hPFN1G118V mice, while WT-PFN1 remains soluble. Among these tissues, spinal cord lysates were found to have PFN1 bands at higher molecular weights recognized with anti-PFN1. Moreover, the pull-down assay using His6-PFN1G118V showed that Myelin Binding Protein (MBP) was present in the insoluble fraction. Conclusion Our analysis of PFN1 aggregation in vivo revealed further details of mutant PFN1 aggregation and its possible complex formation with other proteins, providing new insights into the ALS mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Nekouei
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atousa Aliahmadi
- Department of Biology, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Kiaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neurology, Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA
| | - Ali Reza Ghassempour
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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Murk K, Ornaghi M, Schiweck J. Profilin Isoforms in Health and Disease - All the Same but Different. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681122. [PMID: 34458253 PMCID: PMC8387879 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Profilins are small actin binding proteins, which are structurally conserved throughout evolution. They are probably best known to promote and direct actin polymerization. However, they also participate in numerous cell biological processes beyond the roles typically ascribed to the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, most complex organisms express several profilin isoforms. Their cellular functions are far from being understood, whereas a growing number of publications indicate that profilin isoforms are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this review, we will provide an overview of the profilin family and "typical" profilin properties including the control of actin dynamics. We will then discuss the profilin isoforms of higher animals in detail. In terms of cellular functions, we will focus on the role of Profilin 1 (PFN1) and Profilin 2a (PFN2a), which are co-expressed in the central nervous system. Finally, we will discuss recent findings that link PFN1 and PFN2a to neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Fragile X syndrome (FXS), Huntington's disease and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Murk
- Institute of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marta Ornaghi
- Institute of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juliane Schiweck
- Institute of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Nekouei M, Ghezellou P, Aliahmadi A, Arjmand S, Kiaei M, Ghassempour A. Changes in biophysical characteristics of PFN1 due to mutation causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Metab Brain Dis 2018; 33:1975-1984. [PMID: 30203378 PMCID: PMC6230493 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0305-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Single amino acid mutations in profilin 1 (PFN1) have been found to cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recently, we developed a mouse model for ALS using a PFN1 mutation (glycine 118 to valine, G118V), and we are now interested in understanding how PFN1 becomes toxically lethal with only one amino acid substitution. Therefore, we studied mutation-related changes in the PFN1 protein and hypothesized that such changes significantly disturb its structure. Initially, we expressed and studied the purified PFN1WT and PFN1G118V proteins from bacterial culture. We found that the PFN1G118V protein has a different mean residue ellipticity, as measured by far-UV circular dichroism, accompanied by a spectral shift. The intrinsic fluorescence of PFN1G118V showed a small fluctuation in maximum fluorescence absorption and intensity. Moreover, we examined the time course of PFN1 aggregation using SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and MALDI-TOF/TOF and found that compared with PFN1WT, PFN1G118V had an increased tendency to form aggregates. Dynamic light scattering data confirmed this, showing a larger size distribution for PFN1G118V. Our data explain why PFN1G118V tends to aggregate, a phenotype that may be the basis for its neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Nekouei
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Ghezellou
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atousa Aliahmadi
- Department of Biology, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sareh Arjmand
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Kiaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Neurology, Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
| | - Alireza Ghassempour
- Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Evin, Tehran, Iran.
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Del Poggetto E, Toto A, Aloise C, Di Piro F, Gori L, Malatesta F, Gianni S, Chiti F, Bemporad F. Stability of an aggregation-prone partially folded state of human profilin-1 correlates with aggregation propensity. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:10303-10313. [PMID: 29760185 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A set of missense mutations in the gene encoding profilin-1 has been linked to the onset of familial forms of ALS (fALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The pathogenic potential of these mutations is linked to the formation of intracellular inclusions of the mutant proteins and correlates with the mutation-induced destabilization of its native, fully folded state. However, the mechanism by which these mutations promote misfolding and self-assembly is yet unclear. Here, using temperature-jump and stopped-flow kinetic measurements, we show that, during refolding, WT profilin-1 transiently populates a partially folded (PF) state endowed with hydrophobic clusters exposed to the solvent and with no detectable secondary structure. We observed that this conformational state is marginally stable at neutral pH but becomes significantly populated at mildly acidic pH. Interestingly, the fALS-associated mutations did not cause a change in the refolding mechanism of profilin-1, but induced a stabilization of the PF state. In the presence of preformed profilin-1 aggregates, the PF state, unlike the unfolded and folded states, could interact with these aggregates via nonspecific hydrophobic interactions and also increase thioflavin-T fluorescence, revealing its amyloidogenic potential. Moreover, in the variants tested, we found a correlation between conformational stability of PF and aggregation propensity, defining this conformational state as an aggregation-prone folding intermediate. In conclusion, our findings indicate that mutation-induced stabilization of a partially folded state can enhance profilin-1 aggregation and thereby contribute to the pathogenicity of the mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Del Poggetto
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Angelo Toto
- the Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy, and
| | - Chiara Aloise
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Piro
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Ludovica Gori
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Malatesta
- the Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy, and
| | - Stefano Gianni
- the Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy, and.,the Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Chiti
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Bemporad
- From the Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio," University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 50, 50134, Firenze, Italy,
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Malgieri G, D'Abrosca G, Pirone L, Toto A, Palmieri M, Russo L, Sciacca MFM, Tatè R, Sivo V, Baglivo I, Majewska R, Coletta M, Pedone PV, Isernia C, De Stefano M, Gianni S, Pedone EM, Milardi D, Fattorusso R. Folding mechanisms steer the amyloid fibril formation propensity of highly homologous proteins. Chem Sci 2018; 9:3290-3298. [PMID: 29780459 PMCID: PMC5933289 DOI: 10.1039/c8sc00166a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the molecular determinants of fibrillogenesis by studying the aggregation propensities of high homologous proteins with different folding pathways.
Significant advances in the understanding of the molecular determinants of fibrillogenesis can be expected from comparative studies of the aggregation propensities of proteins with highly homologous structures but different folding pathways. Here, we fully characterize, by means of stopped-flow, T-jump, CD and DSC experiments, the unfolding mechanisms of three highly homologous proteins, zinc binding Ros87 and Ml153–149 and zinc-lacking Ml452–151. The results indicate that the three proteins significantly differ in terms of stability and (un)folding mechanisms. Particularly, Ros87 and Ml153–149 appear to be much more stable to guanidine denaturation and are characterized by folding mechanisms including the presence of an intermediate. On the other hand, metal lacking Ml452–151 folds according to a classic two-state model. Successively, we have monitored the capabilities of Ros87, Ml452–151 and Ml153–149 to form amyloid fibrils under native conditions. Particularly, we show, by CD, fluorescence, DLS, TEM and SEM experiments, that after 168 hours, amyloid formation of Ros87 has started, while Ml153–149 has formed only amorphous aggregates and Ml452–151 is still monomeric in solution. This study shows how metal binding can influence protein folding pathways and thereby control conformational accessibility to aggregation-prone states, which in turn changes aggregation kinetics, shedding light on the role of metal ions in the development of protein deposition diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Malgieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Gianluca D'Abrosca
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Luciano Pirone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging , CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16 , 80134 Naples , Italy
| | - Angelo Toto
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli" , University of Rome "La Sapienza" , Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 , 00185 , Roma , Italy
| | - Maddalena Palmieri
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Luigi Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | | | - Rosarita Tatè
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso" , CNR , Via P. Castellino 111 , 80131 Napoli , Italy
| | - Valeria Sivo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Ilaria Baglivo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Roksana Majewska
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Massimo Coletta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine , University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via Montpellier 1 , 00133 , Roma , Italy
| | - Paolo Vincenzo Pedone
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Carla Isernia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Mario De Stefano
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
| | - Stefano Gianni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli" , University of Rome "La Sapienza" , Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 , 00185 , Roma , Italy
| | - Emilia Maria Pedone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging , CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16 , 80134 Naples , Italy
| | - Danilo Milardi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging , CNR , Viale A. Doria 6 , 95125 Catania , Italy .
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies , University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Via Vivaldi 43 , 81100 Caserta , Italy .
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Dombert B, Balk S, Lüningschrör P, Moradi M, Sivadasan R, Saal-Bauernschubert L, Jablonka S. BDNF/trkB Induction of Calcium Transients through Ca v2.2 Calcium Channels in Motoneurons Corresponds to F-actin Assembly and Growth Cone Formation on β2-Chain Laminin (221). Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:346. [PMID: 29163025 PMCID: PMC5670157 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous Ca2+ transients and actin dynamics in primary motoneurons correspond to cellular differentiation such as axon elongation and growth cone formation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor trkB support both motoneuron survival and synaptic differentiation. However, in motoneurons effects of BDNF/trkB signaling on spontaneous Ca2+ influx and actin dynamics at axonal growth cones are not fully unraveled. In our study we addressed the question how neurotrophic factor signaling corresponds to cell autonomous excitability and growth cone formation. Primary motoneurons from mouse embryos were cultured on the synapse specific, β2-chain containing laminin isoform (221) regulating axon elongation through spontaneous Ca2+ transients that are in turn induced by enhanced clustering of N-type specific voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav2.2) in axonal growth cones. TrkB-deficient (trkBTK-/-) mouse motoneurons which express no full-length trkB receptor and wildtype motoneurons cultured without BDNF exhibited reduced spontaneous Ca2+ transients that corresponded to altered axon elongation and defects in growth cone morphology which was accompanied by changes in the local actin cytoskeleton. Vice versa, the acute application of BDNF resulted in the induction of spontaneous Ca2+ transients and Cav2.2 clustering in motor growth cones, as well as the activation of trkB downstream signaling cascades which promoted the stabilization of β-actin via the LIM kinase pathway and phosphorylation of profilin at Tyr129. Finally, we identified a mutual regulation of neuronal excitability and actin dynamics in axonal growth cones of embryonic motoneurons cultured on laminin-221/211. Impaired excitability resulted in dysregulated axon extension and local actin cytoskeleton, whereas upon β-actin knockdown Cav2.2 clustering was affected. We conclude from our data that in embryonic motoneurons BDNF/trkB signaling contributes to axon elongation and growth cone formation through changes in the local actin cytoskeleton accompanied by increased Cav2.2 clustering and local calcium transients. These findings may help to explore cellular mechanisms which might be dysregulated during maturation of embryonic motoneurons leading to motoneuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Dombert
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Balk
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | | | - Mehri Moradi
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rajeeve Sivadasan
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | | | - Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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Lim L, Kang J, Song J. ALS-causing profilin-1-mutant forms a non-native helical structure in membrane environments. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:2161-2170. [PMID: 28847504 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite having physiological functions completely different from superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), profilin 1 (PFN1) also carries mutations causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a striking similarity to that triggered by SOD1 mutants. Very recently, the C71G-PFN1 has been demonstrated to cause ALS by a gain of toxicity and the acceleration of motor neuron degeneration preceded the accumulation of its aggregates. Here by atomic-resolution NMR determination of conformations and dynamics of WT-PFN1 and C71G-PFN1 in aqueous buffers and in membrane mimetics DMPC/DHPC bicelle and DPC micelle, we deciphered that: 1) the thermodynamic destabilization by C71G transforms PFN1 into coexistence with the unfolded state, which is lacking of any stable tertiary/secondary structures as well as restricted ps-ns backbone motions, thus fundamentally indistinguishable from ALS-causing SOD1 mutants. 2) Most strikingly, while WT-PFN1 only weakly interacts with DMPC/DHPC bicelle without altering the native structure, C71G-PFN1 acquires abnormal capacity in strongly interacting with DMPC/DHPC bicelle and DPC micelle, energetically driven by transforming the highly disordered unfolded state into a non-native helical structure, similar to what has been previously observed on ALS-causing SOD1 mutants. Our results imply that one potential mechanism for C71G-PFN1 to initiate ALS might be the abnormal interaction with membranes as recently established for SOD1 mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangzhong Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore
| | - Jian Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore
| | - Jianxing Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore.
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13
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Evolutionary expansion and structural functionalism of the ancient family of profilin proteins. Gene 2017; 626:70-86. [PMID: 28501628 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Structure and functional similarities of a recent protein's orthologs with its ancient counterpart are largely determined by the configuration of evolutionary preservation of amino acids. The emergence of genome sequencing databases allowed dissecting the evolutionarily important gene families at a comprehensive and genome-wide scale. The profilin multi-gene family is an ancient, universal, and functionally diverged across kingdoms, which regulates various aspects of cellular development in both prokarya and eukarya, especially cell-wall maintenance through actin sequestering, nucleation and cytokinesis. We performed a meta-analysis of the evolutionary expansion, structural conservation, evolution of function motifs, and transcriptional biases of profilin proteins across kingdoms. An exhaustive search of various genome databases of cyanobacteria, fungi, animalia and plantae kingdoms revealed 172 paralogous/orthologous profilins those were phylogenetically clustered in various groups. Orthologous gene comparisons indicated that segmental and tandem duplication events under strong purifying selection are predominantly responsible for their convoluted structural divergences. Evidently, structural divergences were more prevalent in the paralogs than orthologs, and evolutionary variations in the exon/intron architecture were accomplished by 'exon/intron-gain' and insertion/deletion during sequence-exonization. Remarkably, temporal expression evolution of profilin paralogs/homeologs during cotton fiber domestication provides evolutionary impressions of the selection of highly diverged transcript abundance notably in the fiber morpho-evolution. These results provide global insights into the profilin evolution, their structural design across taxa; and their future utilization in translational research.
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14
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Shahheydari H, Ragagnin A, Walker AK, Toth RP, Vidal M, Jagaraj CJ, Perri ER, Konopka A, Sultana JM, Atkin JD. Protein Quality Control and the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia Continuum. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:119. [PMID: 28539871 PMCID: PMC5423993 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, has an important regulatory role in cellular function. Protein quality control mechanisms, including protein folding and protein degradation processes, have a crucial function in post-mitotic neurons. Cellular protein quality control relies on multiple strategies, including molecular chaperones, autophagy, the ubiquitin proteasome system, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) and the formation of stress granules (SGs), to regulate proteostasis. Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the presence of misfolded protein aggregates, implying that protein quality control mechanisms are dysfunctional in these conditions. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that are now recognized to overlap clinically and pathologically, forming a continuous disease spectrum. In this review article, we detail the evidence for dysregulation of protein quality control mechanisms across the whole ALS-FTD continuum, by discussing the major proteins implicated in ALS and/or FTD. We also discuss possible ways in which protein quality mechanisms could be targeted therapeutically in these disorders and highlight promising protein quality control-based therapeutics for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamideh Shahheydari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Audrey Ragagnin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam K Walker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Reka P Toth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marta Vidal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cyril J Jagaraj
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emma R Perri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna Konopka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica M Sultana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julie D Atkin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe UniversityMelbourne, VIC, Australia
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15
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Fil D, DeLoach A, Yadav S, Alkam D, MacNicol M, Singh A, Compadre CM, Goellner JJ, O’Brien CA, Fahmi T, Basnakian AG, Calingasan NY, Klessner JL, Beal FM, Peters OM, Metterville J, Brown RH, Ling KK, Rigo F, Ozdinler PH, Kiaei M. Mutant Profilin1 transgenic mice recapitulate cardinal features of motor neuron disease. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:686-701. [PMID: 28040732 PMCID: PMC5968635 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent identification of profilin1 mutations in 25 familial ALS cases has linked altered function of this cytoskeleton-regulating protein to the pathogenesis of motor neuron disease. To investigate the pathological role of mutant profilin1 in motor neuron disease, we generated transgenic lines of mice expressing human profilin1 with a mutation at position 118 (hPFN1G118V). One of the mouse lines expressing high levels of mutant human PFN1 protein in the brain and spinal cord exhibited many key clinical and pathological features consistent with human ALS disease. These include loss of lower (ventral horn) and upper motor neurons (corticospinal motor neurons in layer V), mutant profilin1 aggregation, abnormally ubiquitinated proteins, reduced choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) enzyme expression, fragmented mitochondria, glial cell activation, muscle atrophy, weight loss, and reduced survival. Our investigations of actin dynamics and axonal integrity suggest that mutant PFN1 protein is associated with an abnormally low filamentous/globular (F/G)-actin ratio that may be the underlying cause of severe damage to ventral root axons resulting in a Wallerian-like degeneration. These observations indicate that our novel profilin1 mutant mouse line may provide a new ALS model with the opportunity to gain unique perspectives into mechanisms of neurodegeneration that contribute to ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fil
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
| | | | | | - Duah Alkam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
| | | | | | | | - Joseph J. Goellner
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR,
USA
| | - Charles A. O’Brien
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR,
USA
| | | | - Alexei G. Basnakian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Noel Y. Calingasan
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jodi L. Klessner
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of
Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 6011, USA
| | - Flint M. Beal
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Owen M. Peters
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jake Metterville
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Robert H. Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School,
Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Karen K.Y. Ling
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New
York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - P. Hande Ozdinler
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of
Medicine, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 6011, USA
| | - Mahmoud Kiaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Physiology and Biophysics
- Center for Translational Neuroscience
- Department of Neurology
- Department of Geriatrics, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,
AR, USA
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16
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Profilin1 biology and its mutation, actin(g) in disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 74:967-981. [PMID: 27669692 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2372-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Profilins were discovered in the 1970s and were extensively studied for their significant physiological roles. Profilin1 is the most prominent isoform and has drawn special attention due to its role in the cytoskeleton, cell signaling, and its link to conditions such as cancer and vascular hypertrophy. Recently, multiple mutations in the profilin1 gene were linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this review, we will discuss the physiological and pathological roles of profilin1. We will further highlight the cytoskeletal function and dysfunction caused by profilin1 dysregulation. Finally, we will discuss the implications of mutant profilin1 in various diseases with an emphasis on its contribution to the pathogenesis of ALS.
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