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Choi YG, Jang B, Park JH, Choi MW, Lee GY, Cho DJ, Kim HY, Lim HK, Lee WJ, Choi EK, Kim YS. Radotinib Decreases Prion Propagation and Prolongs Survival Times in Models of Prion Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12241. [PMID: 37569615 PMCID: PMC10419185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512241] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into pathogenic prion isoforms (PrPSc) and the mutation of PRNP are definite causes of prion diseases. Unfortunately, without exception, prion diseases are untreatable and fatal neurodegenerative disorders; therefore, one area of research focuses on identifying medicines that can delay the progression of these diseases. According to the concept of drug repositioning, we investigated the efficacy of the c-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor radotinib, which is a drug that is approved for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, in the treatment of disease progression in prion models, including prion-infected cell models, Tga20 and hamster cerebellar slice culture models, and 263K scrapie-infected hamster models. Radotinib inhibited PrPSc deposition in neuronal ZW13-2 cells that were infected with the 22L or 139A scrapie strains and in cerebellar slice cultures that were infected with the 22L or 263K scrapie strains. Interestingly, hamsters that were intraperitoneally injected with the 263K scrapie strain and intragastrically treated with radotinib (100 mg/kg) exhibited prolonged survival times (159 ± 28.6 days) compared to nontreated hamsters (135 ± 9.9 days) as well as reduced PrPSc deposition and ameliorated pathology. However, intraperitoneal injection of radotinib exerted a smaller effect on the survival rate of the hamsters. Additionally, we found that different concentrations of radotinib (60, 100, and 200 mg/kg) had similar effects on survival time, but this effect was not observed after treatment with a low dose (30 mg/kg) of radotinib. Interestingly, when radotinib was administered 4 or 8 weeks after prion inoculation, the treated hamsters survived longer than the vehicle-treated hamsters. Additionally, a pharmacokinetic assay revealed that radotinib effectively crossed the blood-brain barrier. Based on our findings, we suggest that radotinib is a new candidate anti-prion drug that could possibly be used to treat prion diseases and promote the remission of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeong-Gon Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07247, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungki Jang
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07247, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ho Park
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07247, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Woo Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07247, Republic of Korea
| | - Gong Yeal Lee
- Il Yang Pharm Co., Ltd., 37, Hagal-ro, 136beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17096, Republic of Korea (H.Y.K.)
| | - Dae Jin Cho
- Il Yang Pharm Co., Ltd., 37, Hagal-ro, 136beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17096, Republic of Korea (H.Y.K.)
| | - Hong Youp Kim
- Il Yang Pharm Co., Ltd., 37, Hagal-ro, 136beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17096, Republic of Korea (H.Y.K.)
| | - Hae Kyoung Lim
- Il Yang Pharm Co., Ltd., 37, Hagal-ro, 136beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17096, Republic of Korea (H.Y.K.)
| | - Won Jae Lee
- Il Yang Pharm Co., Ltd., 37, Hagal-ro, 136beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si 17096, Republic of Korea (H.Y.K.)
| | - Eun-Kyoung Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07247, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Sun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Youngdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07247, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
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2
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Staderini M, Vanni S, Baldeschi AC, Giachin G, Zattoni M, Celauro L, Ferracin C, Bistaffa E, Moda F, Pérez DI, Martínez A, Martín MA, Martín-Cámara O, Cores Á, Bianchini G, Kammerer R, Menéndez JC, Legname G, Bolognesi ML. Bifunctional carbazole derivatives for simultaneous therapy and fluorescence imaging in prion disease murine cell models. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 245:114923. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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3
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Mustafa G, Zia-ur-Rehman M, Sumrra SH, Ashfaq M, Zafar W, Ashfaq M. A critical review on recent trends on pharmacological applications of pyrazolone endowed derivatives. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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4
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PrP Sc Inhibition and Cellular Protection of DBL on a Prion-Infected Cultured Cell via Multiple Pathways. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3310-3321. [PMID: 35303279 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02729-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are kinds of fatal neurodegenerative diseases without effective therapeutic and prophylactic tools currently. In this study, the inhibition of PrPSc propagation and cellular protectivity of 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone (DBL), a small catechol-containing compound isolated and purified from the ethanol extract of Inonotus obliquus, upon a prion-infected cell line SMB-S15 were evaluated. Western blots showed that after incubation with 10 μM of DBL for 14 days, the level of PrPSc in SMB-S15 cells was significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the levels of ROS and hydrogen peroxide were decreased with a dose-dependent manner, whereas the levels of some antioxidant factors, such as HO-1, GCLC and GCLM, were significantly increased. The activities of total glutathione and SOD were up-regulated. DBL-treated SMB-S15 cells also showed the up-regulation of UPR-related proteins, including PERK, IRE1α, ATF6 and GRP78, and activation of autophagy system. Furthermore, the SIRT3 abnormalities caused by prion infection were relieved by DBL treatment. On the contrary, these comprehensive changes were not significantly noticed in the normal partner cell line SMB-PS under the same experimental condition. Those data indicate that treatment of DBL on prion-infected cells can reduce PrPSc level, activate UPR and autophagy system and meanwhile relieve intracellular oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by raising the levels of multiple antioxidant factors. The PrPSc inhibition and protective effectiveness of DBL upon the prion-infected cells in vitro make it worthy of further study.
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Mustazza C, Sbriccoli M, Minosi P, Raggi C. Small Molecules with Anti-Prion Activity. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:5446-5479. [PMID: 31560283 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190927121744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Prion pathologies are fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by the misfolding of the physiological Prion Protein (PrPC) into a β-structure-rich isoform called PrPSc. To date, there is no available cure for prion diseases and just a few clinical trials have been carried out. The initial approach in the search of anti-prion agents had PrPSc as a target, but the existence of different prion strains arising from alternative conformations of PrPSc, limited the efficacy of the ligands to a straindependent ability. That has shifted research to PrPC ligands, which either act as chaperones, by stabilizing the native conformation, or inhibit its interaction with PrPSc. The role of transition-metal mediated oxidation processes in prion misfolding has also been investigated. Another promising approach is the indirect action via other cellular targets, like membrane domains or the Protein- Folding Activity of Ribosomes (PFAR). Also, new prion-specific high throughput screening techniques have been developed. However, so far no substance has been found to be able to extend satisfactorily survival time in animal models of prion diseases. This review describes the main features of the Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) of the various chemical classes of anti-prion agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Mustazza
- National Centre for Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Sbriccoli
- Department of Neurosciences, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Minosi
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Raggi
- National Centre for Control and Evaluation of Medicines, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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6
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Zaccagnini L, Rossetti G, Tran TH, Salzano G, Gandini A, Colini Baldeschi A, Bolognesi ML, Carloni P, Legname G. In silico/in vitro screening and hit evaluation identified new phenothiazine anti-prion derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 196:112295. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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7
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López-Pérez Ó, Toivonen JM, Otero A, Solanas L, Zaragoza P, Badiola JJ, Osta R, Bolea R, Martín-Burriel I. Impairment of autophagy in scrapie-infected transgenic mice at the clinical stage. J Transl Med 2020; 100:52-63. [PMID: 31477795 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-019-0312-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy appears to play a role in the etiology and progress of misfolded protein disorders. Although this process is dysregulated in prion diseases, it is unknown whether this impairment is a cause or a consequence of prion neuropathology. The study of autophagy during the progress of the disease could elucidate its role. For this purpose, we have investigated its regulation at different stages of the disease in Tg338 mice, a transgenic murine model that overexpresses the highly susceptible ovine VRQ prion protein allele. Mice were intracerebrally inoculated with mouse-adapted classical scrapie and euthanized at the preclinical and clinical stages of the disease. Regulation of autophagy was investigated analyzing the distribution of LC3-B and p62 proteins by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, the expression of genes involved in autophagy regulation was quantified by real-time PCR. LC3-B and p62 proteins were downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in the central nervous system of infected mice with clinical signs of scrapie. Accumulation of p62 correlated with scrapie-related lesions, suggesting an impairment of autophagy in highly prion-affected areas. In addition, Gas5 (growth arrest-specific 5), Atg5 (autophagy-related 5), and Fbxw7 (F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7) transcripts were downregulated in mesencephalon and cervical spinal cord of the same group of animals. The impairment of autophagic machinery seems to be part of the pathological process of scrapie, but only during the late stage of prion infection. Similarities between Tg338 mice and the natural ovine disease make them a reliable in vivo model to study prion infection and autophagy side by side.
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar López-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Genética Bioquímica (LAGENBIO), Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.,Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Janne Markus Toivonen
- Laboratorio de Genética Bioquímica (LAGENBIO), Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia Otero
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Solanas
- Laboratorio de Genética Bioquímica (LAGENBIO), Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Zaragoza
- Laboratorio de Genética Bioquímica (LAGENBIO), Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Badiola
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rosario Osta
- Laboratorio de Genética Bioquímica (LAGENBIO), Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Bolea
- Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Martín-Burriel
- Laboratorio de Genética Bioquímica (LAGENBIO), Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza, IA2, IIS Aragón, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
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Du Z, Valtierra S, Cardona LR, Dunne SF, Luan CH, Li L. Identifying Anti-prion Chemical Compounds Using a Newly Established Yeast High-Throughput Screening System. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:1664-1680.e4. [PMID: 31668517 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prion-like protein aggregation underlies the pathology of a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. At present, few high-throughput screening (HTS) systems are available for anti-prion small-molecule identification. Here we describe an innovative phenotypic HTS system in yeast that allows for efficient identification of chemical compounds that eliminate the yeast prion [SWI+]. We show that some identified anti-[SWI+] compounds can destabilize other non-[SWI+] prions, and their antagonizing effects can be prion- and/or variant specific. Intriguingly, among the identified hits are several previously identified anti-PrPSc compounds and a couple of US Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for AD treatment, validating the efficacy of this HTS system. Moreover, a few hits can reduce proteotoxicity induced by expression of several pathogenic mammalian proteins. Thus, we have established a useful HTS system for identifying compounds that can potentially antagonize prionization and human proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Stephanie Valtierra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Luzivette Robles Cardona
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sara Fernandez Dunne
- High Throughput Analysis Laboratory and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60628, USA
| | - Chi-Hao Luan
- High Throughput Analysis Laboratory and Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60628, USA
| | - Liming Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Ishikawa T, Lisiecki K. Anti-prion drug screening system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on an artificial [LEU2 +] prion. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 134:103280. [PMID: 31622671 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.103280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Proteinaceous infectious particles causing mammalian transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prions are being extensively studied. However due to their hazardous nature, the initial screening of potential anti-prion drugs is often made in a yeast-based screening system utilizing a well-characterized [PSI+] prion (amyloid formed by the translation termination factor Sup35p). In the [PSI+] prion screening system (white/red colony assay), the prion phenotype yields white colonies while addition of an anti-prion drug will yield red colonies. However, this system has some limitations. It is difficult to quantify the effectiveness of the anti-prion compound, the diffusion of the studied compound may affect the result, and the deficiency of glutathione in cells may prevent the formation of red pigment in cured cells. Therefore, alternative yeast prion screening systems are still needed. This article aims to present an alternative yeast-based system to evaluate anti-prion activity of chemical compounds. The method that was used is based on an artificial [LEU2+] prion created by fusing Leu2p with the prion-forming domain of Sup35p in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Phenotypic analysis and semi-denaturating detergent agarose gel electrophoresis (SDD-AGE) confirmed the presence of the artificial [LEU2+] prion in yeast cells. This screening system verified the anti-prion activity of 3 drugs that were found to have been active in the white/red colony assay, while one compound (6-chlorotacrine) that was active in the white/red colony assay was found to be inactive in the [LEU2+] system. This new system also appears to be more sensitive than the white/red colony assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takao Ishikawa
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Kamil Lisiecki
- Laboratory of Natural Products Chemistry, Division of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Poland
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Moda F, Bolognesi ML, Legname G. Novel screening approaches for human prion diseases drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:983-993. [PMID: 31271065 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1637851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Human prion diseases are rare fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by the misfolding and aggregation of the prion protein in the form of infectious prions. So far, these diseases are incurable. One of the major difficulties in identifying suitable drugs is the availability of robust preclinical screening methods. All molecules identified have been screened using cell-based assays and in vivo murine models. The existence of a continuum of prion strains has hampered the identification of efficacious molecules modulating the progression of different forms of the disease. Areas covered: The advent of new in vitro screening methodologies is allowing for novel strategies to develop new compounds that could interfere with a broad range of diseases. In particular, two innovative techniques named Real Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) and Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification (PMCA) have opened new venues for testing compounds in a rapid a reproducible way. These are discussed within. Expert opinion: For human prion diseases, one major hurdle has been a well-defined screening methodology. In other animal species, cell-based assays have been employed that could replicate animal prions indefinitely. Such a tool for human prion diseases is still missing. Therefore, the advent of RT-QuIC and PMCA has proven instrumental to overcome this limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Moda
- Division of Neurology 5 - Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta , Milano , Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste , Italy
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A Bioluminescent Cell Assay to Quantify Prion Protein Dimerization. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14178. [PMID: 30242186 PMCID: PMC6155003 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32581-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The prion protein (PrP) is a cell surface protein that in disease misfolds and becomes infectious causing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, scrapie in sheep, and chronic wasting disease in deer and elk. Little is known regarding the dimerization of PrP and its role in disease. We developed a bioluminescent prion assay (BPA) to quantify PrP dimerization by bimolecular complementation of split Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) halves that are each fused to PrP. Fusion constructs between PrP and N- and C-terminal GLuc halves were expressed on the surface of RK13 cells (RK13-DC cells) and dimerized to yield a bioluminescent signal that was decreased in the presence of eight different antibodies to PrP. Dimerization of PrP was independent of divalent cations and was induced under stress. Challenge of RK13-DC cells with seven different prion strains did not lead to detectable infection but was measurable by bioluminescence. Finally, we used BPA to screen a compound library for compounds inhibiting PrP dimerization. One of the most potent compounds to inhibit PrP dimerization was JTC-801, which also inhibited prion replication in RML-infected ScN2a and SMB cells with an EC50 of 370 nM and 220 nM, respectively. We show here that BPA is a versatile tool to study prion biology and to identify anti-prion compounds.
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Interaction of Peptide Aptamers with Prion Protein Central Domain Promotes α-Cleavage of PrP C. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:7758-7774. [PMID: 29460268 PMCID: PMC6132731 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-0944-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are infectious and fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animals. Transmission is possible within and between species with zoonotic potential. Currently, no prophylaxis or treatment exists. Prions are composed of the misfolded isoform PrPSc of the cellular prion protein PrPC. Expression of PrPC is a prerequisite for prion infection, and conformational conversion of PrPC is induced upon its direct interaction with PrPSc. Inhibition of this interaction can abrogate prion propagation, and we have previously established peptide aptamers (PAs) binding to PrPC as new anti-prion compounds. Here, we mapped the interaction site of PA8 in PrP and modeled the complex in silico to design targeted mutations in PA8 which presumably enhance binding properties. Using these PA8 variants, we could improve PA-mediated inhibition of PrPSc replication and de novo infection of neuronal cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that binding of PA8 and its variants increases PrPC α-cleavage and interferes with its internalization. This gives rise to high levels of the membrane-anchored PrP-C1 fragment, a transdominant negative inhibitor of prion replication. PA8 and its variants interact with PrPC at its central and most highly conserved domain, a region which is crucial for prion conversion and facilitates toxic signaling of Aβ oligomers characteristic for Alzheimer's disease. Our strategy allows for the first time to induce α-cleavage, which occurs within this central domain, independent of targeting the responsible protease. Therefore, interaction of PAs with PrPC and enhancement of α-cleavage represent mechanisms that can be beneficial for the treatment of prion and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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A Promising Antiprion Trimethoxychalcone Binds to the Globular Domain of the Cellular Prion Protein and Changes Its Cellular Location. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:AAC.01441-17. [PMID: 29133563 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01441-17] [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: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for antiprion compounds has been encouraged by the fact that transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) share molecular mechanisms with more prevalent neurodegenerative pathologies, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Cellular prion protein (PrPC) conversion into protease-resistant forms (protease-resistant PrP [PrPRes] or the scrapie form of PrP [PrPSc]) is a critical step in the development of TSEs and is thus one of the main targets in the screening for antiprion compounds. In this work, three trimethoxychalcones (compounds J1, J8, and J20) and one oxadiazole (compound Y17), previously identified in vitro to be potential antiprion compounds, were evaluated through different approaches in order to gain inferences about their mechanisms of action. None of them changed PrPC mRNA levels in N2a cells, as shown by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR. Among them, J8 and Y17 were effective in real-time quaking-induced conversion reactions using rodent recombinant PrP (rPrP) from residues 23 to 231 (rPrP23-231) as the substrate and PrPSc seeds from hamster and human brain. However, when rPrP from residues 90 to 231 (rPrP90-231), which lacks the N-terminal domain, was used as the substrate, only J8 remained effective, indicating that this region is important for Y17 activity, while J8 seems to interact with the PrPC globular domain. J8 also reduced the fibrillation of mouse rPrP23-231 seeded with in vitro-produced fibrils. Furthermore, most of the compounds decreased the amount of PrPC on the N2a cell surface by trapping this protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that J8, a nontoxic compound previously shown to be a promising antiprion agent, may act by different mechanisms, since its efficacy is attributable not only to PrP conversion inhibition but also to a reduction of the PrPC content on the cell surface.
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Abdulrahman BA, Abdelaziz D, Thapa S, Lu L, Jain S, Gilch S, Proniuk S, Zukiwski A, Schatzl HM. The celecoxib derivatives AR-12 and AR-14 induce autophagy and clear prion-infected cells from prions. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17565. [PMID: 29242534 PMCID: PMC5730578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17770-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal infectious neurodegenerative disorders that affect both humans and animals. The autocatalytic conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the pathologic isoform PrPSc is a key feature in prion pathogenesis. AR-12 is an IND-approved derivative of celecoxib that demonstrated preclinical activity against several microbial diseases. Recently, AR-12 has been shown to facilitate clearance of misfolded proteins. The latter proposes AR-12 to be a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we investigated the role of AR-12 and its derivatives in controlling prion infection. We tested AR-12 in prion infected neuronal and non-neuronal cell lines. Immunoblotting and confocal microscopy results showed that AR-12 and its analogue AR-14 reduced PrPSc levels after only 72 hours of treatment. Furthermore, infected cells were cured of PrPSc after exposure of AR-12 or AR-14 for only two weeks. We partially attribute the influence of the AR compounds on prion propagation to autophagy stimulation, in line with our previous findings that drug-induced stimulation of autophagy has anti-prion effects in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, this study demonstrates that AR-12 and the AR-14 analogue are potential new therapeutic agents for prion diseases and possibly protein misfolding disorders involving prion-like mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basant A Abdulrahman
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, 11795, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dalia Abdelaziz
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, 11795, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Simrika Thapa
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Li Lu
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Shubha Jain
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Sabine Gilch
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Department of Ecosystem & Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | | | | | - Hermann M Schatzl
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
- Departments of Veterinary Sciences and of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA.
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15
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Abstract
In this issue of JEM, Krejciova et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20161547) report that astrocytes derived from human iPSCs can replicate human CJD prions. These observations provide a new, potentially very valuable model for studying human prions in cellula and for identifying antiprion compounds that might serve as clinical candidates. Furthermore, they add to the evidence that astrocytes may not be just innocent bystanders in prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yingjun Liu
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Differential overexpression of SERPINA3 in human prion diseases. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15637. [PMID: 29142239 PMCID: PMC5688139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15778-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders with sporadic, genetic or acquired etiologies. The molecular alterations leading to the onset and the spreading of these diseases are still unknown. In a previous work we identified a five-gene signature able to distinguish intracranially BSE-infected macaques from healthy ones, with SERPINA3 showing the most prominent dysregulation. We analyzed 128 suitable frontal cortex samples, from prion-affected patients (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) n = 20, iatrogenic CJD (iCJD) n = 11, sporadic CJD (sCJD) n = 23, familial CJD (gCJD) n = 17, fatal familial insomnia (FFI) n = 9, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS)) n = 4), patients with Alzheimer disease (AD, n = 14) and age-matched controls (n = 30). Real Time-quantitative PCR was performed for SERPINA3 transcript, and ACTB, RPL19, GAPDH and B2M were used as reference genes. We report SERPINA3 to be strongly up-regulated in the brain of all human prion diseases, with only a mild up-regulation in AD. We show that this striking up-regulation, both at the mRNA and at the protein level, is present in all types of human prion diseases analyzed, although to a different extent for each specific disorder. Our data suggest that SERPINA3 may be involved in the pathogenesis and the progression of prion diseases, representing a valid tool for distinguishing different forms of these disorders in humans.
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Legname
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Trieste, Italy
- * E-mail:
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18
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Linsenmeier L, Altmeppen HC, Wetzel S, Mohammadi B, Saftig P, Glatzel M. Diverse functions of the prion protein - Does proteolytic processing hold the key? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2017; 1864:2128-2137. [PMID: 28693923 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2017.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Proteolytic processing of the cellular and disease-associated form of the prion protein leads to generation of bioactive soluble prion protein fragments and modifies the structure and function of its cell-bound form. The nature of proteases responsible for shedding, α-, β-, and γ-cleavage of the prion protein are only partially identified and their regulation is largely unknown. Here, we provide an overview of the increasingly multifaceted picture of prion protein proteolysis and shed light on physiological and pathological roles associated with these cleavages. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis as a Regulatory Event in Pathophysiology edited by Stefan Rose-John.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luise Linsenmeier
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hermann C Altmeppen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wetzel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Behnam Mohammadi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul Saftig
- Institute of Biochemistry, Christian Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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19
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Identification of novel fluorescent probes preventing PrP Sc replication in prion diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 127:859-873. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.10.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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20
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Therapeutic Approaches to Prion Diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 150:433-453. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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21
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Teruya K, Oguma A, Nishizawa K, Kawata M, Sakasegawa Y, Kamitakahara H, Doh-ura K. A Single Subcutaneous Injection of Cellulose Ethers Administered Long before Infection Confers Sustained Protection against Prion Diseases in Rodents. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1006045. [PMID: 27973536 PMCID: PMC5156379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal, progressive, neurodegenerative diseases caused by prion accumulation in the brain and lymphoreticular system. Here we report that a single subcutaneous injection of cellulose ethers (CEs), which are commonly used as inactive ingredients in foods and pharmaceuticals, markedly prolonged the lives of mice and hamsters intracerebrally or intraperitoneally infected with the 263K hamster prion. CEs provided sustained protection even when a single injection was given as long as one year before infection. These effects were linked with persistent residues of CEs in various tissues. More effective CEs had less macrophage uptake ratios and hydrophobic modification of CEs abolished the effectiveness. CEs were significantly effective in other prion disease animal models; however, the effects were less remarkable than those observed in the 263K prion-infected animals. The genetic background of the animal model was suggested to influence the effects of CEs. CEs did not modify prion protein expression but inhibited abnormal prion protein formation in vitro and in prion-infected cells. Although the mechanism of CEs in vivo remains to be solved, these findings suggest that they aid in elucidating disease susceptibility and preventing prion diseases. Prion diseases are progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative transmissible illnesses in humans and animals caused by prion accumulation in the brain and lymphoreticular system. Because they are prevalent in nature, with atypical forms continuing to emerge, prion diseases are potential threats to both public health and the economy. However, there are no effective methods to prevent these diseases. Here we report that cellulose ethers (CEs), which are non-digestible water-soluble polysaccharides that are commonly used as inactive ingredients in foods and pharmaceuticals, show prophylactic efficacy in prion-infected animals. CEs persist in various tissues and confer sustained preventive efficacy for years, suggesting that they help to prevent prion diseases. Although the enteral absorption of CEs is limited, we found that a portion of the absorbed CEs influences disease progression. Therefore, CEs may be useful to assess disease susceptibility and prevent disease occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Teruya
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Ayumi Oguma
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Keiko Nishizawa
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Maki Kawata
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yuji Sakasegawa
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kamitakahara
- Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsumi Doh-ura
- Department of Neurochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- * E-mail:
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22
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Abstract
Prion diseases or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the aggregation and deposition of the misfolded prion protein in the brain. α-synuclein (α-syn)-associated multiple system atrophy has been recently shown to be caused by a bona fide α-syn prion strain. Several other misfolded native proteins such as β-amyloid, tau and TDP-43 share some aspects of prions although none of them is shown to be transmissible in nature or in experimental animals. However, these prion-like "prionoids" are causal to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The remarkable recent discovery of at least two new α-syn prion strains and their transmissibility in transgenic mice and in vitro cell models raises a distinct question as to whether some specific strain of other prionoids could have the capability of disease transmission in a manner similar to prions. In this overview, we briefly describe human and other mammalian prion diseases and comment on certain similarities between prion and prionoid and the possibility of prion-like transmissibility of some prionoid strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Verma
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
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23
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Rational approach to an antiprion compound with a multiple mechanism of action. Future Med Chem 2015; 7:2113-20. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The main pathogenic event of prion disorders has been identified in the deposition of the disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc), which is accompanied by metal dyshomeostasis. Results: The multitarget-directed ligand 1, designed by combining a heteroaromatic prion recognition motif to an 8-hydroxyquinoline metal chelator, has been developed as a potential antiprion disease-modifying agent. Importantly, 1 was found to effectively clear PrPSc from scrapie-infected cells, and, at the same time, inhibit metal-induced prion aggregation and reactive oxygen species generation. 1 was also characterized in terms of pharmacokinetic properties in a preliminary in vitro investigation. Conclusion: Compound 1 has emerged as a suitable lead candidate against prion diseases and as a good starting point for a further optimization process.
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