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Tanimoto S, Okumura H. Why Is Arginine the Only Amino Acid That Inhibits Polyglutamine Monomers from Taking on Toxic Conformations? ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2925-2935. [PMID: 39009034 PMCID: PMC11311134 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00276] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are devastating neurodegenerative disorders characterized by abnormal expansion of glutamine repeats within specific proteins. The aggregation of polyQ proteins is a critical pathological hallmark of these diseases. Arginine was identified as a promising inhibitory compound because it prevents polyQ-protein monomers from forming intra- and intermolecular β-sheet structures and hinders polyQ proteins from aggregating to form oligomers. Such an aggregation inhibitory effect was not observed in other amino acids. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of the aggregation inhibition and the factors that differentiate arginine from other amino acids, in terms of the inhibition of the polyQ-protein aggregation, remain poorly understood. Here, we performed replica-permutation molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which arginine inhibits the formation of the intramolecular β-sheet structure of a polyQ monomer. We found that the intramolecular β-sheet structure with more than four β-bridges of the polyQ monomer with arginine is more unstable than without any ligand and with lysine. We also found that arginine has 1.6-2.1 times more contact with polyQ than lysine. In addition, we revealed that arginine forms more hydrogen bonds with the main chain of the polyQ monomer than lysine. More hydrogen bonds formed between arginine and polyQ inhibit polyQ from forming the long intramolecular β-sheet structure. It is known that intramolecular β-sheet structure enhances intermolecular β-sheet structure between proteins. These effects are thought to be the reason for the inhibition of polyQ aggregation. This study provides insights into the molecular events underlying arginine's inhibition of polyQ-protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Tanimoto
- Exploratory
Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hisashi Okumura
- Exploratory
Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- National
Institutes of Natural Sciences, Institute
for Molecular Science, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
- Graduate
Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki 444-8787, Aichi, Japan
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2
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Prajapat SK, Mishra L, Khera S, Owusu SD, Ahuja K, Sharma P, Choudhary E, Chhabra S, Kumar N, Singh R, Kaushal PS, Mahajan D, Banerjee A, Motiani RK, Vrati S, Kalia M. Methotrimeprazine is a neuroprotective antiviral in JEV infection via adaptive ER stress and autophagy. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:185-217. [PMID: 38177535 PMCID: PMC10897192 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-023-00014-w] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) pathogenesis is driven by a combination of neuronal death and neuroinflammation. We tested 42 FDA-approved drugs that were shown to induce autophagy for antiviral effects. Four drugs were tested in the JE mouse model based on in vitro protective effects on neuronal cell death, inhibition of viral replication, and anti-inflammatory effects. The antipsychotic phenothiazines Methotrimeprazine (MTP) & Trifluoperazine showed a significant survival benefit with reduced virus titers in the brain, prevention of BBB breach, and inhibition of neuroinflammation. Both drugs were potent mTOR-independent autophagy flux inducers. MTP inhibited SERCA channel functioning, and induced an adaptive ER stress response in diverse cell types. Pharmacological rescue of ER stress blocked autophagy and antiviral effect. MTP did not alter translation of viral RNA, but exerted autophagy-dependent antiviral effect by inhibiting JEV replication complexes. Drug-induced autophagy resulted in reduced NLRP3 protein levels, and attenuation of inflammatory cytokine/chemokine release from infected microglial cells. Our study suggests that MTP exerts a combined antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect in JEV infection, and has therapeutic potential for JE treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendra K Prajapat
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Laxmi Mishra
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Sakshi Khera
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Shadrack D Owusu
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Kriti Ahuja
- Laboratory of Calciomics and Systemic Pathophysiology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Puja Sharma
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Eira Choudhary
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Simran Chhabra
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Niraj Kumar
- Structural Biology & Translation Regulation Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Rajan Singh
- Advanced Technology Platform Centre, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, 201314, India
| | - Prem S Kaushal
- Structural Biology & Translation Regulation Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Dinesh Mahajan
- Chemistry and Pharmacology Lab, Centre for Drug Design and Discovery, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Arup Banerjee
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Rajender K Motiani
- Laboratory of Calciomics and Systemic Pathophysiology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Sudhanshu Vrati
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Manjula Kalia
- Virology Research Group, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, 121001, India.
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3
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Conjugates of Methylene Blue with Cycloalkaneindoles as New Multifunctional Agents for Potential Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213925. [PMID: 36430413 PMCID: PMC9697446 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) would provide effective therapy of neurodegenerative diseases (ND) with complex and nonclear pathogenesis. A promising method to create such potential drugs is combining neuroactive pharmacophoric groups acting on different biotargets involved in the pathogenesis of ND. We developed a synthetic algorithm for the conjugation of indole derivatives and methylene blue (MB), which are pharmacophoric ligands that act on the key stages of pathogenesis. We synthesized hybrid structures and performed a comprehensive screening for a specific set of biotargets participating in the pathogenesis of ND (i.e., cholinesterases, NMDA receptor, mitochondria, and microtubules assembly). The results of the screening study enabled us to find two lead compounds (4h and 4i) which effectively inhibited cholinesterases and bound to the AChE PAS, possessed antioxidant activity, and stimulated the assembly of microtubules. One of them (4i) exhibited activity as a ligand for the ifenprodil-specific site of the NMDA receptor. In addition, this lead compound was able to bypass the inhibition of complex I and prevent calcium-induced mitochondrial depolarization, suggesting a neuroprotective property that was confirmed using a cellular calcium overload model of neurodegeneration. Thus, these new MB-cycloalkaneindole conjugates constitute a promising class of compounds for the development of multitarget neuroprotective drugs which simultaneously act on several targets, thereby providing cognitive stimulating, neuroprotective, and disease-modifying effects.
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Xu Y, Xiong H, Zhang B, Lee I, Xie J, Li M, Zhang H, Seung Kim J. Photodynamic Alzheimer’s disease therapy: From molecular catalysis to photo-nanomedicine. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Gureev AP, Sadovnikova IS, Popov VN. Molecular Mechanisms of the Neuroprotective Effect of Methylene Blue. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:940-956. [PMID: 36180986 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922090073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is the first fully synthetic compound that had found its way into medicine over 120 years ago as a treatment against malaria. MB has been approved for the treatment of methemoglobinemia, but there are premises for its repurposing as a neuroprotective agent based on the efficacy of this compound demonstrated in the models of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depressive disorders, etc. However, the goal of this review was not so much to focus on the therapeutic effects of MB in the treatment of various neurodegeneration diseases, but to delve into the mechanisms of direct or indirect effect of this drug on the signaling pathways. MB can act as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the case of dysfunctional electron transport chain. It also displays the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), activates signaling pathways involved in the mitochondrial pool renewal (mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy), and prevents aggregation of misfolded proteins. Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of direct and indirect influence of MB, and not just some of its effects, can help in further research of this compound, including its clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem P Gureev
- Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russia.
- Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036, Voronezh, Russia
| | | | - Vasily N Popov
- Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russia
- Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036, Voronezh, Russia
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Merino M, Sequedo MD, Sánchez-Sánchez AV, Clares MP, García-España E, Vázquez-Manrique RP, Mullor JL. Mn(II) Quinoline Complex (4QMn) Restores Proteostasis and Reduces Toxicity in Experimental Models of Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8936. [PMID: 36012207 PMCID: PMC9409211 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder, of the so-called minority diseases, due to its low prevalence. It is caused by an abnormally long track of glutamines (polyQs) in mutant huntingtin (mHtt), which makes the protein toxic and prone to aggregation. Many pathways of clearance of badly-folded proteins are disrupted in neurons of patients with HD. In this work, we show that one Mn(II) quinone complex (4QMn), designed to work as an artificial superoxide dismutase, is able to activate both the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the autophagy pathway in vitro and in vivo models of HD. Activation of these pathways degrades mHtt and other protein-containing polyQs, which restores proteostasis in these models. Hence, we propose 4QMn as a potential drug to develop a therapy to treat HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marián Merino
- Bionos Biotech SL, Biopolo Hospital La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Dolores Sequedo
- Laboratory of Molecular, Cellular and Genomic Biomedicine, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Mª Paz Clares
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Instituto de Ciencia Molecular, Universidad de Valencia, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Enrique García-España
- Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Instituto de Ciencia Molecular, Universidad de Valencia, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael P. Vázquez-Manrique
- Laboratory of Molecular, Cellular and Genomic Biomedicine, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Joint Unit for Rare Diseases IIS La Fe-CIPF, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - José L. Mullor
- Bionos Biotech SL, Biopolo Hospital La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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7
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Basak A, Basak S. Protein Aggregation and Self Assembly in Health and Disease. CURR PROTEOMICS 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/1570164618666210223160742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
:
Self-attachment of proteins leading to the formation of highly insoluble protein oligomers and aggregates has become an important focus of research owing to its diverse implications in pathophysiology and diseases. This has become a more frequent phenomenon in most neurological and neurodegenerative diseases as well as in dementia. In recent years such event of protein aggregation has linked to other disease conditions, disorders or adverse health conditions. Interestingly, aggregation of protein also plays role in development, growth or metabolism. Most often physiological proteins are initially bio-synthesised in native or nascent geometrical forms or conformations but later they undergo specific folding pattern and thereby acquire a stable configuration that is biologically relevant and active. It is highly important that these proteins remain in their biologically active configuration in order to exert their functional properties. Any alteration or change to this structural configuration can be detrimental to their specific functions and may cause pathological consequences leading to the onset of diseases or disorders. Several factors such as the action of chaperones, binding partners, physiological metal ions, pH level, temperature, ionic strength, interfacial exposure (solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, gas-liquid), mutation and post translational modification, chemical changes, interaction with small molecules such as lipids, hormones, etc. and solvent environment have been either identified or proposed as important factors in conferring the ultimate status of protein structure and configuration.
Among many misfolding protein conformations, self-assembly or aggregation is the most significant. It leads to the formation of highly oligomeric self-aggregates that precipitate and interfere with many biochemical processes with serious pathological consequences. The most common implication of protein aggregation leading to the formation of deposits / plaques of various morphological types is the onset of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases that include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), CJD (Creutzfeldt Jakob Dementia), Prion diseases, Amyloidosis and other forms of dementia. However increasingly studies revealed that protein aggregation may also be associated with other diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, renal, corneal and cardiovascular diseases. Protein aggregation diseases are now considered as part of “Proteinopathy” which refers to conditions where proteins become structurally abnormal or fail to fold into stable normal configurations. In this review, we reflect on various aspects of protein self-aggregation, potential underlying causes, mechanism, role of secondary structures, pathological consequences and possible intervention strategies as reported in published literatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajoy Basak
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, U Ottawa, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute,
The Ottawa Hospital, U Ottawa, Canada
| | - Sarmistha Basak
- Formerly of Kidney Research Center, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, U Ottawa, Canada
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8
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Bhurtel S, Bok E, Katila N, Kim J, Choi DY. Activation of Nrf2 by methylene blue is associated with the neuroprotection against MPP + induced toxicity via ameliorating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114719. [PMID: 34352280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the preferential loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and presence of Lewy bodies in the dying neurons. Though specific molecular mechanisms for the neurodegeneration remains to be clarified, mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress are major players associated with PD pathogenesis and these pathogenic mechanisms can be reproduced in cells and animals by application of various neurotoxins such as MPP+. In this study, we attempted to determine the neuroprotective effects of methylene blue (MB) against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced neurotoxicity, and to elucidate its action mechanism. We observed that MB attenuated MPP+-induced apoptotic cell death in SH-SY5Y cells and the mescencephalic dopaminergic neurons. In addition, MB protected the cells against MPP+-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as evidenced by restoration of mitochondrial complex I activity and ATP levels, and attenuation of oxidative stress. Moreover, we demonstrated that MB induced antioxidant molecules, and activated Nrf2 pathway through AKT activation. These results indicate that MB protects the neurons from MPP+-induced toxicity through activation of antioxidant system, thereby reducing the oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment, implying the potential use of MB in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Bhurtel
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Eugene Bok
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Nikita Katila
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaekwang Kim
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dong-Young Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541, Republic of Korea.
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Kolla R, Gopinath P, Ricci J, Reif A, Rostami I, Lashuel HA. A New Chemoenzymatic Semisynthetic Approach Provides Insight into the Role of Phosphorylation beyond Exon1 of Huntingtin and Reveals N-Terminal Fragment Length-Dependent Distinct Mechanisms of Aggregation. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:9798-9812. [PMID: 34161085 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c03108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat (>36Q) in the N-terminal domain of the huntingtin protein (Htt), which renders the protein or fragments thereof more prone to aggregate and form inclusions. Although several Htt N-terminal fragments of different lengths have been identified within Htt inclusions, most studies on the mechanisms, sequence, and structural determinants of Htt aggregation have focused on the Httexon1 (Httex1). Herein, we investigated the aggregation properties of mutant N-terminal Htt fragments of various lengths (Htt171, Htt140, and Htt104) in comparison to mutant Httex1 (mHttex1). We also present a new chemoenzymatic semisynthetic strategy that enables site-specific phosphorylation of Htt beyond Httex1. These advances yielded insights into how post-translational modifications (PTMs) and structured domains beyond Httex1 influence aggregation mechanisms, kinetics, and fibril morphology of longer N-terminal Htt fragments. We demonstrate that phosphorylation at T107 significantly slows the aggregation of mHtt171, whereas phosphorylation at T107 and S116 accelerates the aggregation, underscoring the importance of crosstalk between different PTMs. The mHtt171 proteins aggregate via a different mechanism and form oligomers and fibrillar aggregates with morphological properties that are distinct from that of mHttex1. These observations suggest that different N-terminal fragments could have distinct aggregation mechanisms and that a single polyQ-targeting antiaggregation strategy may not effectively inhibit the aggregation of all N-terminal Htt fragments. Finally, our results underscore the need for further studies to investigate the aggregation mechanisms of Htt fragments and how the various fragments interact with each other and influence Htt toxicity and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajasekhar Kolla
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pushparathinam Gopinath
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan Ricci
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Reif
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Iman Rostami
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Subhan I, Siddique YH. Modulation of Huntington's disease in Drosophila. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2021; 20:894-903. [PMID: 33845728 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210412155508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which deteriorates the physical and mental abilities of the patients. It is an autosomal dominant disorder and is mainly caused by the expansion of a repeating CAG triplet. A number of animal models ranging from worms, fruit flies, mice and rats to pigs, sheep and monkeys are available which have been helpful in understanding various pathways involved during the progression of the disease. Drosophila is one of the most commonly used model organisms for biomedical science, due to low cost maintenance, short life span and easily implications of genetic tools. The present review provides brief description of HD and the studies carried out for HD to date taking Drosophila as a model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iqra Subhan
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh. India
| | - Yasir Hasan Siddique
- Drosophila Transgenic Laboratory, Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh. India
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Süer C, Yıldız N, Barutçu Ö, Tan B, Dursun N. Long-term depression-related tau phosphorylation is enhanced by methylene blue in healthy rat hippocampus. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:828-840. [PMID: 33797746 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00254-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study examined whether inhibition of guanylate cyclase (GC) is associated with the plasticity-related microtubule-stabilizing protein tau phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampal formation. METHODS To address this issue, methylene blue (MB 50 μM) or saline was infused into the DG starting from the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) or depression (LTD) for 1 h. Then, protein phosphatase 1 alpha (PP1α), glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β), and tau total and phosphorylated protein levels were measured in these hippocampi using western blotting. LTP and LTD were induced by application of high- and low-frequency stimulation protocols (HFS and LFS), respectively. 5-min averages of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) slopes and population spike amplitudes at the end of recording were averaged to measure the magnitude of LTP or LTD. RESULTS Low-frequency stimulation protocols was unable to phosphorylate thr181 and thr231epitopes of tau, but possessed kinase activity similar to the HFS in phosphorylation of ser396 and ser416 epitopes. MB infusion during LTD induction attenuated LTD, prevented EPSP/spike dissociation and increased tau phosphorylation at ser396 and ser416 epitopes, without changing tau phosphorylation at thr181 and thr231 epitopes. Neither LTP nor LTP-related tau phosphorylation state was changed by MB infusion. CONCLUSION Although MB can benefit to stabilize the balance between LTP and LTD, and to fix the increased spike wave discharges, it might trigger deregulation of tau phosphorylation, leading to the development of Alzheimer's disease by a mechanism that goes awry during induction of LTD. Thereby detailed studies to reveal more precise evidence for the use of MB in this disease are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cem Süer
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Nurbanu Yıldız
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Özlem Barutçu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Burak Tan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Nurcan Dursun
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
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Sváb G, Kokas M, Sipos I, Ambrus A, Tretter L. Methylene Blue Bridges the Inhibition and Produces Unusual Respiratory Changes in Complex III-Inhibited Mitochondria. Studies on Rats, Mice and Guinea Pigs. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10020305. [PMID: 33669457 PMCID: PMC7920423 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is used in human therapy in various pathological conditions. Its effects in neurodegenerative disease models are promising. MB acts on multiple cellular targets and mechanisms, but many of its potential beneficial effects are ascribed to be mitochondrial. According to the “alternative electron transport” hypothesis, MB is capable of donating electrons to cytochrome c bypassing complex I and III. As a consequence of this, the deleterious effects of the inhibitors of complex I and III can be ameliorated by MB. Recently, the beneficial effects of MB exerted on complex III-inhibited mitochondria were debated. In the present contribution, several pieces of evidence are provided towards that MB is able to reduce cytochrome c and improve bioenergetic parameters, like respiration and membrane potential, in mitochondria treated with complex III inhibitors, either antimycin or myxothiazol. These conclusions were drawn from measurements for mitochondrial oxygen consumption, membrane potential, NAD(P)H steady state, MB uptake and MB-cytochrome c oxidoreduction. In the presence of MB and complex III inhibitors, unusual respiratory reactions, like decreased oxygen consumption as a response to ADP addition as well as stimulation of respiration upon administration of inhibitors of ATP synthase or ANT, were observed. Qualitatively identical results were obtained in three rodent species. The actual metabolic status of mitochondria is well reflected in the distribution of MB amongst various compartments of this organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Sváb
- Laboratory of Neurobiochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MTA-SE, Semmelweis University, POB. 262 Budapest, H-1444 Budapest, Hungary; (G.S.); (M.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Márton Kokas
- Laboratory of Neurobiochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MTA-SE, Semmelweis University, POB. 262 Budapest, H-1444 Budapest, Hungary; (G.S.); (M.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Ildikó Sipos
- Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, POB. 262 Budapest, H-1444 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Attila Ambrus
- Laboratory of Neurobiochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MTA-SE, Semmelweis University, POB. 262 Budapest, H-1444 Budapest, Hungary; (G.S.); (M.K.); (A.A.)
| | - László Tretter
- Laboratory of Neurobiochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MTA-SE, Semmelweis University, POB. 262 Budapest, H-1444 Budapest, Hungary; (G.S.); (M.K.); (A.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-1-459-1500/60010
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13
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Minakawa EN, Nagai Y. Protein Aggregation Inhibitors as Disease-Modifying Therapies for Polyglutamine Diseases. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:621996. [PMID: 33642983 PMCID: PMC7907447 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.621996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases caused by the abnormal expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat that are translated into an expanded polyQ stretch in the disease-causative proteins. The expanded polyQ stretch itself plays a critical disease-causative role in the pathomechanisms underlying polyQ diseases. Notably, the expanded polyQ stretch undergoes a conformational transition from the native monomer into the β-sheet-rich monomer, followed by the formation of soluble oligomers and then insoluble aggregates with amyloid fibrillar structures. The intermediate soluble species including the β-sheet-rich monomer and oligomers exhibit substantial neurotoxicity. Therefore, protein conformation stabilization and aggregation inhibition that target the upstream of the insoluble aggregate formation would be a promising approach toward the development of disease-modifying therapies for polyQ diseases. PolyQ aggregation inhibitors of different chemical categories, such as intrabodies, peptides, and small chemical compounds, have been identified through intensive screening methods. Among them, recent advances in the brain delivery methods of several peptides and the screening of small chemical compounds have brought them closer to clinical utility. Notably, the recent discovery of arginine as a potent conformation stabilizer and aggregation inhibitor of polyQ proteins both in vitro and in vivo have paved way to the clinical trial for the patients with polyQ diseases. Meanwhile, expression reduction of expanded polyQ proteins per se would be another promising approach toward disease modification of polyQ diseases. Gene silencing, especially by antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), have succeeded in reducing the expression of polyQ proteins in the animal models of various polyQ diseases by targeting the aberrant mRNA with expanded CAG repeats. Of note, some of these ASOs have recently been translated into clinical trials. Here we overview and discuss these recent advances toward the development of disease modifying therapies for polyQ diseases. We envision that combination therapies using aggregation inhibitors and gene silencing would meet the needs of the patients with polyQ diseases and their caregivers in the near future to delay or prevent the onset and progression of these currently intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiko N Minakawa
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.,Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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14
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Masnata M, Salem S, de Rus Jacquet A, Anwer M, Cicchetti F. Targeting Tau to Treat Clinical Features of Huntington's Disease. Front Neurol 2020; 11:580732. [PMID: 33329322 PMCID: PMC7710872 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.580732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor, cognitive and psychiatric impairments. While motor deficits often confirm diagnosis, cognitive dysfunctions usually manifest early in the disease process and are consistently ranked among the leading factors that impact the patients' quality of life. The genetic component of HD, a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, is traditionally presented as the main contributor to disease pathology. However, accumulating evidence suggests the implication of the microtubule-associated tau protein to the pathogenesis and therefore, proposes an alternative conceptual framework where tau and mutant huntingtin (mHTT) act conjointly to drive neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. This perspective on disease etiology offers new avenues to design therapeutic interventions and could leverage decades of research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies to rapidly advance drug discovery. In this mini review, we examine the breadth of tau-targeting treatments currently tested in the preclinical and clinical settings for AD and other tauopathies, and discuss the potential application of these strategies to HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Masnata
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Shireen Salem
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Aurelie de Rus Jacquet
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Mehwish Anwer
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Axe Neurosciences, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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15
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Durão C, Pedrosa F, Dinis-Oliveira RJ. Greenish-blue discoloration of the brain and heart after treatment with methylene blue. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020; 17:148-151. [PMID: 32940886 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00316-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Greenish-blue discoloration of the brain and heart was observed during the autopsy of a 63-year-old woman who had been treated with methylene blue for septic shock following a traffic accident. This "pistachio" or "avatar" discoloration occurs when the colorless metabolite leucomethylene blue is oxidized to methylene blue upon exposure to atmospheric oxygen. Other clinically documented adverse effects of methylene blue include greenish-blue urine and bluish discoloration of the skin and mucosa. In medicine, methylene blue is an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase with different clinical applications, namely, rapid reversal of circulatory shock that is refractory to fluid administration, inotropic agents, and vasoconstrictors. Postmortem differential diagnosis with putrefaction and hydrogen sulfide poisoning should be made, and forensic pathologists should be aware of methylene blue-related greenish-blue discoloration to avoid unnecessary workup and investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Durão
- Portuguese National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal.,Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
| | - Frederico Pedrosa
- Portuguese National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira
- Department of Sciences, IINFACTS - Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, 4585-116, Gandra, Portugal. .,Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. .,UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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16
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Musteikyte G, Ziaunys M, Smirnovas V. Methylene blue inhibits nucleation and elongation of SOD1 amyloid fibrils. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9719. [PMID: 32864220 PMCID: PMC7430317 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation into highly-structured amyloid fibrils is linked to several neurodegenerative diseases. Such fibril formation by superoxide dismutase I (SOD1) is considered to be related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a late-onset and fatal disorder. Despite much effort and the discovery of numerous anti-amyloid compounds, no effective cure or treatment is currently available. Methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazine dye, has been shown to modulate the aggregation of multiple amyloidogenic proteins. In this work we show its ability to inhibit both the spontaneous amyloid aggregation of SOD1 as well as elongation of preformed fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Musteikyte
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.,Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Mantas Ziaunys
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Life Sciences Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
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17
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Lo CH, Pandey NK, Lim CKW, Ding Z, Tao M, Thomas DD, Langen R, Sachs JN. Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Huntingtin Exon 1 Aggregation by FRET-Based High-Throughput Screening in Living Cells. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2286-2295. [PMID: 32568514 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is the most common inherited neurodegenerative disorder and one of the nine polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases. HD is characterized by the pathological aggregation of the misfolded huntingtin exon 1 protein (Httex1) with abnormally long polyQ expansion due to genetic mutation. While there is currently no effective treatment for HD, inhibition of aggregate formation represents a direct approach in mediating the toxicity associated with Httex1 misfolding. To exploit this therapeutic window, we engineered two fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based biosensors that monitor the aggregation of Httex1 with different expanded Q-lengths (Q39 and Q72) in living cells. These FRET biosensors, together with a high-precision fluorescence lifetime detection platform, enable high-throughput screening of small molecules that target Httex1 aggregation. We found six small molecules that decreased the FRET of the biosensors and reduced Httex1-Q72-induced neuronal cytotoxicity in N2a cells with nanomolar potency. Using advanced SPR and EPR techniques, we confirmed that the compounds directly bind to Httex1 fibrils and inhibit aggregate formation. This strategy in targeting the Httex1 aggregates can be applicable to other proteins involved in polyQ related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih Hung Lo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Nitin K. Pandey
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Colin Kin-Wye Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Zhipeng Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Meixin Tao
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - David D. Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
- Photonic Pharma LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55410, United States
| | - Ralf Langen
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
| | - Jonathan N. Sachs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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18
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Shevtsova EF, Maltsev AV, Vinogradova DV, Shevtsov PN, Bachurin SO. Mitochondria as a promising target for developing novel agents for treating Alzheimer's disease. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:803-827. [PMID: 32687230 DOI: 10.1002/med.21715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The mitochondria-targeting drugs can be conventionally divided into the following groups: those compensating for the energy deficit involved in neurodegeneration, including stimulants of mitochondrial bioenergetics and activators of mitochondrial biogenesis; and neuroprotectors, that are compounds increasing the resistance of mitochondria to opening of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores. Although compensating for the energy deficit and inhibition of MPT are obvious targets for drugs used in the very early stages of Alzheimer-like pathology, but their use as the monotherapy for patients with severe symptoms is unlikely to be sufficiently effective. It would be optimal to combine targets that would provide the cognitive-stimulating, the neuroprotective effects and the ability to affect specific disease-forming mechanisms. In the design of such drugs, assessment of their potential mitochondrial-targeted effects is of particular importance. The possibility of targeted drug design for simultaneous action on mitochondrial and neurotransmitter's receptors targets is, in particularly, based on the known interplay of various cellular pathways and the presence of common structural components. Of particular interest is directed search for multitarget drugs that would act simultaneously on mitochondrial calcium-dependent functions, the targets (receptors, enzymes, etc.) facilitating neurotransmission, and the molecular targets related to the action of so-called disease-modifying factors, in particular, the formation and overcoming of the toxicity of β-amyloid or hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The examples of such approaches realized on the level of preclinical and clinical trials are presented below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena F Shevtsova
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Andrey V Maltsev
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Darya V Vinogradova
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Pavel N Shevtsov
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Sergey O Bachurin
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia
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19
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Colini Baldeschi A, Vanni S, Zattoni M, Legname G. Novel regulators of PrP C expression as potential therapeutic targets in prion diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:759-776. [PMID: 32631090 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1782384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prion diseases are rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorders. The key molecular event in these disorders is the misfolding of the physiological form of the cellular prion protein, PrPC, leading to the accumulation of a pathological isoform, PrPSc, with unique features. Both isoforms share the same primary sequence, lacking detectable differences in posttranslational modification, a major hurdle for their biochemical or biophysical independent characterization. The mechanism underlying the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc is not completely understood, so finding an effective therapy to cure prion disorders is extremely challenging. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the strategies for decreasing prion replication and throws a spotlight on the relevance of PrPC in the prion accumulation process. EXPERT OPINION PrPC is the key substrate for prion pathology; hence, the most promising therapeutic approach appears to be the targeting of PrPC to block the production of the infectious isoform. The use of RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotide technologies may offer opportunities for treatment because of their success in clinical trials for other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Colini Baldeschi
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Vanni
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio E La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS , Meldola, Italy
| | - Marco Zattoni
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) , Trieste, Italy
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20
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Davis AK, Pratt WB, Lieberman AP, Osawa Y. Targeting Hsp70 facilitated protein quality control for treatment of polyglutamine diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:977-996. [PMID: 31552448 PMCID: PMC7137528 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03302-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of nine fatal, adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the misfolding and aggregation of mutant proteins containing toxic expansions of CAG/polyQ tracts. The heat shock protein 90 and 70 (Hsp90/Hsp70) chaperone machinery is a key component of cellular protein quality control, playing a role in the regulation of folding, aggregation, and degradation of polyQ proteins. The ability of Hsp70 to facilitate disaggregation and degradation of misfolded proteins makes it an attractive therapeutic target in polyQ diseases. Genetic studies have demonstrated that manipulation of Hsp70 and related co-chaperones can enhance the disaggregation and/or degradation of misfolded proteins in models of polyQ disease. Therefore, the development of small molecules that enhance Hsp70 activity is of great interest. However, it is still unclear if currently available Hsp70 modulators can selectively enhance disaggregation or degradation of misfolded proteins without perturbing other Hsp70 functions essential for cellular homeostasis. This review discusses the multifaceted role of Hsp70 in protein quality control and the opportunities and challenges Hsp70 poses as a potential therapeutic target in polyQ disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Davis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William B Pratt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrew P Lieberman
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Yoichi Osawa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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21
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Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the androgen receptor (AR). Despite the fact that the monogenic cause of SBMA has been known for nearly 3 decades, there is no effective treatment for this disease, underscoring the complexity of the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to a loss of motor neurons and muscle in SBMA patients. In the current review, we provide an overview of the system-wide clinical features of SBMA, summarize the structure and function of the AR, discuss both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mechanisms of toxicity caused by polyQ-expanded AR, and describe the cell and animal models utilized in the study of SBMA. Additionally, we summarize previously conducted clinical trials which, despite being based on positive results from preclinical studies, proved to be largely ineffective in the treatment of SBMA; nonetheless, these studies provide important insights as researchers develop the next generation of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick J Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 411E Jefferson Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
| | - Diane E Merry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 411E Jefferson Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA.
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22
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Conjugates of methylene blue with γ-carboline derivatives as new multifunctional agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4873. [PMID: 30890752 PMCID: PMC6424957 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41272-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We studied the inhibitory activity of methylene blue (MB) γ-carbolines (gC) conjugates (MB-gCs) against human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE), equine serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and a structurally related enzyme, porcine liver carboxylesterase (CaE). In addition, we determined the ability of MB-gCs to bind to the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of Electrophorus electricus AChE (EeAChE) and competitively displace propidium iodide from this site. Moreover, we examined the ability of MB-gCs to scavenge free radicals as well as their influence on mitochondrial potential and iron-induced lipid peroxidation. We found that MB-gCs effectively inhibited AChE and BChE with IC50 values in the range 1.73–10.5 μM and exhibited low potencies against CaE (9.8–26% inhibition at 20 μM). Kinetic studies showed that MB-gCs were mixed-type reversible inhibitors of both cholinesterases. Molecular docking results showed that the MB-gCs could bind both to the catalytic active site and to the PAS of human AChE and BChE. Accordingly, MB-gCs effectively displaced propidium from the peripheral anionic site of EeAChE. In addition, MB-gCs were extremely active in both radical scavenging tests. Quantum mechanical DFT calculations suggested that free radical scavenging was likely mediated by the sulfur atom in the MB fragment. Furthermore, the MB-gCs, in like manner to MB, can restore mitochondrial membrane potential after depolarization with rotenone. Moreover, MB-gCs possess strong antioxidant properties, preventing iron-induced lipid peroxidation in mitochondria. Overall, the results indicate that MB-gCs are promising candidates for further optimization as multitarget therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases.
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23
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Impaired Nuclear Export of Polyglutamine-Expanded Androgen Receptor in Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:119. [PMID: 30644418 PMCID: PMC6333819 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36784-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the androgen receptor (AR). Prior studies have highlighted the importance of AR nuclear localization in SBMA pathogenesis; therefore, in this study, we sought to determine the role of AR nuclear export in the pathological manifestations of SBMA. We demonstrate here that the nuclear export of polyQ-expanded AR is impaired, even prior to the formation of intranuclear inclusions of aggregated AR. Additionally, we find that promoting AR export with an exogenous nuclear export signal substantially reduces its aggregation and blocks hormone-induced toxicity. Moreover, we show that these protective effects are conferred by destabilization of the mutant protein due to an increase in proteasomal degradation of the cytoplasmic AR. Despite a growing body of evidence that global disruption of nucleo/cytoplasmic transport occurs in ALS and HD, our data suggest that no such global disruption occurs in models of SBMA; rather, AR-specific mechanisms, including reduced phosphorylation at Serine 650, are likely responsible for the impaired nuclear export of polyQ-expanded AR.
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24
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Lee BI, Chung YJ, Park CB. Photosensitizing materials and platforms for light-triggered modulation of Alzheimer's β-amyloid self-assembly. Biomaterials 2019; 190-191:121-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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25
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Ueyama M, Nagai Y. Repeat Expansion Disease Models. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1076:63-78. [PMID: 29951815 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0529-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Repeat expansion disorders are a group of inherited neuromuscular diseases, which are caused by expansion mutations of repeat sequences in the disease-causing genes. Repeat expansion disorders include a class of diseases caused by repeat expansions in the coding region of the genes, producing mutant proteins with amino acid repeats, mostly the polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, and another class of diseases caused by repeat expansions in the noncoding regions, producing aberrant RNA with expanded repeats, which are called noncoding repeat expansion diseases. A variety of Drosophila disease models have been established for both types of diseases, and they have made significant contributions toward elucidating the molecular mechanisms of and developing therapies for these neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morio Ueyama
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
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26
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Bhurtel S, Katila N, Neupane S, Srivastav S, Park PH, Choi DY. Methylene blue protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity by upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1431:58-71. [PMID: 29882218 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The relatively old, yet clinically used, drug methylene blue (MB) is known to possess neuroprotective properties by reducing aggregated proteins, augmenting the antioxidant response, and enhancing mitochondrial function and survival in various models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of MB in Parkinson's disease (PD) in vivo and in vitro models by using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)/1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+ ) with a focus on possible effects on induction of neurotrophic factors. Our results indicate that pretreatment with MB significantly attenuated MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons, glial cell activation, and depletion of dopamine. We also found that MB upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activated its downstream signaling pathways, suggesting that BDNF might be a contributor to MB-associated neuroprotection. Specific inhibition of the BDNF receptor or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) reversed the MB-mediated protection against MPP+ toxicity, thus implying a role for BDNF and the Erk pathway in the neuroprotective effects. Taken together, our data suggest that MB protects neurons from MPTP neurotoxicity via induction of BDNF. Further study to determine whether MB preserves dopaminergic neurons in the brains of PD patients is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Bhurtel
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Nikita Katila
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sabita Neupane
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunil Srivastav
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Pil-Hoon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Young Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
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27
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Biju KC, Evans RC, Shrestha K, Carlisle DCB, Gelfond J, Clark RA. Methylene Blue Ameliorates Olfactory Dysfunction and Motor Deficits in a Chronic MPTP/Probenecid Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Neuroscience 2018; 380:111-122. [PMID: 29684508 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are very prominent and early features in Parkinson's disease (PD) and in animal models of PD. Thus, antioxidant therapy for PD has been proposed, but in clinical trials such strategies have met with very limited success. Methylene blue (MB), a small-molecule synthetic heterocyclic organic compound that acts as a renewable electron cycler in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, manifesting robust antioxidant and cell energetics-enhancing properties, has recently been shown to have significant beneficial effects in reducing nigrostriatal dopaminergic loss and motor impairment in acute toxin models of PD. However, no studies have investigated the impact of this promising agent in chronic models or for olfactory dysfunction, an early non-motor feature of PD. To test the efficacy of low-dose MB for olfactory dysfunction, motor symptoms, and dopaminergic neurodegeneration, mice were injected with ten subcutaneous doses of 25 mg/kg MPTP, plus 250 mg/kg intraperitoneal probenecid or saline/probenecid at 3.5-day intervals. Following the onset of olfactory dysfunction, MPTP/probenecid (MPTP/p) and saline/probenecid mice were provided drinking water with or without 1 mg/kg/day MB. Oral delivery of low-dose MB significantly ameliorated MPTP/p-induced deficits in motor coordination, as well as degeneration of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons of the substantia nigra and TH-positive terminals in the striatum. Importantly, olfactory dysfunction was ameliorated by MB treatment, whereas this benefit is not observed with currently available anti-Parkinsonian medications. These results indicate that low-dose MB is a promising neuroprotective intervention for both motor and non-motor features of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- K C Biju
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Robert C Evans
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Kripa Shrestha
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Daniel C B Carlisle
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Jonathan Gelfond
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States
| | - Robert A Clark
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States; South Texas Veterans Health Care System, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States.
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Abstract
Prion diseases are associated with the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC), a glycoprotein expressed at the surface of a wide variety of cell types, into a misfolded conformer (the scrapie form of PrP, or PrPSc) that accumulates in brain tissues of affected individuals. PrPSc is a self-catalytic protein assembly capable of recruiting native conformers of PrPC, and causing their rearrangement into new PrPSc molecules. Several previous attempts to identify therapeutic agents against prion diseases have targeted PrPSc, and a number of compounds have shown potent anti-prion effects in experimental models. Unfortunately, so far, none of these molecules has successfully been translated into effective therapies for prion diseases. Moreover, mounting evidence suggests that PrPSc might be a difficult pharmacological target because of its poorly defined structure, heterogeneous composition, and ability to generate different structural conformers (known as prion strains) that can elude pharmacological intervention. In the last decade, a less intuitive strategy to overcome all these problems has emerged: targeting PrPC, the common substrate of any prion strain replication. This alternative approach possesses several technical and theoretical advantages, including the possibility of providing therapeutic effects also for other neurodegenerative disorders, based on recent observations indicating a role for PrPC in delivering neurotoxic signals of different misfolded proteins. Here, we provide an overview of compounds claimed to exert anti-prion effects by directly binding to PrPC, discussing pharmacological properties and therapeutic potentials of each chemical class.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Silvia Biggi
- Dulbecco Telethon Laboratory of Prions and Amyloids, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Violetta Cecchetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Emiliano Biasini
- Dulbecco Telethon Laboratory of Prions and Amyloids, Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy.
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, 20156 Milan, Italy.
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Ochaba J, Morozko EL, O'Rourke JG, Thompson LM. Fractionation for Resolution of Soluble and Insoluble Huntingtin Species. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29553509 DOI: 10.3791/57082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of misfolded proteins is central to pathology in Huntington's disease (HD) and many other neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, a key pathological feature of HD is the aberrant accumulation of mutant HTT (mHTT) protein into high molecular weight complexes and intracellular inclusion bodies composed of fragments and other proteins. Conventional methods to measure and understand the contributions of various forms of mHTT-containing aggregates include fluorescence microscopy, western blot analysis, and filter trap assays. However, most of these methods are conformation specific, and therefore may not resolve the full state of mHTT protein flux due to the complex nature of aggregate solubility and resolution. For the identification of aggregated mHTT and various modified forms and complexes, separation and solubilization of the cellular aggregates and fragments is mandatory. Here we describe a method to isolate and visualize soluble mHTT, monomers, oligomers, fragments, and an insoluble high molecular weight (HMW) accumulated mHTT species. HMW mHTT tracks with disease progression, corresponds with mouse behavior readouts, and has been beneficially modulated by certain therapeutic interventions1. This approach can be used with mouse brain, peripheral tissues, and cell culture but may be adapted to other model systems or disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Ochaba
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine; UCI MIND, University of California Irvine
| | - Eva L Morozko
- UCI MIND, University of California Irvine; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine
| | | | - Leslie M Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine; UCI MIND, University of California Irvine; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine;
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Shedding Light on Alzheimer's β-Amyloidosis: Photosensitized Methylene Blue Inhibits Self-Assembly of β-Amyloid Peptides and Disintegrates Their Aggregates. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7523. [PMID: 28790398 PMCID: PMC5548810 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07581-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides is a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In spite of numerous attempts to prevent the β-amyloidosis, no effective drugs for treating AD have been developed to date. Among many candidate chemicals, methylene blue (MB) has proved its therapeutic potential for AD in a number of in vitro and in vivo studies; but the result of recent clinical trials performed with MB and its derivative was negative. Here, with the aid of multiple photochemical analyses, we first report that photoexcited MB molecules can block Aβ42 aggregation in vitro. Furthermore, our in vivo study using Drosophila AD model demonstrates that photoexcited MB is highly effective in suppressing synaptic toxicity, resulting in a reduced damage to the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), an enhanced locomotion, and decreased vacuole in the brain. The hindrance effect is attributed to Aβ42 oxidation by singlet oxygen (1O2) generated from photoexcited MB. Finally, we show that photoexcited MB possess a capability to disaggregate the pre-existing Aβ42 aggregates and reduce Aβ-induced cytotoxicity. Our work suggests that light illumination can provide an opportunity to boost the efficacies of MB toward photodynamic therapy of AD in future.
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Komlódi T, Tretter L. Methylene blue stimulates substrate-level phosphorylation catalysed by succinyl-CoA ligase in the citric acid cycle. Neuropharmacology 2017; 123:287-298. [PMID: 28495375 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB), a potential neuroprotective agent, is efficient in various neurodegenerative disease models. Beneficial effects of MB have been attributed to improvements in mitochondrial functions. Substrate-level phosphorylation (SLP) results in the production of ATP independent from the ATP synthase (ATP-ase). In energetically compromised mitochondria, ATP produced by SLP can prevent the reversal of the adenine nucleotide translocase and thus the hydrolysis of glycolytic ATP. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of MB on mitochondrial SLP catalysed by succinyl-CoA ligase. Measurements were carried out on isolated guinea pig cortical mitochondria respiring on α-ketoglutarate, glutamate, malate or succinate. The mitochondrial functions and parameters like ATP synthesis, oxygen consumption, membrane potential, and NAD(P)H level were followed online, in parallel with the redox state of MB. SLP-mediated ATP synthesis was measured in the presence of inhibitors for ATP-ase and adenylate kinase. In the presence of the ATP-ase inhibitor oligomycin MB stimulated respiration with all of the respiratory substrates. However, the rate of ATP synthesis increased only with substrates α-ketoglutarate and glutamate (forming succinyl-CoA). MB efficiently stimulated SLP and restored the membrane potential in mitochondria also with the combined inhibition of Complex I and ATP synthase. ATP formed by SLP alleviated the energetic insufficiency generated by the lack of oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, the MB-mediated stimulation of SLP might be important in maintaining the energetic competence of mitochondria and in preventing the mitochondrial hydrolysis of glycolytic ATP. The mitochondrial effects of MB are explained by the ability to accept electrons from reducing equivalents and transfer them to cytochrome c bypassing the respiratory Complexes I and III.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Komlódi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, MTA-SE Laboratory for Neurobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tuzolto St., Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - L Tretter
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, MTA-SE Laboratory for Neurobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, 37-47 Tuzolto St., Budapest, 1094, Hungary.
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Escalona-Rayo O, Fuentes-Vázquez P, Leyva-Gómez G, Cisneros B, Villalobos R, Magaña JJ, Quintanar-Guerrero D. Nanoparticulate strategies for the treatment of polyglutamine diseases by halting the protein aggregation process. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2017; 43:871-888. [PMID: 28142290 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2017.1281949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a class of neurodegenerative disorders that cause cellular dysfunction and, eventually, neuronal death in specific regions of the brain. Neurodegeneration is linked to the misfolding and aggregation of expanded polyQ-containing proteins, and their inhibition is one of major therapeutic strategies used commonly. However, successful treatment has been limited to date because of the intrinsic properties of therapeutic agents (poor water solubility, low bioavailability, poor pharmacokinetic properties), and difficulty in crossing physiological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In order to solve these problems, nanoparticulate systems with dimensions of 1-1000 nm able to incorporate small and macromolecules with therapeutic value, to protect and deliver them directly to the brain, have recently been developed, but their use for targeting polyQ disease-mediated protein misfolding and aggregation remains scarce. This review provides an update of the polyQ protein aggregation process and the development of therapeutic strategies for halting it. The main features that a nanoparticulate system should possess in order to enhance brain delivery are discussed, as well as the different types of materials utilized to produce them. The final part of this review focuses on the potential application of nanoparticulate system strategies to improve the specific and efficient delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain for the treatment of polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Escalona-Rayo
- a Laboratorio de Investigación y Posgrado en Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
| | - Paulina Fuentes-Vázquez
- a Laboratorio de Investigación y Posgrado en Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
| | - Gerardo Leyva-Gómez
- b Laboratory of Connective Tissue , CENIAQ, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- c Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology , CINVESTAV-IPN , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Rafael Villalobos
- d División de Estudios de Posgrado (Tecnología Farmacéutica), Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
| | - Jonathan J Magaña
- e Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics , Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - David Quintanar-Guerrero
- a Laboratorio de Investigación y Posgrado en Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) , Cuautitlán Izcalli , Mexico
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Kawaguchi Y, Taoka M, Takekiyo T, Uekita T, Shoji I, Hachiya N, Ichimura T. TRIM32-Cytoplasmic-Body Formation Is an ATP-Consuming Process Stimulated by HSP70 in Cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169436. [PMID: 28052117 PMCID: PMC5215751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The spontaneous and energy-releasing reaction of protein aggregation is typically prevented by cellular quality control machinery (QC). TRIM32 is a member of the TRIM (tripartite motif-containing) ubiquitin E3 ligases, and when overexpressed in cultured cells, readily forms spherical inclusions designated as cytoplasmic bodies (CBs) even without proteasome inhibition. Here, we show that HSP70, a central QC component, is a primary binding factor of overexpressed TRIM32. Contrary to expectation, however, we find that this molecular chaperone facilitates and stabilizes CB assembly depending on intrinsic ATPase activity, rather than preventing CB formation. We also show that the HSP70-TRIM32 complex is biochemically distinct from the previously characterized 14-3-3-TRIM32 phospho-complex. Moreover, the two complexes have opposing roles, with HSP70 stimulating CB formation and 14-3-3 retaining TRIM32 in a diffuse form throughout the cytosol. Our results suggest that CB inclusion formation is actively controlled by cellular QC and requires ATP, similar to protein folding and degradation reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kawaguchi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Defense Academy, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masato Taoka
- Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Takekiyo
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Defense Academy, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takamasa Uekita
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Defense Academy, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ikuo Shoji
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Naomi Hachiya
- Biotechnology Group, R&D Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tohru Ichimura
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Defense Academy, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Kunkanjanawan T, Carter R, Ahn KS, Yang J, Parnpai R, Chan AWS. Induced Pluripotent HD Monkey Stem Cells Derived Neural Cells for Drug Discovery. SLAS DISCOVERY 2016; 22:696-705. [PMID: 28027448 DOI: 10.1177/2472555216685044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by an expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeat (polyglutamine [polyQ]) in the huntingtin ( HTT) gene, which leads to the formation of mutant HTT (mHTT) protein aggregates. In the nervous system, an accumulation of mHTT protein results in glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, proteosome instability, and apoptosis. Although HD pathogenesis has been extensively studied, effective treatment of HD has yet to be developed. Therapeutic discovery research in HD has been reported using yeast, cells derived from transgenic animal models and HD patients, and induced pluripotent stem cells from patients. A transgenic nonhuman primate model of HD (HD monkey) shows neuropathological, behavioral, and molecular changes similar to an HD patient. In addition, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from HD monkeys can be maintained in culture and differentiated to neural cells with distinct HD cellular phenotypes including the formation of mHTT aggregates, intranuclear inclusions, and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Here, we evaluated the potential application of HD monkey NPCs and neural cells as an in vitro model for HD drug discovery research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanut Kunkanjanawan
- 1 Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.,2 Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,3 Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Richard Carter
- 1 Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.,2 Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kwan-Sung Ahn
- 1 Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.,2 Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jinjing Yang
- 1 Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.,2 Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rangsun Parnpai
- 3 Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Anthony W S Chan
- 1 Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.,2 Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Seripa D, Solfrizzi V, Imbimbo BP, Daniele A, Santamato A, Lozupone M, Zuliani G, Greco A, Logroscino G, Panza F. Tau-directed approaches for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: focus on leuco-methylthioninium. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:259-77. [PMID: 26822031 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1140039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Small molecular weight compounds able to inhibit formation of tau oligomers and fibrils have already been tested for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. The most advanced tau aggregation inhibitor (TAI) is methylthioninium (MT), a drug existing in equilibrium between a reduced (leuco-methylthioninium) and oxidized form (MT(+)). MT chloride (also known as methylene blue) was investigated in a 24-week Phase II study in 321 mild-to-moderate AD patients at the doses of 69, 138, and 228 mg/day. This trial failed to show significant positive effects of MT in the overall patient population. The dose of 138 mg/day showed potential benefits on cognitive performance of moderately affected patients and cerebral blood flow in mildly affected patients. A follow-up compound (TRx0237) claimed to be more bioavailable and less toxic than MT, is now being developed. Phase III clinical trials on this novel TAI in AD and in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Seripa
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Solfrizzi
- b Geriatric Medicine-Memory Unit and Rare Disease Centre , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- c Research & Development Department , Chiesi Farmaceutici , Parma , Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele
- d Institute of Neurology , Catholic University of Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy
| | - Andrea Santamato
- e Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Section, 'OORR' Hospital , University of Foggia , Foggia , Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Giovanni Zuliani
- g Department of Medical Science, Section of Internal and Cardiopulmonary Medicine , University of Ferrara
| | - Antonio Greco
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
| | - Francesco Panza
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy.,f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
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Gureev AP, Syromyatnikov MY, Gorbacheva TM, Starkov AA, Popov VN. Methylene blue improves sensorimotor phenotype and decreases anxiety in parallel with activating brain mitochondria biogenesis in mid-age mice. Neurosci Res 2016; 113:19-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Jin P, Wei P, Zhang Y, Lin J, Sha R, Hu Y, Zhang J, Zhou W, Yao H, Ren L, Yang JY, Liu Y, Wen L. Autophagy-mediated clearance of ubiquitinated mutant huntingtin by graphene oxide. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:18740-18750. [PMID: 27790650 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr07255k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Many of the neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD) are caused by the accumulation of intracytoplasmic aggregate-prone proteins. These toxic protein aggregates are mainly degraded by autophagy, thus elevating the autophagy level to enhance the degradation of these proteins representing an emerging viable approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this report we showed that graphene oxide (GO), an engineered nanomaterial with enormous potential in biomedical applications, effectively enhanced the clearance of mutant huntingtin (Htt), the aggregate-prone protein underlying the pathogenesis of HD. This enhancing effect of GO was autophagy-mediated, as blocking autophagy by chemical inhibitors at either the autophagosome formation stage or the autophagosome-lysosome fusion stage, or more specifically by knocking-down an essential autophagy gene, led to a significant reduction in the ability of GO to elicit Htt degradation. Interestingly, the autophagy induced by GO had the normal capacity to degrade its cargo including LC3-II and Htt, but not p62/SQSTM1 (p62), and was dependent on the activation of class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdIns3K) and MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways, without mTOR involvement. GO also increased ubiquitination of Htt, an event necessary for Htt's clearance. Furthermore, ubiquitinated huntingtin protein preferentially binds to GO, and abundant GO was found in autophagosomes and autolysosomes, thus raising the possibility that GO may directly deliver the bound protein to autophagosomes for degradation. Our results revealed a novel biological function of GO and may have implications for developing nanomaterial-based therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Jin
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Pengfei Wei
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Yunjiao Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Jun Lin
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Rui Sha
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Yi Hu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Jiqian Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Han Yao
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Li Ren
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, P.R. China.
| | - James Y Yang
- School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yanchun Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Energy-Efficient Functional Ceramics and Applied Technology of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou Redsun Gas Applications Co., LTD, Guangzhou 510435, China
| | - Longping Wen
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
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TRiC subunits enhance BDNF axonal transport and rescue striatal atrophy in Huntington's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E5655-64. [PMID: 27601642 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1603020113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticostriatal atrophy is a cardinal manifestation of Huntington's disease (HD). However, the mechanism(s) by which mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein contributes to the degeneration of the corticostriatal circuit is not well understood. We recreated the corticostriatal circuit in microfluidic chambers, pairing cortical and striatal neurons from the BACHD model of HD and its WT control. There were reduced synaptic connectivity and atrophy of striatal neurons in cultures in which BACHD cortical and striatal neurons were paired. However, these changes were prevented if WT cortical neurons were paired with BACHD striatal neurons; synthesis and release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from WT cortical axons were responsible. Consistent with these findings, there was a marked reduction in anterograde transport of BDNF in BACHD cortical neurons. Subunits of the cytosolic chaperonin T-complex 1 (TCP-1) ring complex (TRiC or CCT for chaperonin containing TCP-1) have been shown to reduce mHTT levels. Both CCT3 and the apical domain of CCT1 (ApiCCT1) decreased the level of mHTT in BACHD cortical neurons. In cortical axons, they normalized anterograde BDNF transport, restored retrograde BDNF transport, and normalized lysosomal transport. Importantly, treating BACHD cortical neurons with ApiCCT1 prevented BACHD striatal neuronal atrophy by enhancing release of BDNF that subsequently acts through tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor on striatal neurons. Our findings are evidence that TRiC reagent-mediated reductions in mHTT enhanced BDNF delivery to restore the trophic status of BACHD striatal neurons.
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Preservation of neuromuscular function in symptomatic SOD1-G93A mice by peripheral infusion of methylene blue. Exp Neurol 2016; 285:96-107. [PMID: 27567739 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mouse models of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) some of the earliest signs of morphological and functional damage occur in the motor nerve terminals that innervate fast limb muscles. This study tested whether localized peripheral application of a protective drug could effectively preserve neuromuscular junctions in late-stage disease. Methylene blue (MB), which has mitochondria-protective properties, was infused via an osmotic pump into the anterior muscle compartment of one hind limb of late pre- symptomatic SOD1-G93A mice for ≥3weeks. When mice reached end-stage disease, peak twitch and tetanic contractions evoked by stimulation of the muscle nerve were measured in two anterior compartment muscles (tibialis anterior [TA] and extensor digitorum longus [EDL], both predominantly fast muscles). With 400μM MB in the infusion reservoir, muscles on the MB-infused side exhibited on average a ~100% increase in nerve-evoked contractile force compared to muscles on the contralateral non-infused side (p<0.01 for both twitch and tetanus in EDL and TA). Pairwise comparisons of endplate innervation also revealed a beneficial effect of MB infusion, with an average of 65% of endplates innervated in infused EDL, compared to only 35% on the non-infused side (p<0.01). Results suggested that MB's protective effects required an extracellular [MB] of ~1μM, were initiated peripherally (no evidence of retrograde transport into the spinal cord), and involved MB's reduced form. Thus peripherally-initiated actions of MB can help preserve neuromuscular structure and function in SOD1-G93A mice, even at late stages of disease.
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Linares GR, Chiu CT, Scheuing L, Leng Y, Liao HM, Maric D, Chuang DM. Preconditioning mesenchymal stem cells with the mood stabilizers lithium and valproic acid enhances therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol 2016; 281:81-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Heidari R, Monnier V, Martin E, Tricoire H. Methylene Blue Partially Rescues Heart Defects in a Drosophila Model of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2016; 4:173-86. [PMID: 26397898 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-140130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a Polyglutamine disease caused by the presence of CAG repeats in the first exon of Huntingtin (Htt), a large protein with multiple functions. In addition to neurodegeneration of specific brain regions, notably the striatum, HD also shows alterations in peripheral tissues, such as the heart, skeletal muscles or peripheral endocrine glands. Mutant Huntingtin (mHtt)-driven mitochondrial impairment may underlie some of the CNS and peripheral tissues dysfunctions, especially in tissues with high energy demand such as the heart. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to characterize two new inducible Drosophila HD heart models and to assay the therapeutic potential of methylene blue in these HD models. METHODS We report the construction of inducible Drosophila HD heart models, expressing two Nter fragments of the protein encompassing either exon 1 or the first 171 amino acids and the characterization of heart phenotypes in vivo. RESULTS We show that both mHtt fragments are able to impair fly cardiac function with different characteristics. Additionally, expression of mHtt, which was limited to adulthood only, leads to mild heart impairment, as opposed to a strong and age-dependent phenotype observed when mHtt expression was driven during both developmental and adult stages. We report that treatment with methylene blue (MB), a protective compound in mitochondria-related diseases, partially protects the fly's heart against mHtt-induced toxicity, but does not rescue neuronal or glial phenotypes in other fly models of HD. This may be linked to its low penetration through the fly's blood-brain barrier. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that improvement of mitochondrial function by MB, or related compounds, could be an efficient therapeutic strategy to prevent cardiac failure in HD patients.
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Winblad B, Amouyel P, Andrieu S, Ballard C, Brayne C, Brodaty H, Cedazo-Minguez A, Dubois B, Edvardsson D, Feldman H, Fratiglioni L, Frisoni GB, Gauthier S, Georges J, Graff C, Iqbal K, Jessen F, Johansson G, Jönsson L, Kivipelto M, Knapp M, Mangialasche F, Melis R, Nordberg A, Rikkert MO, Qiu C, Sakmar TP, Scheltens P, Schneider LS, Sperling R, Tjernberg LO, Waldemar G, Wimo A, Zetterberg H. Defeating Alzheimer's disease and other dementias: a priority for European science and society. Lancet Neurol 2016; 15:455-532. [DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(16)00062-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1001] [Impact Index Per Article: 125.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Panza F, Seripa D, Solfrizzi V, Imbimbo BP, Santamato A, Lozupone M, Capozzo R, Prete C, Pilotto A, Greco A, Logroscino G. Tau aggregation inhibitors: the future of Alzheimer’s pharmacotherapy? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2016; 17:457-61. [DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2016.1146686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Yang SH, Li W, Sumien N, Forster M, Simpkins JW, Liu R. Alternative mitochondrial electron transfer for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers: Methylene blue connects the dots. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 157:273-291. [PMID: 26603930 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Brain has exceptional high requirement for energy metabolism with glucose as the exclusive energy source. Decrease of brain energy metabolism and glucose uptake has been found in patients of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, providing a clear link between neurodegenerative disorders and energy metabolism. On the other hand, cancers, including glioblastoma, have increased glucose uptake and rely on aerobic glycolysis for energy metabolism. The switch of high efficient oxidative phosphorylation to low efficient aerobic glycolysis pathway (Warburg effect) provides macromolecule for biosynthesis and proliferation. Current research indicates that methylene blue, a century old drug, can receive electron from NADH in the presence of complex I and donates it to cytochrome c, providing an alternative electron transfer pathway. Methylene blue increases oxygen consumption, decrease glycolysis, and increases glucose uptake in vitro. Methylene blue enhances glucose uptake and regional cerebral blood flow in rats upon acute treatment. In addition, methylene blue provides protective effect in neuron and astrocyte against various insults in vitro and in rodent models of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. In glioblastoma cells, methylene blue reverses Warburg effect by enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, arrests glioma cell cycle at s-phase, and inhibits glioma cell proliferation. Accordingly, methylene blue activates AMP-activated protein kinase, inhibits downstream acetyl-coA carboxylase and cyclin-dependent kinases. In summary, there is accumulating evidence providing a proof of concept that enhancement of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation via alternative mitochondrial electron transfer may offer protective action against neurodegenerative diseases and inhibit cancers proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Hua Yang
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA.
| | - Wenjun Li
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Nathalie Sumien
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - Michael Forster
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | - James W Simpkins
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Neuroscience, Health Science Center, West Virginia University, Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Ran Liu
- Center for Neuroscience Discovery, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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Ma Q, Yang J, Li T, Milner TA, Hempstead BL. Selective reduction of striatal mature BDNF without induction of proBDNF in the zQ175 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 82:466-477. [PMID: 26282324 PMCID: PMC4819334 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by massive loss of medium spiny neurons in the striatum. However, the mechanisms by which mutant huntingtin leads to this selective neuronal death remain incompletely understood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to be neuroprotective on HD striatal neurons both in vitro and in vivo. ProBDNF, the precursor of mature BDNF (mBDNF), also can be secreted but promotes apoptosis of neurons expressing p75(NTR) and sortilin receptors. Although a reduction of total striatal BDNF protein has been reported in HD patients and mouse models, it remains unclear whether conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF is altered in HD, and whether the proBDNF receptors, p75(NTR) and sortilin are dysregulated, leading to impaired striatal neuron survival. To test these hypotheses, we generated bdnf-HA knock-in (KI) mice on the zQ175 HD background to accurately quantitate the levels of both proBDNF and mBDNF in the HD striatum. In aged zQ175 HD mice, we observed a significant loss of mBDNF and decreased TrkB activation, but no increase of proBDNF or p75(NTR) levels either in the sensorimotor cortex or the striatum. However, immunoreactivities of p75(NTR) and sortilin receptor are both increased in immature striatal oligodendrocytes, which associate with significant myelin defects in the HD striatum. Taken together, the present study indicates that diminished mature BDNF trophic signaling through the TrkB receptor, rather than an induction in proBDNF, is a main contributing factor to the vulnerability of striatal neurons in the zQ175 HD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Ma
- Graduate Program of Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jianmin Yang
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas Li
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Teresa A Milner
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Barbara L Hempstead
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Wei PF, Jin PP, Barui AK, Hu Y, Zhang L, Zhang JQ, Shi SS, Zhang HR, Lin J, Zhou W, Zhang YJ, Ruan RQ, Patra CR, Wen LP. Differential ERK activation during autophagy induced by europium hydroxide nanorods and trehalose: Maximum clearance of huntingtin aggregates through combined treatment. Biomaterials 2015; 73:160-74. [PMID: 26409001 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Accelerating the clearance of intracellular protein aggregates through elevation of autophagy represents a viable approach for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In our earlier report, we have demonstrated the enhanced degradation of mutant huntingtin protein aggregates through autophagy process induced by europium hydroxide nanorods [EHNs: Eu(III)(OH)3], but the underlying molecular mechanism of EHNs mediated autophagy was unclear. The present report reveals that EHNs induced autophagy does not follow the classical AKT-mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways. The inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation using the specific MEK inhibitor U0126 partially abrogates the autophagy as well as the clearance of mutant huntingtin protein aggregates mediated by EHNs suggesting that nanorods stimulate the activation of MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathway during autophagy process. In contrast, another mTOR-independent autophagy inducer trehalose has been found to induce autophagy without activating ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Interestingly, the combined treatment of EHNs and trehalose leads to more degradation of mutant huntingtin protein aggregates than that obtained with single treatment of either nanorods or trehalose. Our results demonstrate the rational that further enhanced clearance of intracellular protein aggregates, needed for diverse neurodegenerative diseases, may be achieved through the combined treatment of two or more autophagy inducers, which stimulate autophagy through different signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Wei
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Pei-Pei Jin
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Ayan Kumar Barui
- Biomaterials Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Yi Hu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 230022 Hefei, China
| | - Ji-Qian Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Shan-Shan Shi
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Hou-Rui Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Jun Lin
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Yun-Jiao Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Ren-Quan Ruan
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Chitta Ranjan Patra
- Biomaterials Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi, India.
| | - Long-Ping Wen
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
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Xu Z, Tito AJ, Rui YN, Zhang S. Studying polyglutamine diseases in Drosophila. Exp Neurol 2015; 274:25-41. [PMID: 26257024 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a family of dominantly transmitted neurodegenerative disorders caused by an abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the protein-coding regions of the respective disease-causing genes. Despite their simple genetic basis, the etiology of these diseases is far from clear. Over the past two decades, Drosophila has proven to be successful in modeling this family of neurodegenerative disorders, including the faithful recapitulation of pathological features such as polyQ length-dependent formation of protein aggregates and progressive neuronal degeneration. Additionally, it has been valuable in probing the pathogenic mechanisms, in identifying and evaluating disease modifiers, and in helping elucidate the normal functions of disease-causing genes. Knowledge learned from this simple invertebrate organism has had a large impact on our understanding of these devastating brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Antonio Joel Tito
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Programs in Human and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Yan-Ning Rui
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Sheng Zhang
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; Programs in Human and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
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48
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Abstract
The rise in the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases parallels the rapid increase in human lifespan. Despite intensive research, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of these devastating diseases with age are still poorly understood. Many aspects of these diseases have been modelled successfully in experimental animals such as the mouse, the zebrafish Brachydanio rero, the nematode worm Caenorhaditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This review will focus on the advantages offered by the genetic tools available in Drosophila for combining powerful strategies in order to tackle the causative factors of these complex pathologies and help to elaborate efficient drugs to treat them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Antoine Lepesant
- Institut Jacques-Monod, CNRS UMR 7592, Université Paris-Diderot, 15, rue Hélène-Brion, 75205 Paris cedex 13, France.
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Huang C, Tong L, Lu X, Wang J, Yao W, Jiang B, Zhang W. Methylene Blue Attenuates iNOS Induction Through Suppression of Transcriptional Factor Binding Amid iNOS mRNA Transcription. J Cell Biochem 2015; 116:1730-40. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Huang
- Department of Pharmacology; School of Pharmacy; Nantong University; #19 Qixiu Road Nantong Jiangsu Province 226001 China
| | - Lijuan Tong
- Department of Pharmacology; School of Pharmacy; Nantong University; #19 Qixiu Road Nantong Jiangsu Province 226001 China
| | - Xu Lu
- Department of Pharmacology; School of Pharmacy; Nantong University; #19 Qixiu Road Nantong Jiangsu Province 226001 China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Pharmacology; School of Pharmacy; Nantong University; #19 Qixiu Road Nantong Jiangsu Province 226001 China
| | - Wenjuan Yao
- Department of Pharmacology; School of Pharmacy; Nantong University; #19 Qixiu Road Nantong Jiangsu Province 226001 China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology; School of Pharmacy; Nantong University; #19 Qixiu Road Nantong Jiangsu Province 226001 China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology; School of Pharmacy; Nantong University; #19 Qixiu Road Nantong Jiangsu Province 226001 China
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50
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Hochgräfe K, Sydow A, Matenia D, Cadinu D, Könen S, Petrova O, Pickhardt M, Goll P, Morellini F, Mandelkow E, Mandelkow EM. Preventive methylene blue treatment preserves cognition in mice expressing full-length pro-aggregant human Tau. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2015; 3:25. [PMID: 25958115 PMCID: PMC4425867 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-015-0204-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) composed of Tau are hallmarks of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer disease. Transgenic mice expressing full-length pro-aggregant human Tau (2N4R Tau-ΔK280, termed TauΔK) or its repeat domain (TauRD-ΔK280, TauRDΔK) develop a progressive Tau pathology with missorting, phosphorylation, aggregation of Tau, loss of synapses and functional deficits. Whereas TauRDΔK assembles into NFT concomitant with neuronal death, TauΔK accumulates into Tau pretangles without overt neuronal loss. Both forms cause a comparable cognitive decline (with onset at 10mo and 12mo, respectively), which is rescued upon switch-off of transgene expression. Since methylene blue (MB) is able to inhibit Tau aggregation in vitro, we investigated whether MB can prevent or rescue Tau-induced cognitive impairments in our mouse models. Both types of mice received MB orally using different preventive and therapeutic treatment protocols, initiated either before or after disease onset. The cognitive status of the mice was assessed by behavior tasks (open field, Morris water maze) to determine the most successful conditions for therapeutic intervention. Results Preventive and therapeutic MB application failed to avert or recover learning and memory deficits of TauRDΔK mice. Similarly, therapeutic MB treatment initiated after onset of cognitive impairments was ineffective in TauΔK mice. In contrast, preventive MB application starting before onset of functional deficits preserved cognition of TauΔK mice. Beside improved learning and memory, MB-treated TauΔK mice showed a strong decrease of insoluble Tau, a reduction of conformationally changed (MC1) and phosphorylated Tau species (AT180, PHF1) as well as an upregulation of protein degradation systems (autophagy and proteasome). This argues for additional pleiotropic effects of MB beyond its properties as Tau aggregation inhibitor. Conclusions Our data support the use of Tau aggregation inhibitors as potential drugs for the treatment of AD and other tauopathies and highlights the need for preventive treatment before onset of cognitive impairments. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40478-015-0204-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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