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Cheung SW, Willis EF, Simmons DG, Bellingham MC, Noakes PG. Phagocytosis of aggrecan-positive perineuronal nets surrounding motor neurons by reactive microglia expressing MMP-9 in TDP-43 Q331K ALS model mice. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 200:106614. [PMID: 39067491 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are extracellular matrix structures that surround excitable neurons and their proximal dendrites. PNNs play an important role in neuroprotection against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress within motor neurons can act as a trigger for neuronal death, and this has been implicated in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We therefore characterised PNNs around alpha motor neurons and the possible contributing cellular factors in the mutant TDP-43Q331K transgenic mouse, a slow onset ALS mouse model. PNNs around alpha motor neurons showed significant loss at mid-stage disease in TDP-43Q331K mice compared to wild type strain control mice. PNN loss coincided with an increased expression of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), an endopeptidase known to cleave PNNs, within the ventral horn. During mid-stage disease, increased numbers of microglia and astrocytes expressing MMP-9 were present in the ventral horn of TDP-43Q331K mice. In addition, TDP-43Q331K mice showed increased levels of aggrecan, a PNN component, in the ventral horn by microglia and astrocytes during this period. Elevated aggrecan levels within glia were accompanied by an increase in fractalkine expression, a chemotaxic protein responsible for the recruitment of microglia, in alpha motor neurons of onset and mid-stage TDP-43Q331K mice. Following PNN loss, alpha motor neurons in mid-stage TDP-43Q331K mice showed increased 3-nitrotyrosine expression, an indicator of protein oxidation. Together, our observations along with previous PNN research provide suggests a possible model whereby microglia and astrocytes expressing MMP-9 degrade PNNs surrounding alpha motor neurons in the TDP-43Q331K mouse. This loss of nets may expose alpha-motor neurons to oxidative damage leading to degeneration of the alpha motor neurons in the TDP-43Q331K ALS mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Won Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Emily F Willis
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David G Simmons
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mark C Bellingham
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Peter G Noakes
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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2
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Ghiasvand K, Amirfazli M, Moghimi P, Safari F, Takhshid MA. The role of neuron-like cell lines and primary neuron cell models in unraveling the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive review. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:1024. [PMID: 39340590 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09964-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons. As to developing effective therapeutic interventions, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms of NDs. Cellular models have become invaluable tools for studying the complex pathogenesis of NDs, offering insights into disease mechanisms, determining potential therapeutic targets, and aiding in drug discovery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various cellular models used in ND research, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cell lines, such as SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells, have emerged as valuable tools due to their ease of use, reproducibility, and scalability. Additionally, co-culture models, involving the growth of distinct cell types like neurons and astrocytes together, are highlighted for simulating brain interactions and microenvironment. While cell lines cannot fully replicate the complexity of the human brain, they provide a scalable method for examining important aspects of neurodegenerative diseases. Advancements in cell line technologies, including the incorporation of patient-specific genetic variants and improved co-culture models, hold promise for enhancing our understanding and expediting the development of effective treatments. Integrating multiple cellular models and advanced technologies offers the potential for significant progress in unraveling the intricacies of these debilitating diseases and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kianoush Ghiasvand
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Amirfazli
- School of biological sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, United States of America
| | - Parvaneh Moghimi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Safari
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Takhshid
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Glineburg MR, Yildirim E, Gomez N, Rodriguez G, Pak J, Li X, Altheim C, Waksmacki J, McInerney GM, Barmada SJ, Todd PK. Stress granule formation helps to mitigate neurodegeneration. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:9745-9759. [PMID: 39106168 PMCID: PMC11381325 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular stress pathways that inhibit translation initiation lead to transient formation of cytoplasmic RNA/protein complexes known as stress granules. Many of the proteins found within stress granules and the dynamics of stress granule formation and dissolution are implicated in neurodegenerative disease. Whether stress granule formation is protective or harmful in neurodegenerative conditions is not known. To address this, we took advantage of the alphavirus protein nsP3, which selectively binds dimers of the central stress granule nucleator protein G3BP and markedly reduces stress granule formation without directly impacting the protein translational inhibitory pathways that trigger stress granule formation. In Drosophila and rodent neurons, reducing stress granule formation with nsP3 had modest impacts on lifespan even in the setting of serial stress pathway induction. In contrast, reducing stress granule formation in models of ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia largely exacerbated disease phenotypes. These data support a model whereby stress granules mitigate, rather than promote, neurodegenerative cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rebecca Glineburg
- Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
| | - Evrim Yildirim
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
| | - Nicolas Gomez
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Genesis Rodriguez
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jaclyn Pak
- Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA
| | - Xingli Li
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
| | - Christopher Altheim
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
| | - Jacob Waksmacki
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
| | - Gerald M McInerney
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17165, Sweden
| | - Sami J Barmada
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
| | - Peter K Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, BSRB48109-2200, Ann Arbor, MI 4005, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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4
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Lindamood HL, Liu TM, Read TA, Vitriol EA. Using ALS to understand profilin 1's diverse roles in cellular physiology. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 39056295 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Profilin is an actin monomer-binding protein whose role in actin polymerization has been studied for nearly 50 years. While its principal biochemical features are now well understood, many questions remain about how profilin controls diverse processes within the cell. Dysregulation of profilin has been implicated in a broad range of human diseases, including neurodegeneration, inflammatory disorders, cardiac disease, and cancer. For example, mutations in the profilin 1 gene (PFN1) can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although the precise mechanisms that drive neurodegeneration remain unclear. While initial work suggested proteostasis and actin cytoskeleton defects as the main pathological pathways, multiple novel functions for PFN1 have since been discovered that may also contribute to ALS, including the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport, stress granules, mitochondria, and microtubules. Here, we will review these newly discovered roles for PFN1, speculate on their contribution to ALS, and discuss how defects in actin can contribute to these processes. By understanding profilin 1's involvement in ALS pathogenesis, we hope to gain insight into this functionally complex protein with significant influence over cellular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halli L Lindamood
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tatiana M Liu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tracy-Ann Read
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Eric A Vitriol
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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Martin EJ, Santacruz C, Mitevska A, Jones IE, Krishnan G, Gao FB, Finan JD, Kiskinis E. Traumatic injury causes selective degeneration and TDP-43 mislocalization in human iPSC-derived C9orf72-associated ALS/FTD motor neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.21.586073. [PMID: 38585915 PMCID: PMC10996466 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.21.586073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, patients with the HRE exhibit a wide disparity in clinical presentation and age of symptom onset suggesting an interplay between genetic background and environmental stressors. Neurotrauma as a result of traumatic brain or spinal cord injury has been shown to increase the risk of ALS/FTD in epidemiological studies. Here, we combine patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a custom-built device to deliver biofidelic stretch trauma to C9orf72 patient and isogenic control motor neurons (MNs) in vitro. We find that mutant but not control MNs exhibit selective degeneration after a single incident of severe trauma, which can be partially rescued by pretreatment with a C9orf72 antisense oligonucleotide. A single incident of mild trauma does not cause degeneration but leads to cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43 in C9orf72 MNs. This mislocalization, which only occurs briefly in isogenic controls, is eventually restored in C9orf72 MNs after 6 days. Lastly, repeated mild trauma ablates the ability of patient MNs to recover. These findings highlight alterations in TDP-43 dynamics in C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient MNs following traumatic injury and demonstrate that neurotrauma compounds neuropathology in C9orf72 ALS/FTD. More broadly, our work establishes an in vitro platform that can be used to interrogate the mechanistic interactions between ALS/FTD and neurotrauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Martin
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Citlally Santacruz
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Angela Mitevska
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ian E. Jones
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - John D. Finan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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6
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Glineburg MR, Yildirim E, Gomez N, Li X, Pak J, Altheim C, Waksmacki J, McInerney G, Barmada SJ, Todd PK. Stress granule formation helps to mitigate neurodegeneration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.07.566060. [PMID: 37986813 PMCID: PMC10659376 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Cellular stress pathways that inhibit translation initiation lead to transient formation of cytoplasmic RNA/protein complexes known as stress granules. Many of the proteins found within stress granules and the dynamics of stress granule formation and dissolution are implicated in neurodegenerative disease. Whether stress granule formation is protective or harmful in neurodegenerative conditions is not known. To address this, we took advantage of the alphavirus protein nsP3, which selectively binds dimers of the central stress granule nucleator protein G3BP (rin in Drosophila) and markedly reduces stress granule formation without directly impacting the protein translational inhibitory pathways that trigger stress granule formation. In Drosophila and rodent neurons, reducing stress granule formation with nsP3 had modest impacts on lifespan even in the setting of serial stress pathway induction. In contrast, reducing stress granule formation in models of ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia largely exacerbated disease phenotypes. These data support a model whereby stress granules mitigate, rather than promote, neurodegenerative cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Rebecca Glineburg
- Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 450 N. Center St, Orange, CA 92866
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 4005 BSRB48109-2200, USA
| | - Evrim Yildirim
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 4005 BSRB48109-2200, USA
| | - Nicolas Gomez
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden
| | - Xingli Li
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 4005 BSRB48109-2200, USA
| | - Jaclyn Pak
- Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 450 N. Center St, Orange, CA 92866
| | - Christopher Altheim
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 4005 BSRB48109-2200, USA
| | - Jacob Waksmacki
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 4005 BSRB48109-2200, USA
| | - Gerald McInerney
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden
| | - Sami J. Barmada
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 4005 BSRB48109-2200, USA
| | - Peter K. Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 4005 BSRB48109-2200, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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7
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Candelise N, Caissutti D, Zenuni H, Nesci V, Scaricamazza S, Salvatori I, Spinello Z, Mattei V, Garofalo T, Ferri A, Valle C, Misasi R. Different Chronic Stress Paradigms Converge on Endogenous TDP43 Cleavage and Aggregation. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6346-6361. [PMID: 37450246 PMCID: PMC10533643 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03455-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The TAR-DNA binding protein (TDP43) is a nuclear protein whose cytoplasmic inclusions are hallmarks of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Acute stress in cells causes TDP43 mobilization to the cytoplasm and its aggregation through different routes. Although acute stress elicits a strong phenotype, is far from recapitulating the years-long aggregation process. We applied different chronic stress protocols and described TDP43 aggregation in a human neuroblastoma cell line by combining solubility assays, thioflavin-based microscopy and flow cytometry. This approach allowed us to detect, for the first time to our knowledge in vitro, the formation of 25 kDa C-terminal fragment of TDP43, a pathogenic hallmark of ALS. Our results indicate that chronic stress, compared to the more common acute stress paradigm, better recapitulates the cell biology of TDP43 proteinopathies. Moreover, we optimized a protocol for the detection of bona fide prions in living cells, suggesting that TDP43 may form amyloids as a stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Candelise
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Caissutti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Henri Zenuni
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata" University of Rome, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Nesci
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata" University of Rome, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Illari Salvatori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Spinello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mattei
- Biomedicine and Advanced Technologies Rieti Center, Sabina Universitas, 02100, Rieti, Italy
| | - Tina Garofalo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Valle
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberta Misasi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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8
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Helmold BR, Pauss KE, Ozdinler PH. TDP-43 protein interactome informs about perturbed canonical pathways and may help develop personalized medicine approaches for patients with TDP-43 pathology. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103769. [PMID: 37714405 PMCID: PMC10872580 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Transactive response DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) pathology is a common proteinopathy observed among a broad spectrum of patients with neurodegenerative disease, regardless of the mutation. This suggests that protein-protein interactions of TDP-43 with other proteins may in part be responsible for the pathology. To gain better insights, we investigated TDP-43-binding proteins in each domain and correlated these interactions with canonical pathways. These investigations revealed key cellular events that are involved and are important at each domain and suggested previously identified compounds to modulate key aspects of these canonical pathways. Our approach proposes that personalized medicine approaches, which focus on perturbed cellular mechanisms would be feasible in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Helmold
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Kate E Pauss
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - P Hande Ozdinler
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA; Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60611, USA; Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Feinberg School of Medicine, Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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9
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Gastelum S, Michael AF, Bolger TA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a research tool for RNA-mediated human disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1814. [PMID: 37671427 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been used for decades as a powerful genetic tool to study a broad spectrum of biological topics. With its ease of use, economic utility, well-studied genome, and a highly conserved proteome across eukaryotes, it has become one of the most used model organisms. Due to these advantages, it has been used to study an array of complex human diseases. From broad, complex pathological conditions such as aging and neurodegenerative disease to newer uses such as SARS-CoV-2, yeast continues to offer new insights into how cellular processes are affected by disease and how affected pathways might be targeted in therapeutic settings. At the same time, the roles of RNA and RNA-based processes have become increasingly prominent in the pathology of many of these same human diseases, and yeast has been utilized to investigate these mechanisms, from aberrant RNA-binding proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to translation regulation in cancer. Here we review some of the important insights that yeast models have yielded into the molecular pathology of complex, RNA-based human diseases. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Gastelum
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Allison F Michael
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Timothy A Bolger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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10
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Horio T, Ishikura Y, Ohashi R, Shiina N. Regulation of RNG105/caprin1 dynamics by pathogenic cytoplasmic FUS and TDP-43 in neuronal RNA granules modulates synaptic loss. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17065. [PMID: 37484309 PMCID: PMC10361247 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In neurodegenerative diseases, the condensation of FUS and TDP-43 with RNA granules in neurons is linked to pathology, including synaptic disorders. However, the effects of FUS and TDP-43 on RNA granule factors remain unclear. Here, using primary cultured neurons from the mouse cerebral cortex, we show that excess cytoplasmic FUS and TDP-43 accumulated in dendritic RNA granules, where they increased the dynamics of a scaffold protein RNG105/caprin1 and dissociated it from the granules. This coincided with reduced levels of mRNA and translation around the granules and synaptic loss in dendrites. These defects were suppressed by non-dissociable RNG105, suggesting that RNG105 dissociation mediated the defects. In contrast to the model where FUS and TDP-43 co-aggregate with RNA granule factors to repress their activity, our findings provide a novel pathogenic mechanism whereby FUS and TDP-43 dissociate RNA scaffold proteins from RNA granules which are required for local translation that regulates synapse formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyo Horio
- Laboratory of Neuronal Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Yui Ishikura
- Laboratory of Neuronal Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Rie Ohashi
- Laboratory of Neuronal Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Shiina
- Laboratory of Neuronal Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
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11
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Lan J, Zhou Y, Wang H, Tang J, Kang Y, Wang P, Liu X, Peng Y. Protective effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell derived conditioned medium in a mutant TDP-43 induced motoneuron-like cellular model of ALS. Brain Res Bull 2023; 193:106-116. [PMID: 36563944 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multi-factor neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the loss of motor neurons. TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) mutation, accumulation and aggregation, as well as oxidative stress are recognized as major pathological denominators and biochemical markers for ALS. Recently, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived conditioned medium (UC-CM) has been introduced to treat ALS patients. However, there is no research for the protective effect of UC-CM on the TDP-43 model of ALS. In this study, we evaluated the potential neuroprotective effect of UC-CM on a cellular ALS model expressing TDP-43mutant M337V, as well as its underlying mechanism. We found that 24 h UC-CM treatment could protect M337V expressing motor neurons by increasing cell viability and reducing LDH leakage. Furthermore, the aggregation of M337V, generation of ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), protein carbonyl and 8-OHdG were also reduced by UC-CM, indicating that UC-CM protected cells by reducing oxidative damage. Moreover, UC-CM significantly increased the expression of nuclear Nrf2 and its downstream enzyme HO1. The Nrf2 translocation inhibitor ML385 could inhibit the effect of UC-CM on the cell viability and aggregate of M337V. Our results suggest that UC-CM protect cells against M337V expression by its strong antioxidative effect via Nrf-2/HO-1 axis activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yujun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hongyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jingshu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yuying Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Peishen Wang
- Department of Cell Transplantation, The third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xuebin Liu
- Department of Cell Transplantation, The third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China; Beijing Zhongguang Tianyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100026, China.
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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12
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Martin JL, Dawson SJ, Gale JE. An emerging role for stress granules in neurodegenerative disease and hearing loss. Hear Res 2022; 426:108634. [PMID: 36384053 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2022.108634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Stress granules (SGs) are membrane-less cytosolic assemblies that form in response to stress (e.g., heat, oxidative stress, hypoxia, viral infection and UV). Composed of mRNA, RNA binding proteins and signalling proteins, SGs minimise stress-related damage and promote cell survival. Recent research has shown that the stress granule response is vital to the cochlea's response to stress. However, emerging evidence suggests stress granule dysfunction plays a key role in the pathophysiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, several of which present with hearing loss as a symptom. Hearing loss has been identified as the largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. The underlying reason for the link between hearing loss and dementia remains to be established. However, several possible mechanisms have been proposed including a common pathological mechanism. Here we will review the role of SGs in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases and explore possible links and emerging evidence that they may play an important role in maintenance of hearing and may be a common mechanism underlying age-related hearing loss and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack L Martin
- UCL Ear Institute, 332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, UK
| | - Sally J Dawson
- UCL Ear Institute, 332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, UK.
| | - Jonathan E Gale
- UCL Ear Institute, 332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, UK.
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13
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Cheng HWA, Callis TB, Montgomery AP, Danon JJ, Jorgensen WT, Ke YD, Ittner LM, Werry EL, Kassiou M. Understanding In Vitro Pathways to Drug Discovery for TDP-43 Proteinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314769. [PMID: 36499097 PMCID: PMC9738080 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of cellular models is a common means to investigate the potency of therapeutics in pre-clinical drug discovery. However, there is currently no consensus on which model most accurately replicates key aspects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) pathology, such as accumulation of insoluble, cytoplasmic transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) and the formation of insoluble stress granules. Given this, we characterised two TDP-43 proteinopathy cellular models that were based on different aetiologies of disease. The first was a sodium arsenite-induced chronic oxidative stress model and the second expressed a disease-relevant TDP-43 mutation (TDP-43 M337V). The sodium arsenite model displayed most aspects of TDP-43, stress granule and ubiquitin pathology seen in human ALS/FTD donor tissue, whereas the mutant cell line only modelled some aspects. When these two cellular models were exposed to small molecule chemical probes, different effects were observed across the two models. For example, a previously disclosed sulfonamide compound decreased cytoplasmic TDP-43 and increased soluble levels of stress granule marker TIA-1 in the cellular stress model without impacting these levels in the mutant cell line. This study highlights the challenges of using cellular models in lead development during drug discovery for ALS and FTD and reinforces the need to perform assessments of novel therapeutics across a variety of cell lines and aetiological models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hei W. A. Cheng
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Timothy B. Callis
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Andrew P. Montgomery
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jonathan J. Danon
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - William T. Jorgensen
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Yazi D. Ke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2 Technology Place, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lars M. Ittner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2 Technology Place, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Eryn L. Werry
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Correspondence:
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14
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Tran NN, Lee BH. Functional implication of ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating mechanisms in TDP-43 proteinopathies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:931968. [PMID: 36158183 PMCID: PMC9500471 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.931968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in which motor neurons in spinal cord and motor cortex are progressively lost. About 15% cases of ALS also develop the frontotemporal dementia (FTD), in which the frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) occurs in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Among the pathologic commonalities in ALS and FTD is ubiquitin-positive cytoplasmic aggregation of TDP-43 that may reflect both its loss-of-function and gain-of-toxicity from proteostasis impairment. Deep understanding of how protein quality control mechanisms regulate TDP-43 proteinopathies still remains elusive. Recently, a growing body of evidence indicates that ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating pathways are critically engaged in the fate decision of aberrant or pathological TDP-43 proteins. E3 ubiquitin ligases coupled with deubiquitinating enzymes may influence the TDP-43-associated proteotoxicity through diverse events, such as protein stability, translocation, and stress granule or inclusion formation. In this article, we recapitulate our current understanding of how ubiquitinating and deubiquitinating mechanisms can modulate TDP-43 protein quality and its pathogenic nature, thus shedding light on developing targeted therapies for ALS and FTD by harnessing protein degradation machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Non-Nuoc Tran
- Department of New Biology, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, South Korea
| | - Byung-Hoon Lee
- Department of New Biology, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, South Korea
- Department of New Biology Research Center (NBRC), Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Byung-Hoon Lee,
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15
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Li Z, Liu X, Liu M. Stress Granule Homeostasis, Aberrant Phase Transition, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2356-2370. [PMID: 35905138 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. In recent years, a large number of ALS-related mutations have been discovered to have a strong link to stress granules (SGs). SGs are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein condensates mediated by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomacromolecules. They help cells cope with stress. The normal physiological functions of SGs are dependent on three key aspects of SG "homeostasis": SG assembly, disassembly, and SG components. Any of these three aspects can be disrupted, resulting in abnormalities in the cellular stress response and leading to cytotoxicity. Several ALS-related pathogenic mutants have abnormal LLPS abilities that disrupt SG homeostasis, and some of them can even cause aberrant phase transitions. As a result, ALS-related mutants may disrupt various aspects of SG homeostasis by directly disturbing the intermolecular interactions or affecting core SG components, thus disrupting the phase equilibrium of the cytoplasm during stress. Considering that the importance of the "global view" of SG homeostasis in ALS pathogenesis has not received enough attention, we first systematically summarize the physiological regulatory mechanism of SG homeostasis based on LLPS and then examine ALS pathogenesis from the perspective of disrupted SG homeostasis and aberrant phase transition of biomacromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanxu Li
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Xionghao Liu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Mujun Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China
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16
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Jeon P, Ham HJ, Park S, Lee JA. Regulation of Cellular Ribonucleoprotein Granules: From Assembly to Degradation via Post-translational Modification. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132063. [PMID: 35805146 PMCID: PMC9265587 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells possess membraneless ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules, including stress granules, processing bodies, Cajal bodies, or paraspeckles, that play physiological or pathological roles. RNP granules contain RNA and numerous RNA-binding proteins, transiently formed through the liquid–liquid phase separation. The assembly or disassembly of numerous RNP granules is strongly controlled to maintain their homeostasis and perform their cellular functions properly. Normal RNA granules are reversibly assembled, whereas abnormal RNP granules accumulate and associate with various neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes current studies on the physiological or pathological roles of post-translational modifications of various cellular RNP granules and discusses the therapeutic methods in curing diseases related to abnormal RNP granules by autophagy.
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17
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Role of the Ubiquitin System in Stress Granule Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073624. [PMID: 35408984 PMCID: PMC8999021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells react to various stress conditions with the rapid formation of membrane-less organelles called stress granules (SGs). SGs form by multivalent interactions between RNAs and RNA-binding proteins and are believed to protect stalled translation initiation complexes from stress-induced degradation. SGs contain hundreds of different mRNAs and proteins, and their assembly and disassembly are tightly controlled by post-translational modifications. The ubiquitin system, which mediates the covalent modification of target proteins with the small protein ubiquitin (‘ubiquitylation’), has been implicated in different aspects of SG metabolism, but specific functions in SG turnover have only recently emerged. Here, we summarize the evidence for the presence of ubiquitylated proteins at SGs, review the functions of different components of the ubiquitin system in SG formation and clearance, and discuss the link between perturbed SG clearance and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. We conclude that the ubiquitin system plays an important, medically relevant role in SG biology.
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18
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Spatial sequestration of misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:759-771. [PMID: 35311889 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Properly folded, functional proteins are essential for cell health. Cells sustain protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, via protein quality control (PQC) mechanisms. It is currently hypothesized that a breakdown in proteostasis during ageing leads to the accumulation of protein aggregates in the cell and disease. Sequestration of misfolded proteins into PQC compartments represents one branch of the PQC network. In neurodegenerative diseases, certain proteins form abnormal protein deposits. Which PQC compartments house misfolded proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases is still being investigated. It remains unclear if sequestration of these misfolded proteins is toxic or protective to the cell. Here, we review the current knowledge on various PQC compartments that form in the cell, the kinds of protein aggregates found in neurodegenerative diseases, and what is known about their sequestration. Understanding how protein sequestration occurs can shed light on why aggregates are toxic to the cell and are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases.
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19
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Carey JL, Guo L. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of TDP-43 and FUS in Physiology and Pathology of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:826719. [PMID: 35187086 PMCID: PMC8847598 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.826719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation of RNA-binding proteins mediates the formation of numerous membraneless organelles with essential cellular function. However, aberrant phase transition of these proteins leads to the formation of insoluble protein aggregates, which are pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases including ALS and FTD. TDP-43 and FUS are two such RNA-binding proteins that mislocalize and aggregate in patients of ALS and FTD. They have similar domain structures that provide multivalent interactions driving their phase separation in vitro and in the cellular environment. In this article, we review the factors that mediate and regulate phase separation of TDP-43 and FUS. We also review evidences that connect the phase separation property of TDP-43 and FUS to their functional roles in cells. Aberrant phase transition of TDP-43 and FUS leads to protein aggregation and disrupts their regular cell function. Therefore, restoration of functional protein phase of TDP-43 and FUS could be beneficial for neuronal cells. We discuss possible mechanisms for TDP-43 and FUS aberrant phase transition and aggregation while reviewing the methods that are currently being explored as potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate aberrant phase transition and aggregation of TDP-43 and FUS.
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20
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Nedelsky NB, Taylor JP. Pathological phase transitions in ALS-FTD impair dynamic RNA-protein granules. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:97-113. [PMID: 34706979 PMCID: PMC8675280 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079001.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The genetics of human disease serves as a robust and unbiased source of insight into human biology, both revealing fundamental cellular processes and exposing the vulnerabilities associated with their dysfunction. Over the last decade, the genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have epitomized this concept, as studies of ALS-FTD-causing mutations have yielded fundamental discoveries regarding the role of biomolecular condensation in organizing cellular contents while implicating disturbances in condensate dynamics as central drivers of neurodegeneration. Here we review this genetic evidence, highlight its intersection with patient pathology, and discuss how studies in model systems have revealed a role for aberrant condensation in neuronal dysfunction and death. We detail how multiple, distinct types of disease-causing mutations promote pathological phase transitions that disturb the dynamics and function of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules. Dysfunction of RNP granules causes pleiotropic defects in RNA metabolism and can drive the evolution of these structures to end-stage pathological inclusions characteristic of ALS-FTD. We propose that aberrant phase transitions of these complex condensates in cells provide a parsimonious explanation for the widespread cellular abnormalities observed in ALS as well as certain histopathological features that characterize late-stage disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia B Nedelsky
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - J Paul Taylor
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
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21
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Shuster SO, Lee JC. Watching liquid droplets of TDP-43 CTD age by Raman spectroscopy. J Biol Chem 2021; 298:101528. [PMID: 34953857 PMCID: PMC8784639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase-separation (LLPS) is a biological phenomenon wherein a metastable, concentrated droplet phase of biomolecules spontaneously forms. A link may exist between LLPS of proteins and the disease-related process of amyloid fibril formation; however, this connection is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the relationship between LLPS and aggregation of the C-terminal domain of TAR DNA-binding protein 43, an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-related protein known to both phase-separate and form amyloids, by monitoring conformational changes during droplet aging using Raman spectroscopy. We found that the earliest aggregation events occurred within droplets as indicated by the development of β-sheet structure and increased thioflavin-T emission. Interestingly, filamentous aggregates appeared outside the solidified droplets at a later time, suggestive that amyloid formation is a heterogeneous process under LLPS solution conditions. Furthermore, the secondary structure content of aggregated structures inside droplets are distinct from that in de novo fibrils, implying that fibril polymorphism develops as a result of different environments (LLPS vs. bulk solution), which may have pathological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney O Shuster
- Laboratory of Protein Conformation and Dynamics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lee
- Laboratory of Protein Conformation and Dynamics, Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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22
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Wang H, Kodavati M, Britz GW, Hegde ML. DNA Damage and Repair Deficiency in ALS/FTD-Associated Neurodegeneration: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Implication. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:784361. [PMID: 34975400 PMCID: PMC8716463 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.784361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging studies reveal that neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), are commonly linked to DNA damage accumulation and repair deficiency. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to DNA damage due to their high metabolic activity, relying primarily on oxidative phosphorylation, which leads to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and subsequent DNA damage. Efficient and timely repair of such damage is critical for guarding the integrity of genomic DNA and for cell survival. Several genes predominantly associated with RNA/DNA metabolism have been implicated in both ALS and FTD, suggesting that the two diseases share a common underlying pathology with varied clinical manifestations. Recent studies reveal that many of the gene products, including RNA/DNA binding proteins (RBPs) TDP-43 and FUS are involved in diverse DNA repair pathways. A key question in the etiology of the ALS/FTD spectrum of neurodegeneration is the mechanisms and pathways involved in genome instability caused by dysfunctions/mutations of those RBP genes and their consequences in the central nervous system. The understanding of such converging molecular mechanisms provides insights into the underlying etiology of the rapidly progressing neurodegeneration in ALS/FTD, while also revealing novel DNA repair target avenues for therapeutic development. In this review, we summarize the common mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS and FTD, with a particular emphasis on the DNA repair defects induced by ALS/FTD causative genes. We also highlight the consequences of DNA repair defects in ALS/FTD and the therapeutic potential of DNA damage repair-targeted amelioration of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience Research at Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Manohar Kodavati
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gavin W. Britz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience Research at Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Muralidhar L. Hegde
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience Research at Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College, New York, NY, United States
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23
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Biomolecular Condensates in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1483. [PMID: 34573116 PMCID: PMC8465482 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are membraneless organelles (MLOs) that form dynamic, chemically distinct subcellular compartments organizing macromolecules such as proteins, RNA, and DNA in unicellular prokaryotic bacteria and complex eukaryotic cells. Separated from surrounding environments, MLOs in the nucleoplasm, cytoplasm, and mitochondria assemble by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) into transient, non-static, liquid-like droplets that regulate essential molecular functions. LLPS is primarily controlled by post-translational modifications (PTMs) that fine-tune the balance between attractive and repulsive charge states and/or binding motifs of proteins. Aberrant phase separation due to dysregulated membrane lipid rafts and/or PTMs, as well as the absence of adequate hydrotropic small molecules such as ATP, or the presence of specific RNA proteins can cause pathological protein aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders. Melatonin may exert a dominant influence over phase separation in biomolecular condensates by optimizing membrane and MLO interdependent reactions through stabilizing lipid raft domains, reducing line tension, and maintaining negative membrane curvature and fluidity. As a potent antioxidant, melatonin protects cardiolipin and other membrane lipids from peroxidation cascades, supporting protein trafficking, signaling, ion channel activities, and ATPase functionality during condensate coacervation or dissolution. Melatonin may even control condensate LLPS through PTM and balance mRNA- and RNA-binding protein composition by regulating N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications. There is currently a lack of pharmaceuticals targeting neurodegenerative disorders via the regulation of phase separation. The potential of melatonin in the modulation of biomolecular condensate in the attenuation of aberrant condensate aggregation in neurodegenerative disorders is discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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