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Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Meta-Analysis of the Frequency of ACE I/D Polymorphisms in Centenarians and Other Long-Lived Individuals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043411. [PMID: 36834822 PMCID: PMC9966830 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Current research on the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) gene has yielded controversial results on whether different ACE polymorphisms are linked with human longevity. ACE polymorphisms are a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and age-onset diseases that may contribute to the mortality of older people. Our goal is to consolidate existing studies, using artificial intelligence-assisted software to come to a more precise understanding of the role of the ACE gene in human longevity. The I (insertion) and D (deletion) polymorphisms in the intron are correlated with the levels of circulating ACE; homozygous D (DD) is high, and homozygous I (II) is low. Here, we performed a detailed meta-analysis of the I and D polymorphisms using centenarians (100+ years old), long-lived subjects (85+ years old), and control groups. ACE genotype distribution was analyzed across a total of 2054 centenarians and 12,074 controls, as well as 1367 long-lived subjects between the ages of 85-99, using the inverse variance and random effects methods. The ACE DD genotype was found to be favored in centenarians (OR: 1.41 (95% CI: 1.19-1.67), p < 0.0001) with a heterogeneity of 32%, and the II genotype slightly favored the control groups (OR: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66-0.98), p = 0.03) with a heterogeneity of 28%, corroborating results from previous meta-analyses. Novel to our meta-analysis, the ID genotype was found to be favored in control groups (OR: 0.86 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97), p = 0.01) with a heterogeneity of 0%. The long-lived group showed a similar positive association between the DD genotype and longevity (OR: 1.34 (95% CI: 1.21-1.48), p < 0.0001) and a negative association between the II genotype and longevity (OR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70-0.88), p < 0.0001). The long-lived ID genotype did not show significant findings (OR: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.84-1.02), p = 0.79). In conclusion, the results suggest a significant positive association of the DD genotype with human longevity. However, despite the previous study, the results do not confirm a positive association of the ID genotype with human longevity. We suggest a few important paradoxical implications: (1) inhibition of ACE can increase longevity in model systems from nematodes to mammals, seemingly opposite to the finding in humans; (2) exceptional longevity associated with homozygous DD is also associated with age-related diseases with higher mortality risks in homozygous DD. We discuss ACE, longevity, and age-related diseases.
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Sukhikh IS, Biryukov MY, Blinov AG. Transgenesis in Worms: Candidates for an Ideal Model. Mol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322060176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Murakami S, Lacayo P. Biological and disease hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease defined by Alzheimer’s disease genes. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:996030. [PMID: 36437990 PMCID: PMC9682170 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.996030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD genes) have been reported. However, there is a lack of an overview of the genetic relationship between AD and age-related comorbidities, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and diabetes, among others. Previously, we used Reactome analysis in conjunction with the AD genes to identify both the biological pathways and the neurological diseases. Here we provide systematic updates on the genetic and disease hallmarks defined by AD genes. The analysis identified 50 pathways (defined as biological hallmarks). Of them, we have successfully compiled them into a total of 11 biological hallmarks, including 6 existing hallmarks and 5 newly updated hallmarks. The AD genes further identified 20 diverse diseases (defined as disease hallmarks), summarized into three major categories: (1) existing hallmarks, including neurological diseases; (2) newly identified hallmarks, including common age-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, other cardiovascular diseases, and cancers; (3) and other health conditions; note that cancers reportedly have an inverse relation with AD. We previously suggested that a single gene is associated with multiple neurological diseases, and we are further extending the finding that AD genes are associated with common age-related comorbidities and others. This study indicates that the heterogeneity of Alzheimer’s disease predicts complex clinical presentations in people living with AD. Taken together, the genes define AD as a part of age-related comorbidities with shared biological mechanisms and may raise awareness of a healthy lifestyle as potential prevention and treatment of the comorbidities.
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Modeling Alzheimer's Disease in Caenorhabditis elegans. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020288. [PMID: 35203497 PMCID: PMC8869312 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia. After decades of research, we know the importance of the accumulation of protein aggregates such as β-amyloid peptide and phosphorylated tau. We also know that mutations in certain proteins generate early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD), and many other genes modulate the disease in its sporadic form. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology are still unclear. Because of ethical limitations, we need to use animal models to investigate these processes. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has received considerable attention in the last 25 years, since the first AD models overexpressing Aβ peptide were described. We review here the main results obtained using this model to study AD. We include works studying the basic molecular mechanisms of the disease, as well as those searching for new therapeutic targets. Although this model also has important limitations, the ability of this nematode to generate knock-out or overexpression models of any gene, single or combined, and to carry out toxicity, recovery or survival studies in short timeframes with many individuals and at low cost is difficult to overcome. We can predict that its use as a model for various diseases will certainly continue to increase.
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Le D, Brown L, Malik K, Murakami S. Two Opposing Functions of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) That Links Hypertension, Dementia, and Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413178. [PMID: 34947975 PMCID: PMC8707689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A 2018 report from the American Heart Association shows that over 103 million American adults have hypertension. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (EC 3.4.15.1) is a dipeptidyl carboxylase that, when inhibited, can reduce blood pressure through the renin–angiotensin system. ACE inhibitors are used as a first-line medication to be prescribed to treat hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure, among others. It has been suggested that ACE inhibitors can alleviate the symptoms in mouse models. Despite the benefits of ACE inhibitors, previous studies also have suggested that genetic variants of the ACE gene are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurological diseases, while other variants are associated with reduced risk of AD. In mice, ACE overexpression in the brain reduces symptoms of the AD model systems. Thus, we find two opposing effects of ACE on health. To clarify the effects, we dissect the functions of ACE as follows: (1) angiotensin-converting enzyme that hydrolyzes angiotensin I to make angiotensin II in the renin–angiotensin system; (2) amyloid-degrading enzyme that hydrolyzes beta-amyloid, reducing amyloid toxicity. The efficacy of the ACE inhibitors is well established in humans, while the knowledge specific to AD remains to be open for further research. We provide an overview of ACE and inhibitors that link a wide variety of age-related comorbidities from hypertension to AD to aging. ACE also serves as an example of the middle-life crisis theory that assumes deleterious events during midlife, leading to age-related later events.
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Li H, Yu X, Li C, Ma L, Zhao Z, Guan S, Wang L. Caffeic acid protects against Aβ toxicity and prolongs lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans models. Food Funct 2021; 12:1219-1231. [DOI: 10.1039/d0fo02784g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Caffeic acid may alleviate Aβ-induced toxicity and increase lifespan by increasing signaling pathway-associated oxidative stress and regulating metabolism in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering
- the Ministry of Education
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Xiaoxuan Yu
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering
- the Ministry of Education
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Chenxi Li
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering
- the Ministry of Education
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Lei Ma
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- School of Life Sciences
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Shuwen Guan
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering
- the Ministry of Education
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
| | - Liping Wang
- Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering
- the Ministry of Education
- Jilin University
- Changchun 130012
- China
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Matsunami K. Frailty and Caenorhabditis elegans as a Benchtop Animal Model for Screening Drugs Including Natural Herbs. Front Nutr 2018; 5:111. [PMID: 30534551 PMCID: PMC6275236 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2018.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans has been used in research for years to clarify the genetic cascades and molecular mechanisms of aging, longevity, and health span. Health span is closely related to frailty; however, frailty has a different concept and is evaluated using various parameters in humans, such as Fried's Frailty Criteria. The C. elegans model has several advantages when performing a chemical screen to identify drug candidates. Several mouse models of frailty were recently developed, including a homozygous IL-10 knockout. These mouse models are useful for understanding human frailty; however, they are not appropriate for primary drug screening because they require large spaces, expensive cost, and time consuming assessments. Therefore, a combination of these models may be a promising tool for discovering drugs and understanding the mechanisms of frailty. In addition, natural products, and herbs are attractive sources of novel drugs with pharmacological activity and low toxicity, in fact, over 60% of currently-available drugs are estimated to be related to natural compounds. In this review, the possibility of identifying natural agents (i.e., herb extracts and compounds) that could improve frailty are proposed, and the advantages and limitations of these models are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuyoshi Matsunami
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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8
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Rachinas-Lopes P, Ribeiro R, dos Santos ME, M. Costa R. D-Track-A semi-automatic 3D video-tracking technique to analyse movements and routines of aquatic animals with application to captive dolphins. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201614. [PMID: 30114265 PMCID: PMC6095516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Scoring and tracking animal movements manually is a time consuming and subjective process, susceptible to errors due to fatigue. Automated and semi-automated video-based tracking methods have been developed to overcome the errors and biases of manual analyses. In this manuscript we present D-Track, an open-source semi-automatic tracking system able to quantify the 3D trajectories of dolphins, non-invasively, in the water. This software produces a three-dimensional reconstruction of the pool and tracks the animal at different depths, using standard cameras. D-Track allows the determination of spatial preferences of the animals, their speed and its variations, and the identification of behavioural routines. We tested the system with two captive dolphins during different periods of the day. Both animals spent around 85% of the time at the surface of the Deep Area of their pool (5-meters depth). Both dolphins showed a stable average speed throughout 31 sessions, with slow speeds predominant (maximum 1.7 ms-1). Circular swimming was highly variable, with significant differences in the size and duration of the “circles”, between animals, within-animals and across sessions. The D-Track system is a novel tool to study the behaviour of aquatic animals, and it represents a convenient and inexpensive solution for laboratories and marine parks to monitor the preferences and routines of their animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Rachinas-Lopes
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisboa, Portugal
- MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| | - Ricardo Ribeiro
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuel E. dos Santos
- MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui M. Costa
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisboa, Portugal
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9
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Ahmad W, Ebert PR. 5-Methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA) suppresses Aβ-mediated pathology in C. elegans. Exp Gerontol 2018; 108:215-225. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2018.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Perni M, Challa PK, Kirkegaard JB, Limbocker R, Koopman M, Hardenberg MC, Sormanni P, Müller T, Saar KL, Roode LWY, Habchi J, Vecchi G, Fernando N, Casford S, Nollen EAA, Vendruscolo M, Dobson CM, Knowles TPJ. Massively parallel C. elegans tracking provides multi-dimensional fingerprints for phenotypic discovery. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 306:57-67. [PMID: 29452179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nematode worm C. elegans is a model organism widely used for studies of genetics and of human disease. The health and fitness of the worms can be quantified in different ways, such as by measuring their bending frequency, speed or lifespan. Manual assays, however, are time consuming and limited in their scope providing a strong motivation for automation. NEW METHOD We describe the development and application of an advanced machine vision system for characterising the behaviour of C. elegans, the Wide Field-of-View Nematode Tracking Platform (WF-NTP), which enables massively parallel data acquisition and automated multi-parameter behavioural profiling of thousands of worms simultaneously. RESULTS We screened more than a million worms from several established models of neurodegenerative disorders and characterised the effects of potential therapeutic molecules for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. By using very large numbers of animals we show that the sensitivity and reproducibility of behavioural assays is very greatly increased. The results reveal the ability of this platform to detect even subtle phenotypes. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS The WF-NTP method has substantially greater capacity compared to current automated platforms that typically either focus on characterising single worms at high resolution or tracking the properties of populations of less than 50 animals. CONCLUSIONS The WF-NTP extends significantly the power of existing automated platforms by combining enhanced optical imaging techniques with an advanced software platform. We anticipate that this approach will further extend the scope and utility of C. elegans as a model organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Perni
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Pavan K Challa
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Julius B Kirkegaard
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0WA, UK
| | - Ryan Limbocker
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Mandy Koopman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten C Hardenberg
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pietro Sormanni
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Thomas Müller
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Kadi L Saar
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Lianne W Y Roode
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Johnny Habchi
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Giulia Vecchi
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Nilumi Fernando
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Samuel Casford
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Ellen A A Nollen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Aging, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
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11
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Griffin EF, Caldwell KA, Caldwell GA. Genetic and Pharmacological Discovery for Alzheimer's Disease Using Caenorhabditis elegans. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:2596-2606. [PMID: 29022701 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The societal burden presented by Alzheimer's disease warrants both innovative and expedient means by which its underlying molecular causes can be both identified and mechanistically exploited to discern novel therapeutic targets and strategies. The conserved characteristics, defined neuroanatomy, and advanced technological application of Caenorhabditis elegans render this metazoan an unmatched tool for probing neurotoxic factors. In addition, its short lifespan and importance in the field of aging make it an ideal organism for modeling age-related neurodegenerative disease. As such, this nematode system has demonstrated its value in predicting functional modifiers of human neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we review how C. elegans has been utilized to model Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, we present how the causative neurotoxic peptides, amyloid-β and tau, contribute to disease-like neurodegeneration in C. elegans and how they translate to human disease. Furthermore, we describe how a variety of transgenic animal strains, each with distinct utility, have been used to identify both genetic and pharmacological modifiers of toxicity in C. elegans. As technological advances improve the prospects for intervention, the rapidity, unparalleled accuracy, and scale that C. elegans offers researchers for defining functional modifiers of neurodegeneration should speed the discovery of improved therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward F. Griffin
- Department
of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
| | - Kim A. Caldwell
- Department
of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
| | - Guy A. Caldwell
- Department
of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
- Departments
of Neurology and Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental
Therapeutics, The University of Alabama School of Medicine at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
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12
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Van Assche R, Borghgraef C, Vaneyck J, Dumoulin M, Schoofs L, Temmerman L. In vitro aggregating β-lactamase-polyQ chimeras do not induce toxic effects in an in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans model. J Negat Results Biomed 2017; 16:14. [PMID: 28830560 PMCID: PMC5568214 DOI: 10.1186/s12952-017-0080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A series of human diseases are caused by the misfolding and aggregation of specific proteins or peptides into amyloid fibrils; nine of these diseases, referred to as polyglutamine diseases, are associated with proteins carrying an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) region. While the presence of this latter is thought to be the determinant factor for the development of polyQ diseases, the non-polyQ regions of the host proteins are thought to play a significant modulating role. METHOD In order to better understand the role of non-polyQ regions, the toxic effects of model proteins bearing different polyQ regions (containing up to 79 residues) embedded at two distinct locations within the β-lactamase (BlaP) host enzyme were evaluated in Caenorhabditis elegans. This small organism can be advantageous for the validation of in vitro findings, as it provides a multicellular context yet avoids the typical complexity of common studies relying on vertebrate models. Several phenotypic assays were performed in order to screen for potential toxic effects of the different BlaP-polyQ proteins. RESULTS Despite the significant in vitro aggregation of BlaP-polyQ proteins with long polyQ regions, none of the BlaP-polyQ chimeras aggregated in the generated transgenic in vivo models. CONCLUSION The absence of a toxic effect of the expression of BlaP-polyQ chimeras may find its cause in biochemical mechanisms present in vivo to cope with protein aggregation (e.g. presence of chaperones) or in C. elegans' limitations such as its short lifespan. It is plausible that the aggregation propensities of the different BlaP chimeras containing embedded polyQ sequences are too low in this in vivo environment to permit their aggregation. These experiments emphasize the need for several comparative and in vivo verification studies of biologically relevant in vitro findings, which reveal both the strengths and limitations of widely used model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel Van Assche
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charline Borghgraef
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Vaneyck
- Enzymology and Protein Folding, Center for Protein Engineering, InBioS, Institute of Chemistry, University of Liège, Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Mireille Dumoulin
- Enzymology and Protein Folding, Center for Protein Engineering, InBioS, Institute of Chemistry, University of Liège, Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Liliane Schoofs
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Temmerman
- Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Zoological Institute, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Ahmad W, Ebert PR. Metformin Attenuates Aβ Pathology Mediated Through Levamisole Sensitive Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in a C. elegans Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:5427-5439. [PMID: 27596506 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0085-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This suggests that drugs such as metformin that are used to treat T2DM may also be therapeutic toward AD and indicates an interaction between AD and energy metabolism. In this study, we have investigated the effects of metformin and another T2DM drug, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) in C. elegans expressing human Aβ42. We found that Aβ expressed in muscle inhibited levamisole sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and that metformin delayed Aβ-linked paralysis and improved acetylcholine neurotransmission in these animals. Metformin also moderated the effect of neuronal expression of Aβ: decreasing hypersensitivity to serotonin, restoring normal chemotaxis, and improving fecundity. Metformin was unable to overcome the small effect of neuronal Aβ on egg viability. The protective effects of metformin were associated with a decrease in the amount of toxic, oligomeric Aβ. AICAR has a similar protective effect against Aβ toxicity. This work supports the notion that anti-diabetes drugs and metabolic modulators may be effective against AD and that the worm model can be used to identify the specific interactions between Aβ and cellular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqar Ahmad
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Paul R Ebert
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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Murakami S, Halperin AS. Alzheimer's patient feedback to complement research using model systems for cognitive aging and dementia. Front Genet 2014; 5:269. [PMID: 25147560 PMCID: PMC4123719 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shin Murakami
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University-California Vallejo, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Sandy Halperin
- Early-Stage Advisory Group/Alumnus (2012-2013), National Alzheimer's Association Chicago, IL, USA ; Alzheimer's Project, Inc. Tallahassee, FL, USA
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