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Cui Y, Li C, Ke B, Xiao Y, Wang S, Jiang Q, Zheng X, Lin J, Huang J, Shang H. Protective role of serum albumin in dementia: a prospective study from United Kingdom biobank. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1458184. [PMID: 39206288 PMCID: PMC11349656 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1458184] [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: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A number of studies have explored the link between neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) and albumin, the main protein in human plasma. However, the results have been inconsistent, highlighting the necessity for a detailed systemic analysis. Methods Utilizing data from the United Kingdom Biobank, we investigated the relationship between baseline levels of serum and urine albumin and the occurrence of common NDDs, including Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dementia, employing Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results Our results reveal that elevated baseline serum albumin levels are linked to a decreased risk of developing dementia (beta = -0.024, SE = 0.004, p < 0.001). Subgroup and interaction analyses highlighted the impact of factors like body mass index (BMI), age, and alcohol consumption on this relationship. Specifically, participants with higher BMI, younger age, or lower alcohol intake exhibited a stronger protective effect. On the other hand, a higher baseline level of urine microalbumin was connected to a slight increase in dementia risk (beta = 0.003, SE = 3.30E-04, p < 0.001). No significant associations were found between albumin levels and the risk of PD or ALS. Conclusion Our study underscores the potential role of serum albumin as a biomarker associated with reduced dementia risk. These findings contribute valuable insights into the understanding of albumin's impact on NDDs, suggesting its utility as a biomarker for dementia in clinical settings and informing future therapeutic strategies in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Shastri D, Raj V, Lee S. Revolutionizing Alzheimer's treatment: Harnessing human serum albumin for targeted drug delivery and therapy advancements. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102379. [PMID: 38901740 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102379] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder initiated by amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, leading to impaired cognitive function. Several delivery approaches have been improved for AD management. Among them, human serum albumin (HSA) is broadly employed for drug delivery and targeting the Aβ in AD owing to its biocompatibility, Aβ inhibitory effect, and nanoform, which showed blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing ability via glycoprotein 60 (gp60) receptor and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) protein to transfer the drug molecules in the brain. Thus far, there is no previous review focusing on HSA and its drug delivery system in AD. Hence, the reviewed article aimed to critically compile the HSA therapeutic as well as drug delivery role in AD management. It also delivers information on how HSA-incorporated nanoparticles with surfaced embedded ligands such as TAT, GM1, and so on, not only improve BBB permeability but also increase neuron cell targetability in AD brain. Additionally, Aβ and tau pathology, including various metabolic markers likely BACE1 and BACE2, etc., are discussed. Besides, the molecular interaction of HSA with Aβ and its distinctive forms are critically reviewed that HSA can segregate Zn(II) and Cu(II) metal ions from Aβ owing to high affinity. Furthermore, the BBB drug delivery challenges in AD are addressed. Finally, the clinical formulation of HSA for the management of AD is critically discussed on how the HSA inhibits Aβ oligomer and fibril, while glycated HSA participates in amyloid plaque formation, i.e., β-structure sheet formation. This review report provides theoretical background on HSA-based AD drug delivery and makes suggestions for future prospect-related work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Shastri
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu 42601, the Republic of Korea
| | - Vinit Raj
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
| | - Sangkil Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
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Chen K, Li C, Zhao B, Shang H. Albumin and multiple sclerosis: a prospective study from UK Biobank. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1415160. [PMID: 38915402 PMCID: PMC11194376 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1415160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system. While previous studies have indicated that albumin, the primary protein in human plasma, may exert influence on the inflammatory process and confer beneficial effects in neurodegenerative disorders, its role in the context of MS has been underexplored. Here, we aimed to explore the link between albumin and the risk of MS. Methods Employing data from the UK Biobank, we investigated the association between baseline levels of serum and urine albumin and the risk of MS using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results A higher baseline level of serum albumin was associated with a lower risk of incident MS (HR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.91-0.98, P=7.66E-04). Subgroup analysis revealed a more pronounced effect in females, as well as participants with younger ages, less smoking and deficient levels of vitamin D. Conversely, no association was identified between baseline microalbuminuria level and risk of incident MS. Conclusion Higher serum albumin level at baseline is linked to a reduced risk of MS. These results contribute to an enhanced understanding of albumin's role in MS, propose the potential use of albumin as a biomarker for MS, and have implications for the design of therapeutic interventions targeting albumin in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Department of Neurology, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bi Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Ullah A, Lee GJ, Kwon HT, Lim SI. Covalent immobilization of human serum albumin on cellulose acetate membrane for scavenging amyloid beta - A stepping extracorporeal strategy for ameliorating Alzheimer's disease. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 234:113753. [PMID: 38241888 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113753] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by interrupted neurocognitive functions and impaired mental development presumably caused by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the form of plaques. Targeting Aβ has been considered a promising approach for treating AD. In the current study, human serum albumin (HSA), a natural Aβ binder, is covalently immobilized onto the surface of a cellulose acetate (CA) membrane to devise an extracorporeal Aβ sequester. The immobilization of HSA at 3.06 ± 0.22 μg/mm2 of the CA membrane was found to be active functionally, as evidenced by the esterase-like activity converting p-nitrophenyl acetate into p-nitrophenol. The green fluorescent protein-Aβ (GFP-Aβ) fusion protein, recombinantly produced as a model ligand, exhibited characteristics of native Aβ. These features include the propensity to form aggregates or fibrils and an affinity for HSA with a dissociation constant (KD) of 0.91 μM. The HSA on the CA membrane showed concentration-dependent sequestration of GFP-Aβ in the 1-10-μM range. Moreover, it had a greater binding capacity than HSA immobilized on a commercial amine-binding plate. Results suggest that the covalent immobilization of HSA on the CA surface can be used as a potential platform for sequestering Aβ to alleviate AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Ullah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Gomal Centre of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29050, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Gyu-Jin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Taek Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
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Huang D, Guo C. E46K Mutation of α-Synuclein Preorganizes the Intramolecular Interactions Crucial for Aggregation. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:4803-4813. [PMID: 37489886 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Aggregation of α-synuclein is central to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The most toxic familial mutation E46K accelerates the aggregation process by an unknown mechanism. Herein, we provide a clue by investigating the influence of E46K on monomeric α-synuclein and its relation to aggregation with molecular dynamics simulations. The E46K mutation suppresses β-sheet structures in the N-terminus while promoting those at the key fibrillization region named NACore. Even though WT and E46K monomers share conserved intramolecular interactions with fibrils, E46K abolishes intramolecular contacts within the N-terminus which are present in the WT monomer but absent in fibrils. Network analysis identifies residues 36-53 as the interaction core of the WT monomer. Upon mutation, residues 36-46 are expelled to water due to aggravated electrostatic repulsion in the 43KTKK46 segment. Instead, NACore (residues 68-78) becomes the interaction hub and connects preceding residues 47-56 and the C-terminus. Consequently, residues 47-95 which belong to the fibril core form more compact β-sheets. Overall, the interaction network of E46K is more like fibrils than WT, stabilizing the fibril-like conformations. Our work provides mechanistic insights into the faster aggregation of the E46K mutant. It implies a close link between monomeric conformations and fibrils, which would spur the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defa Huang
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Cong Guo
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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Deryusheva E, Machulin A, Litus E. Virtual Screening of Human Serum Albumin Mutants to Optimize the Search for its Forms that Increase Affinity to Amyloid-Β Peptide. BIO WEB OF CONFERENCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1051/bioconf/20235702009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A promising approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the removal of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) from the patient's central nervous system by acting on human serum albumin (HSA). HSA carries 90% of Aβ in blood serum and 40-90% of Aβ in the cerebrospinal fluid (CNS). In this work, virtual screening of all possible mutant forms of HSA based on the data of the I-Mutant service made it possible to predict changes in HSA stability and identify the most “sensitive” regions of its polypeptide chain to substitutions. The data obtained will be used to optimize the search for HSA forms with increased affinity to Aβ, as well as to study the mechanisms underlying the modulating effects of HSA ligands on its interaction with Aβ, which can become the basis for the development of new approaches to therapy and prevention of AD.
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iTRAQ-Based Proteomic Analysis of APP Transgenic Mouse Urine Exosomes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010672. [PMID: 36614115 PMCID: PMC9820663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010672] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common dementia disease in the elderly. To get a better understanding of the pathophysiology, we performed a proteomic analysis of the urine exosomes (U-exo) in AD model mice (J20). The polymer precipitation method was used to isolate U-exo from the urine of 3-month-old J20 and wild-type (WT) mice. Neuron-derived exosome (N-exo) was isolated from U-exo by immunoprecipitation. iTRAQ-based MALDI TOF MS/MS was used for proteomic analysis. The results showed that compared to WT, the levels of 61 and 92 proteins were increased in the J20 U-exo and N-exo, respectively. Gene ontology enrichment analysis demonstrated that the sphingolipid catabolic process, ceramide catabolic process, membrane lipid catabolic process, Aβ clearance, and Aβ metabolic process were highly enriched in U-exo and N-exo. Among these, Asah1 was shown to be the key protein in lipid metabolism, and clusterin, ApoE, neprilysin, and ACE were related to Aβ metabolism and clearance. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction analysis identified four protein complexes where clusterin and ApoE participated as partner proteins. Thus, J20 U-exo and N-exo contain proteins related to lipid- and Aβ-metabolism in the early stages of AD, providing a new insight into the underlying pathological mechanism of early AD.
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Wu K, Xu C, Qiu G, Guo Q, Chen C, Liu W, Liu J, Liu K, Zhu F. Association of lower liver function with cognitive impairment in the Shenzhen ageing-related disorder cohort in China. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1012219. [PMID: 36313027 PMCID: PMC9609155 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1012219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence suggests that alterations in liver function may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it remains unclear whether there is any relationship between lower liver function and cognitive impairment among the elderly. Methods From 2017 to 2018, we recruited 7,201 older people (over 60 years old) from 51 community health centers in the Luohu District of Shenzhen City. According to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and education level, participants were divided into a cognitive impairment group (n = 372) and a normal cognitive function group (n = 6,829). Nonparametric test, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results Cognitive impairment group exhibits older age, more female sex, lower education level, and lower levels of albumin and triglyceride. Additionally, the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio was mainly distributed in the range of 1.17 to 1.3 in the cognitive impairment group, and 0.85 to 1.00 in the normal cognitive function group (χ2 = 10.02, p = 0.04). Binary logistic regression showed that cognitive impairment was significantly associated with age (OR = 0.934, 95%CI: 0.886-0.985, p = 0.017), female sex (OR = 2.255, 95%CI: 1.761-2.888, p < 0.001), lower education level (less than senior high school) (OR = 11.509, 95%CI: 9.064-14.613, p < 0.001), and lower albumin (OR = 1.023, 95%CI: 1.004-1.043, p = 0.011). Conclusion Except for age, female sex, and lower education level, lower level of albumin and elevated AST to ALT ratio correlate with cognitive impairment. Whether lower liver function plays a role in AD needs to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyu Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China,Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunyan Xu
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guozhen Qiu
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiwen Guo
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunchun Chen
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Subject of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Medical Key Subject of Health Toxicology (2020-2024), Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Kangding Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Feiqi Zhu
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,*Correspondence: Feiqi Zhu,
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Gai Z, Li F, Yang X. Electrochemiluinescence monitoring the interaction between human serum albumin and amyloid-β peptide. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 149:108315. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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10
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Wang J, Guo C, Meng Z, Zwan MD, Chen X, Seelow S, Lundström SL, Rodin S, Teunissen CE, Zubarev RA. Testing the link between isoaspartate and Alzheimer's disease etiology. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 19:1491-1502. [PMID: 35924765 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12735] [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: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Isoaspartate (isoAsp) is a damaging amino acid residue formed in proteins as a result of spontaneous deamidation. IsoAsp disrupts protein structures, making them prone to aggregation. Here we strengthened the link between isoAsp and Alzheimer's disease (AD) by novel approaches to isoAsp analysis in human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant blood protein and a major carrier of amyloid beta (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in blood. We discovered a reduced amount of anti-isoAsp antibodies (P < 0.0001), an elevated isoAsp level in HSA (P < 0.001), more HSA aggregates (P < 0.0001), and increased levels of free Aβ (P < 0.01) in AD blood compared to controls. We also found that deamidation significantly reduces HSA capacity to bind with Aβ and p-tau (P < 0.05). These suggest the presence in AD of a bottleneck in clearance of Aβ and p-tau, leading to their increased concentrations in the brain and facilitating their aggregations there.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijing Wang
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cong Guo
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaowei Meng
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marissa D Zwan
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sven Seelow
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanna L Lundström
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sergey Rodin
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roman A Zubarev
- Department of Medical Biophysics and Biochemistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Department of Pharmacological & Technological Chemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Singh K, Kaur A, Goyal D, Goyal B. Mechanistic insights into the mitigation of Aβ aggregation and protofibril destabilization by a D–enantiomeric decapeptide rk10. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:21975-21994. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02601e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
According to clinical studies, the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is linked to the abnormal aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides into toxic soluble oligomers, protofibrils as well as mature fibrils....
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12
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Zhao M, Guo C. Multipronged Regulatory Functions of Serum Albumin in Early Stages of Amyloid-β Aggregation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:2409-2420. [PMID: 34160192 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human serum albumin (HSA) is a major interacting-partner of Alzheimer's amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in the plasma and has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. HSA inhibits Aβ fibrillization, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not well elucidated. In this work, we investigated the role of HSA in the early stages of Aβ aggregation by simulating the binding process of multiple Aβ monomers and protofibrils to HSA with extensive molecular dynamics simulations. HSA could simultaneously trap multiple Aβ monomers and accommodate the formation of nonfibrillar Aβ oligomers after binding. In particular, domains I and III show stronger binding capacities and hold preferable interaction sites for oligomers. Consequently, HSA prevents the formation of fibrillar oligomers in water, thus interfering with the nucleation process. On the other aspect, when protofibrils are preformed, HSA tends to block the β-strand spanning the central hydrophobic core located at the protofibril end, preventing the addition of monomers to protofibrils. Furthermore, Aβ protofibril structures are severely disrupted both globally and locally. Thus, further growth of protofibrils to fibrils is impeded by HSA. Our results collectively indicate that HSA performs multipronged regulatory functions in the early stages of Aβ aggregation. Our work advances the understanding of the amyloid inhibition of Aβ by HSA and provides theoretical guidance for developing rational therapies of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjuan Zhao
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Cong Guo
- Department of Physics and International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China
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