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Zhang Q, Liu J, Liu H, Ao L, Xi Y, Chen D. Genome-wide epistasis analysis reveals gene-gene interaction network on an intermediate endophenotype P-tau/Aβ 42 ratio in ADNI cohort. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3984. [PMID: 38368488 PMCID: PMC10874417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54541-8] [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: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in the elderly worldwide. The exact etiology of AD, particularly its genetic mechanisms, remains incompletely understood. Traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which primarily focus on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with main effects, provide limited explanations for the "missing heritability" of AD, while there is growing evidence supporting the important role of epistasis. In this study, we performed a genome-wide SNP-SNP interaction detection using a linear regression model and employed multiple GPUs for parallel computing, significantly enhancing the speed of whole-genome analysis. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated tau (P-tau)/amyloid-[Formula: see text] (A[Formula: see text]) ratio was used as a quantitative trait (QT) to enhance statistical power. Age, gender, and clinical diagnosis were included as covariates to control for potential non-genetic factors influencing AD. We identified 961 pairs of statistically significant SNP-SNP interactions, explaining a high-level variance of P-tau/A[Formula: see text] level, all of which exhibited marginal main effects. Additionally, we replicated 432 previously reported AD-related genes and found 11 gene-gene interaction pairs overlapping with the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Our findings may contribute to partially explain the "missing heritability" of AD. The identified subnetwork may be associated with synaptic dysfunction, Wnt signaling pathway, oligodendrocytes, inflammation, hippocampus, and neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushi Zhang
- School of Computer Science, Northeast Electric Power University, 169 Changchun Street, Jilin, 132012, China
| | - Junfeng Liu
- School of Computer Science, Northeast Electric Power University, 169 Changchun Street, Jilin, 132012, China
| | - Hongwei Liu
- College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, 145 Nantong Street, Harbin, China
| | - Lang Ao
- School of Computer Science, Northeast Electric Power University, 169 Changchun Street, Jilin, 132012, China
| | - Yang Xi
- School of Computer Science, Northeast Electric Power University, 169 Changchun Street, Jilin, 132012, China
| | - Dandan Chen
- School of Automation Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, 169 Changchun Street, Jilin, 132012, China.
- College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, 145 Nantong Street, Harbin, China.
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2
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Wang Y, Li H, He Q, Zou R, Cai J, Zhang L. Ferroptosis: underlying mechanisms and involvement in neurodegenerative diseases. Apoptosis 2024; 29:3-21. [PMID: 37848673 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-023-01902-9] [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] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis, a mode of cell death that was recently identified in 2012, is driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and distinct from other mechanisms of cell death such as autophagy and apoptosis. Ferroptosis has the unique features of disruptions in iron equilibrium, iron-induced lipid peroxidation, and the accumulation of glutamate-induced cellular toxicity. The regulation of ferroptosis mainly involves the iron, lipid, and amino acid metabolic pathways, which are controlled by system Xc-, voltage-dependent anion channels, p53 and other pathways. Neurodegenerative diseases involve gradual neuronal loss predominantly within the central nervous system and are categorized into both sporadic and rare hereditary disorders. These diseases result in the progressive decline of specific neuron populations and their interconnections. Recent investigations have revealed a strong correlation between the manifestation and progression of neurodegenerative diseases and ferroptosis. The pharmacological modulation of ferroptosis, whether by induction or inhibition, exhibits promising prospects for therapeutic interventions for these diseases. This review aims to examine the literature on ferroptosis and its implications in various neurodegenerative diseases. We hope to offer novel insights into the potential therapies targeting ferroptosis in central nervous system neurodegenerative diseases. However, there are still limitations of this review. First, despite our efforts to maintain objectivity during our analysis, this review does not cover all the studies on ferroptosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Second, cell death in neurodegenerative diseases is not solely caused by ferroptosis. Future research should focus on the interplay of different cell death mechanisms to better elucidate the specific disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - HongJing Li
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - QianXiong He
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Rong Zou
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - JinRui Cai
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Xining, 810008, Qinghai, China.
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3
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Medina-Samamé A, Paller É, Bril MR, Archvadze A, Simões-Abade MBC, Estañol-Cayuela P, LeMaoult C. Role of Neurexins in Alzheimer's Disease. J Neurosci 2023; 43:4194-4196. [PMID: 37286342 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0169-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Éva Paller
- University of Groningen, 9700 AB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mateo R Bril
- University of Groningen, 9700 AB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Archvadze
- University of Groningen, 9700 AB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Chloe LeMaoult
- University of Groningen, 9700 AB, Groningen, The Netherlands
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4
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Feller B, Fallon A, Luo W, Nguyen PT, Shlaifer I, Lee AK, Chofflet N, Yi N, Khaled H, Karkout S, Bourgault S, Durcan TM, Takahashi H. α-Synuclein Preformed Fibrils Bind to β-Neurexins and Impair β-Neurexin-Mediated Presynaptic Organization. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071083. [PMID: 37048156 PMCID: PMC10093570 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies form a group of neurodegenerative diseases defined by the misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn). Abnormal accumulation and spreading of α-syn aggregates lead to synapse dysfunction and neuronal cell death. Yet, little is known about the synaptic mechanisms underlying the α-syn pathology. Here we identified β-isoforms of neurexins (β-NRXs) as presynaptic organizing proteins that interact with α-syn preformed fibrils (α-syn PFFs), toxic α-syn aggregates, but not α-syn monomers. Our cell surface protein binding assays and surface plasmon resonance assays reveal that α-syn PFFs bind directly to β-NRXs through their N-terminal histidine-rich domain (HRD) at the nanomolar range (KD: ~500 nM monomer equivalent). Furthermore, our artificial synapse formation assays show that α-syn PFFs diminish excitatory and inhibitory presynaptic organization induced by a specific isoform of neuroligin 1 that binds only β-NRXs, but not α-isoforms of neurexins. Thus, our data suggest that α-syn PFFs interact with β-NRXs to inhibit β-NRX-mediated presynaptic organization, providing novel molecular insight into how α-syn PFFs induce synaptic pathology in synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Feller
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Aurélie Fallon
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Wen Luo
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Phuong Trang Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications, PROTEO, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Alfred Kihoon Lee
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Nicolas Chofflet
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Nayoung Yi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Husam Khaled
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Samer Karkout
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Department of Chemistry, Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering and Applications, PROTEO, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
| | - Hideto Takahashi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
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5
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Lee AK, Yi N, Khaled H, Feller B, Takahashi H. SorCS1 inhibits amyloid-β binding to neurexin and rescues amyloid-β-induced synaptic pathology. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201681. [PMID: 36697254 PMCID: PMC9880023 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs), toxic peptide aggregates found in Alzheimer's disease, cause synapse pathology. AβOs interact with neurexins (NRXs), key synaptic organizers, and this interaction dampens normal trafficking and function of NRXs. Axonal trafficking of NRX is in part regulated by its interaction with SorCS1, a protein sorting receptor, but the impact of SorCS1 regulation of NRXs in Aβ pathology was previously unstudied. Here, we show competition between the SorCS1 ectodomain and AβOs for β-NRX binding and rescue effects of the SorCS1b isoform on AβO-induced synaptic pathology. Like AβOs, the SorCS1 ectodomain binds to NRX1β through the histidine-rich domain of NRX1β, and the SorCS1 ectodomain and AβOs compete for NRX1β binding. In cultured hippocampal neurons, SorCS1b colocalizes with NRX1β on the axon surface, and axonal expression of SorCS1b rescues AβO-induced impairment of NRX-mediated presynaptic organization and presynaptic vesicle recycling and AβO-induced structural defects in excitatory synapses. Thus, our data suggest a role for SorCS1 in the rescue of AβO-induced NRX dysfunction and synaptic pathology, providing the basis for a novel potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Kihoon Lee
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nayoung Yi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Husam Khaled
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Benjamin Feller
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Hideto Takahashi
- Synapse Development and Plasticity Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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6
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Dang X, Huan X, Du X, Chen X, Bi M, Yan C, Jiao Q, Jiang H. Correlation of Ferroptosis and Other Types of Cell Death in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:938-952. [PMID: 35482278 PMCID: PMC9352832 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00861-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is defined as an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic cell death pathway, with specific morphological phenotypes and biochemical changes. There is a growing realization that ferroptosis has significant implications for several neurodegenerative diseases. Even though ferroptosis is different from other forms of programmed death such as apoptosis and autophagic death, they involve a number of common protein molecules. This review focuses on current research on ferroptosis and summarizes the cross-talk among ferroptosis, apoptosis, and autophagy that are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. We hope that this information provides new ideas for understanding the mechanisms and searching for potential therapeutic approaches and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Dang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xuejie Huan
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xixun Du
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Mingxia Bi
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Chunling Yan
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Qian Jiao
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention of Neurological Disorders, State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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Kageyama Y, Irie Y, Matsushima Y, Segawa T, Bellier JP, Hidaka K, Sugiyama H, Kaneda D, Hashizume Y, Akatsu H, Miki K, Kita A, Walker DG, Irie K, Tooyama I. Characterization of a Conformation-Restricted Amyloid β Peptide and Immunoreactivity of Its Antibody in Human AD brain. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:3418-3432. [PMID: 34464082 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers, the transition species present prior to the formation of Aβ fibrils and that have cytotoxicity, has become one of the major topics in the investigations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. However, studying pathophysiological properties of Aβ oligomers is challenging due to the instability of these protein complexes in vitro. Here, we report that conformation-restricted Aβ42 with an intramolecular disulfide bond at positions 17 and 28 (SS-Aβ42) formed stable Aβ oligomers in vitro. Thioflavin T binding assays, nondenaturing gel electrophoresis, and morphological analyses revealed that SS-Aβ42 maintained oligomeric structure, whereas wild-type Aβ42 and the highly aggregative Aβ42 mutant with E22P substitution (E22P-Aβ42) formed Aβ fibrils. In agreement with these observations, SS-Aβ42 was more cytotoxic compared to the wild-type and E22P-Aβ42 in cell cultures. Furthermore, we developed a monoclonal antibody, designated TxCo-1, using the toxic conformation of SS-Aβ42 as immunogen. X-ray crystallography of the TxCo-1/SS-Aβ42 complex, enzyme immunoassay, and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the recognition site and specificity of TxCo-1 to SS-Aβ42. Immunohistochemistry with TxCo-1 antibody identified structures resembling senile plaques and vascular Aβ in brain samples of AD subjects. However, TxCo-1 immunoreactivity did not colocalize extensively with Aβ plaques identified with conventional Aβ antibodies. Together, these findings indicate that Aβ with a turn at positions 22 and 23, which is prone to form Aβ oligomers, could show strong cytotoxicity and accumulated in brains of AD subjects. The SS-Aβ42 and TxCo-1 antibody should facilitate understanding of the pathological role of Aβ with toxic conformation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kageyama
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Yumi Irie
- Division of Food Science & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yuka Matsushima
- Division of Food Science & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Segawa
- Immuno-Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd., Fujioka-Shi, Gunma 375-0005, Japan
| | - Jean-Pierre Bellier
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Kumi Hidaka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Daita Kaneda
- Choju Medical Institute, Fukushimura Hospital, 19-14 Noyoricho, Yamanaka, Aichi 441-8124, Japan
| | - Yoshio Hashizume
- Choju Medical Institute, Fukushimura Hospital, 19-14 Noyoricho, Yamanaka, Aichi 441-8124, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Akatsu
- Choju Medical Institute, Fukushimura Hospital, 19-14 Noyoricho, Yamanaka, Aichi 441-8124, Japan
- Department of Community-Based Medical Education, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kunio Miki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Akiko Kita
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, Kumatori, Sennan, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
| | - Douglas G. Walker
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Irie
- Division of Food Science & Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ikuo Tooyama
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
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Key Disease Mechanisms Linked to Alzheimer's Disease in the Entorhinal Cortex. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083915. [PMID: 33920138 PMCID: PMC8069371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative brain disorder affecting millions of Americans that is expected to increase in incidence with the expanding aging population. Symptomatic AD patients show cognitive decline and often develop neuropsychiatric symptoms due to the accumulation of insoluble proteins that produce plaques and tangles seen in the brain at autopsy. Unexpectedly, some clinically normal individuals also show AD pathology in the brain at autopsy (asymptomatic AD, AsymAD). In this study, SWItchMiner software was used to identify key switch genes in the brain’s entorhinal cortex that lead to the development of AD or disease resilience. Seventy-two switch genes were identified that are differentially expressed in AD patients compared to healthy controls. These genes are involved in inflammation, platelet activation, and phospholipase D and estrogen signaling. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG), zinc-finger transcription factor (YY1), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2 (SREBF2), and early growth response 1 (EGR1) were identified as transcription factors that potentially regulate switch genes in AD. Comparing AD patients to AsymAD individuals revealed 51 switch genes; PPARG as a potential regulator of these genes, and platelet activation and phospholipase D as critical signaling pathways. Chemical–protein interaction analysis revealed that valproic acid is a therapeutic agent that could prevent AD from progressing.
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