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Shukla S, Gupta K, Singh K, Mishra A, Kumar A. An Updated Canvas of the RFC1-mediated CANVAS (Cerebellar Ataxia, Neuropathy and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome). Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04307-0. [PMID: 38898197 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04307-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Proliferation of specific nucleotide sequences within the coding and non-coding regions of numerous genes has been implicated in approximately 40 neurodegenerative disorders. Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS), a neurodegenerative disorder, is distinguished by a pathological triad of sensory neuropathy, bilateral vestibular areflexia and cerebellar impairments. It manifests in adults gradually and is autosomal recessive and multi-system ataxia. Predominantly, CANVAS is associated with biallelic AAGGG repeat expansions in intron 2 of the RFC1 gene. Although various motifs have been identified, only a subset induces pathological consequences, by forming stable secondary structures that disrupt gene functions both in vitro and in vivo. The pathogenesis of CANVAS remains a subject of intensive research, yet its precise mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we aim to comprehensively review the epidemiology, clinical ramifications, molecular mechanisms, genetics, and potential therapeutics in light of the current findings, extending an overview of the most significant research on CANVAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakshi Shukla
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Kanav Gupta
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Krishna Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342037, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, 453552, India.
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2
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Wu Y, Song T, Xu Q. R-LOOPs on Short Tandem Repeat Expansion Disorders in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7185-7195. [PMID: 37540313 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03531-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Expansions of short tandem repeats (STRs) have been found to be present in more than 50 diseases and have a close connection with neurodegenerative diseases. Transcriptional silencing and R-LOOP formation, RNA-mediated sequestration of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), gain-of-function (GOF) proteins containing expanded repeats, and repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation of toxic repeat peptides are some potential molecular mechanisms underlying STR expansion disorders. R-LOOP, a byproduct of transcription, is a three-stranded nucleic acid structure with abnormal accumulation that participates in the pathogenesis of STR expansion disorders by inducing DNA damage and genome instability. R-LOOPs can engender a series of DNA damage, such as DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), single-strand breaks (SSBs), DNA recombination, or mutations in the DNA replication, transcription, or repair processes. In this review, we provide an in-depth discussion of recent advancements in R-LOOP and systematically elaborate on its genetic destabilizing effects in several neurodegenerative diseases. These molecular mechanisms will provide novel targets for drug design and therapeutic upgrading of these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Wu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tingwei Song
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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3
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Makeeva VS, Dyrkheeva NS, Lavrik OI, Zakian SM, Malakhova AA. Mutant-Huntingtin Molecular Pathways Elucidate New Targets for Drug Repurposing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16798. [PMID: 38069121 PMCID: PMC10706709 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316798] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases known today is quite extensive. The complexities of their research and treatment lie not only in their diversity. Even many years of struggle and narrowly focused research on common pathologies such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other brain diseases have not brought cures for these illnesses. What can be said about orphan diseases? In particular, Huntington's disease (HD), despite affecting a smaller part of the human population, still attracts many researchers. This disorder is known to result from a mutation in the HTT gene, but having this information still does not simplify the task of drug development and studying the mechanisms of disease progression. Nonetheless, the data accumulated over the years and their analysis provide a good basis for further research. Here, we review studies devoted to understanding the mechanisms of HD. We analyze genes and molecular pathways involved in HD pathogenesis to describe the action of repurposed drugs and try to find new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladlena S. Makeeva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Nadezhda S. Dyrkheeva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Olga I. Lavrik
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Suren M. Zakian
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Anastasia A. Malakhova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Akad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (V.S.M.); (S.M.Z.); (A.A.M.)
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4
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Tshilenge KT, Aguirre CG, Bons J, Gerencser AA, Basisty N, Song S, Rose J, Lopez-Ramirez A, Naphade S, Loureiro A, Battistoni E, Milani M, Wehrfritz C, Holtz A, Hetz C, Mooney SD, Schilling B, Ellerby LM. Proteomic Analysis of Huntington's Disease Medium Spiny Neurons Identifies Alterations in Lipid Droplets. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100534. [PMID: 36958627 PMCID: PMC10165459 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100534] [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: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. The resulting polyglutamine (polyQ) tract alters the function of the HTT protein. Although HTT is expressed in different tissues, the medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) in the striatum are particularly vulnerable in HD. Thus, we sought to define the proteome of human HD patient-derived MSNs. We differentiated HD72 induced pluripotent stem cells and isogenic controls into MSNs and carried out quantitative proteomic analysis. Using data-dependent acquisitions with FAIMS for label-free quantification on the Orbitrap Lumos mass spectrometer, we identified 6,323 proteins with at least two unique peptides. Of these, 901 proteins were altered significantly more in the HD72-MSNs than in isogenic controls. Functional enrichment analysis of upregulated proteins demonstrated extracellular matrix and DNA signaling (DNA replication pathway, double-strand break repair, G1/S transition) with the highest significance. Conversely, processes associated with the downregulated proteins included neurogenesis-axogenesis, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-signaling pathway, Ephrin-A: EphA pathway, regulation of synaptic plasticity, triglyceride homeostasis cholesterol, plasmid lipoprotein particle immune response, interferon-γ signaling, immune system major histocompatibility complex, lipid metabolism and cellular response to stimulus. Moreover, proteins involved in the formation and maintenance of axons, dendrites, and synapses (e.g., Septin protein members) were dysregulated in HD72-MSNs. Importantly, lipid metabolism pathways were altered, and using quantitative image, we found analysis that lipid droplets accumulated in the HD72-MSN, suggesting a deficit in the turnover of lipids possibly through lipophagy. Our proteomics analysis of HD72-MSNs identified relevant pathways that are altered in MSNs and confirm current and new therapeutic targets for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carlos Galicia Aguirre
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA; University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, 3715 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90893, USA
| | - Joanna Bons
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | - Akos A Gerencser
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | - Nathan Basisty
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA; Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, 21244, USA
| | - Sicheng Song
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Jacob Rose
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | | | - Swati Naphade
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | - Ashley Loureiro
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | - Elena Battistoni
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | - Mateus Milani
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile; Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile; Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile
| | - Cameron Wehrfritz
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | - Anja Holtz
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA
| | - Claudio Hetz
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA; Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile; Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile; Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile
| | - Sean D Mooney
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Birgit Schilling
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA; University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, 3715 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90893, USA.
| | - Lisa M Ellerby
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, 94945, USA; University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, 3715 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90893, USA.
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5
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Kaur P, Attri S, Singh D, Rashid F, Singh S, Kumar A, Kaur H, Bedi N, Arora S. Neuromodulatory effect of 4-(methylthio)butyl isothiocyanate against 3-nitropropionic acid induced oxidative impairments in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells via BDNF/CREB/TrkB pathway. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4461. [PMID: 36932199 PMCID: PMC10023800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31716-3] [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: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial impairment, energetic crisis and elevated oxidative stress have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the pathological processes of Huntington's disease (HD). 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is a natural neurotoxin that mimics the neurological dysfunctions, mitochondrial impairments and oxidative imbalance of HD. The current investigation was undertaken to demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of 4-(methylthio)butyl isothiocyanate (4-MTBITC) against the 3-NPA induced neurotoxicity in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells. The experimental evidence of oxidative DNA damage by 3-NPA was elucidated by pBR322 DNA nicking assay. In contrast, the 4-MTBITC considerably attenuated the DNA damage, suggesting its free radical scavenging action against 3-NPA and Fenton's reagent. The dose and time-dependent increase of 3-NPA revealed its neurotoxic dose as 0.5 mM after 24 h of treatment of SH-SY5Y cells in MTT assay. In order to determine the optimal dose at which 4-MTBITC protects cell death, the 3-NPA (IC50) induced cells were pretreated with different concentrations of 4-MTBITC for 1 h. The neuroprotective dose of 4-MTBITC against 3-NPA was found to be 0.25 μM. Additionally, the elevated GSH levels in cells treated with 4-MTBITC indicate its propensity to eliminate reactive species generated as a result of 3-NPA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Likewise, it was determined through microscopic and flow cytometric experiments that 3-NPA's induced overproduction of reactive species and a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) could be efficiently prevented by pre-treating cells with 4-MTBITC. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism, the RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the pre-treatment of 4-MTBITC effectively protected neuronal cells against 3-NPA-induced cell death by preventing Caspase-3 activation, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) upregulation, activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and Nrf2 induction. Together, our findings lend credence to the idea that pre-treatment with 4-MTBITC reduced 3-NPA-induced neurotoxicity by lowering redox impairment, apoptotic state, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The present work, in conclusion, presented the first proof that the phytoconstituent 4-MTBITC supports the antioxidant system, BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling, and neuronal survival in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells against 3-NPA-induced oxidative deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhjot Kaur
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Shivani Attri
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Davinder Singh
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Farhana Rashid
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Sharabjit Singh
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Avinash Kumar
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Harjot Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala, 147001, India
| | - Neena Bedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Saroj Arora
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India.
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6
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Shikhevich S, Chadaeva I, Khandaev B, Kozhemyakina R, Zolotareva K, Kazachek A, Oshchepkov D, Bogomolov A, Klimova NV, Ivanisenko VA, Demenkov P, Mustafin Z, Markel A, Savinkova L, Kolchanov NA, Kozlov V, Ponomarenko M. Differentially Expressed Genes and Molecular Susceptibility to Human Age-Related Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043996. [PMID: 36835409 PMCID: PMC9966505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mainstream transcriptome profiling of susceptibility versus resistance to age-related diseases (ARDs) is focused on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific to gender, age, and pathogeneses. This approach fits in well with predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory medicine and helps understand how, why, when, and what ARDs one can develop depending on their genetic background. Within this mainstream paradigm, we wanted to find out whether the known ARD-linked DEGs available in PubMed can reveal a molecular marker that will serve the purpose in anyone's any tissue at any time. We sequenced the periaqueductal gray (PAG) transcriptome of tame versus aggressive rats, identified rat-behavior-related DEGs, and compared them with their known homologous animal ARD-linked DEGs. This analysis yielded statistically significant correlations between behavior-related and ARD-susceptibility-related fold changes (log2 values) in the expression of these DEG homologs. We found principal components, PC1 and PC2, corresponding to the half-sum and the half-difference of these log2 values, respectively. With the DEGs linked to ARD susceptibility and ARD resistance in humans used as controls, we verified these principal components. This yielded only one statistically significant common molecular marker for ARDs: an excess of Fcγ receptor IIb suppressing immune cell hyperactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Shikhevich
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Irina Chadaeva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Bato Khandaev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Rimma Kozhemyakina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Karina Zolotareva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anna Kazachek
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitry Oshchepkov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anton Bogomolov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Natalya V. Klimova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Vladimir A. Ivanisenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Pavel Demenkov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Zakhar Mustafin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Arcady Markel
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Ludmila Savinkova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Nikolay A. Kolchanov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- The Natural Sciences Department, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Vladimir Kozlov
- Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology (RIFCI) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630099, Russia
| | - Mikhail Ponomarenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-(383)-363-4963 (ext. 1311)
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7
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Bhat SA, Ahamad S, Dar NJ, Siddique YH, Nazir A. The Emerging Landscape of Natural Small-molecule Therapeutics for Huntington's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:867-889. [PMID: 36797612 PMCID: PMC10227909 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230216104621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder with no diseasemodifying therapeutics. HD is characterized by extensive neuronal loss and is caused by the inherited expansion of the huntingtin (HTT) gene that encodes a toxic mutant HTT (mHTT) protein having expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) residues. Current HD therapeutics only offer symptomatic relief. In fact, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two synthetic small-molecule VMAT2 inhibitors, tetrabenazine (1) and deutetrabenazine (2), for managing HD chorea and various other diseases in clinical trials. Therefore, the landscape of drug discovery programs for HD is evolving to discover disease- modifying HD therapeutics. Likewise, numerous natural products are being evaluated at different stages of clinical development and have shown the potential to ameliorate HD pathology. The inherent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of natural products mitigate the mHTT-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, improve mitochondrial functions, and augment the anti-apoptotic and pro-autophagic mechanisms for increased survival of neurons in HD. In this review, we have discussed HD pathogenesis and summarized the anti-HD clinical and pre-clinical natural products, focusing on their therapeutic effects and neuroprotective mechanism/s.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P., India
| | - Nawab John Dar
- School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, Texas, TX, USA
| | | | - Aamir Nazir
- Division of Neuroscience and Ageing Biology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, U.P., India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
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8
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Ahamad S, Bhat SA. The Emerging Landscape of Small-Molecule Therapeutics for the Treatment of Huntington's Disease. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15993-16032. [PMID: 36490325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene (HTT). The new insights into HD's cellular and molecular pathways have led to the identification of numerous potent small-molecule therapeutics for HD therapy. The field of HD-targeting small-molecule therapeutics is accelerating, and the approval of these therapeutics to combat HD may be expected in the near future. For instance, preclinical candidates such as naphthyridine-azaquinolone, AN1, AN2, CHDI-00484077, PRE084, EVP4593, and LOC14 have shown promise for further optimization to enter into HD clinical trials. This perspective aims to summarize the advent of small-molecule therapeutics at various stages of clinical development for HD therapy, emphasizing their structure and design, therapeutic effects, and specific mechanisms of action. Further, we have highlighted the key drivers involved in HD pathogenesis to provide insights into the basic principle for designing promising anti-HD therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh202002, India
| | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh202002, India
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9
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Therapeutic Strategies in Huntington’s Disease: From Genetic Defect to Gene Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081895. [PMID: 36009443 PMCID: PMC9405755 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the identification of an expanded CAG repeat on exon 1 of the huntingtin gene located on chromosome 1 as the genetic defect causing Huntington’s disease almost 30 years ago, currently approved therapies provide only limited symptomatic relief and do not influence the age of onset or disease progression rate. Research has identified various intricate pathogenic cascades which lead to neuronal degeneration, but therapies interfering with these mechanisms have been marked by many failures and remain to be validated. Exciting new opportunities are opened by the emerging techniques which target the mutant protein DNA and RNA, allowing for “gene editing”. Although some issues relating to “off-target” effects or immune-mediated side effects need to be solved, these strategies, combined with stem cell therapies and more traditional approaches targeting specific pathogenic cascades, such as excitotoxicity and bioavailability of neurotrophic factors, could lead to significant improvement of the outcomes of treated Huntington’s disease patients.
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10
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Spead O, Zaepfel BL, Rothstein JD. Nuclear Pore Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1050-1060. [PMID: 36070178 PMCID: PMC9587172 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01293-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a large multimeric structure that is interspersed throughout the membrane of the nucleus and consists of at least 33 protein components. Individual components cooperate within the nuclear pore to facilitate selective passage of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm while simultaneously performing pore-independent roles throughout the cell. NPC dysfunction is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). NPC components can become mislocalized or altered in expression in neurodegeneration. These alterations in NPC structure are often detrimental to the neuronal function and ultimately lead to neuronal loss. This review highlights the importance of nucleocytoplasmic transport and NPC integrity and how dysfunction of such may contribute to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Spead
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Benjamin L Zaepfel
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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