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Galatolo D, Rocchiccioli S, Di Giorgi N, Dal Canto F, Signore G, Morani F, Ceccherini E, Doccini S, Santorelli FM. Proteomics and lipidomic analysis reveal dysregulated pathways associated with loss of sacsin. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1375299. [PMID: 38911600 PMCID: PMC11191878 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1375299] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a rare incurable neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the SACS gene, which codes for sacsin, a large protein involved in protein homeostasis, mitochondrial function, cytoskeletal dynamics, autophagy, cell adhesion and vesicle trafficking. However, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying sacsin dysfunction are still largely uncharacterized, and so attempts to develop therapies are still in the early stages. Methods To achieve further understanding of how processes are altered by loss of sacsin, we used untargeted proteomics to compare protein profiles in ARSACS fibroblasts versus controls. Results Our analyses confirmed the involvement of known biological pathways and also implicated calcium and lipid homeostasis in ARSACS skin fibroblasts, a finding further verified in SH-SY5Y SACS -/- cells. Validation through mass spectrometry-based analysis and comparative quantification of lipids by LC-MS in fibroblasts revealed increased levels of ceramides coupled with a reduction of diacylglycerols. Discussion In addition to confirming aberrant Ca2+ homeostasis in ARSACS, this study described abnormal lipid levels associated with loss of sacsin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Giovanni Signore
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federica Morani
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Ceccherini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Doccini
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
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Romano LEL, Aw WY, Hixson KM, Novoselova TV, Havener TM, Howell S, Taylor-Blake B, Hall CL, Xing L, Beri J, Nethisinghe S, Perna L, Hatimy A, Altadonna GC, Graves LM, Herring LE, Hickey AJ, Thalassinos K, Chapple JP, Wolter JM. Multi-omic profiling reveals the ataxia protein sacsin is required for integrin trafficking and synaptic organization. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111580. [PMID: 36323248 PMCID: PMC9647044 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a childhood-onset cerebellar ataxia caused by mutations in SACS, which encodes the protein sacsin. Cellular ARSACS phenotypes include mitochondrial dysfunction, intermediate filament disorganization, and progressive death of cerebellar Purkinje neurons. It is unclear why the loss of sacsin causes these deficits or why they manifest as cerebellar ataxia. Here, we perform multi-omic profiling in sacsin knockout (KO) cells and identify alterations in microtubule dynamics and mislocalization of focal adhesion (FA) proteins, including multiple integrins. Deficits in FA structure, signaling, and function can be rescued by targeting PTEN, a negative regulator of FA signaling. ARSACS mice possess mislocalization of ITGA1 in Purkinje neurons and synaptic disorganization in the deep cerebellar nucleus (DCN). The sacsin interactome reveals that sacsin regulates interactions between cytoskeletal and synaptic adhesion proteins. Our findings suggest that disrupted trafficking of synaptic adhesion proteins is a causal molecular deficit in ARSACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E L Romano
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Wen Yih Aw
- UNC Catalyst for Rare Diseases, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kathryn M Hixson
- UNC Catalyst for Rare Diseases, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tatiana V Novoselova
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Tammy M Havener
- UNC Catalyst for Rare Diseases, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Stefanie Howell
- UNC Catalyst for Rare Diseases, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bonnie Taylor-Blake
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Charlotte L Hall
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Lei Xing
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Josh Beri
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Suran Nethisinghe
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Laura Perna
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Abubakar Hatimy
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ginevra Chioccioli Altadonna
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Lee M Graves
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Anthony J Hickey
- UNC Catalyst for Rare Diseases, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Konstantinos Thalassinos
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - J Paul Chapple
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Justin M Wolter
- UNC Catalyst for Rare Diseases, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Alberio T, Brughera M, Lualdi M. Current Insights on Neurodegeneration by the Italian Proteomics Community. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092297. [PMID: 36140397 PMCID: PMC9496271 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing number of patients affected by neurodegenerative disorders represents a huge problem for healthcare systems, human society, and economics. In this context, omics strategies are crucial for the identification of molecular factors involved in disease pathobiology, and for the discovery of biomarkers that allow early diagnosis, patients’ stratification, and treatment response prediction. The integration of different omics data is a required step towards the goal of personalized medicine. The Italian proteomics community is actively developing and applying proteomics approaches to the study of neurodegenerative disorders; moreover, it is leading the mitochondria-focused initiative of the Human Proteome Project, which is particularly important given the central role of mitochondrial impairment in neurodegeneration. Here, we describe how Italian research groups in proteomics have contributed to the knowledge of many neurodegenerative diseases, through the elucidation of the pathobiology of these disorders, and through the discovery of disease biomarkers. In particular, we focus on the central role of post-translational modifications analysis, the implementation of network-based approaches in functional proteomics, the integration of different omics in a systems biology view, and the development of novel platforms for biomarker discovery for the high-throughput quantification of thousands of proteins at a time.
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Morani F, Doccini S, Galatolo D, Pezzini F, Soliymani R, Simonati A, Lalowski MM, Gemignani F, Santorelli FM. Integrative Organelle-Based Functional Proteomics: In Silico Prediction of Impaired Functional Annotations in SACS KO Cell Model. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081024. [PMID: 35892334 PMCID: PMC9331974 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by early-onset spasticity in the lower limbs, axonal-demyelinating sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, and cerebellar ataxia. Our understanding of ARSACS (genetic basis, protein function, and disease mechanisms) remains partial. The integrative use of organelle-based quantitative proteomics and whole-genome analysis proposed in the present study allowed identifying the affected disease-specific pathways, upstream regulators, and biological functions related to ARSACS, which exemplify a rationale for the development of improved early diagnostic strategies and alternative treatment options in this rare condition that currently lacks a cure. Our integrated results strengthen the evidence for disease-specific defects related to bioenergetics and protein quality control systems and reinforce the role of dysregulated cytoskeletal organization in the pathogenesis of ARSACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Morani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (F.G.)
| | - Stefano Doccini
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit—IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniele Galatolo
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit—IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (D.G.)
| | - Francesco Pezzini
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Rabah Soliymani
- HiLIFE, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (R.S.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Alessandro Simonati
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy; (F.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Maciej M. Lalowski
- HiLIFE, Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (R.S.); (M.M.L.)
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS, Department of Biomedical Proteomics, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
| | - Federica Gemignani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (F.G.)
| | - Filippo M. Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit—IRCCS Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (D.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-886311
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Votsi C, Ververis A, Nicolaou P, Christou YP, Christodoulou K, Zamba-Papanicolaou E. A Novel SPG7 Gene Pathogenic Variant in a Cypriot Family With Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia. Front Genet 2022; 12:812640. [PMID: 35096021 PMCID: PMC8793673 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.812640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SPG7 gene encodes the paraplegin protein, an inner mitochondrial membrane—localized protease. It was initially linked to pure and complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia with cerebellar atrophy, and now represents a frequent cause of undiagnosed cerebellar ataxia and spastic ataxia. We hereby report the molecular characterization and the clinical features of a large Cypriot family with five affected individuals presenting with spastic ataxia in an autosomal recessive transmission mode, due to a novel SPG7 homozygous missense variant. Detailed clinical histories of the patients were obtained, followed by neurological and neurophysiological examinations. Whole exome sequencing (WES) of the proband, in silico gene panel analysis, variant filtering and family segregation analysis of the candidate variants with Sanger sequencing were performed. RNA and protein expression as well as in vitro protein localization studies and mitochondria morphology evaluation were carried out towards functional characterization of the identified variant. The patients presented with typical spastic ataxia features while some intrafamilial phenotypic variation was noted. WES analysis revealed a novel homozygous missense variant in the SPG7 gene (c.1763C > T, p. Thr588Met), characterized as pathogenic by more than 20 in silico prediction tools. Functional studies showed that the variant does not affect neither the RNA or protein expression, nor the protein localization. However, aberrant mitochondrial morphology has been observed thus indicating mitochondrial dysfunction and further demonstrating the pathogenicity of the identified variant. Our study is the first report of an SPG7 pathogenic variant in the Cypriot population and broadens the spectrum of SPG7 pathogenic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Votsi
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Antonis Ververis
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Paschalis Nicolaou
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Kyproula Christodoulou
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
- *Correspondence: Kyproula Christodoulou,
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Bagaria J, Bagyinszky E, An SSA. Genetics of Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) and Role of Sacsin in Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:552. [PMID: 35008978 PMCID: PMC8745260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is an early-onset neurodegenerative disease that was originally discovered in the population from the Charlevoix-Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (CSLSJ) region in Quebec. Although the disease progression of ARSACS may start in early childhood, cases with later onset have also been observed. Spasticity and ataxia could be common phenotypes, and retinal optic nerve hypermyelination is detected in the majority of patients. Other symptoms, such as pes cavus, ataxia and limb deformities, are also frequently observed in affected individuals. More than 200 mutations have been discovered in the SACS gene around the world. Besides French Canadians, SACS genetics have been extensively studied in Tunisia or Japan. Recently, emerging studies discovered SACS mutations in several other countries. SACS mutations could be associated with pathogenicity either in the homozygous or compound heterozygous stages. Sacsin has been confirmed to be involved in chaperon activities, controlling the microtubule balance or cell migration. Additionally, sacsin may also play a crucial role in regulating the mitochondrial functions. Through these mechanisms, it may share common mechanisms with other neurodegenerative diseases. Further studies are needed to define the exact functions of sacsin. This review introduces the genetic mutations discovered in the SACS gene and discusses its pathomechanisms and its possible involvement in other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Bagaria
- Department of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea;
| | - Eva Bagyinszky
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Environment, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea
| | - Seong Soo A. An
- Department of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Korea;
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Efficient Neuroprotective Rescue of Sacsin-Related Disease Phenotypes in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168401. [PMID: 34445111 PMCID: PMC8395086 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a multisystem hereditary ataxia associated with mutations in SACS, which encodes sacsin, a protein of still only partially understood function. Although mouse models of ARSACS mimic largely the disease progression seen in humans, their use in the validation of effective therapies has not yet been proposed. Recently, the teleost Danio rerio has attracted increasing attention as a vertebrate model that allows rapid and economical screening, of candidate molecules, and thus combines the advantages of whole-organism phenotypic assays and in vitro high-throughput screening assays. Through CRISPR/Cas9-based mutagenesis, we generated and characterized a zebrafish sacs-null mutant line that replicates the main features of ARSACS. The sacs-null fish showed motor impairment, hindbrain atrophy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. As proof of principle for using these mutant fish in high-throughput screening studies, we showed that both acetyl-DL-leucine and tauroursodeoxycholic acid improved locomotor and biochemical phenotypes in sacs−/− larvae treated with these neuroprotective agents, by mediating significant rescue of the molecular functions altered by sacsin loss. Taken together, the evidence here reported shows the zebrafish to be a valuable model organism for the identification of novel molecular mechanisms and for efficient and rapid in vivo optimization and screening of potential therapeutic compounds. These findings may pave the way for new interventions targeting the earliest phases of Purkinje cell degeneration in ARSACS.
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