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Corvino A, Caliendo G, Fiorino F, Frecentese F, Valsecchi V, Lombardi G, Anzilotti S, Andreozzi G, Scognamiglio A, Sparaco R, Perissutti E, Severino B, Gargiulo M, Santagada V, Pignataro G. Newly Synthesized Indolylacetic Derivatives Reduce Tumor Necrosis Factor-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Prolong Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1996-2005. [PMID: 39022351 PMCID: PMC11249635 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00098] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The debilitating neurodegenerative disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons (MNs) in the brain, spinal cord, and motor cortex. The ALS neuroinflammatory component is being characterized and includes the overexpression of mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Currently, there are no effective treatments for ALS. Indeed, riluzole, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor blocker, and edaravone, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, are currently the sole two medications approved for ALS treatment. However, their efficacy in extending life expectancy typically amounts to only a few months. In order to improve the medicaments for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, preferably ALS, novel substituted 2-methyl-3-indolylacetic derivatives (compounds II-IV) were developed by combining the essential parts of two small molecules, namely, the opioids containing a 4-piperidinyl ring with indomethacin, previously shown to be efficacious in different experimental models of neuroinflammation. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their potential capability of slowing down neurodegeneration associated with ALS progression in preclinical models of the disease in vitro and in vivo. Notably, we produced data to demonstrate that the treatment with the newly synthesized compound III: (1) prevented the upregulation of TNF-α observed in BV-2 microglial cells exposed to the toxin lipopolysaccharides (LPS), (2) preserved SHSY-5Y cell survival exposed to β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (L-BMAA) neurotoxin, and (3) mitigated motor symptoms and improved survival rate of SOD1G93A ALS mice. In conclusion, the findings of the present work support the potential of the synthesized indolylacetic derivatives II-IV in ALS treatment. Indeed, in the attempt to realize an association between two active molecules, we assumed that the combination of the indispensable moieties of two small molecules (the opioids containing a 4-piperidinyl ring with the FANS indomethacin) might lead to new medicaments potentially useful for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Corvino
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caliendo
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Fiorino
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Francesco Frecentese
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Valeria Valsecchi
- Division
of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological
Sciences, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5 ,Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giovanna Lombardi
- Division
of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological
Sciences, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5 ,Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Serenella Anzilotti
- Department
of Science and Technology, University of
Sannio, 82100Benevento, Italy
| | - Giorgia Andreozzi
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonia Scognamiglio
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Rosa Sparaco
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Elisa Perissutti
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Beatrice Severino
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Michele Gargiulo
- Miuli
Pharma S.r.l., via Circumvallazione, Nola 310 80035, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Santagada
- Department
of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via D. Montesano, 49, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Division
of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological
Sciences, School of Medicine, “Federico
II” University of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5 ,Naples 80131, Italy
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Dey B, Kumar A, Patel AB. Pathomechanistic Networks of Motor System Injury in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1778-1806. [PMID: 37622689 PMCID: PMC11284732 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230824091601] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common, adult-onset, progressive motor neurodegenerative disorder that results in death within 3 years of the clinical diagnosis. Due to the clinicopathological heterogeneity, any reliable biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of ALS have not been identified till date. Moreover, the only three clinically approved treatments are not uniformly effective in slowing the disease progression. Over the last 15 years, there has been a rapid advancement in research on the complex pathomechanistic landscape of ALS that has opened up new avenues for successful clinical translation of targeted therapeutics. Multiple studies suggest that the age-dependent interaction of risk-associated genes with environmental factors and endogenous modifiers is critical to the multi-step process of ALS pathogenesis. In this review, we provide an updated discussion on the dysregulated cross-talk between intracellular homeostasis processes, the unique molecular networks across selectively vulnerable cell types, and the multisystemic nature of ALS pathomechanisms. Importantly, this work highlights the alteration in epigenetic and epitranscriptomic landscape due to gene-environment interactions, which have been largely overlooked in the context of ALS pathology. Finally, we suggest that precision medicine research in ALS will be largely benefitted from the stratification of patient groups based on the clinical phenotype, onset and progression, genome, exposome, and metabolic identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bedaballi Dey
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Arvind Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anant Bahadur Patel
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
- AcSIR-Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Pisciottani A, Croci L, Lauria F, Marullo C, Savino E, Ambrosi A, Podini P, Marchioretto M, Casoni F, Cremona O, Taverna S, Quattrini A, Cioni JM, Viero G, Codazzi F, Consalez GG. Neuronal models of TDP-43 proteinopathy display reduced axonal translation, increased oxidative stress, and defective exocytosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1253543. [PMID: 38026702 PMCID: PMC10679756 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1253543] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, lethal neurodegenerative disease mostly affecting people around 50-60 years of age. TDP-43, an RNA-binding protein involved in pre-mRNA splicing and controlling mRNA stability and translation, forms neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in an overwhelming majority of ALS patients, a phenomenon referred to as TDP-43 proteinopathy. These cytoplasmic aggregates disrupt mRNA transport and localization. The axon, like dendrites, is a site of mRNA translation, permitting the local synthesis of selected proteins. This is especially relevant in upper and lower motor neurons, whose axon spans long distances, likely accentuating their susceptibility to ALS-related noxae. In this work we have generated and characterized two cellular models, consisting of virtually pure populations of primary mouse cortical neurons expressing a human TDP-43 fusion protein, wt or carrying an ALS mutation. Both forms facilitate cytoplasmic aggregate formation, unlike the corresponding native proteins, giving rise to bona fide primary culture models of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Neurons expressing TDP-43 fusion proteins exhibit a global impairment in axonal protein synthesis, an increase in oxidative stress, and defects in presynaptic function and electrical activity. These changes correlate with deregulation of axonal levels of polysome-engaged mRNAs playing relevant roles in the same processes. Our data support the emerging notion that deregulation of mRNA metabolism and of axonal mRNA transport may trigger the dying-back neuropathy that initiates motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pisciottani
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Croci
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Lauria
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR Unit at Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Chiara Marullo
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Savino
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ambrosi
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Podini
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Casoni
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ottavio Cremona
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Taverna
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jean-Michel Cioni
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Franca Codazzi
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - G. Giacomo Consalez
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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4
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Anzilotti S, Valente V, Brancaccio P, Franco C, Casamassa A, Lombardi G, Palazzi A, Conte A, Paladino S, Canzoniero LMT, Annunziato L, Pierantoni GM, Pignataro G. Chronic exposure to l-BMAA cyanotoxin induces cytoplasmic TDP-43 accumulation and glial activation, reproducing an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like phenotype in mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115503. [PMID: 37729728 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and often fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of Motor Neurons (MNs) in spinal cord, motor cortex and brainstem. Despite significant efforts in the field, the exact pathogenetic mechanisms underlying both familial and sporadic forms of ALS have not been fully elucidated, and the therapeutic possibilities are still very limited. Here we investigate the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration induced by chronic exposure to the environmental cyanotoxin L-BMAA, which causes a form of ALS/Parkinson's disease (PD) in several populations consuming food and/or water containing high amounts of this compound. METHODS In this effort, mice were chronically exposed to L-BMAA and analyzed at different time points to evaluate cellular and molecular alterations and behavioral deficits, performing MTT assay, immunoblot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry analysis, and behavioral tests. RESULTS We found that cyanotoxin L-BMAA determines apoptotic cell death and a marked astrogliosis in spinal cord and motor cortex, and induces neurotoxicity by favoring TDP-43 cytoplasmic accumulation. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results characterize a new versatile neurotoxic animal model of ALS that may be useful for the identification of new druggable targets to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serenella Anzilotti
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Valeria Valente
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Brancaccio
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Franco
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna Lombardi
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessandra Palazzi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Conte
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanna Maria Pierantoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Italy.
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5
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Pinto SCS, Gonçalves RCR, Costa SPG, Raposo MMM. Colorimetric Chemosensor for Cu 2+ and Fe 3+ Based on a meso-Triphenylamine-BODIPY Derivative. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:6995. [PMID: 37571777 PMCID: PMC10422517 DOI: 10.3390/s23156995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Optical chemosensors are a practical tool for the detection and quantification of important analytes in biological and environmental fields, such as Cu2+ and Fe3+. To the best of our knowledge, a BODIPY derivative capable of detecting Cu2+ and Fe3+ simultaneously through a colorimetric response has not yet been described in the literature. In this work, a meso-triphenylamine-BODIPY derivative is reported for the highly selective detection of Cu2+ and Fe3+. In the preliminary chemosensing study, this compound showed a significant color change from yellow to blue-green in the presence of Cu2+ and Fe3+. With only one equivalent of cation, a change in the absorption band of the compound and the appearance of a new band around 700 nm were observed. Furthermore, only 10 equivalents of Cu2+/Fe3+ were needed to reach the absorption plateau in the UV-visible titrations. Compound 1 showed excellent sensitivity toward Cu2+ and Fe3+ detection, with LODs of 0.63 µM and 1.06 µM, respectively. The binding constant calculation indicated a strong complexation between compound 1 and Cu2+/Fe3+ ions. The 1H and 19F NMR titrations showed that an increasing concentration of cations induced a broadening and shifting of the aromatic region peaks, as well as the disappearance of the original fluorine peaks of the BODIPY core, which suggests that the ligand-metal (1:2) interaction may occur through the triphenylamino group and the BODIPY core.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M. Manuela M. Raposo
- Centre of Chemistry, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (S.C.S.P.); (R.C.R.G.)
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6
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Korie GC, Sallau AB, Kanu B, Kia GSN, Kwaga JKP. Rabies virus infection is associated with variations in calbindin D-28K and calretinin mRNA expression levels in mouse brain tissue. Arch Virol 2023; 168:143. [PMID: 37069450 PMCID: PMC10110483 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05753-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Rabies virus (RABV) infection leads to a fatal neurological outcome in humans and animals and is associated with major alterations in cellular gene expression. In this study, we describe the effects of RABV infection on the mRNA expression levels of two genes, encoding the Ca2+-binding proteins (Ca-BPs) calbindin D-28K (Calb1) and calretinin (Calb2), in the brains of BALB/c mice. Sixty 4-week-old mice were divided into two test groups and one control group. Mice were inoculated intramuscularly with either a street rabies virus (SRV) strain or a challenge virus standard (CVS-11) strain and sacrificed at 3-day intervals up to day 18 postinfection. A direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) was used to verify the presence of RABV antigen in brain tissues, and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to assess gene expression. Infection with both RABV strains resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases in Calb1 and Calb2 expression in the test animals when compared with the controls at various time points in the study. Correlation analysis indicated very weak insignificant (p > 0.05) negative and positive relationships, respectively, between Calb1 expression (r = -0.04) and Calb2 expression (r = 0.08) with viral load (CVS-11 strain). Insignificant (p > 0.05) relationships were also observed Calb1 expression (r = -0.28) and Calb2 expression (r = 0.06) and viral load for the SRV strain.The observed alterations in Calb1 and Calb2 expression in this study indicate possible impairments in neuronal Ca2+ buffering and Ca2+ homeostasis as a result of RABV infection and, consequently, possible involvement of calbindin-D28K and calretinin in the neuropathogenesis of rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C Korie
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Abdullahi B Sallau
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
- African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
| | - Brenda Kanu
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Grace S N Kia
- African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Jacob K P Kwaga
- African Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
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7
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The Relationships Among Metal Homeostasis, Mitochondria, and Locus Coeruleus in Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders: Potential Pathogenetic Mechanism and Therapeutic Implications. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:963-989. [PMID: 35635600 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01234-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
While alterations in the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system are present during early stages of neuropsychiatric disorders, it is unclear what causes these changes and how they contribute to other pathologies in these conditions. Data suggest that the onset of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia is associated with metal dyshomeostasis that causes glial cell mitochondrial dysfunction and hyperactivation in the locus coeruleus. The effect of the overactive locus coeruleus on the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and prefrontal cortex can be responsible for some of the psychiatric symptoms. Although locus coeruleus overactivation may diminish over time, neuroinflammation-induced alterations are presumably ongoing due to continued metal dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction. In early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, metal dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction likely induce locus coeruleus hyperactivation, pathological tau or α-synuclein formation, and neurodegeneration, while reduction of glymphatic and cerebrospinal fluid flow might be responsible for β-amyloid aggregation in the olfactory regions before the onset of dementia. It is possible that the overactive noradrenergic system stimulates the apoptosis signaling pathway and pathogenic protein formation, leading to further pathological changes which can occur in the presence or absence of locus coeruleus hypoactivation. Data are presented in this review indicating that although locus coeruleus hyperactivation is involved in pathological changes at prodromal and early stages of these neuropsychiatric disorders, metal dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction are critical factors in maintaining ongoing neuropathology throughout the course of these conditions. The proposed mechanistic model includes multiple pharmacological sites that may be targeted for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders commonly.
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8
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Félix SS, Laurents DV, Oroz J, Cabrita EJ. Fused in sarcoma undergoes cold denaturation: Implications for phase separation. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4521. [PMID: 36453011 PMCID: PMC9793971 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The mediation of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) for fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein is generally attributed to the low-complexity, disordered domains and is enhanced at low temperature. The role of FUS folded domains on the LLPS process remains relatively unknown since most studies are mainly based on fragmented FUS domains. Here, we investigate the effect of metabolites on full-length (FL) FUS LLPS using turbidity assays and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, and explore the behavior of the folded domains by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. FL FUS LLPS is maximal at low concentrations of glucose and glutamate, moderate concentrations of NaCl, Zn2+ , and Ca2+ and at the isoelectric pH. The FUS RNA recognition motif (RRM) and zinc-finger (ZnF) domains are found to undergo cold denaturation above 0°C at a temperature that is determined by the conformational stability of the ZnF domain. Cold unfolding exposes buried nonpolar residues that can participate in LLPS-promoting hydrophobic interactions. Therefore, these findings constitute the first evidence that FUS globular domains may have an active role in LLPS under cold stress conditions and in the assembly of stress granules, providing further insight into the environmental regulation of LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S. Félix
- UCIBIO, Department of ChemistryNOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de LisboaCaparicaPortugal,Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de LisboaCaparicaPortugal,Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano (IQFR), CSICMadridSpain
| | | | - Javier Oroz
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano (IQFR), CSICMadridSpain
| | - Eurico J. Cabrita
- UCIBIO, Department of ChemistryNOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de LisboaCaparicaPortugal,Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de LisboaCaparicaPortugal
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9
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Fu X, He Y, Xie Y, Lu Z. A conjoint analysis of bulk RNA-seq and single-nucleus RNA-seq for revealing the role of ferroptosis and iron metabolism in ALS. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1113216. [PMID: 36937665 PMCID: PMC10017473 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1113216] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive and selective degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex of brain and spinal cord. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death and reported to mediate selective motor neuron death in the mouse model of ALS. The growing awareness of ferroptosis and iron metabolism dysfunction in ALS prompted us to investigate the expression pattern of ferroptosis and iron metabolism-related genes (FIRGs) in ALS. Here, we performed a conjoint analysis of bulk-RNA sequence and single-nucleus RNA sequence data using the datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to reveal the role of FIRGs in ALS, especially in selective motor neuron death of ALS. We first investigated the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ALS and non-neurological controls. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis constructed the gene co-expression network and identified three modules closely associated with ALS. Fifteen FIRGs was identified as target genes based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis as follows: ACSL4, ANO6, ATP6V0E1, B2M, CD44, CHMP5, CYBB, CYBRD1, HIF1A, MOSPD1, NCF2, SDCBP, STEAP2, TMEM14C, ULK1. These genes could differentiate ALS patients from non-neurological controls (p < 2.2e-16) and had a valid value in predicting and diagnosing ALS (AUC = 0.881 in primary dataset and AUC = 0.768 in validation dataset). Then we performed the functional enrichment analysis of DEGs between ALS cases, the most significantly influenced by target genes, and non-neurological controls. The result indicated that the most significantly influenced functions in ALS pathogenesis by these identified FIRGs are synapse pathways, calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, and phagosome and several immune pathways. At last, the analysis of single- nuclear seq found that CHMP5, one of the 15 FIRGs identified by bulk single-nucleus RNA-seq data, was expressed significantly higher in ALS than pathologically normal (PN), specifically in excitatory neuron populations with layer 2 and layer 3 markers (Ex L2_L3), layer 3 and layer 5 markers (Ex L3_L5). Taken together, our study indicates the positive correlation between FIRGs and ALS, presents potential markers for ALS diagnosis and provides new research directions of CHMP5 function in selective motor neuron death in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Fu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yizi He
- Department of Lymphoma and Hematology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongzhi Xie
- Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Yongzhi Xie,
| | - Zuneng Lu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Zuneng Lu,
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10
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Yoshida S. Therapeutic Strategies and Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress: Application of Synchrotron Radiation Microbeam to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Front Neurol 2022; 13:884439. [PMID: 35837234 PMCID: PMC9273737 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.884439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of extensive gene-environment studies on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinsonism–dementia complex (PDC) in Guam Island, USA, and the Kii Peninsula of Japan, including Auyu Jakai, West New Guinea, have led us to hypothesize that a prolonged low calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) intake, especially over generation, may cause oxidative stress to motor and nigral neurons by an increased uptake of environment metallic elements, i.e., aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Otherwise, 5–10% of total ALS cases are familial ALS (fALS), of which 20% of the fALS cases linked to a point mutation of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). In the vicinity of the Kii Peninsula, about 7% of the ALS cases are also linked to the SOD1 mutation. Using synchrotron radiation (SR) microbeam, conglomerate inclusion (SOD1 aggregates) within a spinal motor neuron of the fALS case in the vicinity revealed a loss of copper (Cu) in contrast to extremely high contents of Zinc (Zn) and Ca. That means an exceptionally low Cu/Zn ratio with an increased Ca content, indicating the abnormalities of the active site of SOD1 protein of the fALS. Furthermore, sALS in the southernmost high incidence areas of the Kii Peninsula showed a low Cu/Zn ratio within a motor neuron, suggesting a fragility of SOD1 proteins. From the perspective of gene–environment interactions, the above two research trends may show a common oxidative stress underlying the neuronal degenerative process of ALS/PDC in the Kii Peninsula of Japan. Therefore, it is a crucial point for the prospect of therapeutic strategy to clarify a role of transition metals in the oxidative process in both ALS/PDC, including ALS elsewhere in the world. This paper reviews a history of the genetic epidemiological studies, especially from the aspect of gene–environment interaction, on ALS/PDC in the Kii and Guam high incidence foci and the results of a series of analytical research on trace metallic elements within neurons of both sALS and fALS cases, especially using a synchrotron radiation (SR) microbeam of Spring-8 and Photon Factory of Japan. The SR microbeam is an ideal X-ray source, which supplies an extremely high brilliance (high-intensity photon) and tunability (energy variability) to investigate trace metallic elements contained in biological specimens at the cellular level, even more without any damages. This research will provide a valuable information about the mechanism of oxidative stress involved in neuronal cell death in ALS and related neurodegenerative disorders. To elucidate the physicochemical mechanism of the oxidative process in neuronal degeneration, it will shed a new light on the therapeutic strategies for ALS/PDC in near future.
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11
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He D, Cui L. Assessing the Causal Role of Selenium in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Genet 2021; 12:724903. [PMID: 34691149 PMCID: PMC8527026 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.724903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The relation between selenium overexposure and increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been subject to considerable interest. Epidemiologic studies have reported suggestive associations between selenium and ALS, although the causal inference between selenium and ALS remains to be established. Methods: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to analyze the causal role of selenium on ALS risk. Variants associated with selenium levels were obtained from the GWAS meta-analysis of circulating selenium levels (n = 5,477) and toenail selenium levels (n = 4,162) in the European population. Outcome data were from the largest ALS GWAS dataset with 20,806 ALS cases and 59,804 controls in the European population. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis, with an array of sensitivity analyses performed to detect potential violations of MR assumptions. Results: Inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis indicated no evidence of a causal role for selenium levels in ALS development (odds ratio (OR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.96–1.08). Similar results were observed for the sensitivity analyses (OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.95–1.07 for weighted median; OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.87–1.32 for MR-Egger), with no pleiotropy detected. Conclusions: Although selenium was found associated with ALS according to earlier epidemiologic studies, current evidence based on the population of European ancestry does not support the causal effect of selenium on ALS risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di He
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Beijing, China.,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS and PUMC), Beijing, China
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12
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Anzilotti S, Valsecchi V, Brancaccio P, Guida N, Laudati G, Tedeschi V, Petrozziello T, Frecentese F, Magli E, Hassler B, Cuomo O, Formisano L, Secondo A, Annunziato L, Pignataro G. Prolonged NCX activation prevents SOD1 accumulation, reduces neuroinflammation, ameliorates motor behavior and prolongs survival in a ALS mouse model. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 159:105480. [PMID: 34411705 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Imbalance in cellular ionic homeostasis is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) is a membrane antiporter that, operating in a bidirectional way, couples the exchange of Ca2+ and Na + ions in neurons and glial cells, thus controlling the intracellular homeostasis of these ions. Among the three NCX genes, NCX1 and NCX2 are widely expressed within the CNS, while NCX3 is present only in skeletal muscles and at lower levels of expression in selected brain regions. ALS mice showed a reduction in the expression and activity of NCX1 and NCX2 consistent with disease progression, therefore we aimed to investigate their role in ALS pathophysiology. Notably, we demonstrated that the pharmacological activation of NCX1 and NCX2 by the prolonged treatment of SOD1G93A mice with the newly synthesized compound neurounina: (1) prevented the reduction in NCX activity observed in spinal cord; (2) preserved motor neurons survival in the ventral spinal horn of SOD1G93A mice; (3) prevented the spinal cord accumulation of misfolded SOD1; (4) reduced astroglia and microglia activation and spared the resident microglia cells in the spinal cord; (5) improved the lifespan and mitigated motor symptoms of ALS mice. The present study highlights the significant role of NCX1 and NCX2 in the pathophysiology of this neurodegenerative disorder and paves the way for the design of a new pharmacological approach for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valeria Valsecchi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Brancaccio
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giusy Laudati
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Tedeschi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Tiziana Petrozziello
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Frecentese
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Magli
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Brenda Hassler
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ornella Cuomo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Formisano
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Agnese Secondo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Kanu B, Kia GSN, Aimola IA, Korie GC, Tekki IS. Rabies virus infection is associated with alterations in the expression of parvalbumin and secretagogin in mice brain. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:1267-1275. [PMID: 33783673 PMCID: PMC8008021 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00717-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Infection with the deadly rabies virus (RABV) leads to alteration of cellular gene expression. The RABV, similar to other neurodegenerative diseases may be implicated in neuronal death due to an imbalance in Ca2+ homeostasis. Parvalbumin (PV) and Secretagogin (Scgn), two members of the Calcium-Binding Proteins (CBPs) are useful neuronal markers responsible for calcium regulation and buffering with possible protective roles against infections. This study investigated whether infection with rabies virus causes variance in expression levels of PV and Scgn using the Challenge virus standard (CVS) and Nigerian Street Rabies virus (SRV) strains. Forty-eight, 4-week-old BALB/c mice strains were divided into two test groups and challenged with Rabies virus (RABV) infection and one control group. The presence of RABV antigen was verified by direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to assess PV and Scgn gene expression. Infection with both virus strains resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases in expression during early infection. Mid-infection phase caused reduced expression for both genes. However, as infection progressed to the terminal phase, a lower increase in expression was measured. Gene expression and viral load correlation indicated no positive relationship. Neurons with these CBPs may have a greater capacity to buffer calcium and be more resistant to degenerative changes caused by RABV. This implies that, when PV and Scgn expression levels are kept adequately high, the integrity of neurons may be maintained and degeneration caused by RABV infection may be prevented or stopped, hence, these are possible constituents of effective rabies therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Kanu
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
| | - Grace S N Kia
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Idowu A Aimola
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - George C Korie
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Ishaya S Tekki
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
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Neurophysiological Mechanisms Underlying Cortical Hyper-Excitability in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Review. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11050549. [PMID: 33925493 PMCID: PMC8145013 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11050549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromotor disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs), resulting in muscle paralysis and death. Early cortical hyper-excitability is a common pathological process observed clinically and in animal disease models. Although the mechanisms that underlie cortical hyper-excitability are not completely understood, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause enhanced neuronal intrinsic excitability and changes in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity are starting to emerge. Here, we review the evidence for an anterograde glutamatergic excitotoxic process, leading to cortical hyper-excitability via intrinsic cellular and synaptic mechanisms and for the role of interneurons in establishing disinhibition in clinical and experimental settings. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to these complex pathological processes will likely produce key insights towards developing novel therapeutic strategies to rescue upper MNs, thus alleviating the impact of this fatal disease.
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Preethi S, Bharathi V, Patel BK. Zn 2+ modulates in vitro phase separation of TDP-43 2C and mutant TDP-43 2C-A315T C-terminal fragments of TDP-43 protein implicated in ALS and FTLD-TDP diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 176:186-200. [PMID: 33577819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
TDP-43 proteinopathy is implicated in the neurodegenerative diseases, ALS and FTLD-TDP. Metal ion dyshomeostasis is observed in neurodegenerative diseases including ALS. Previously, mice expressing A315T familial ALS TDP-43 mutant showed elevated spinal cord Zn2+ levels. Recently, Zn2+ was observed to modulate the in vitro amyloid-like aggregation of the TDP-43's RRM12 domains. As a systematic knowledge of the TDP-43's interaction with Zn2+ is lacking, we in silico predicted potential Zn2+ binding sites in TDP-43 and estimated their relative solvent accessibilities. Zn2+ binding sites were predicted in the TDP-43's N-terminal domain, in the linker region between RRM1 and RRM2 domain, within RRM2 domain and at the junction of the RRM2 and C-terminal domain (CTD), but none in the 311-360 region of CTD. Furthermore, we found that Zn2+ promotes the in vitro thioflavin-T-positive aggregations of C-terminal fragments (CTFs) termed TDP-432C and TDP-432C-A315T that encompass the RRM2 and CTD domains. Also, while the Alexa-fluor fluorescently labelled TDP-432C and TDP-432C-A315T proteins manifested liquid-like spherical droplets, Zn2+ caused a solid-like phase separation that was not ameliorated even by carboxymethylation of the free cysteines thereby implicating the other Zn2+-binding residues. The observed Zn2+-promoted TDP-43 CTF's solid-like phase separation can be relevant to the Zn2+ dyshomeostasis in ALS and FTLD-TDP.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Preethi
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Vidhya Bharathi
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India
| | - Basant K Patel
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana 502285, India.
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Li CY, Yang TM, Ou RW, Wei QQ, Shang HF. Genome-wide genetic links between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and autoimmune diseases. BMC Med 2021; 19:27. [PMID: 33541344 PMCID: PMC7863260 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-01903-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological and clinical studies have suggested comorbidity between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and autoimmune disorders. However, little is known about their shared genetic architecture. METHODS To examine the relation between ALS and 10 autoimmune diseases, including asthma, celiac disease (CeD), Crohn's disease (CD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type 1 diabetes (T1D), and ulcerative colitis (UC), and identify shared risk loci, we first estimated the genetic correlation using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies, and then analyzed the genetic enrichment leveraging the conditional false discovery rate statistical method. RESULTS We identified a significant positive genetic correlation between ALS and CeD, MS, RA, and SLE, as well as a significant negative genetic correlation between ALS and IBD, UC, and CD. Robust genetic enrichment was observed between ALS and CeD and MS, and moderate enrichment was found between ALS and UC and T1D. Thirteen shared genetic loci were identified, among which five were suggestively significant in another ALS GWAS, namely rs3828599 (GPX3), rs3849943 (C9orf72), rs7154847 (G2E3), rs6571361 (SCFD1), and rs9903355 (GGNBP2). By integrating cis-expression quantitative trait loci analyses in Braineac and GTEx, we further identified GGNBP2, ATXN3, and SLC9A8 as novel ALS risk genes. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the shared risk genes were involved in four pathways including membrane trafficking, vesicle-mediated transport, ER to Golgi anterograde transport, and transport to the Golgi and subsequent modification. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate a specific genetic correlation between ALS and autoimmune diseases and identify shared risk loci, including three novel ALS risk genes. These results provide a better understanding for the pleiotropy of ALS and have implications for future therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yu Li
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Mi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ru Wei Ou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Qian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Fang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Tesauro M, Bruschi M, Filippini T, D'Alfonso S, Mazzini L, Corrado L, Consonni M, Vinceti M, Fusi P, Urani C. Metal(loid)s role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Environmental, epidemiological, and genetic data. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 192:110292. [PMID: 33027627 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the motor system. The etiology is still unknown and the pathogenesis remains unclear. ALS is familial in the 10% of cases with a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. In the remaining sporadic cases, a multifactorial origin is supposed in which several predisposing genes interact with environmental factors. The etiological role of environmental factors, such as pesticides, exposure to electromagnetic fields, and metals has been frequently investigated, with controversial findings. Studies in the past two decades have highlighted possible roles of metals, and ionic homeostasis dysregulation has been proposed as the main trigger to motor-neuron degeneration. This study aims at evaluating the possible role of environmental factors in etiopathogenesis of ALS, with a particular attention on metal contamination, focusing on the industrial Briga area in the province of Novara (Piedmont region, North Italy), characterized by: i) a higher incidence of sporadic ALS (sALS) in comparison with the entire province, and ii) the reported environmental pollution. Environmental data from surface, ground and discharge waters, and from soils were collected and specifically analyzed for metal content. Considering the significance of genetic mechanisms in ALS, a characterization for the main ALS genes has been performed to evaluate the genetic contribution for the sALS patients living in the area of study. The main findings of this study are the demonstration that in the Briga area the most common metal contaminants are Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni (widely used in tip-plating processes), that are above law limits in surface waters, discharge waters, and soil. In addition, other metals and metalloids, such as Cd, Pb, Mn, and As show a severe contamination in the same area. Results of genetic analyses show that sALS patients in the Briga area do not carry recurrent mutations or an excess of mutations in the four main ALS causative genes (SOD1, TARDBP, FUS, C9ORF72) and for ATXN2 CAG repeat locus. This study supports the hypothesis that the higher incidence of sALS in Briga area may be related to environmental metal(loid)s contamination, along with other environmental factors. Further studies, implementing analysis of genetic polymorphisms, as well as investigation with long term follow-up, may yield to key aspects into the etiology of ALS. The interplay between different approaches (environmental, chemical, epidemiological, genetic) of our work provides new insights and methodology to the comprehension of the disease etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Tesauro
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via C. Pascal, 36, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Bruschi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso Filippini
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi, 287, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Sandra D'Alfonso
- Department of Health Sciences, CAAD, UPO University, Via Solaroli, 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Centre Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità University Hospital, Corso Mazzini, 18, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Lucia Corrado
- Department of Health Sciences, CAAD, UPO University, Via Solaroli, 17, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Michela Consonni
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via C. Pascal, 36, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Vinceti
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi, 287, 41125, Modena, Italy; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, 715 Albany Street, MA 02118, USA
| | - Paola Fusi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Urani
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis weakens spinal recurrent inhibition and post-activation depression. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:2875-2886. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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The impact of cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2Rs) in neuroprotection against neurological disorders. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:1507-1518. [PMID: 33024239 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00530-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids have long been used for their psychotropic and possible medical properties of symptom relief. In the past few years, a vast literature shows that cannabinoids are neuroprotective under different pathological situations. Most of the effects of cannabinoids are mediated by the well-characterized cannabinoid receptors, the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) and cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R). Even though CB1Rs are highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), the adverse central side effects and the development of tolerance resulting from CB1R activation may ultimately limit the clinical utility of CB1R agonists. In contrast to the ubiquitous presence of CB1Rs, CB2Rs are less commonly expressed in the healthy CNS but highly upregulated in glial cells under neuropathological conditions. Experimental studies have provided robust evidence that CB2Rs seem to be involved in the modulation of different neurological disorders. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the protective effects of CB2R activation against the development of neurological diseases and provide a perspective on the future of this field. A better understanding of the fundamental pharmacology of CB2R activation is essential for the development of clinical applications and the design of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Nakagawa Y, Yamada S. A novel hypothesis on metal dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Potential pathogenetic mechanism and therapeutic implications. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 892:173737. [PMID: 33220280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunctions resulting from the loss of upper (UMNs) and lower (LMNs) motor neurons. While ALS symptoms are coincidental with pathological changes in LMNs and UMNs, the causal relationship between the two is unclear. For example, research on the extra-motor symptoms associated with this condition suggests that an imbalance of metals, including copper, zinc, iron, and manganese, is initially induced in the sensory ganglia due to a malfunction of metal binding proteins and transporters. It is proposed that the resultant metal dyshomeostasis may promote mitochondrial dysfunction in the satellite glial cells of these sensory ganglia, causing sensory neuron disturbances and sensory symptoms. Sensory neuron hyperactivation can result in LMN impairments, while metal dyshomeostasis in spinal cord and brain stem parenchyma induces mitochondrial dysfunction in LMNs and UMNs. These events could prompt intracellular calcium dyshomeostasis, pathological TDP-43 formation, and reactive microglia with neuroinflammation, which in turn activate the apoptosis signaling pathways within the LMNs and UMNs. Our model suggests that the degeneration of LMNs and UMNs is incidental to the metal-induced changes in the spinal cord and brain stem. Over time psychiatric symptoms may appear as the metal dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction affect other brain regions, including the reticular formation, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. It is proposed that metal dyshomeostasis in combination with mitochondrial dysfunction could be the underlying mechanism responsible for the initiation and progression of the pathological changes associated with both the motor and extra-motor symptoms of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Nakagawa
- Center for Pharma-Food Research (CPFR), Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Integrative Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan.
| | - Shizuo Yamada
- Center for Pharma-Food Research (CPFR), Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Integrative Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, 422-8526, Japan
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Disease Ionomics: Understanding the Role of Ions in Complex Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228646. [PMID: 33212764 PMCID: PMC7697569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionomics is a novel multidisciplinary field that uses advanced techniques to investigate the composition and distribution of all minerals and trace elements in a living organism and their variations under diverse physiological and pathological conditions. It involves both high-throughput elemental profiling technologies and bioinformatic methods, providing opportunities to study the molecular mechanism underlying the metabolism, homeostasis, and cross-talk of these elements. While much effort has been made in exploring the ionomic traits relating to plant physiology and nutrition, the use of ionomics in the research of serious diseases is still in progress. In recent years, a number of ionomic studies have been carried out for a variety of complex diseases, which offer theoretical and practical insights into the etiology, early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of them. This review aims to give an overview of recent applications of ionomics in the study of complex diseases and discuss the latest advances and future trends in this area. Overall, disease ionomics may provide substantial information for systematic understanding of the properties of the elements and the dynamic network of elements involved in the onset and development of diseases.
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Sun L, Wei H. Ryanodine Receptors: A Potential Treatment Target in Various Neurodegenerative Disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 41:1613-1624. [PMID: 32833122 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00936-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progressive neuronal demise is a key contributor to the key pathogenic event implicated in many different neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). There are several therapeutic strategies available; however, none of them are particularly effective. Targeted neuroprotective therapy is one such therapy, which seems a compelling option, yet remains challenging due to the internal heterogeneity of the mechanisms underlying various NDDs. An alternative method to treat NDDs is to exploit common modalities involving molecularly distinct subtypes and thus develop specialized drugs with broad-spectrum characteristics. There is mounting evidence which supports for the theory that dysfunctional ryanodine receptors (RyRs) disrupt intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, contributing to NDDs significantly. This review aims to provide direct and indirect evidence on the intersection of NDDs and RyRs malfunction, and to shed light on novel strategies to treat RyRs-mediated disease, modifying pharmacological therapies such as the potential therapeutic role of dantrolene, a RyRs antagonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 305 John Morgan Building, 3610 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Huafeng Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 305 John Morgan Building, 3610 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Pretsch D, Rollinger JM, Schmid A, Genov M, Wöhrer T, Krenn L, Moloney M, Kasture A, Hummel T, Pretsch A. Prolongation of metallothionein induction combats Aß and α-synuclein toxicity in aged transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11707. [PMID: 32678125 PMCID: PMC7366685 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68561-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) like Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), Huntington's or Prion diseases share similar pathological features. They are all age dependent and are often associated with disruptions in analogous metabolic processes such as protein aggregation and oxidative stress, both of which involve metal ions like copper, manganese and iron. Bush and Tanzi proposed 2008 in the 'metal hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease' that a breakdown in metal homeostasis is the main cause of NDs, and drugs restoring metal homeostasis are promising novel therapeutic strategies. We report here that metallothionein (MT), an endogenous metal detoxifying protein, is increased in young amyloid ß (Aß) expressing Caenorhabditis elegans, whereas it is not in wild type strains. Further MT induction collapsed in 8 days old transgenic worms, indicating the age dependency of disease outbreak, and sharing intriguing parallels to diminished MT levels in human brains of AD. A medium throughput screening assay method was established to search for compounds increasing the MT level. Compounds known to induce MT release like progesterone, ZnSO4, quercetin, dexamethasone and apomorphine were active in models of AD and PD. Thioflavin T, clioquinol and emodin are promising leads in AD and PD research, whose mode of action has not been fully established yet. In this study, we could show that the reduction of Aß and α-synuclein toxicity in transgenic C. elegans models correlated with the prolongation of MT induction time and that knockdown of MT with RNA interference resulted in a loss of bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Pretsch
- Oxford Antibiotic Group GmbH, Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria.
| | - Judith Maria Rollinger
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Axel Schmid
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Miroslav Genov
- Oxford Antibiotic Group GmbH, Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Teresa Wöhrer
- Oxford Antibiotic Group GmbH, Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Liselotte Krenn
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mark Moloney
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Ameya Kasture
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Pretsch
- Oxford Antibiotic Group GmbH, Konrad-Lorenz-Straße 24, 3430, Tulln, Austria
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Figueroa‐Romero C, Mikhail KA, Gennings C, Curtin P, Bello GA, Botero TM, Goutman SA, Feldman EL, Arora M, Austin C. Early life metal dysregulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:872-882. [PMID: 32438517 PMCID: PMC7318091 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Deficiencies and excess of essential elements and toxic metals are implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but the age when metal dysregulation appears remains unknown. This study aims to determine whether metal uptake is dysregulated during childhood in individuals eventually diagnosed with ALS. METHODS Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used to obtain time series data of metal uptake using biomarkers in teeth from autopsies or dental extractions of ALS (n = 36) and control (n = 31) participants. Covariate data included sex, smoking, occupational exposures, and ALS family history. Case-control differences were identified in temporal profiles of metal uptake for individual metals using distributed lag models. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was used for metals mixture analyses. Similar analyses were performed on an ALS mouse model to further verify the relevance of dysregulation of metals in ALS. RESULTS Metal levels were higher in cases than in controls: 1.49 times for chromium (1.11-1.82; at 15 years), 1.82 times for manganese (1.34-2.46; at birth), 1.65 times for nickel (1.22-2.01; at 8 years), 2.46 times for tin (1.65-3.30; at 2 years), and 2.46 times for zinc (1.49-3.67; at 6 years). Co-exposure to 11 elements indicated that childhood metal dysregulation was associated with ALS. The mixture contribution of metals to disease outcome was likewise apparent in tooth biomarkers of an ALS mouse model, and differences in metal distribution were evident in ALS mouse brains compared to brains from littermate controls. INTERPRETATION Overall, our study reveals direct evidence that altered metal uptake during specific early life time windows is associated with adult-onset ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chris Gennings
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Senator Frank Lautenberg Laboratory for Environmental Health SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Paul Curtin
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Senator Frank Lautenberg Laboratory for Environmental Health SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Ghalib A. Bello
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Senator Frank Lautenberg Laboratory for Environmental Health SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Tatiana M. Botero
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and EndodonticsSchool of Dentistry University of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | | | - Eva L. Feldman
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Manish Arora
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Senator Frank Lautenberg Laboratory for Environmental Health SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Christine Austin
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, and Senator Frank Lautenberg Laboratory for Environmental Health SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
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25
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Jara JH, Sheets PL, Nigro MJ, Perić M, Brooks C, Heller DB, Martina M, Andjus PR, Ozdinler PH. The Electrophysiological Determinants of Corticospinal Motor Neuron Vulnerability in ALS. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:73. [PMID: 32508590 PMCID: PMC7248374 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is complex and heterogeneous. Even though numerous independent studies indicate cortical hyperexcitability as a potential contributor to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology, the mechanisms that are responsible for upper motor neuron (UMN) vulnerability remain elusive. To reveal the electrophysiological determinants of corticospinal motor neuron (CSMN, a.k.a UMN in mice) vulnerability, we investigated the motor cortex of hSOD1G93A mice at P30 (postnatal day 30), a presymptomatic time point. Glutamate uncaging by laser scanning photostimulation (LSPS) revealed altered dynamics especially within the inhibitory circuitry and more specifically in L2/3 of the motor cortex, whereas the excitatory microcircuits were unchanged. Observed microcircuitry changes were specific to CSMN in the motor column. Electrophysiological evaluation of the intrinsic properties in response to the microcircuit changes, as well as the exon microarray expression profiles of CSMN isolated from hSOD1G93A and healthy mice at P30, revealed the presence of a very dynamic set of events, ultimately directed to establish, maintain and retain the balance at this early stage. Also, the expression profile of key voltage-gated potassium and sodium channel subunits as well as of the inhibitory GABA receptor subunits and modulatory proteins began to suggest the challenges CSMN face at this early age. Since neurodegeneration is initiated when neurons can no longer maintain balance, the complex cellular events that occur at this critical time point help reveal how CSMN try to cope with the challenges of disease manifestation. This information is critically important for the proper modulation of UMNs and for developing effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier H Jara
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Patrick L Sheets
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Maximiliano José Nigro
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mina Perić
- Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Carolyn Brooks
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Daniel B Heller
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Marco Martina
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Pavle R Andjus
- Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - P Hande Ozdinler
- Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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26
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Valsecchi V, Boido M, Montarolo F, Guglielmotto M, Perga S, Martire S, Cutrupi S, Iannello A, Gionchiglia N, Signorino E, Calvo A, Fuda G, Chiò A, Bertolotto A, Vercelli A. The transcription factor Nurr1 is upregulated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and SOD1-G93A mice. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm043513. [PMID: 32188741 PMCID: PMC7240304 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.043513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects both lower and upper motor neurons (MNs) in the central nervous system. ALS etiology is highly multifactorial and multifarious, and an effective treatment is still lacking. Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of ALS and could be targeted to develop new therapeutic approaches. Interestingly, the transcription factor Nurr1 has been demonstrated to have an important role in the inflammatory process in several neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. In the present paper, we demonstrate for the first time that Nurr1 expression levels are upregulated in the peripheral blood of ALS patients. Moreover, we investigated Nurr1 function in the SOD1-G93A mouse model of ALS. Nurr1 was strongly upregulated in the spinal cord during the asymptomatic and early symptomatic phases of the disease, where it promoted the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA and the repression of NFκB pro-inflammatory targets, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase. Therefore, we hypothesize that Nurr1 is activated in an early phase of the disease as a protective endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanism, although not sufficient to reverse disease progression. On the basis of these observations, Nurr1 could represent a potential biomarker for ALS and a promising target for future therapies.
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MESH Headings
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/blood
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics
- Animals
- Astrocytes/metabolism
- Astrocytes/pathology
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Middle Aged
- Motor Neurons/metabolism
- Motor Neurons/pathology
- NF-kappa B/genetics
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/blood
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/metabolism
- Spinal Cord/pathology
- Superoxide Dismutase-1/genetics
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcriptional Activation/genetics
- Up-Regulation/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Valsecchi
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Montarolo
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
- Neurobiology Unit, Neurology - CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Guglielmotto
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Perga
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
- Neurobiology Unit, Neurology - CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Serena Martire
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
- Neurobiology Unit, Neurology - CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Santina Cutrupi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Iannello
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Nadia Gionchiglia
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Signorino
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Expert Center (CRESLA), University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- University Hospital Città della Scienza e della Salute, corso Bramante 88, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fuda
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Expert Center (CRESLA), University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- University Hospital Città della Scienza e della Salute, corso Bramante 88, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Expert Center (CRESLA), University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- University Hospital Città della Scienza e della Salute, corso Bramante 88, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Bertolotto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
- Neurobiology Unit, Neurology - CReSM (Regional Referring Center of Multiple Sclerosis), AOU San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
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27
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Valsecchi V, Anzilotti S, Serani A, Laudati G, Brancaccio P, Guida N, Cuomo O, Pignataro G, Annunziato L. miR-206 Reduces the Severity of Motor Neuron Degeneration in the Facial Nuclei of the Brainstem in a Mouse Model of SMA. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1154-1166. [PMID: 32075715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disease affecting infants caused by alterations of the survival motor neuron gene, which results in progressive degeneration of motor neurons (MNs). Although an effective treatment for SMA patients has been recently developed, the molecular pathway involved in selective MN degeneration has not been yet elucidated. In particular, miR-206 has been demonstrated to play a relevant role in the regeneration of neuromuscular junction in several MN diseases, and particularly it is upregulated in the quadriceps, tibialis anterior, spinal cord, and serum of SMA mice. In the present paper, we demonstrated that miR-206 was transiently upregulated also in the brainstem of the mouse model of SMA, SMAΔ7, in the early phase of the disease paralleling MN degeneration and was down-regulated in the late symptomatic phase. To prevent this downregulation, we intracerebroventricularly injected miR-206 in SMA pups, demonstrating that miR-206 reduced the severity of SMA pathology, slowing down disease progression, increasing survival rate, and improving behavioral performance of mice. Interestingly, exogenous miRNA-206-induced upregulation caused a reduction of the predicted target sodium calcium exchanger isoform 2, NCX2, one of the main regulators of intracellular [Ca2+] and [Na+]. Therefore, we hypothesized that miR-206 might exert part of its neuroprotective effect modulating NCX2 expression in SMA disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Valsecchi
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Angelo Serani
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giusy Laudati
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Brancaccio
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ornella Cuomo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, Federico II University of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Characterization of the activity, aggregation, and toxicity of heterodimers of WT and ALS-associated mutant Sod1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25991-26000. [PMID: 31796595 PMCID: PMC6926019 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1902483116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the antioxidant enzyme Sod1 represents common factors of both familial (fALS) and sporadic cases of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Although many ALS studies have focused on Sod1 homodimers/homomers, the investigation of Sod1 heterodimers/heteromers remains controversial and has mostly been performed with recombinant proteins in vitro, in the absence of a cellular environment. By using living cells, this study sheds light into a critical issue in the context of fALS, the high toxicity of the WT–mutant heteromeric inclusions, especially WT–A4V heteromers which accumulate both in human cells as well as in chronologically aged yeast cells. Besides the aggregation, we proposed that an inefficient heteromer response against oxidative conditions might contribute to fALS-linked mutant hSod1 toxicity. Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Sod1) have been reported in both familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study, we investigated the behavior of heteromeric combinations of wild-type (WT) and mutant Sod1 proteins A4V, L38V, G93A, and G93C in human cells. We showed that both WT and mutant Sod1 formed dimers and oligomers, but only mutant Sod1 accumulated in intracellular inclusions. Coexpression of WT and hSod1 mutants resulted in the formation of a larger number of intracellular inclusions per cell than that observed in cells coexpressing WT or mutant hSod1. The number of inclusions was greater in cells expressing A4V hSod1. To eliminate the contribution of endogenous Sod1, and better evaluate the effect of ALS-associated mutant Sod1 expression, we expressed human Sod1 WT and mutants in human cells knocked down for endogenous Sod1 (Sod1-KD), and in sod1Δ yeast cells. Using Sod1-KD cells we found that the WT–A4V heteromers formed higher molecular weight species compared with A4V and WT homomers. Using the yeast model, in conditions of chronological aging, we concluded that cells expressing Sod1 heterodimers showed decreased antioxidant activity, increased oxidative damage, reduced longevity, and oxidative stress-induced mutant Sod1 aggregation. In addition, we also found that ALS-associated Sod1 mutations reduced nuclear localization and, consequently, impaired the antioxidant response, suggesting this change in localization may contribute to disease in familial ALS. Overall, our study provides insight into the molecular underpinnings of ALS and may open avenues for the design of future therapeutic strategies.
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29
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Wang S, Dong ZY, Yan YB. Semiholoenzyme optimizes activity and stability of a hyperthermostable iron-superoxide dismutase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 519:93-99. [PMID: 31477266 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.135] [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: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Metal ion coordination is an essential step for the maturation of metalloenzymes. Generally, the metal coordination sites are thought to be fully occupied to achieve the maximum activity and stability. In this research, we compared the structural features, activity and stability of the apo-, semiholo- and holo-forms of a hyperthermostable tetrameric Fe-superoxide dismutase (SOD). Strikingly, the three forms of enzymes had similar compact tetrameric structures. Removal of iron ions destabilized subunit-subunit interactions during guanidine hydrochloride-induced unfolding. The partially metalized semiholoenzyme possessed most of the activity and identical hyperthermostability of the holoenzyme, but weaker propensity to aggregate. Furthermore, both of the iron content and activity of the semiholoenzyme were unaffected by a 200-fold excess iron ions in solutions, suggesting that conformation of the apo-subunits were forced to the close state by the iron-containing subunits. These observations suggest that fully metalized enzyme is probably nonessential for multimeric metalloenzymes and the semiholoenzyme may be a better choice. The unique properties of semiholoenzyme also provide the organisms a compromised solution to survival under metal deficiency conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhi-Yang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yong-Bin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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30
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Pradhan J, Noakes PG, Bellingham MC. The Role of Altered BDNF/TrkB Signaling in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:368. [PMID: 31456666 PMCID: PMC6700252 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is well recognized for its neuroprotective functions, via activation of its high affinity receptor, tropomysin related kinase B (TrkB). In addition, BDNF/TrkB neuroprotective functions can also be elicited indirectly via activation of adenosine 2A receptors (A2aRs), which in turn transactivates TrkB. Evidence suggests that alterations in BDNF/TrkB, including TrkB transactivation by A2aRs, can occur in several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although enhancing BDNF has been a major goal for protection of dying motor neurons (MNs), this has not been successful. Indeed, there is emerging in vitro and in vivo evidence suggesting that an upregulation of BDNF/TrkB can cause detrimental effects on MNs, making them more vulnerable to pathophysiological insults. For example, in ALS, early synaptic hyper-excitability of MNs is thought to enhance BDNF-mediated signaling, thereby causing glutamate excitotoxicity, and ultimately MN death. Moreover, direct inhibition of TrkB and A2aRs has been shown to protect MNs from these pathophysiological insults, suggesting that modulation of BDNF/TrkB and/or A2aRs receptors may be important in early disease pathogenesis in ALS. This review highlights the relevance of pathophysiological actions of BDNF/TrkB under certain circumstances, so that manipulation of BDNF/TrkB and A2aRs may give rise to alternate neuroprotective therapeutic strategies in the treatment of neural diseases such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonu Pradhan
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter G Noakes
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark C Bellingham
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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LoRusso E, Hickman JJ, Guo X. Ion channel dysfunction and altered motoneuron excitability in ALS. NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS & EPILEPSY JOURNAL 2019; 3:124. [PMID: 32313901 PMCID: PMC7170321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated excitability is a hallmark of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) pathology both in ALS research models and in clinical settings. This primarily results from the dysfunction of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ion channels responsible for maintaining neuronal thresholds and executing signal transduction or synaptic transmission. The exact dysfunction that each of these ion channel currents display in ALS pathology can vary between different ALS models, mainly induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived human motoneurons and ALS mouse models. Moreover, results can vary further across ALS mutations and between different developmental periods of these disease models. This review attempts to gather observations regarding ion channel dysfunction contributing to both hyperexcitable and hypoexcitable phenotypes in ALS motoneurons both in vivo and in vitro, so as to assess their potential as therapeutic targets.
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A benchmark for the size of the QM system required for accurate hybrid QM/MM calculations on the metal site of the protein copper, zinc superoxide dismutase. J Mol Model 2019; 25:176. [PMID: 31154525 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-019-4066-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The protein superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is a copper and zinc-binding protein that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Zn(II) binding to SOD1 is critical for the stability of the protein, and has been by itself implicated in ALS pathogenesis. Hence, the quantum mechanical (QM) study of the Zn(II)-site of SOD1 is relevant for understanding ALS. The hybrid QM-molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach commonly employed for the QM study of proteins is highly dependent on the size of the sub-system treated quantum-mechanically. The size of the QM system also determines the computational feasibility of a given method. In the present work, we compare optimized geometries for the metal site and Zn(II) dissociation energies obtained with a QM/MM methodology employing different sizes for the QM sub-system. We find that geometries converge rapidly to RMSDs of around 0.3 Å, and fails to converge further, while a QM system of 480 atoms was required for converging the Zn(II) interaction energy of SOD1 to within 5 kcal*mol-1, and a 611-atoms QM system for a 1 kcal*mol-1 convergence with respect to our reference, 1280 QM-atoms system. Graphical Abstract The size of the QM system is critical for both the accuracy and the computational cost of a QM/MM calculation. We have identified a optimum balance for the study of the active site of the coppper, zinc superoxide dismutase.
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Magi S, Piccirillo S, Amoroso S. The dual face of glutamate: from a neurotoxin to a potential survival factor-metabolic implications in health and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:1473-1488. [PMID: 30599069 PMCID: PMC11105246 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-3002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Beyond this function, glutamate also plays a key role in intermediary metabolism in all organs and tissues, linking carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Under both physiological and pathological conditions, we have recently found that the ability of glutamate to fuel cell metabolism selectively relies on the activity of two main transporters: the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) and the sodium-dependent excitatory amino-acid transporters (EAATs). In ischemic settings, when glutamate is administered at the onset of the reoxygenation phase, the coordinate activity of EAAT and NCX allows glutamate to improve cell viability by stimulating ATP production. So far, this phenomenon has been observed in both cardiac and neuronal models. In this review, we focus on the most recent findings exploring the unusual activity of glutamate as a potential survival factor in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Magi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, University "Politecnica delle Marche", Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Silvia Piccirillo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, University "Politecnica delle Marche", Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Amoroso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, University "Politecnica delle Marche", Via Tronto 10/A, 60126, Ancona, Italy
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Núñez MT, Hidalgo C. Noxious Iron-Calcium Connections in Neurodegeneration. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:48. [PMID: 30809110 PMCID: PMC6379295 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron and calcium share the common feature of being essential for normal neuronal function. Iron is required for mitochondrial function, synaptic plasticity, and the development of cognitive functions whereas cellular calcium signals mediate neurotransmitter exocytosis, axonal growth and synaptic plasticity, and control the expression of genes involved in learning and memory processes. Recent studies have revealed that cellular iron stimulates calcium signaling, leading to downstream activation of kinase cascades engaged in synaptic plasticity. The relationship between calcium and iron is Janus-faced, however. While under physiological conditions iron-mediated reactive oxygen species generation boosts normal calcium-dependent signaling pathways, excessive iron levels promote oxidative stress leading to the upsurge of unrestrained calcium signals that damage mitochondrial function, among other downstream targets. Similarly, increases in mitochondrial calcium to non-physiological levels result in mitochondrial dysfunction and a predicted loss of iron homeostasis. Hence, if uncontrolled, the iron/calcium self-feeding cycle becomes deleterious to neuronal function, leading eventually to neuronal death. Here, we review the multiple cell-damaging responses generated by the unregulated iron/calcium self-feeding cycle, such as excitotoxicity, free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation, and the oxidative modification of crucial components of iron and calcium homeostasis/signaling: the iron transporter DMT1, plasma membrane, and intracellular calcium channels and pumps. We discuss also how iron-induced dysregulation of mitochondrial calcium contributes to the generation of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Tulio Núñez
- Iron and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cecilia Hidalgo
- Calcium Signaling Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute, CEMC, Physiology and Biophysics Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Bu XL, Xiang Y, Guo Y. The Role of Iron in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1173:145-152. [PMID: 31456209 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9589-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The etiology and pathogenesis of this devastating disease remain largely unknown. Increasing evidence suggests that iron accumulation is involved in the onset and progression of ALS. In this review, we discuss the regulation of iron homoeostasis in the brain, the misregulation of iron homeostasis in ALS, and its possible roles in the mechanism of the disease. Finally, we summarize the recent progress and problems with respect to iron chelator therapies on ALS, aiming to propose a new therapeutic strategy to ameliorate the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Le Bu
- Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Xiang
- Department of Neurology, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yansu Guo
- Beijing Geriatric Healthcare Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Vinciguerra A, Cuomo O, Cepparulo P, Anzilotti S, Brancaccio P, Sirabella R, Guida N, Annunziato L, Pignataro G. Models and methods for conditioning the ischemic brain. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 310:63-74. [PMID: 30287283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last decades the need to find new neuroprotective targets has addressed the researchers to investigate the endogenous molecular mechanisms that brain activates when exposed to a conditioning stimulus. Indeed, conditioning is an adaptive biological process activated by those interventions able to confer resistance to a deleterious brain event through the exposure to a sub-threshold insult. Specifically, preconditioning and postconditioning are realized when the conditioning stimulus is applied before or after, respectively, the harmul ischemia. AIMS AND RESULTS The present review will describe the most common methods to induce brain conditioning, with particular regards to surgical, physical exercise, temperature-induced and pharmacological approaches. It has been well recognized that when the subliminal stimulus is delivered after the ischemic insult, the achieved neuroprotection is comparable to that observed in models of ischemic preconditioning. In addition, subjecting the brain to both preconditioning as well as postconditioning did not cause greater protection than each treatment alone. CONCLUSIONS The last decades have provided fascinating insights into the mechanisms and potential application of strategies to induce brain conditioning. Since the identification of intrinsic cell-survival pathways should provide more direct opportunities for translational neuroprotection trials, an accurate examination of the different models of preconditioning and postconditioning is mandatory before starting any new project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Vinciguerra
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ornella Cuomo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Cepparulo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Paola Brancaccio
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossana Sirabella
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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