1
|
Okekenwa S, Tsai M, Dooley P, Wang B, Comassio P, Moreira J, Kriefall N, Martin S, Morfini G, Brady S, Song Y. Divergent Molecular Pathways for Toxicity of Selected Mutant C9ORF72-derived Dipeptide Repeats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.28.558663. [PMID: 37808871 PMCID: PMC10557653 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.28.558663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Expansion of a hexanucleotide repeat in a noncoding region of the C9ORF72 gene is responsible for a significant fraction of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) cases, but mechanisms linking mutant gene products to neuronal toxicity remain debatable. Pathogenesis was proposed to involve the production of toxic RNA species and/or accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeats (DPRs) but distinguishing between these mechanisms has been challenging. In this study, we first use complementary model systems for analyzing pathogenesis in adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases to characterize the pathogenicity of DPRs produced by Repeat Associated Non-ATG translation of C9ORF72 in specific cellular compartments: isolated axoplasm and giant synapse from the squid. Results showed selective axonal and presynaptic toxicity of GP-DPRs, independent of associated RNA. These effects involved a MAPK signaling pathway that affects fast axonal transport and synaptic function, a pathogenic mechanism shared with other mutant proteins associated with familial ALS, like SOD1 and FUS. In primary cultured neurons, GP but not other DPRs promote the "dying-back" axonopathy seen in ALS. Interestingly, GR- and PR-DPRs, which had no effect on axonal transport or synaptic transmission, were found to disrupt the nuclear membrane, promoting "dying-forward" neuropathy. All C9-DPR-mediated toxic effects observed in these studies are independent of whether the corresponding mRNAs contained hexanucleotide repeats or alternative codons. Finally, C9ORF72 human tissues confirmed a close association between GP and active P38 in degenerating motor neurons as well as GR-associated nuclear damage in the cortex. Collectively, our studies establish compartment-specific toxic effects of C9-DPRs associated with degeneration, suggesting that two independent pathogenic mechanisms may contribute to disease heterogeneity and/or synergize on disease progression in C9ORF72 patients with ALS and/or FTD symptoms.
Collapse
|
2
|
Shojaei M, Zhou Q, Palumbo G, Schaefer R, Kaskinoro J, Vehmaan-Kreula P, Bartenstein P, Brendel M, Edbauer D, Lindner S. Development and Preclinical Evaluation of a Copper-64-Labeled Antibody Targeting Glycine-Alanine Dipeptides for PET Imaging of C9orf72-Associated Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1404-1414. [PMID: 38751620 PMCID: PMC11091963 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00037] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Aggregating poly(glycine-alanine) (poly-GA) is derived from the unconventional translation of the pathogenic intronic hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene, which is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Poly-GA accumulates predominantly in neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions unique to C9orf72 ALS/FTD patients. Poly-GA is, therefore, a promising target for PET/CT imaging of FTD/ALS to monitor disease progression and therapeutic interventions. A novel 64Cu-labeled anti-GA antibody (mAb1A12) targeting the poly-GA protein was developed and evaluated in a transgenic mouse model. It was obtained with high radiochemical purity (RCP), radiochemical yield (RCY), and specific activity, and showed high stability in vitro and ex vivo and specifically bound to poly-GA. The affinity of NODAGA-mAb1A12 for poly-GA was not affected by this modification. [64Cu]Cu-NODAGA-mAb1A12 was injected into transgenic mice expressing GFP-(GA)175 in excitatory neurons driven by Camk2a-Cre and in control littermates. PET/CT imaging was performed at 2, 20, and 40 h post-injection (p.i.) and revealed a higher accumulation in the cortex in transgenic mice than in wild-type mice, as reflected by higher standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) using the cerebellum as the reference region. The organs were isolated for biodistribution and ex vivo autoradiography. Autoradiography revealed a higher cortex-to-cerebellum ratio in the transgenic mice than in the controls. Results from autoradiography were validated by immunohistochemistry and poly-GA immunoassays. Moreover, we confirmed antibody uptake in the CNS in a pharmacokinetic study of the perfused tissues. In summary, [64Cu]Cu-NODAGA-mAb1A12 demonstrated favorable in vitro characteristics and an increased relative binding in poly-GA transgenic mice compared to wild-type mice in vivo. Our results with this first-in-class radiotracer suggested that targeting poly-GA is a promising approach for PET/CT imaging in FTD/ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monireh Shojaei
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Qihui Zhou
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Giovanna Palumbo
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Rebecca Schaefer
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Edbauer
- German
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich
Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Simon Lindner
- Department
of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital,
LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang J, Zhu H, Tian R, Zhang Q, Zhang H, Hu J, Wang S. Physiological and pathological effects of phase separation in the central nervous system. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:599-615. [PMID: 38441598 PMCID: PMC11055734 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02435-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Phase separation, also known as biomolecule condensate, participates in physiological processes such as transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, gene expression, and DNA damage repair by creating a membrane-free compartment. Phase separation is primarily caused by the interaction of multivalent non-covalent bonds between proteins and/or nucleic acids. The strength of molecular multivalent interaction can be modified by component concentration, the potential of hydrogen, posttranslational modification, and other factors. Notably, phase separation occurs frequently in the cytoplasm of mitochondria, the nucleus, and synapses. Phase separation in vivo is dynamic or stable in the normal physiological state, while abnormal phase separation will lead to the formation of biomolecule condensates, speeding up the disease progression. To provide candidate suggestions for the clinical treatment of nervous system diseases, this review, based on existing studies, carefully and systematically represents the physiological roles of phase separation in the central nervous system and its pathological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongrui Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
- Core Facility Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, China.
| | - Ruijia Tian
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoliang Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Hu
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
De Cock L, Bercier V, Van Den Bosch L. New developments in pre-clinical models of ALS to guide translation. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:477-524. [PMID: 38802181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which selective death of motor neurons leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. Most research has focused on understanding and treating monogenic familial forms, most frequently caused by mutations in SOD1, FUS, TARDBP and C9orf72, although ALS is mostly sporadic and without a clear genetic cause. Rodent models have been developed to study monogenic ALS, but despite numerous pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, few disease-modifying therapies are available. ALS is a heterogeneous disease with complex underlying mechanisms where several genes and molecular pathways appear to play a role. One reason for the high failure rate of clinical translation from the current models could be oversimplification in pre-clinical studies. Here, we review advances in pre-clinical models to better capture the heterogeneous nature of ALS and discuss the value of novel model systems to guide translation and aid in the development of precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lenja De Cock
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Martin EJ, Santacruz C, Mitevska A, Jones IE, Krishnan G, Gao FB, Finan JD, Kiskinis E. Traumatic injury causes selective degeneration and TDP-43 mislocalization in human iPSC-derived C9orf72-associated ALS/FTD motor neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.21.586073. [PMID: 38585915 PMCID: PMC10996466 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.21.586073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, patients with the HRE exhibit a wide disparity in clinical presentation and age of symptom onset suggesting an interplay between genetic background and environmental stressors. Neurotrauma as a result of traumatic brain or spinal cord injury has been shown to increase the risk of ALS/FTD in epidemiological studies. Here, we combine patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a custom-built device to deliver biofidelic stretch trauma to C9orf72 patient and isogenic control motor neurons (MNs) in vitro. We find that mutant but not control MNs exhibit selective degeneration after a single incident of severe trauma, which can be partially rescued by pretreatment with a C9orf72 antisense oligonucleotide. A single incident of mild trauma does not cause degeneration but leads to cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43 in C9orf72 MNs. This mislocalization, which only occurs briefly in isogenic controls, is eventually restored in C9orf72 MNs after 6 days. Lastly, repeated mild trauma ablates the ability of patient MNs to recover. These findings highlight alterations in TDP-43 dynamics in C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient MNs following traumatic injury and demonstrate that neurotrauma compounds neuropathology in C9orf72 ALS/FTD. More broadly, our work establishes an in vitro platform that can be used to interrogate the mechanistic interactions between ALS/FTD and neurotrauma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Martin
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Citlally Santacruz
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Angela Mitevska
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ian E. Jones
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - John D. Finan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Van Daele SH, Masrori P, Van Damme P, Van Den Bosch L. The sense of antisense therapies in ALS. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:252-262. [PMID: 38216448 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has entered a new era now that encouraging results about antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are becoming available and a first ASO therapy for ALS has been approved by the FDA. Moreover, there is hope not only that ALS can be stopped but also that symptoms can be reversed. Until now, degrading ASOs seemed to be successful mostly for rarer forms of familial ALS. However, the first attempts to correct mis-splicing events in sporadic ALS are underway, as well as a clinical trial examining interference with a genetic modifier. In this review, we discuss the current status of using ASOs in ALS and the possibilities and pitfalls of this therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sien H Van Daele
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pegah Masrori
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bhatt N, Puangmalai N, Sengupta U, Jerez C, Kidd M, Gandhi S, Kayed R. C9orf72-associated dipeptide protein repeats form A11-positive oligomers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105628. [PMID: 38295729 PMCID: PMC10844744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 is one of the most common causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. The hexanucleotide expansion, formed by GGGGCC (G4C2) repeats, leads to the production of five dipeptide protein repeats (DPRs) via repeat-associated non-AUG translation. Among the five dipeptide repeats, Gly-Arg, Pro-Arg, and Gly-Ala form neuronal inclusions that contain aggregates of the peptides. Several studies have attempted to model DPR-associated toxicity using various repeat lengths, which suggests a unique conformation that is cytotoxic and is independent of the repeat length. However, the structural characteristics of DPR aggregates have yet to be determined. Increasing evidence suggests that soluble species, such as oligomers, are the main cause of toxicity in proteinopathies, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. To investigate the ability of DPRs to aggregate and form toxic oligomers, we adopted a reductionist approach using small dipeptide repeats of 3, 6, and 12. This study shows that DPRs, particularly glycine-arginine and proline-arginine, form oligomers that exhibit distinct dye-binding properties and morphologies. Importantly, we also identified toxic DPR oligomers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia postmortem brains that are morphologically similar to those generated recombinantly. This study demonstrates that, similar to soluble oligomers formed by various amyloid proteins, DPR oligomers are toxic, independent of their repeat length.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Cynthia Jerez
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Madison Kidd
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Shailee Gandhi
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chong ZZ, Menkes DL, Souayah N. Pathogenesis underlying hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 gene in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:85-97. [PMID: 37525497 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Mutations in C9orf72 and the resulting hexanucleotide repeat (GGGGCC) expansion (HRE) has been identified as a major cause of familial ALS, accounting for about 40 % of familial and 6 % of sporadic cases of ALS in Western patients. The pathological outcomes of HRE expansion in ALS have been recognized as the results of two mechanisms that include both the toxic gain-of-function and loss-of-function of C9ORF72. The gain of toxicity results from RNA and dipeptide repeats (DPRs). The HRE can be bidirectionally transcribed into RNA foci, which can bind to and disrupt RNA splicing, transport, and translation. The DPRs that include poly-glycine-alanine, poly-glycine-proline, poly-glycine- arginine, poly-proline-alanine, and poly-proline-arginine can induce toxicity by direct binding and sequestrating other proteins to interfere rRNA synthesis, ribosome biogenesis, translation, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. The C9ORF72 functions through binding to its partners-Smith-Magenis chromosome regions 8 (SMCR8) and WD repeat-containing protein (WDR41). Loss of C9ORF72 function results in impairment of autophagy, deregulation of autoimmunity, increased stress, and disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Further insight into the mechanism in C9ORF72 HRE pathogenesis will facilitate identifying novel and effective therapeutic targets for ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Zhong Chong
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, 185 S. Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Daniel L Menkes
- Department of Neurology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, 3555 West 13 Mile Road, Suite N120, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA
| | - Nizar Souayah
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, 90 Bergen Street DOC 8100, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rothstein JD, Baskerville V, Rapuri S, Mehlhop E, Jafar-Nejad P, Rigo F, Bennett F, Mizielinska S, Isaacs A, Coyne AN. G 2C 4 targeting antisense oligonucleotides potently mitigate TDP-43 dysfunction in human C9orf72 ALS/FTD induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 147:1. [PMID: 38019311 PMCID: PMC10840905 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02652-3] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The G4C2 repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Many studies suggest that dipeptide repeat proteins produced from this repeat are toxic, yet, the contribution of repeat RNA toxicity is under investigated and even less is known regarding the pathogenicity of antisense repeat RNA. Recently, two clinical trials targeting G4C2 (sense) repeat RNA via antisense oligonucleotide failed despite a robust decrease in sense-encoded dipeptide repeat proteins demonstrating target engagement. Here, in this brief report, we show that G2C4 antisense, but not G4C2 sense, repeat RNA is sufficient to induce TDP-43 dysfunction in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived neurons (iPSNs). Unexpectedly, only G2C4, but not G4C2 sense strand targeting, ASOs mitigate deficits in TDP-43 function in authentic C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient iPSNs. Collectively, our data suggest that the G2C4 antisense repeat RNA may be an important therapeutic target and provide insights into a possible explanation for the recent G4C2 ASO clinical trial failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Victoria Baskerville
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sampath Rapuri
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Emma Mehlhop
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, 92010, USA
| | | | - Sarah Mizielinska
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adrian Isaacs
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alyssa N Coyne
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ortega JA, Sasselli IR, Boccitto M, Fleming AC, Fortuna TR, Li Y, Sato K, Clemons TD, Mckenna ED, Nguyen TP, Anderson EN, Asin J, Ichida JK, Pandey UB, Wolin SL, Stupp SI, Kiskinis E. CLIP-Seq analysis enables the design of protective ribosomal RNA bait oligonucleotides against C9ORF72 ALS/FTD poly-GR pathophysiology. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf7997. [PMID: 37948524 PMCID: PMC10637751 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf7997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia patients with a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 (C9-HRE) accumulate poly-GR and poly-PR aggregates. The pathogenicity of these arginine-rich dipeptide repeats (R-DPRs) is thought to be driven by their propensity to bind low-complexity domains of multivalent proteins. However, the ability of R-DPRs to bind native RNA and the significance of this interaction remain unclear. Here, we used computational and experimental approaches to characterize the physicochemical properties of R-DPRs and their interaction with RNA. We find that poly-GR predominantly binds ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in cells and exhibits an interaction that is predicted to be energetically stronger than that for associated ribosomal proteins. Critically, modified rRNA "bait" oligonucleotides restore poly-GR-associated ribosomal deficits and ameliorate poly-GR toxicity in patient neurons and Drosophila models. Our work strengthens the hypothesis that ribosomal function is impaired by R-DPRs, highlights a role for direct rRNA binding in mediating ribosomal dysfunction, and presents a strategy for protecting against C9-HRE pathophysiological mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan A. Ortega
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08907, Spain
| | - Ivan R. Sasselli
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián 20014, Spain
- Centro de Fisica de Materiales (CFM), CSIC-UPV/EHU, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marco Boccitto
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Andrew C. Fleming
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tyler R. Fortuna
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Yichen Li
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kohei Sato
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tristan D. Clemons
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth D. Mckenna
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Thao P. Nguyen
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eric N. Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Jesus Asin
- Department of Statistical Methods, School of Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50018, Spain
| | - Justin K. Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Udai B. Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | - Sandra L. Wolin
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Samuel I. Stupp
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen M, Xu L, Wu Y, Soba P, Hu C. The organization and function of the Golgi apparatus in dendrite development and neurological disorders. Genes Dis 2023; 10:2425-2442. [PMID: 37554209 PMCID: PMC10404969 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.11.009] [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: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendrites are specialized neuronal compartments that sense, integrate and transfer information in the neural network. Their development is tightly controlled and abnormal dendrite morphogenesis is strongly linked to neurological disorders. While dendritic morphology ranges from relatively simple to extremely complex for a specified neuron, either requires a functional secretory pathway to continually replenish proteins and lipids to meet dendritic growth demands. The Golgi apparatus occupies the center of the secretory pathway and is regulating posttranslational modifications, sorting, transport, and signal transduction, as well as acting as a non-centrosomal microtubule organization center. The neuronal Golgi apparatus shares common features with Golgi in other eukaryotic cell types but also forms distinct structures known as Golgi outposts that specifically localize in dendrites. However, the organization and function of Golgi in dendrite development and its impact on neurological disorders is just emerging and so far lacks a systematic summary. We describe the organization of the Golgi apparatus in neurons, review the current understanding of Golgi function in dendritic morphogenesis, and discuss the current challenges and future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meilan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education Institute for Brain, Science and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510320, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education Institute for Brain, Science and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510320, China
| | - Peter Soba
- LIMES Institute, Department of Molecular Brain Physiology and Behavior, University of Bonn, Bonn 53115, Germany
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Chun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education Institute for Brain, Science and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510631, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Genin EC, Abou-Ali M, Paquis-Flucklinger V. Mitochondria, a Key Target in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1981. [PMID: 38002924 PMCID: PMC10671245 DOI: 10.3390/genes14111981] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where it contributes to motor neuron (MN) death. Of all the factors involved in ALS, mitochondria have been considered as a major player, as secondary mitochondrial dysfunction has been found in various models and patients. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology, defects in mitochondrial dynamics, altered activities of respiratory chain enzymes and increased production of reactive oxygen species have been described. Moreover, the identification of CHCHD10 variants in ALS patients was the first genetic evidence that a mitochondrial defect may be a primary cause of MN damage and directly links mitochondrial dysfunction to the pathogenesis of ALS. In this review, we focus on the role of mitochondria in ALS and highlight the pathogenic variants of ALS genes associated with impaired mitochondrial functions. The multiple pathways demonstrated in ALS pathogenesis suggest that all converge to a common endpoint leading to MN loss. This may explain the disappointing results obtained with treatments targeting a single pathological process. Fighting against mitochondrial dysfunction appears to be a promising avenue for developing combined therapies in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle C. Genin
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur, Inserm U1081, CNRS UMR7284, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Nice, 06200 Nice, France; (M.A.-A.); (V.P.-F.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang Y, Nelson SCK, Viera Ortiz AP, Lee EB, Fairman R. C9orf72 proline-arginine dipeptide repeats disrupt the proteasome and perturb proteolytic activities. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 82:901-910. [PMID: 37791472 PMCID: PMC10587997 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most frequent genetic cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Aberrant translation of this hexanucleotide sequence leads to production of 5 dipeptide repeats (DPRs). One of these DPRs is proline-arginine (polyPR), which is found in C9orf72-expanded ALS (C9ALS) patient brain tissue and is neurotoxic across multiple model systems. PolyPR was previously reported to bind and impair proteasomes in vitro. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of the polyPR-proteasome interaction and its functional consequences in vivo are yet to be established. Here, we aim to confirm and functionally characterize polyPR-induced impairment of proteolysis in C9ALS patient tissue and an in vivo model system. Confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence studies on both human and Drosophila melanogaster brain tissues revealed sequestration of proteasomes by polyPR into inclusion-like bodies. Co-immunoprecipitation in D. melanogaster showed that polyPR strongly binds to the proteasome. In vivo, functional evidence for proteasome impairment is further shown by the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins along with lysosomal accumulation and hyper-acidification, which can be rescued by a small-molecule proteasomal enhancer. Together, we provide the first clinical report of polyPR-proteasome interactions and offer in vivo evidence proposing polyPR-induced proteolytic dysfunction as a pathogenic mechanism in C9ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhang
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sophia C K Nelson
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ashley P Viera Ortiz
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 613A Stellar Chance Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edward B Lee
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 613A Stellar Chance Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert Fairman
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Beckers J, Tharkeshwar AK, Fumagalli L, Contardo M, Van Schoor E, Fazal R, Thal DR, Chandran S, Mancuso R, Van Den Bosch L, Van Damme P. A toxic gain-of-function mechanism in C9orf72 ALS impairs the autophagy-lysosome pathway in neurons. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:151. [PMID: 37723585 PMCID: PMC10506245 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01648-0] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor neurons (MNs), which are primarily affected in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are a specialized type of neurons that are long and non-dividing. Given their unique structure, these cells heavily rely on transport of organelles along their axons and the process of autophagy to maintain their cellular homeostasis. It has been shown that disruption of the autophagy pathway is sufficient to cause progressive neurodegeneration and defects in autophagy have been associated with various subtypes of ALS, including those caused by hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene. A more comprehensive understanding of the dysfunctional cellular mechanisms will help rationalize the design of potent and selective therapies for C9orf72-ALS. METHODS In this study, we used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs from C9orf72-ALS patients and isogenic control lines to identify the underlying mechanisms causing dysregulations of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Additionally, to ascertain the potential impact of C9orf72 loss-of-function on autophagic defects, we characterized the observed phenotypes in a C9orf72 knockout iPSC line (C9-KO). RESULTS Despite the evident presence of dysfunctions in several aspects of the autophagy-lysosome pathway, such as disrupted lysosomal homeostasis, abnormal lysosome morphology, inhibition of autophagic flux, and accumulation of p62 in C9orf72-ALS MNs, we were surprised to find that C9orf72 loss-of-function had minimal influence on these phenotypes. Instead, we primarily observed impairment in endosome maturation as a result of C9orf72 loss-of-function. Additionally, our study shed light on the pathological mechanisms underlying C9orf72-ALS, as we detected an increased TBK1 phosphorylation at S172 in MNs derived from C9orf72 ALS patients. CONCLUSIONS Our data provides further insight into the involvement of defects in the autophagy-lysosome pathway in C9orf72-ALS and strongly indicate that those defects are mainly due to the toxic gain-of-function mechanisms underlying C9orf72-ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy Beckers
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Arun Kumar Tharkeshwar
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- Center for Molecular Neurology, Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders (MIND) Lab, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Matilde Contardo
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Evelien Van Schoor
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuropathology, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raheem Fazal
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dietmar Rudolf Thal
- Laboratory of Neuropathology, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Renzo Mancuso
- Center for Molecular Neurology, Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders (MIND) Lab, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Louvain - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Louvain, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Latallo MJ, Wang S, Dong D, Nelson B, Livingston NM, Wu R, Zhao N, Stasevich TJ, Bassik MC, Sun S, Wu B. Single-molecule imaging reveals distinct elongation and frameshifting dynamics between frames of expanded RNA repeats in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5581. [PMID: 37696852 PMCID: PMC10495369 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion is the most common genetic cause of both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). One pathogenic mechanism is the accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins like poly-GA, GP and GR, produced by the noncanonical translation of the expanded RNA repeats. However, how different DPRs are synthesized remains elusive. Here, we use single-molecule imaging techniques to directly measure the translation dynamics of different DPRs. Besides initiation, translation elongation rates vary drastically between different frames, with GP slower than GA and GR the slowest. We directly visualize frameshift events using a two-color single-molecule translation assay. The repeat expansion enhances frameshifting, but the overall frequency is low. There is a higher chance of GR-to-GA shift than in the reversed direction. Finally, the ribosome-associated protein quality control (RQC) factors ZNF598 and Pelota modulate the translation dynamics, and the repeat RNA sequence is important for invoking the RQC pathway. This study reveals that multiple translation steps modulate the final DPR production. Understanding repeat RNA translation is critically important to decipher the DPR-mediated pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata J Latallo
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Daoyuan Dong
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Blake Nelson
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Nathan M Livingston
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rong Wu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ning Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Timothy J Stasevich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Michael C Bassik
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dunn E, Steinert JR, Stone A, Sahota V, Williams RSB, Snowden S, Augustin H. Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Rescue Motor Function and Neuromuscular Junction Degeneration in a Drosophila Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2023; 12:2163. [PMID: 37681895 PMCID: PMC10486503 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172163] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive degeneration of the motor neurones. An expanded GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD); therefore, the resulting disease is known as C9ALS/FTD. Here, we employ a Drosophila melanogaster model of C9ALS/FTD (C9 model) to investigate a role for specific medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in reversing pathogenic outcomes. Drosophila larvae overexpressing the ALS-associated dipeptide repeats (DPRs) in the nervous system exhibit reduced motor function and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) defects. We show that two MCFAs, nonanoic acid (NA) and 4-methyloctanoic acid (4-MOA), can ameliorate impaired motor function in C9 larvae and improve NMJ degeneration, although their mechanisms of action are not identical. NA modified postsynaptic glutamate receptor density, whereas 4-MOA restored defects in the presynaptic vesicular release. We also demonstrate the effects of NA and 4-MOA on metabolism in C9 larvae and implicate various metabolic pathways as dysregulated in our ALS model. Our findings pave the way to identifying novel therapeutic targets and potential treatments for ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ella Dunn
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, UK; (E.D.); (R.S.B.W.)
| | - Joern R. Steinert
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (J.R.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Aelfwin Stone
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (J.R.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Virender Sahota
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, UK; (E.D.); (R.S.B.W.)
| | - Robin S. B. Williams
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, UK; (E.D.); (R.S.B.W.)
| | - Stuart Snowden
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, UK; (E.D.); (R.S.B.W.)
| | - Hrvoje Augustin
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX, UK; (E.D.); (R.S.B.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang S, Sun S. Translation dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases: a focus on ALS. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:58. [PMID: 37626421 PMCID: PMC10464328 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00642-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA translation is tightly controlled in eukaryotic cells to regulate gene expression and maintain proteome homeostasis. RNA binding proteins, translation factors, and cell signaling pathways all modulate the translation process. Defective translation is involved in multiple neurological diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and poses a major public health challenge worldwide. Over the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in the understanding of the genetics and pathogenesis of ALS. Dysfunction of RNA metabolisms, including RNA translation, has been closely associated with ALS. Here, we first introduce the general mechanisms of translational regulation under physiological and stress conditions and review well-known examples of translation defects in neurodegenerative diseases. We then focus on ALS-linked genes and discuss the recent progress on how translation is affected by various mutant genes and the repeat expansion-mediated non-canonical translation in ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaopeng Wang
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology and Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Giménez-Bejarano A, Alegre-Cortés E, Yakhine-Diop SMS, Gómez-Suaga P, Fuentes JM. Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Repeat Expansion Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1593. [PMID: 37627588 PMCID: PMC10451345 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081593] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Repeat expansion diseases are a group of neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders characterized by expansions of several successive repeated DNA sequences. Currently, more than 50 repeat expansion diseases have been described. These disorders involve diverse pathogenic mechanisms, including loss-of-function mechanisms, toxicity associated with repeat RNA, or repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) products, resulting in impairments of cellular processes and damaged organelles. Mitochondria, double membrane organelles, play a crucial role in cell energy production, metabolic processes, calcium regulation, redox balance, and apoptosis regulation. Its dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of repeat expansion diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the signaling pathways or proteins involved in mitochondrial functioning described in these disorders. The focus of this review will be on the analysis of published data related to three representative repeat expansion diseases: Huntington's disease, C9orf72-frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. We will discuss the common effects observed in all three repeat expansion disorders and their differences. Additionally, we will address the current gaps in knowledge and propose possible new lines of research. Importantly, this group of disorders exhibit alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis, with specific proteins involved in these processes having been identified. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial alterations in these disorders can potentially lead to the development of neuroprotective strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Giménez-Bejarano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Eva Alegre-Cortés
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Sokhna M. S. Yakhine-Diop
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Patricia Gómez-Suaga
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - José M. Fuentes
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Enfermería y Terapia Ocupacional, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain; (A.G.-B.); (E.A.-C.); (S.M.S.Y.-D.); (P.G.-S.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Instituto de Salus Carlos III (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Extremadura (INUBE), 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Talukdar G, Orr HT, Lei Z. The PERK pathway: beneficial or detrimental for neurodegenerative diseases and tumor growth and cancer. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:2545-2557. [PMID: 37384418 PMCID: PMC10407711 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) is one of the three major sensors in the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is involved in the modulation of protein synthesis as an adaptive response. Prolonged PERK activity correlates with the development of diseases and the attenuation of disease severity. Thus, the current debate focuses on the role of the PERK signaling pathway either in accelerating or preventing diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, myelin disorders, and tumor growth and cancer. In this review, we examine the current findings on the PERK signaling pathway and whether it is beneficial or detrimental for the above-mentioned disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gourango Talukdar
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Harry T Orr
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Zhixin Lei
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Rossi S, Di Salvio M, Balì M, De Simone A, Apolloni S, D’Ambrosi N, Arisi I, Cipressa F, Cozzolino M, Cestra G. C9orf72 Toxic Species Affect ArfGAP-1 Function. Cells 2023; 12:2007. [PMID: 37566088 PMCID: PMC10416972 DOI: 10.3390/cells12152007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence indicates that defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport contribute to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In particular, hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansions in C9orf72, the most common cause of genetic ALS, have a widespread impact on the transport machinery that regulates the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of proteins and RNAs. We previously reported that the expression of G4C2 hexanucleotide repeats in cultured human and mouse cells caused a marked accumulation of poly(A) mRNAs in the cell nuclei. To further characterize the process, we set out to systematically identify the specific mRNAs that are altered in their nucleocytoplasmic distribution in the presence of C9orf72-ALS RNA repeats. Interestingly, pathway analysis showed that the mRNAs involved in membrane trafficking are particularly enriched among the identified mRNAs. Most importantly, functional studies in cultured cells and Drosophila indicated that C9orf72 toxic species affect the membrane trafficking route regulated by ADP-Ribosylation Factor 1 GTPase Activating Protein (ArfGAP-1), which exerts its GTPase-activating function on the small GTPase ADP-ribosylation factor 1 to dissociate coat proteins from Golgi-derived vesicles. We demonstrate that the function of ArfGAP-1 is specifically affected by expanded C9orf72 RNA repeats, as well as by C9orf72-related dipeptide repeat proteins (C9-DPRs), indicating the retrograde Golgi-to-ER vesicle-mediated transport as a target of C9orf72 toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Rossi
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.R.); (I.A.)
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michela Di Salvio
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marilisa Balì
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Assia De Simone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Savina Apolloni
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Nadia D’Ambrosi
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ivan Arisi
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.R.); (I.A.)
- European Brain Research Institute “Rita Levi-Montalcini”, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Cipressa
- Department of Ecological and Biological Science, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Mauro Cozzolino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.R.); (I.A.)
| | - Gianluca Cestra
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy;
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (A.D.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li Y, Dou X, Liu J, Xiao Y, Zhang Z, Hayes L, Wu R, Fu X, Ye Y, Yang B, Ostrow LW, He C, Sun S. Globally reduced N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A) in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD dysregulates RNA metabolism and contributes to neurodegeneration. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1328-1338. [PMID: 37365312 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01374-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Repeat expansion in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here we show that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal mRNA modification, is downregulated in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-differentiated neurons and postmortem brain tissues. The global m6A hypomethylation leads to transcriptome-wide mRNA stabilization and upregulated gene expression, particularly for genes involved in synaptic activity and neuronal function. Moreover, the m6A modification in the C9ORF72 intron sequence upstream of the expanded repeats enhances RNA decay via the nuclear reader YTHDC1, and the antisense RNA repeats can also be regulated through m6A modification. The m6A reduction increases the accumulation of repeat RNAs and the encoded poly-dipeptides, contributing to disease pathogenesis. We further demonstrate that, by elevating m6A methylation, we could significantly reduce repeat RNA levels from both strands and the derived poly-dipeptides, rescue global mRNA homeostasis and improve survival of C9ORF72-ALS/FTD patient iPSC-derived neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yini Li
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Dou
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lindsey Hayes
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rong Wu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiujuan Fu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yingzhi Ye
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bing Yang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lyle W Ostrow
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Brain Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sato K, Farquhar CE, Rodriguez J, Pentelute BL. Automated Fast-Flow Synthesis of Chromosome 9 Open Reading Frame 72 Dipeptide Repeat Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37294668 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
An expansion of the hexanucleotide (GGGGCC) repeat sequence in chromosome 9 open frame 72 (c9orf72) is the most common genetic mutation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The mutation leads to the production of toxic dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) that induce neurodegeneration. However, the fundamental physicochemical properties of DPRs remain largely unknown due to their limited availability. Here, we synthesized the c9orf72 DPRs poly-glycine-arginine (poly-GR), poly-proline-arginine (poly-PR), poly-glycine-proline (poly-GP), poly-proline-alanine (poly-PA), and poly-glycine-alanine (poly-GA) using automated fast-flow peptide synthesis (AFPS) and achieved single-domain chemical synthesis of proteins with up to 200 amino acids. Circular dichroism spectroscopy of the synthetic DPRs revealed that proline-containing poly-PR, poly-GP, and poly-PA could adopt polyproline II-like helical secondary structures. In addition, structural analysis by size-exclusion chromatography indicated that longer poly-GP and poly-PA might aggregate. Furthermore, cell viability assays showed that human neuroblastoma cells cultured with poly-GR and poly-PR with longer repeat lengths resulted in reduced cell viability, while poly-GP and poly-PA did not, thereby reproducing the cytotoxic property of endogenous DPRs. This research demonstrates the potential of AFPS to synthesize low-complexity peptides and proteins necessary for studying their pathogenic mechanisms and constructing disease models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Sato
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 226-8501, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Charlotte E Farquhar
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jacob Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bradley L Pentelute
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lorenzini I, Alsop E, Levy J, Gittings LM, Lall D, Rabichow BE, Moore S, Pevey R, Bustos LM, Burciu C, Bhatia D, Singer M, Saul J, McQuade A, Tzioras M, Mota TA, Logemann A, Rose J, Almeida S, Gao FB, Marks M, Donnelly CJ, Hutchins E, Hung ST, Ichida J, Bowser R, Spires-Jones T, Blurton-Jones M, Gendron TF, Baloh RH, Van Keuren-Jensen K, Sattler R. Moderate intrinsic phenotypic alterations in C9orf72 ALS/FTD iPSC-microglia despite the presence of C9orf72 pathological features. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1179796. [PMID: 37346371 PMCID: PMC10279871 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1179796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
While motor and cortical neurons are affected in C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD), it remains largely unknown if and how non-neuronal cells induce or exacerbate neuronal damage. We differentiated C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells into microglia (iPSC-MG) and examined their intrinsic phenotypes. Similar to iPSC motor neurons, C9orf72 ALS/FTD iPSC-MG mono-cultures form G4C2 repeat RNA foci, exhibit reduced C9orf72 protein levels, and generate dipeptide repeat proteins. Healthy control and C9orf72 ALS/FTD iPSC-MG equally express microglial specific genes and perform microglial functions, including inflammatory cytokine release and phagocytosis of extracellular cargos, such as synthetic amyloid beta peptides and healthy human brain synaptoneurosomes. RNA sequencing analysis revealed select transcriptional changes of genes associated with neuroinflammation or neurodegeneration in diseased microglia yet no significant differentially expressed microglial-enriched genes. Moderate molecular and functional differences were observed in C9orf72 iPSC-MG mono-cultures despite the presence of C9orf72 pathological features suggesting that a diseased microenvironment may be required to induce phenotypic changes in microglial cells and the associated neuronal dysfunction seen in C9orf72 ALS/FTD neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ileana Lorenzini
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Eric Alsop
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Jennifer Levy
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Lauren M. Gittings
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Deepti Lall
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin E. Rabichow
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Stephen Moore
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Ryan Pevey
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Lynette M. Bustos
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Camelia Burciu
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Divya Bhatia
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Mo Singer
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Justin Saul
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Amanda McQuade
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Makis Tzioras
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Brain Discovery Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas A. Mota
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Amber Logemann
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Jamie Rose
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Brain Discovery Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Almeida
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Michael Marks
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christopher J. Donnelly
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Hutchins
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Shu-Ting Hung
- Department of Stem Cell Biology Regenerative Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Justin Ichida
- Department of Stem Cell Biology Regenerative Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Robert Bowser
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Tara Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Brain Discovery Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mathew Blurton-Jones
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Tania F. Gendron
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Robert H. Baloh
- Center for Neural Science and Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Rita Sattler
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Santarelli S, Londero C, Soldano A, Candelaresi C, Todeschini L, Vernizzi L, Bellosta P. Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases induced by proteinopathies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1082047. [PMID: 37274187 PMCID: PMC10232775 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1082047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteinopathies are a large group of neurodegenerative diseases caused by both genetic and sporadic mutations in particular genes which can lead to alterations of the protein structure and to the formation of aggregates, especially toxic for neurons. Autophagy is a key mechanism for clearing those aggregates and its function has been strongly associated with the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), hence mutations in both pathways have been associated with the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those induced by protein misfolding and accumulation of aggregates. Many crucial discoveries regarding the molecular and cellular events underlying the role of autophagy in these diseases have come from studies using Drosophila models. Indeed, despite the physiological and morphological differences between the fly and the human brain, most of the biochemical and molecular aspects regulating protein homeostasis, including autophagy, are conserved between the two species.In this review, we will provide an overview of the most common neurodegenerative proteinopathies, which include PolyQ diseases (Huntington's disease, Spinocerebellar ataxia 1, 2, and 3), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (C9orf72, SOD1, TDP-43, FUS), Alzheimer's disease (APP, Tau) Parkinson's disease (a-syn, parkin and PINK1, LRRK2) and prion diseases, highlighting the studies using Drosophila that have contributed to understanding the conserved mechanisms and elucidating the role of autophagy in these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Santarelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Chiara Londero
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessia Soldano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Carlotta Candelaresi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Leonardo Todeschini
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Luisa Vernizzi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Bellosta
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CiBiO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhou Y, Li Q, Wu Y, Li X, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Liang H, Ding F, Hong S, Steinmetz NF, Cai H. Molecularly Stimuli-Responsive Self-Assembled Peptide Nanoparticles for Targeted Imaging and Therapy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:8004-8025. [PMID: 37079378 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly has emerged as an extensively used method for constructing biomaterials with sizes ranging from nanometers to micrometers. Peptides have been extensively investigated for self-assembly. They are widely applied owing to their desirable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable architecture. The development of peptide-based nanoparticles often requires complex synthetic processes involving chemical modification and supramolecular self-assembly. Stimuli-responsive peptide nanoparticles, also termed "smart" nanoparticles, capable of conformational and chemical changes in response to stimuli, have emerged as a class of promising materials. These smart nanoparticles find a diverse range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, diagnostics, and biosensors. Stimuli-responsive systems include external stimuli (such as light, temperature, ultrasound, and magnetic fields) and internal stimuli (such as pH, redox environment, salt concentration, and biomarkers), facilitating the generation of a library of self-assembled biomaterials for biomedical imaging and therapy. Thus, in this review, we mainly focus on peptide-based nanoparticles built by self-assembly strategy and systematically discuss their mechanisms in response to various stimuli. Furthermore, we summarize the diverse range of biomedical applications of peptide-based nanomaterials, including diagnosis and therapy, to demonstrate their potential for medical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ye Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Ya Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhu Wang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Longhua Shenzhen, Southern Medical University, 38 Jinglong Jianshe Road, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518109, PR China
| | - Hui Liang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Longhua Shenzhen, Southern Medical University, 38 Jinglong Jianshe Road, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518109, PR China
| | - Feiqing Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Sheng Hong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, Department of Biongineering, Department of Radiology, Moores Cancer Center, Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, Center for Engineering in Cancer, Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Hui Cai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, 66 Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen 518107, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Neel DV, Basu H, Gunner G, Bergstresser MD, Giadone RM, Chung H, Miao R, Chou V, Brody E, Jiang X, Lee E, Watts ME, Marques C, Held A, Wainger B, Lagier-Tourenne C, Zhang YJ, Petrucelli L, Young-Pearse TL, Chen-Plotkin AS, Rubin LL, Lieberman J, Chiu IM. Gasdermin-E mediates mitochondrial damage in axons and neurodegeneration. Neuron 2023; 111:1222-1240.e9. [PMID: 36917977 PMCID: PMC10121894 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction and axon loss are hallmarks of neurologic diseases. Gasdermin (GSDM) proteins are executioner pore-forming molecules that mediate cell death, yet their roles in the central nervous system (CNS) are not well understood. Here, we find that one GSDM family member, GSDME, is expressed by both mouse and human neurons. GSDME plays a role in mitochondrial damage and axon loss. Mitochondrial neurotoxins induced caspase-dependent GSDME cleavage and rapid localization to mitochondria in axons, where GSDME promoted mitochondrial depolarization, trafficking defects, and neurite retraction. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-associated proteins TDP-43 and PR-50 induced GSDME-mediated damage to mitochondria and neurite loss. GSDME knockdown protected against neurite loss in ALS patient iPSC-derived motor neurons. Knockout of GSDME in SOD1G93A ALS mice prolonged survival, ameliorated motor dysfunction, rescued motor neuron loss, and reduced neuroinflammation. We identify GSDME as an executioner of neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction that may contribute to neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dylan V Neel
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Himanish Basu
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Georgia Gunner
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Richard M Giadone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Haeji Chung
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rui Miao
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vicky Chou
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Eliza Brody
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michelle E Watts
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Christine Marques
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Aaron Held
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Brian Wainger
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Clotilde Lagier-Tourenne
- Department of Neurology, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Yong-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | | | - Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alice S Chen-Plotkin
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lee L Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Judy Lieberman
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Isaac M Chiu
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Nam J, Gwon Y. Neuronal biomolecular condensates and their implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1145420. [PMID: 37065458 PMCID: PMC10102667 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1145420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are subcellular organizations where functionally related proteins and nucleic acids are assembled through liquid-liquid phase separation, allowing them to develop on a larger scale without a membrane. However, biomolecular condensates are highly vulnerable to disruptions from genetic risks and various factors inside and outside the cell and are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the classical view of the nucleation-polymerization process that triggers the protein aggregation from the misfolded seed, the pathologic transition of biomolecular condensates can also promote the aggregation of proteins found in the deposits of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it has been suggested that several protein or protein-RNA complexes located in the synapse and along the neuronal process are neuron-specific condensates displaying liquid-like properties. As their compositional and functional modifications play a crucial role in the context of neurodegeneration, further research is needed to fully understand the role of neuronal biomolecular condensates. In this article, we will discuss recent findings that explore the pivotal role of biomolecular condensates in the development of neuronal defects and neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Youngdae Gwon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Boeynaems S, Ma XR, Yeong V, Ginell GM, Chen JH, Blum JA, Nakayama L, Sanyal A, Briner A, Haver DV, Pauwels J, Ekman A, Schmidt HB, Sundararajan K, Porta L, Lasker K, Larabell C, Hayashi MAF, Kundaje A, Impens F, Obermeyer A, Holehouse AS, Gitler AD. Aberrant phase separation is a common killing strategy of positively charged peptides in biology and human disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.09.531820. [PMID: 36945394 PMCID: PMC10028949 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.09.531820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Positively charged repeat peptides are emerging as key players in neurodegenerative diseases. These peptides can perturb diverse cellular pathways but a unifying framework for how such promiscuous toxicity arises has remained elusive. We used mass-spectrometry-based proteomics to define the protein targets of these neurotoxic peptides and found that they all share similar sequence features that drive their aberrant condensation with these positively charged peptides. We trained a machine learning algorithm to detect such sequence features and unexpectedly discovered that this mode of toxicity is not limited to human repeat expansion disorders but has evolved countless times across the tree of life in the form of cationic antimicrobial and venom peptides. We demonstrate that an excess in positive charge is necessary and sufficient for this killer activity, which we name 'polycation poisoning'. These findings reveal an ancient and conserved mechanism and inform ways to leverage its design rules for new generations of bioactive peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Boeynaems
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Therapeutic Innovation Center (THINC), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CAND), Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCCC), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - X. Rosa Ma
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Vivian Yeong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Garrett M. Ginell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Jian-Hua Chen
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jacob A. Blum
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lisa Nakayama
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Anushka Sanyal
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Adam Briner
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Delphi Van Haver
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- VIB Proteomics Core, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Jarne Pauwels
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- VIB Proteomics Core, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Axel Ekman
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - H. Broder Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kousik Sundararajan
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lucas Porta
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Keren Lasker
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Carolyn Larabell
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Mirian A. F. Hayashi
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Francis Impens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- VIB Proteomics Core, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Allie Obermeyer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Alex S. Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Aaron D. Gitler
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Al-Turki TM, Griffith JD. Mammalian telomeric RNA (TERRA) can be translated to produce valine-arginine and glycine-leucine dipeptide repeat proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221529120. [PMID: 36812212 PMCID: PMC9992779 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221529120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian telomeres consist of (TTAGGG)n repeats. Transcription of the C-rich strand generates a G-rich RNA, termed TERRA, containing G-quadruplex structures. Recent discoveries in several human nucleotide expansion diseases revealed that RNA transcripts containing long runs of 3 or 6 nt repeats which can form strong secondary structures can be translated in multiple frames to generate homopeptide or dipeptide repeat proteins, and multiple studies have shown them to be toxic in cells. We noted that the translation of TERRA would generate two dipeptide repeat proteins: highly charged repeating valine-arginine (VR)n and hydrophobic repeating glycine-leucine (GL)n. Here, we synthesized these two dipeptide proteins and raised polyclonal antibodies to VR. The VR dipeptide repeat protein binds nucleic acids and localizes strongly to replication forks in DNA. Both VR and GL form long 8-nm filaments with amyloid properties. Using labeled antibodies to VR and laser scanning confocal microscopy, threefold to fourfold more VR was observed in the nuclei of cell lines containing elevated TERRA as contrasted to a primary fibroblast line. Induction of telomere dysfunction via knockdown of TRF2 led to higher amounts of VR, and alteration of TERRA levels using a locked nucleic acid (LNA) GapmeR led to large nuclear VR aggregates. These observations suggest that telomeres, in particular in cells undergoing telomere dysfunction, may express two dipeptide repeat proteins with potentially strong biological properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taghreed M. Al-Turki
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599-7295
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599-7295
| | - Jack D. Griffith
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599-7295
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599-7295
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Paul S, Dansithong W, Gandelman M, Figueroa KP, Zu T, Ranum LPW, Scoles DR, Pulst SM. Staufen Impairs Autophagy in Neurodegeneration. Ann Neurol 2023; 93:398-416. [PMID: 36151701 PMCID: PMC9892312 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase is one of the master coordinators of cellular stress responses, regulating metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis. We recently reported that staufen1 (STAU1), a stress granule (SG) protein, was overabundant in fibroblast cell lines from patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal degeneration, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases as well as animal models, and patient tissues. STAU1 overabundance is associated with mTOR hyperactivation and links SG formation with autophagy. Our objective was to determine the mechanism of mTOR regulation by STAU1. METHODS We determined STAU1 abundance with disease- and chemical-induced cellular stressors in patient cells and animal models. We also used RNA-binding assays to contextualize STAU1 interaction with MTOR mRNA. RESULTS STAU1 and mTOR were overabundant in bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-C9ORF72, ATXN2Q127 , and Thy1-TDP-43 transgenic mouse models. Reducing STAU1 levels in these mice normalized mTOR levels and activity and autophagy-related marker proteins. We also saw increased STAU1 levels in HEK293 cells transfected to express C9ORF72-relevant dipeptide repeats (DPRs). Conversely, DPR accumulations were not observed in cells treated by STAU1 RNA interference (RNAi). Overexpression of STAU1 in HEK293 cells increased mTOR levels through direct MTOR mRNA interaction, activating downstream targets and impairing autophagic flux. Targeting mTOR by rapamycin or RNAi normalized STAU1 abundance in an SCA2 cellular model. INTERPRETATION STAU1 interaction with mTOR drives its hyperactivation and inhibits autophagic flux in multiple models of neurodegeneration. Staufen, therefore, constitutes a novel target to modulate mTOR activity and autophagy, and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:398-416.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharan Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Mandi Gandelman
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Tao Zu
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daniel R Scoles
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fan C, Chen K, Wang Y, Ball EV, Stenson PD, Mort M, Bacolla A, Kehrer-Sawatzki H, Tainer JA, Cooper DN, Zhao H. Profiling human pathogenic repeat expansion regions by synergistic and multi-level impacts on molecular connections. Hum Genet 2023; 142:245-274. [PMID: 36344696 PMCID: PMC10290229 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02500-6] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Whilst DNA repeat expansions cause numerous heritable human disorders, their origins and underlying pathological mechanisms are often unclear. We collated a dataset comprising 224 human repeat expansions encompassing 203 different genes, and performed a systematic analysis with respect to key topological features at the DNA, RNA and protein levels. Comparison with controls without known pathogenicity and genomic regions lacking repeats, allowed the construction of the first tool to discriminate repeat regions harboring pathogenic repeat expansions (DPREx). At the DNA level, pathogenic repeat expansions exhibited stronger signals for DNA regulatory factors (e.g. H3K4me3, transcription factor-binding sites) in exons, promoters, 5'UTRs and 5'genes but were not significantly different from controls in introns, 3'UTRs and 3'genes. Additionally, pathogenic repeat expansions were also found to be enriched in non-B DNA structures. At the RNA level, pathogenic repeat expansions were characterized by lower free energy for forming RNA secondary structure and were closer to splice sites in introns, exons, promoters and 5'genes than controls. At the protein level, pathogenic repeat expansions exhibited a preference to form coil rather than other types of secondary structure, and tended to encode surface-located protein domains. Guided by these features, DPREx ( http://biomed.nscc-gz.cn/zhaolab/geneprediction/# ) achieved an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.88 in a test on an independent dataset. Pathogenic repeat expansions are thus located such that they exert a synergistic influence on the gene expression pathway involving inter-molecular connections at the DNA, RNA and protein levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cong Fan
- Department of Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 Yan Jiang West Road, Guangzhou, 500001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ken Chen
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 500001, China
| | - Yukai Wang
- School of Life Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 500001, China
| | - Edward V Ball
- Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Peter D Stenson
- Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Matthew Mort
- Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Albino Bacolla
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6767 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | | | - John A Tainer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 6767 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David N Cooper
- Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Huiying Zhao
- Department of Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 Yan Jiang West Road, Guangzhou, 500001, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Teng Y, Zhu M, Qiu Z. G-Quadruplexes in Repeat Expansion Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032375. [PMID: 36768697 PMCID: PMC9916761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The repeat expansions are the main genetic cause of various neurodegeneration diseases. More than ten kinds of repeat sequences with different lengths, locations, and structures have been confirmed in the past two decades. G-rich repeat sequences, such as CGG and GGGGCC, are reported to form functional G-quadruplexes, participating in many important bioprocesses. In this review, we conducted an overview concerning the contribution of G-quadruplex in repeat expansion disorders and summarized related mechanisms in current pathological studies, including the increasing genetic instabilities in replication and transcription, the toxic RNA foci formed in neurons, and the loss/gain function of proteins and peptides. Furthermore, novel strategies targeting G-quadruplex repeats were developed based on the understanding of disease mechanism. Small molecules and proteins binding to G-quadruplex in repeat expansions were investigated to protect neurons from dysfunction and delay the progression of neurodegeneration. In addition, the effects of environment on the stability of G-quadruplex were discussed, which might be critical factors in the pathological study of repeat expansion disorders.
Collapse
|
33
|
Dane TL, Gill AL, Vieira FG, Denton KR. Reduced C9orf72 expression exacerbates polyGR toxicity in patient iPSC-derived motor neurons and a Type I protein arginine methyltransferase inhibitor reduces that toxicity. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1134090. [PMID: 37138766 PMCID: PMC10149854 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1134090] [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: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Intronic repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are the most frequent known single genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These repeat expansions are believed to result in both loss-of-function and toxic gain-of-function. Gain-of-function results in the production of toxic arginine-rich dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), namely polyGR and polyPR. Small-molecule inhibition of Type I protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) has been shown to protect against toxicity resulting from polyGR and polyPR challenge in NSC-34 cells and primary mouse-derived spinal neurons, but the effect in human motor neurons (MNs) has not yet been explored. Methods To study this, we generated a panel of C9orf72 homozygous and hemizygous knockout iPSCs to examine the contribution of C9orf72 loss-of-function toward disease pathogenesis. We differentiated these iPSCs into spinal motor neurons (sMNs). Results We found that reduced levels of C9orf72 exacerbate polyGR15 toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Type I PRMT inhibition was able to partially rescue polyGR15 toxicity in both wild-type and C9orf72-expanded sMNs. Discussion This study explores the interplay of loss-of-function and gain-of-function toxicity in C9orf72 ALS. It also implicates type I PRMT inhibitors as a possible modulator of polyGR toxicity.
Collapse
|
34
|
Ahmed M, Muffat J, Li Y. Understanding neural development and diseases using CRISPR screens in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cultures. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1158373. [PMID: 37101616 PMCID: PMC10123288 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1158373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is arguably the most complex part of the human body in form and function. Much remains unclear about the molecular mechanisms that regulate its normal and pathological physiology. This lack of knowledge largely stems from the inaccessible nature of the human brain, and the limitation of animal models. As a result, brain disorders are difficult to understand and even more difficult to treat. Recent advances in generating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-derived 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) neural cultures have provided an accessible system to model the human brain. Breakthroughs in gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 further elevate the hPSCs into a genetically tractable experimental system. Powerful genetic screens, previously reserved for model organisms and transformed cell lines, can now be performed in human neural cells. Combined with the rapidly expanding single-cell genomics toolkit, these technological advances culminate to create an unprecedented opportunity to study the human brain using functional genomics. This review will summarize the current progress of applying CRISPR-based genetic screens in hPSCs-derived 2D neural cultures and 3D brain organoids. We will also evaluate the key technologies involved and discuss their related experimental considerations and future applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mai Ahmed
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julien Muffat
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yun Li
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Yun Li,
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Lopez-Herdoiza MB, Bauché S, Wilmet B, Le Duigou C, Roussel D, Frah M, Béal J, Devely G, Boluda S, Frick P, Bouteiller D, Dussaud S, Guillabert P, Dalle C, Dumont M, Camuzat A, Saracino D, Barbier M, Bruneteau G, Ravassard P, Neumann M, Nicole S, Le Ber I, Brice A, Latouche M. C9ORF72 knockdown triggers FTD-like symptoms and cell pathology in mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1155929. [PMID: 37138765 PMCID: PMC10149765 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1155929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The GGGGCC intronic repeat expansion within C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of ALS and FTD. This mutation results in toxic gain of function through accumulation of expanded RNA foci and aggregation of abnormally translated dipeptide repeat proteins, as well as loss of function due to impaired transcription of C9ORF72. A number of in vivo and in vitro models of gain and loss of function effects have suggested that both mechanisms synergize to cause the disease. However, the contribution of the loss of function mechanism remains poorly understood. We have generated C9ORF72 knockdown mice to mimic C9-FTD/ALS patients haploinsufficiency and investigate the role of this loss of function in the pathogenesis. We found that decreasing C9ORF72 leads to anomalies of the autophagy/lysosomal pathway, cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43 and decreased synaptic density in the cortex. Knockdown mice also developed FTD-like behavioral deficits and mild motor phenotypes at a later stage. These findings show that C9ORF72 partial loss of function contributes to the damaging events leading to C9-FTD/ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie Bauché
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Baptiste Wilmet
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Le Duigou
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Delphine Roussel
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Magali Frah
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jonas Béal
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Gabin Devely
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Susana Boluda
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Petra Frick
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Sébastien Dussaud
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Guillabert
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Carine Dalle
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Magali Dumont
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Agnes Camuzat
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Dario Saracino
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Barbier
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Gaelle Bruneteau
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Manuela Neumann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neuropathology, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sophie Nicole
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Alexis Brice
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Morwena Latouche
- Institut du Cerveau–Paris Brain Institute–ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
- EPHE, Neurogenetics Team, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Morwena Latouche,
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Jeon YM, Kwon Y, Lee S, Kim HJ. Potential roles of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1047897. [PMID: 36875699 PMCID: PMC9974850 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1047897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a major organelle involved in protein quality control and cellular homeostasis. ER stress results from structural and functional dysfunction of the organelle, along with the accumulation of misfolded proteins and changes in calcium homeostasis, it leads to ER stress response pathway such as unfolded protein response (UPR). Neurons are particularly sensitive to the accumulation of misfolded proteins. Thus, the ER stress is involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, prion disease and motor neuron disease (MND). Recently, the complex involvement of ER stress pathways has been demonstrated in experimental models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/MND using pharmacological and genetic manipulation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), an adaptive response to ER stress. Here, we aim to provide recent evidence demonstrating that the ER stress pathway is an essential pathological mechanism of ALS. In addition, we also provide therapeutic strategies that can help treat diseases by targeting the ER stress pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Mi Jeon
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghwi Kwon
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Shinrye Lee
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Jun Kim
- Dementia Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Comprehensive evaluation of human-derived anti-poly-GA antibodies in cellular and animal models of C9orf72 disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2123487119. [PMID: 36454749 PMCID: PMC9894253 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2123487119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansions in the C9orf72 gene are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) generated by translation of repeat-containing RNAs show toxic effects in vivo as well as in vitro and are key targets for therapeutic intervention. We generated human antibodies that bind DPRs with high affinity and specificity. Anti-GA antibodies engaged extra- and intra-cellular poly-GA and reduced aggregate formation in a poly-GA overexpressing human cell line. However, antibody treatment in human neuronal cultures synthesizing exogenous poly-GA resulted in the formation of large extracellular immune complexes and did not affect accumulation of intracellular poly-GA aggregates. Treatment with antibodies was also shown to directly alter the morphological and biochemical properties of poly-GA and to shift poly-GA/antibody complexes to more rapidly sedimenting ones. These alterations were not observed with poly-GP and have important implications for accurate measurement of poly-GA levels including the need to evaluate all centrifugation fractions and disrupt the interaction between treatment antibodies and poly-GA by denaturation. Targeting poly-GA and poly-GP in two mouse models expressing G4C2 repeats by systemic antibody delivery for up to 16 mo was well-tolerated and led to measurable brain penetration of antibodies. Long-term treatment with anti-GA antibodies produced improvement in an open-field movement test in aged C9orf72450 mice. However, chronic administration of anti-GA antibodies in AAV-(G4C2)149 mice was associated with increased levels of poly-GA detected by immunoassay and did not significantly reduce poly-GA aggregates or alleviate disease progression in this model.
Collapse
|
38
|
Mitrea DM, Mittasch M, Gomes BF, Klein IA, Murcko MA. Modulating biomolecular condensates: a novel approach to drug discovery. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:841-862. [PMID: 35974095 PMCID: PMC9380678 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00505-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the past decade, membraneless assemblies known as biomolecular condensates have been reported to play key roles in many cellular functions by compartmentalizing specific proteins and nucleic acids in subcellular environments with distinct properties. Furthermore, growing evidence supports the view that biomolecular condensates often form by phase separation, in which a single-phase system demixes into a two-phase system consisting of a condensed phase and a dilute phase of particular biomolecules. Emerging understanding of condensate function in normal and aberrant cellular states, and of the mechanisms of condensate formation, is providing new insights into human disease and revealing novel therapeutic opportunities. In this Perspective, we propose that such insights could enable a previously unexplored drug discovery approach based on identifying condensate-modifying therapeutics (c-mods), and we discuss the strategies, techniques and challenges involved.
Collapse
|
39
|
PolyGA targets the ER stress-adaptive response by impairing GRP75 function at the MAM in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:939-966. [PMID: 36121477 PMCID: PMC9547809 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02494-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
ER stress signaling is linked to the pathophysiological and clinical disease manifestations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we have investigated ER stress-induced adaptive mechanisms in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD, focusing on uncovering early endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms and the crosstalk between pathological and adaptive responses in disease onset and progression. We provide evidence for the early onset of ER stress-mediated adaptive response in C9ORF72 patient-derived motoneurons (MNs), reflected by the elevated increase in GRP75 expression. These transiently increased GRP75 levels enhance ER-mitochondrial association, boosting mitochondrial function and sustaining cellular bioenergetics during the initial stage of disease, thereby counteracting early mitochondrial deficits. In C9orf72 rodent neurons, an abrupt reduction in GRP75 expression coincided with the onset of UPR, mitochondrial dysfunction and the emergence of PolyGA aggregates, which co-localize with GRP75. Similarly, the overexpression of PolyGA in WT cortical neurons or C9ORF72 patient-derived MNs led to the sequestration of GRP75 within PolyGA inclusions, resulting in mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) uptake impairments. Corroborating these findings, we found that PolyGA aggregate-bearing human post-mortem C9ORF72 hippocampal dentate gyrus neurons not only display reduced expression of GRP75 but also exhibit GRP75 sequestration within inclusions. Sustaining high GRP75 expression in spinal C9orf72 rodent MNs specifically prevented ER stress, normalized mitochondrial function, abrogated PolyGA accumulation in spinal MNs, and ameliorated ALS-associated behavioral phenotype. Taken together, our results are in line with the notion that neurons in C9ORF72-ALS/FTD are particularly susceptible to ER-mitochondrial dysfunction and that GRP75 serves as a critical endogenous neuroprotective factor. This neuroprotective pathway, is eventually targeted by PolyGA, leading to GRP75 sequestration, and its subsequent loss of function at the MAM, compromising mitochondrial function and promoting disease onset.
Collapse
|
40
|
Laszlo ZI, Hindley N, Sanchez Avila A, Kline RA, Eaton SL, Lamont DJ, Smith C, Spires-Jones TL, Wishart TM, Henstridge CM. Synaptic proteomics reveal distinct molecular signatures of cognitive change and C9ORF72 repeat expansion in the human ALS cortex. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:156. [DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01455-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests synaptic dysfunction is a central and possibly triggering factor in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Despite this, we still know very little about the molecular profile of an ALS synapse. To address this gap, we designed a synaptic proteomics experiment to perform an unbiased assessment of the synaptic proteome in the ALS brain. We isolated synaptoneurosomes from fresh-frozen post-mortem human cortex (11 controls and 18 ALS) and stratified the ALS group based on cognitive profile (Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS score)) and presence of a C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion (C9ORF72-RE). This allowed us to assess regional differences and the impact of phenotype and genotype on the synaptic proteome, using Tandem Mass Tagging-based proteomics. We identified over 6000 proteins in our synaptoneurosomes and using robust bioinformatics analysis we validated the strong enrichment of synapses. We found more than 30 ALS-associated proteins in synaptoneurosomes, including TDP-43, FUS, SOD1 and C9ORF72. We identified almost 500 proteins with altered expression levels in ALS, with region-specific changes highlighting proteins and pathways with intriguing links to neurophysiology and pathology. Stratifying the ALS cohort by cognitive status revealed almost 150 specific alterations in cognitively impaired ALS synaptic preparations. Stratifying by C9ORF72-RE status revealed 330 protein alterations in the C9ORF72-RE +ve group, with KEGG pathway analysis highlighting strong enrichment for postsynaptic dysfunction, related to glutamatergic receptor signalling. We have validated some of these changes by western blot and at a single synapse level using array tomography imaging. In summary, we have generated the first unbiased map of the human ALS synaptic proteome, revealing novel insight into this key compartment in ALS pathophysiology and highlighting the influence of cognitive decline and C9ORF72-RE on synaptic composition.
Collapse
|
41
|
Ruffo P, De Amicis F, Giardina E, Conforti FL. Long-noncoding RNAs as epigenetic regulators in neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1243-1248. [PMID: 36453400 PMCID: PMC9838156 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.358615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing and rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technologies have allowed a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying gene expression regulation. Editing the epigenome and epitranscriptome directs the fate of the transcript influencing the functional outcome of each mRNA. In this context, non-coding RNAs play a decisive role in addressing the expression regulation at the gene and chromosomal levels. Long-noncoding RNAs, consisting of more than 200 nucleotides, have been shown to act as epigenetic regulators in several key molecular processes involving neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease. Long-noncoding RNAs are abundantly expressed in the central nervous system, suggesting that their deregulation could trigger neuronal degeneration through RNA modifications. The evaluation of their diagnostic significance and therapeutic potential could lead to new treatments for these diseases for which there is no cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ruffo
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Francesca De Amicis
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Emiliano Giardina
- Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy,Department of Biomedicine & Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Luisa Conforti
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy,Correspondence to: Francesca Luisa Conforti, .
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Profile in TDP-43-Related Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101747. [PMID: 36294886 PMCID: PMC9605286 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, namely total tau, phospho-tau and amyloid beta peptides, have received much attention specifically regarding Alzheimer’s disease (AD), since they can detect the biochemical fingerprint of AD and serve as a diagnostic tool for accurate and early diagnosis during life. In the same way, biomarkers for other neurodegenerative disease pathologies are also needed. We present a case series of six patients with genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD), with TDP-43 underlying proteinopathy, in an attempt to assess TDP-43 as a novel biomarker alone and in combination with established AD biomarkers for this specific patient group, based on the principles of personalized and precision medicine. Our results indicate that genetic TDP-43-FTD is characterized by increased CSF TPD-43 and increased TDP-43 × τΤ/τP-181 combination. Hence, TDP-43 combined with tau proteins could be a useful tool for the diagnosis of genetic FTD with TDP-43 underling histopathology, supplementing clinical, neuropsychological and imaging data.
Collapse
|
43
|
Jiménez-Villegas J, Kirby J, Mata A, Cadenas S, Turner MR, Malaspina A, Shaw PJ, Cuadrado A, Rojo AI. Dipeptide Repeat Pathology in C9orf72-ALS Is Associated with Redox, Mitochondrial and NRF2 Pathway Imbalance. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1897. [PMID: 36290620 PMCID: PMC9598689 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The hexanucleotide expansion of the C9orf72 gene is found in 40% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. This genetic alteration has been connected with impaired management of reactive oxygen species. In this study, we conducted targeted transcriptional profiling in leukocytes from C9orf72 patients and control subjects by examining the mRNA levels of 84 redox-related genes. The expression of ten redox genes was altered in samples from C9orf72 ALS patients compared to healthy controls. Considering that Nuclear factor erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) modulates the expression of a wide range of redox genes, we further investigated its status on an in vitro model of dipeptide repeat (DPR) toxicity. This model mimics the gain of function, toxic mechanisms attributed to C9orf72 pathology. We found that exposure to DPRs increased superoxide levels and reduced mitochondrial potential as well as cell survival. Importantly, cells overexpressing DPRs exhibited reduced protein levels of NRF2 and its target genes upon inhibition of the proteasome or its canonical repressor, the E3 ligase adapter KEAP1. However, NRF2 activation was sufficient to recover cell viability and redox homeostasis. This study identifies NRF2 as a putative target in precision medicine for the therapy of ALS patients harboring C9orf72 expansion repeats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Jiménez-Villegas
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC/UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Ana Mata
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (CSIC/UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Cadenas
- Centro de Biología Molecular “Severo Ochoa” (CSIC/UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin R. Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Neuroscience and Trauma Centre, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AT, UK
- Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Neuromuscular Department, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Antonio Cuadrado
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC/UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Rojo
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC/UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ghaffari LT, Trotti D, Haeusler AR, Jensen BK. Breakdown of the central synapses in C9orf72-linked ALS/FTD. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1005112. [PMID: 36187344 PMCID: PMC9523884 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1005112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to the death of motor and cortical neurons. The clinical manifestations of ALS are heterogenous, and efficacious treatments to significantly slow the progression of the disease are lacking. Cortical hyper-excitability is observed pre-symptomatically across disease-causative genetic variants, as well as in the early stages of sporadic ALS, and typically precedes motor neuron involvement and overt neurodegeneration. The causes of cortical hyper-excitability are not yet fully understood but is mainly agreed to be an early event. The identification of the nucleotide repeat expansion (GGGGCC)n in the C9ORF72 gene has provided evidence that ALS and another neurodegenerative disease, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), are part of a disease spectrum with common genetic origins. ALS and FTD are diseases in which synaptic dysfunction is reported throughout disease onset and stages of progression. It has become apparent that ALS/FTD-causative genes, such as C9ORF72, may have roles in maintaining the normal physiology of the synapse, as mutations in these genes often manifest in synaptic dysfunction. Here we review the dysfunctions of the central nervous system synapses associated with the nucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 observed in patients, organismal, and cellular models of ALS and FTD.
Collapse
|
45
|
Lu B. Translational regulation by ribosome-associated quality control in neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and viral infection. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:970654. [PMID: 36187485 PMCID: PMC9515510 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.970654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Translational control at the initiation, elongation, and termination steps exerts immediate effects on the rate as well as the spatiotemporal dynamics of new protein synthesis, shaping the composition of the proteome. Translational control is particularly important for cells under stress as during viral infection or in disease conditions such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Much has been learned about the control mechanisms acting at the translational initiation step under normal or pathological conditions. However, problems during the elongation or termination steps of translation can lead to ribosome stalling and ribosome collision, which will trigger ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) mechanism. Inadequate RQC may lead to the accumulation of faulty translation products that perturb protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Proteostasis signifies a cellular state in which the synthesis, folding, and degradation of proteins are maintained at a homeostatic state such that an intact proteome is preserved. Cellular capacity to preserve proteostasis declines with age, which is thought to contribute to age-related diseases. Proteostasis failure manifested as formation of aberrant protein aggregates, epitomized by the amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a defining feature of neurodegenerative diseases. The root cause of the proteostasis failure and protein aggregation is still enigmatic. Here I will review recent studies supporting that faulty translation products resulting from inadequate RQC of translational stalling and ribosome collision during the translation of problematic mRNAs can be the root cause of proteostasis failure and may represent novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases. I will also review evidence that translation regulation by RQC is operative in cancer cells and during viral infection. Better understanding of RQC mechanism may lead to novel therapeutic strategies against neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and viral infections, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
|
46
|
Wang X, Simon SM, Coffino P. Single-molecule microscopy reveals diverse actions of substrate sequences that impair ClpX AAA+ ATPase function. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102457. [PMID: 36064000 PMCID: PMC9531181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AAA+ (ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities) proteases unfold substrate proteins by pulling the substrate polypeptide through a narrow pore. To overcome the barrier to unfolding, substrates may require extended association with the ATPase. Failed unfolding attempts can lead to a slip of grip, which may result in substrate dissociation, but how substrate sequence affects slippage is unresolved. Here, we measured single-molecule dwell time using TIRF (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence) microscopy, scoring time-dependent dissociation of engaged substrates from bacterial AAA+ ATPase unfoldase/translocase ClpX. Substrates comprising a stable domain resistant to unfolding and a C-terminal unstructured tail, tagged with a degron for initiating translocase insertion, were used to determine dwell time in relation to tail length and composition. We found greater tail length promoted substrate retention during futile unfolding. Additionally, we tested two tail compositions known to frustrate unfolding. A poly-glycine tract (polyG) promoted substrate release, but only when adjacent to the folded domain, whereas glycine-alanine repeats (GAr) did not promote release. A high-complexity motif containing polar and charged residues also promoted release. We further investigated the impact of these and related motifs on substrate degradation rates and ATP consumption, using the unfoldase-protease complex ClpXP. Here, substrate domain stability modulates the effects of substrate tail sequences. Although polyG and GAr are both inhibitory for unfolding, they act in different ways. GAr motifs only negatively affected degradation of highly stable substrates, which is accompanied by reduced ClpXP ATPase activity. Together, our results specify substrate characteristics that affect unfolding and degradation by ClpXP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University
| | - Sanford M Simon
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University
| | - Philip Coffino
- Laboratory of Cellular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Braems E, Bercier V, Van Schoor E, Heeren K, Beckers J, Fumagalli L, Dedeene L, Moisse M, Geudens I, Hersmus N, Mehta AR, Selvaraj BT, Chandran S, Ho R, Thal DR, Van Damme P, Swinnen B, Van Den Bosch L. HNRNPK alleviates RNA toxicity by counteracting DNA damage in C9orf72 ALS. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:465-488. [PMID: 35895140 PMCID: PMC9381635 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A 'GGGGCC' repeat expansion in the first intron of the C9orf72 gene is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The exact mechanism resulting in these neurodegenerative diseases remains elusive, but C9 repeat RNA toxicity has been implicated as a gain-of-function mechanism. Our aim was to use a zebrafish model for C9orf72 RNA toxicity to identify modifiers of the ALS-linked phenotype. We discovered that the RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) reverses the toxicity of both sense and antisense repeat RNA, which is dependent on its subcellular localization and RNA recognition, and not on C9orf72 repeat RNA binding. We observed HNRNPK cytoplasmic mislocalization in C9orf72 ALS patient fibroblasts, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons and post-mortem motor cortex and spinal cord, in line with a disrupted HNRNPK function in C9orf72 ALS. In C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient tissue, we discovered an increased nuclear translocation, but reduced expression of ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), a downstream target of HNRNPK involved in the DNA damage response. Last but not least, we showed that increasing the expression of HNRNPK or RRM2 was sufficient to mitigate DNA damage in our C9orf72 RNA toxicity zebrafish model. Overall, our study strengthens the relevance of RNA toxicity as a pathogenic mechanism in C9orf72 ALS and demonstrates its link with an aberrant DNA damage response, opening novel therapeutic avenues for C9orf72 ALS/FTD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elke Braems
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Bercier
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Evelien Van Schoor
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kara Heeren
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieselot Dedeene
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthieu Moisse
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilse Geudens
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nicole Hersmus
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ritchie Ho
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dietmar R Thal
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Laboratory of Neuropathology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Swinnen
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB, Campus Gasthuisberg, O&N5, Herestraat 49, PB 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Babu M, Favretto F, Rankovic M, Zweckstetter M. Peptidyl Prolyl Isomerase A Modulates the Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Proline-Rich IDPs. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:16157-16163. [PMID: 36018855 PMCID: PMC9460772 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and the action of molecular chaperones are tightly connected. An important class of molecular chaperones are peptidyl prolyl isomerases, which enhance the cis/trans-isomerization of proline. However, little is known about the impact of peptidyl prolyl isomerases on the LLPS of IDPs, which often contain many prolines. Here, we demonstrate that the most ubiquitous peptidyl prolyl isomerase, peptidyl prolyl isomerase A (PPIA), concentrates inside liquid-like droplets formed by the Alzheimer's disease-associated protein tau, as well as inside RNA-induced coacervates of a proline-arginine dipeptide repeat protein. We further show that the recruitment of PPIA into the IDP droplets triggers their dissolution and return to a single mixed phase. NMR-based binding and proline isomerization studies provide insights into the mechanism of LLPS modulation. Together, the results establish a regulatory role of proline isomerases on the liquid-liquid phase separation of proline-rich IDPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Babu
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Von-Siebold Straße 3a, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Filippo Favretto
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Von-Siebold Straße 3a, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Marija Rankovic
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Von-Siebold Straße 3a, Göttingen, 37075, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Am Fassberg 11, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Regulating Phase Transition in Neurodegenerative Diseases by Nuclear Import Receptors. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11071009. [PMID: 36101390 PMCID: PMC9311884 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with a low-complexity prion-like domain (PLD) can undergo aberrant phase transitions and have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTD. Several nuclear RBPs mislocalize to cytoplasmic inclusions in disease conditions. Impairment in nucleocytoplasmic transport is another major event observed in ageing and in neurodegenerative disorders. Nuclear import receptors (NIRs) regulate the nucleocytoplasmic transport of different RBPs bearing a nuclear localization signal by restoring their nuclear localization. NIRs can also specifically dissolve or prevent the aggregation and liquid–liquid phase separation of wild-type or disease-linked mutant RBPs, due to their chaperoning activity. This review focuses on the LLPS of intrinsically disordered proteins and the role of NIRs in regulating LLPS in neurodegeneration. This review also discusses the implication of NIRs as therapeutic agents in neurogenerative diseases.
Collapse
|
50
|
Baud A, Derbis M, Tutak K, Sobczak K. Partners in crime: Proteins implicated in
RNA
repeat expansion diseases. WIRES RNA 2022; 13:e1709. [PMID: 35229468 PMCID: PMC9539487 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Magdalena Derbis
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| |
Collapse
|