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Dhapola R, Sharma P, Kumari S, Bhatti JS, HariKrishnaReddy D. Environmental Toxins and Alzheimer's Disease: a Comprehensive Analysis of Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Modulation. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3657-3677. [PMID: 38006469 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03805-x] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Inorganic and organic hazards, susceptibility to harmful metals, pesticides, agrochemicals, and air pollution are major environmental concerns. As merely 5% of AD cases are directly inherited indicating that these environmental factors play a major role in disease development. Long-term exposure to environmental toxins is believed to progress neuropathology, which leads to the development of AD. Numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies have suggested the harmful impact of environmental toxins at cellular and molecular level. Common mechanisms involved in the toxicity of these environmental pollutants include oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal tau, and APP processing. Increased expression of GSK-3β, BACE-1, TNF-α, and pro-apoptotic molecules like caspases is observed upon exposure to these environmental toxins. In addition, the expression of neurotrophins like BDNF and GAP-43 have been found to be reduced as a result of toxicity. Further, modulation of signaling pathways involving PARP-1, PGC-1α, and MAPK/ERK induced by toxins have been reported to contribute in AD pathogenesis. These pathways are a promising target for developing novel AD therapeutics. Drugs like epigallocatechin-gallate, neflamapimod, salsalate, dexmedetomidine, and atabecestat are in different phases of clinical trials targeting the pathways for possible treatment of AD. This review aims to culminate the correlation between environmental toxicants and AD development. We emphasized upon the signaling pathways involved in the progression of the disease and the therapeutics under clinical trial targeting the altered pathways for possible treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishika Dhapola
- Advanced Pharmacology and Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151 401, India
| | - Prajjwal Sharma
- Advanced Pharmacology and Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151 401, India
| | - Sneha Kumari
- Advanced Pharmacology and Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151 401, India
| | - Jasvinder Singh Bhatti
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine and Nanotherapeutics, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151 401, India
| | - Dibbanti HariKrishnaReddy
- Advanced Pharmacology and Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151 401, India.
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Berntsson E, Vosough F, Noormägi A, Padari K, Asplund F, Gielnik M, Paul S, Jarvet J, Tõugu V, Roos PM, Kozak M, Gräslund A, Barth A, Pooga M, Palumaa P, Wärmländer SKTS. Characterization of Uranyl (UO 22+) Ion Binding to Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Peptides: Effects on Aβ Structure and Aggregation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2618-2633. [PMID: 37487115 PMCID: PMC10401651 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00130] [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] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Uranium (U) is naturally present in ambient air, water, and soil, and depleted uranium (DU) is released into the environment via industrial and military activities. While the radiological damage from U is rather well understood, less is known about the chemical damage mechanisms, which dominate in DU. Heavy metal exposure is associated with numerous health conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent age-related cause of dementia. The pathological hallmark of AD is the deposition of amyloid plaques, consisting mainly of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides aggregated into amyloid fibrils in the brain. However, the toxic species in AD are likely oligomeric Aβ aggregates. Exposure to heavy metals such as Cd, Hg, Mn, and Pb is known to increase Aβ production, and these metals bind to Aβ peptides and modulate their aggregation. The possible effects of U in AD pathology have been sparsely studied. Here, we use biophysical techniques to study in vitro interactions between Aβ peptides and uranyl ions, UO22+, of DU. We show for the first time that uranyl ions bind to Aβ peptides with affinities in the micromolar range, induce structural changes in Aβ monomers and oligomers, and inhibit Aβ fibrillization. This suggests a possible link between AD and U exposure, which could be further explored by cell, animal, and epidemiological studies. General toxic mechanisms of uranyl ions could be modulation of protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Berntsson
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Faraz Vosough
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andra Noormägi
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kärt Padari
- Institute
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University
of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Fanny Asplund
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maciej Gielnik
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Suman Paul
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vello Tõugu
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Per M. Roos
- Institute
of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- University
Healthcare Unit of Capio St. Göran Hospital, 112 81 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maciej Kozak
- Department
of Biomedical Physics, Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland
- SOLARIS
National Synchrotron Radiation Centre, Jagiellonian
University, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Barth
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margus Pooga
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Peep Palumaa
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Sebastian K. T. S. Wärmländer
- Chemistry
Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Rodríguez-Meza O, Palomino-Vizcaino G, Quintanar L, Costas M. Mercury ions impact the kinetic and thermal stabilities of human lens γ-crystallins via direct metal-protein interactions. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 242:112159. [PMID: 36827733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112159] [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: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Loss of metal homeostasis may be involved in several age-related diseases, such as cataracts. Cataracts are caused by the aggregation of lens proteins into light-scattering high molecular weight complexes that impair vision. Environmental exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury, is a risk factor for cataract development. Indeed, mercury ions induce the non-amyloid aggregation of human γC- and γS crystallins, while human γD-crystallin is not sensitive to this metal. Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), we evaluate the impact of mercury ions on the kinetic stability of the three most abundant human γ-crystallins. The metal/crystallin interactions were characterized using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC). Human γD-crystallins exhibited kinetic stabilization due to the presence of mercury ions, despite its thermal stability being decreased. In contrast, human γC- and γS-crystallins are both, thermally and kinetically destabilized by this metal, consistent with their sensitivity to mercury-induced aggregation. The interaction of human γ-crystallins with mercury ions is highly exothermic and complex, since the protein interacts with the metal at more than three sites. The isolated domains of human γ-D and its variant with the H22Q mutation were also studied, revealing the importance of these regions in the mercury-induced stabilization by a direct metal-protein interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Rodríguez-Meza
- Laboratorio de Biofisicoquímica, Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CdMx 04510, Mexico
| | | | - Liliana Quintanar
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados (Cinvestav), CdMx 07360, Mexico
| | - Miguel Costas
- Laboratorio de Biofisicoquímica, Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CdMx 04510, Mexico.
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Berntsson E, Vosough F, Svantesson T, Pansieri J, Iashchishyn IA, Ostojić L, Dong X, Paul S, Jarvet J, Roos PM, Barth A, Morozova-Roche LA, Gräslund A, Wärmländer SKTS. Residue-specific binding of Ni(II) ions influences the structure and aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3341. [PMID: 36849796 PMCID: PMC9971182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29901-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. AD brains display deposits of insoluble amyloid plaques consisting mainly of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, and Aβ oligomers are likely a toxic species in AD pathology. AD patients display altered metal homeostasis, and AD plaques show elevated concentrations of metals such as Cu, Fe, and Zn. Yet, the metal chemistry in AD pathology remains unclear. Ni(II) ions are known to interact with Aβ peptides, but the nature and effects of such interactions are unknown. Here, we use numerous biophysical methods-mainly spectroscopy and imaging techniques-to characterize Aβ/Ni(II) interactions in vitro, for different Aβ variants: Aβ(1-40), Aβ(1-40)(H6A, H13A, H14A), Aβ(4-40), and Aβ(1-42). We show for the first time that Ni(II) ions display specific binding to the N-terminal segment of full-length Aβ monomers. Equimolar amounts of Ni(II) ions retard Aβ aggregation and direct it towards non-structured aggregates. The His6, His13, and His14 residues are implicated as binding ligands, and the Ni(II)·Aβ binding affinity is in the low µM range. The redox-active Ni(II) ions induce formation of dityrosine cross-links via redox chemistry, thereby creating covalent Aβ dimers. In aqueous buffer Ni(II) ions promote formation of beta sheet structure in Aβ monomers, while in a membrane-mimicking environment (SDS micelles) coil-coil helix interactions appear to be induced. For SDS-stabilized Aβ oligomers, Ni(II) ions direct the oligomers towards larger sizes and more diverse (heterogeneous) populations. All of these structural rearrangements may be relevant for the Aβ aggregation processes that are involved in AD brain pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Berntsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Faraz Vosough
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Teodor Svantesson
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan Pansieri
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Igor A. Iashchishyn
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lucija Ostojić
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Xiaolin Dong
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Suman Paul
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.177284.f0000 0004 0410 6208The National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Per M. Roos
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels Väg 13, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden ,Department of Clinical Physiology, Capio St. Göran Hospital, St. Göransplan 1, 112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Barth
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ludmilla A. Morozova-Roche
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian K. T. S. Wärmländer
- grid.10548.380000 0004 1936 9377Chemistry Section, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
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5
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Zebrafish as a Potential Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Focus on Toxic Metals Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043428. [PMID: 36834835 PMCID: PMC9959844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last century, industrial activities increased and caused multiple health problems for humans and animals. At this moment, heavy metals are considered the most harmful substances for their effects on organisms and humans. The impact of these toxic metals, which have no biological role, poses a considerable threat and is associated with several health problems. Heavy metals can interfere with metabolic processes and can sometimes act as pseudo-elements. The zebrafish is an animal model progressively used to expose the toxic effects of diverse compounds and to find treatments for different devastating diseases that human beings are currently facing. This review aims to analyse and discuss the value of zebrafish as animal models used in neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly in terms of the benefits of animal models and the limitations that exist.
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6
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Manna K, Natarajan S. Highly Selective MOF-Based Turn-Off Luminescence Detection of Hg 2+ Ions in an Aqueous Medium and Its Dual Functional Catalytic Activity toward Aldol Condensation and β-Enamination Reactions. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:508-519. [PMID: 36535263 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A new organic ligand, 5-(carboxyformamido)isophthalic acid (5-CFIA), was prepared and employed for the synthesis of two compounds [M3(C10H4O7N1)2(8H2O)]·H2O (M = Cd, Mn). The compounds have three-dimensionally extended structures. Both the compounds were found to be luminescent at room temperature. The luminescence nature was exploited for the detection of Hg2+ ions in an aqueous medium with good selectivity. The interactions between Hg2+ ions and the compounds quench the luminescence intensity and act as a turn-off sensor. Both the compounds exhibited low limits for the detection of Hg2+ ions and in the range mandated by the WHO. The interactions between Hg2+ ions and the compound involve the -NH group, which was probed using Raman and IR spectroscopic techniques. These studies provide important pointers toward the mechanism of this turn-off luminescence behavior. The compounds were explored for base-catalyzed aldol condensation and Lewis acid-promoted β-enaminoester formation reactions. The aldol condensation reaction uses the -NH functionality as a base. The studies indicate that the electron-withdrawing group produces products with higher yields. The β-enaminoester reaction uses the Lewis acid centers, and the studies reveal that the electron-withdrawing groups produce lesser yields of the products. The catalytic nature of the reaction and recyclability of the catalysts were also established. The catalytic reactions employ ethanol (aldol condensation) and no solvent (β-enaminoester), which suggests that the reactions are green and environmentally friendly. The Mn compound was observed to be anti-ferromagnetic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Manna
- Framework Solids Laboratory, Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - S Natarajan
- Framework Solids Laboratory, Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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7
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Berntsson E, Sardis M, Noormägi A, Jarvet J, Roos PM, Tõugu V, Gräslund A, Palumaa P, Wärmländer SKTS. Mercury Ion Binding to Apolipoprotein E Variants ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4: Similar Binding Affinities but Different Structure Induction Effects. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:28924-28931. [PMID: 36033665 PMCID: PMC9404194 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury intoxication typically produces more severe outcomes in people with the APOE-ε4 gene, which codes for the ApoE4 variant of apolipoprotein E, compared to individuals with the APOE-ε2 and APOE-ε3 genes. Why the APOE-ε4 allele is a risk factor in mercury exposure remains unknown. One proposed possibility is that the ApoE protein could be involved in clearing of heavy metals, where the ApoE4 protein might perform this task worse than the ApoE2 and ApoE3 variants. Here, we used fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies to characterize the in vitro interactions of the three different ApoE variants with Hg(I) and Hg(II) ions. Hg(I) ions displayed weak binding to all ApoE variants and induced virtually no structural changes. Thus, Hg(I) ions appear to have no biologically relevant interactions with the ApoE protein. Hg(II) ions displayed stronger and very similar binding affinities for all three ApoE isoforms, with K D values of 4.6 μM for ApoE2, 4.9 μM for ApoE3, and 4.3 μM for ApoE4. Binding of Hg(II) ions also induced changes in ApoE superhelicity, that is, altered coil-coil interactions, which might modify the protein function. As these structural changes were most pronounced in the ApoE4 protein, they could be related to the APOE-ε4 gene being a risk factor in mercury toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Berntsson
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merlin Sardis
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Andra Noormägi
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- The
National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per M. Roos
- Institute
of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Clinical Physiology, Capio Saint Göran
Hospital, 112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vello Tõugu
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peep Palumaa
- Department
of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn
University of Technology, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Sebastian K. T. S. Wärmländer
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm
University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- CellPept
Sweden AB, Kvarngatan
10B, 118 47 Stockholm, Sweden
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Paduraru E, Iacob D, Rarinca V, Rusu A, Jijie R, Ilie OD, Ciobica A, Nicoara M, Doroftei B. Comprehensive Review Regarding Mercury Poisoning and Its Complex Involvement in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1992. [PMID: 35216107 PMCID: PMC8879904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is considered one of the most widespread toxic environmental pollutants, which seems to have multiple effects on organisms even at low concentrations. It has a critical role in many health problems with harmful consequences, with Hg primarily targeting the brain and its components, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Hg exposure was associated with numerous CNS disorders that frequently trigger Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with AD have higher concentrations of Hg in blood and brain tissue. This paper aims to emphasize a correlation between Hg and AD based on the known literature in the occupational field. The outcome shows that all these concerning elements could get attributed to Hg. However, recent studies did not investigate the molecular level of Hg exposure in AD. The present review highlights the interactions between Hg and AD in neuronal degenerations, apoptosis, autophagy, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial malfunctions, gastrointestinal (GI) microflora, infertility and altering gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Paduraru
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Diana Iacob
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Viorica Rarinca
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Angelica Rusu
- Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania; (E.P.); (D.I.); (V.R.); (A.R.)
| | - Roxana Jijie
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, No 8, Carol I Avenue, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, No 54, Independence Street, Sector 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mircea Nicoara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, No 20A, Carol I Avenue, 700505 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Bogdan Doroftei
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, No 16, University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
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9
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Salkov VN, Voronkov DN, Khudoerkov RM. [The role of mercury and arsenic in the etiology and pathogenesis of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases]. Arkh Patol 2022; 84:59-64. [PMID: 36178224 DOI: 10.17116/patol20228405159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A critical review of literature data on the toxic effects of mercury and arsenic on the human brain and their relationship with the etiology and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases is presented. In the first case, the toxic effect of mercury and arsenic on the brain stimulates oxidative stress, which leads to the formation of free oxygen species and a decrease in the antioxidant defense of neurons. In the second case, the harmful effect of mercury changes the structure and properties of β-amyloid, and the toxic effect of arsenic contributes to its accumulation. In the pathogenesis of the diseases under consideration, particular importance is attached to the reaction of astrocytes that initiate neuroinflammation, which is also characteristic of mercury and arsenic intoxication. Considering that the symptoms recorded during intoxication with mercury and arsenic are in many respects similar to those of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and their pathogenetic mechanisms (oxidative stress and neuroinflammation) coincide, then the toxic effects of mercury and arsenic in neurodegenerative diseases analyzed in this review can be characterized as the influence of the most significant risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- V N Salkov
- Research Center of Neurology, Brain Institute, Moscow, Russia
| | - D N Voronkov
- Research Center of Neurology, Brain Institute, Moscow, Russia
| | - R M Khudoerkov
- Research Center of Neurology, Brain Institute, Moscow, Russia
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10
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Forero-Rodríguez LJ, Josephs-Spaulding J, Flor S, Pinzón A, Kaleta C. Parkinson's Disease and the Metal-Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: A Systems Toxicology Approach. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 11:71. [PMID: 35052575 PMCID: PMC8773335 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease, leading to motor and non-motor complications. Autonomic alterations, including gastrointestinal symptoms, precede motor defects and act as early warning signs. Chronic exposure to dietary, environmental heavy metals impacts the gastrointestinal system and host-associated microbiome, eventually affecting the central nervous system. The correlation between dysbiosis and PD suggests a functional and bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. The bioaccumulation of metals promotes stress mechanisms by increasing reactive oxygen species, likely altering the bidirectional gut-brain link. To better understand the differing molecular mechanisms underlying PD, integrative modeling approaches are necessary to connect multifactorial perturbations in this heterogeneous disorder. By exploring the effects of gut microbiota modulation on dietary heavy metal exposure in relation to PD onset, the modification of the host-associated microbiome to mitigate neurological stress may be a future treatment option against neurodegeneration through bioremediation. The progressive movement towards a systems toxicology framework for precision medicine can uncover molecular mechanisms underlying PD onset such as metal regulation and microbial community interactions by developing predictive models to better understand PD etiology to identify options for novel treatments and beyond. Several methodologies recently addressed the complexity of this interaction from different perspectives; however, to date, a comprehensive review of these approaches is still lacking. Therefore, our main aim through this manuscript is to fill this gap in the scientific literature by reviewing recently published papers to address the surrounding questions regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms between metals, microbiota, and the gut-brain-axis, as well as the regulation of this system to prevent neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lady Johanna Forero-Rodríguez
- Research Group Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Instituto de Genetica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (L.J.F.-R.); (A.P.)
- Research Group Medical Systems Biology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Brunswiker Straße 10, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.F.); (C.K.)
| | - Jonathan Josephs-Spaulding
- Research Group Medical Systems Biology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Brunswiker Straße 10, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.F.); (C.K.)
| | - Stefano Flor
- Research Group Medical Systems Biology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Brunswiker Straße 10, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.F.); (C.K.)
| | - Andrés Pinzón
- Research Group Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Instituto de Genetica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; (L.J.F.-R.); (A.P.)
| | - Christoph Kaleta
- Research Group Medical Systems Biology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Brunswiker Straße 10, 24105 Kiel, Germany; (S.F.); (C.K.)
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11
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Koski L, Ronnevi C, Berntsson E, Wärmländer SKTS, Roos PM. Metals in ALS TDP-43 Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12193. [PMID: 34830074 PMCID: PMC8622279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and similar neurodegenerative disorders take their toll on patients, caregivers and society. A common denominator for these disorders is the accumulation of aggregated proteins in nerve cells, yet the triggers for these aggregation processes are currently unknown. In ALS, protein aggregation has been described for the SOD1, C9orf72, FUS and TDP-43 proteins. The latter is a nuclear protein normally binding to both DNA and RNA, contributing to gene expression and mRNA life cycle regulation. TDP-43 seems to have a specific role in ALS pathogenesis, and ubiquitinated and hyperphosphorylated cytoplasmic inclusions of aggregated TDP-43 are present in nerve cells in almost all sporadic ALS cases. ALS pathology appears to include metal imbalances, and environmental metal exposure is a known risk factor in ALS. However, studies on metal-to-TDP-43 interactions are scarce, even though this protein seems to have the capacity to bind to metals. This review discusses the possible role of metals in TDP-43 aggregation, with respect to ALS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lassi Koski
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | | | - Elina Berntsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, 12616 Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Per M. Roos
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Capio St. Göran Hospital, 112 19 Stockholm, Sweden;
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Boopathi S, Poma AB, Garduño-Juárez R. An Overview of Several Inhibitors for Alzheimer's Disease: Characterization and Failure. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10798. [PMID: 34639140 PMCID: PMC8509255 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers are the most neurotoxic aggregates causing neuronal death and cognitive damage. A detailed elucidation of the aggregation pathways from oligomers to fibril formation is crucial to develop therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although experimental techniques rely on the measure of time- and space-average properties, they face severe difficulties in the investigation of Aβ peptide aggregation due to their intrinsically disorder character. Computer simulation is a tool that allows tracing the molecular motion of molecules; hence it complements Aβ experiments, as it allows to explore the binding mechanism between metal ions and Aβ oligomers close to the cellular membrane at the atomic resolution. In this context, integrated studies of experiments and computer simulations can assist in mapping the complete pathways of aggregation and toxicity of Aβ peptides. Aβ oligomers are disordered proteins, and due to a rapid exploration of their intrinsic conformational space in real-time, they are challenging therapeutic targets. Therefore, no good drug candidate could have been identified for clinical use. Our previous investigations identified two small molecules, M30 (2-Octahydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-ylethanamine) and Gabapentin, capable of Aβ binding and inhibiting molecular aggregation, synaptotoxicity, intracellular calcium signaling, cellular toxicity and memory losses induced by Aβ. Thus, we recommend these molecules as novel candidates to assist anti-AD drug discovery in the near future. This review discusses the most recent research investigations about the Aβ dynamics in water, close contact with cell membranes, and several therapeutic strategies to remove plaque formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramanian Boopathi
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico;
| | - Adolfo B. Poma
- Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Science, Pawińskiego 5B, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
- International Center for Research on Innovative Biobased Materials (ICRI-BioM)—International Research Agenda, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Ramón Garduño-Juárez
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico;
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Holubová M, Lobaz V, Loukotová L, Rabyk M, Hromádková J, Trhlíková O, Pechrová Z, Groborz O, Štěpánek P, Hrubý M. Chemically modified glycogens: how they influence formation of amyloid fibrils? SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:1614-1627. [PMID: 33355593 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01829e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The formation of amyloid fibrils from certain proteins stays behind a number of pathologies, so-called amyloidoses. Glycosaminoglycans are polysaccharides and are known natural constituents of amyloids in vivo. However, little is known about the effect of other naturally abundant polysaccharides, and even less is known about the effect of chemically modified polysaccharides on the formation of amyloid fibrils. In the case of low-molecular weight compounds, aromatic substances are known to often influence amyloid formation significantly. We investigated the influence of glycogen (GG) and several modifications of GG with cinnamoyl groups, benzoyl groups and phenylacetyl groups. As model systems, hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) and amyloid beta peptide (1-42) (Aβ1-42), which is an Alzheimer disease-relevant system, were used. The fluorescence of thioflavin-T (ThT) was used for the rapid detection of fibrils, and the fluorescence results were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Other techniques, such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), were employed to determine the interactions between HEWL and the modifications. We achieved similar results with both model systems (HEWL and Aβ1-42). We showed that π-π interactions played an important role in the process of amyloid fibril formation because fundamental changes were observed in this process even with a very small number of groups containing an aromatic ring. It was found that almost all GG modifications accelerated the formation of amyloid fibrils in both model systems, HEWL and Aβ1-42, except for GG-Ph1 (1.6 mol% phenylacetyl groups), which had a retarding effect compared to all other modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Holubová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic. and Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Volodymyr Lobaz
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Lenka Loukotová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Mariia Rabyk
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiřina Hromádková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Olga Trhlíková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Zdislava Pechrová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondřej Groborz
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic. and Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Štěpánek
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Hrubý
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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14
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Holubová M, Lobaz V, Loukotová L, Rabyk M, Hromádková J, Trhlíková O, Pechrová Z, Groborz O, Štěpánek P, Hrubý M. Does polysaccharide glycogen behave as a promoter of amyloid fibril formation at physiologically relevant concentrations? SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:1628-1641. [PMID: 33355589 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01884h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the influence of glycogen (GG), phytoglycogen (PG), mannan (MAN) and cinnamoyl-modified GG (GG-CIN) on amyloid fibril formation. We used hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) as a model system and amyloid beta peptide (1-42) (Aβ1-42) as an Alzheimer's disease-relevant system. For brief detection of fibrils was used thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay and the results were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We also deal with the interaction of polysaccharides and HEWL with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). We found that all polysaccharides accelerated the formation of amyloid fibrils from both HEWL and Aβ1-42. At high but physiologically relevant concentrations of GG, amyloid fibril formation was extremely accelerated for HEWL. Therefore, on the basis of the herein presented in vitro data, we hypothesize, that dietary d-glucose intake may influence amyloid fibril formation not only by influencing regulatory pathways, but also by direct glycogen-amyloid precursor protein molecular interaction, as glycogen levels in tissues are highly dependent on d-glucose intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Holubová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic. and Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Volodymyr Lobaz
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Lenka Loukotová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Mariia Rabyk
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiřina Hromádková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Olga Trhlíková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Zdislava Pechrová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Ondřej Groborz
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic. and Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Štěpánek
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Hrubý
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovský Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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15
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Bagheri S, Saboury AA. What role do metals play in Alzheimer's disease? JOURNAL OF THE IRANIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13738-021-02181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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16
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Antoniadou F, Papamitsou T, Kavvadas D, Kapoukranidou D, Sioga A, Papaliagkas V. Toxic Environmental Factors and their Association with the Development of Dementia: a Mini Review on Heavy Metals and Ambient Particulate Matter. Mater Sociomed 2020; 32:299-306. [PMID: 33628134 PMCID: PMC7879435 DOI: 10.5455/msm.2020.32.299-306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION More and more studies are trying to establish a connection between dementia and environmental pollution. Dementia, most commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease, is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that is directly associated to aging. Although the etiology of the disease is not fully understood, it is recognized as a multifactorial one. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of various forms of dementia. Both predisposing genes and environmental pollution have been shown to affect brain function through a variety of mechanisms. AIM The purpose of this bibliographic work is «ecological consciousness» of modern societies to be awaken, to identify the harmful environmental factors and to highlight their involvement in the causal pathogenesis of the most debated disease, dementia. METHODS Trying to achieve this aim, the available bibliography was reviewed and selected for further study. In particular, recent bibliographic data and scientific papers were selected, mainly from the last five years. The information was collected using the keywords "environmental pollution", " toxic agents" and "etiology of dementia", with particular emphasis on "Alzheimer's disease". The data were selected mainly from medical research databases. In particular, they were selected by PubMed, BioMed Central and Science Direct. CONCLUSION According to the results of this study, long-term exposure of individuals to pollutants may be associated with an increased risk of dementia. However, we must be cautious in our conclusions, as further reliable studies are needed to confirm the stated evidence. Among other things, health professionals are responsible for promoting health, preventing and encouraging lifestyle change, so that the progressively growing elderly population remains autonomous, healthy and active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fevronia Antoniadou
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodora Papamitsou
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitros Kavvadas
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Antonia Sioga
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasileios Papaliagkas
- International Hellenic University, Laboratory of Physiology, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Mocanu CS, Jureschi M, Drochioiu G. Aluminium Binding to Modified Amyloid-β Peptides: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25194536. [PMID: 33022965 PMCID: PMC7582331 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aluminium (Al) is clearly neurotoxic and considerable evidence exists that Al may play a role in the aetiology or pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Nevertheless, the link between AD pathology and Al is still open to debate. Therefore, we investigated here the interaction of aluminium ions with two Aβ peptide fragments and their analogues. First, we synthesised by the Fmoc/tBu solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) strategy using an automated peptide synthesiser two new peptides starting from the Aβ(1–16) native peptide fragment. For this purpose, the three histidine residues (H6, H13, and H14) of the Aβ(1–16) peptide were replaced by three alanine and three serine residues to form the modified peptides Aβ(1–16)A36,13,14 and Aβ(1–16)S36,13,14 (primary structures: H-1DAEFRADSGYEVAAQK16-NH2 and H-1DAEFRSDSGYEVSSQK16-NH2). In addition, the Aβ(9–16) peptide fragment (H-9GYEVHHQK16-NH2) and its glycine analogues, namely Aβ(9–16)G110, (H-9GGEVHHQK16-NH2), Aβ(9–16)G213,14 (H-9GYEVGGQK16-NH2), and Aβ(9–16)G310,13,14 (H-9GGEVGGQK16-NH2), were manually synthesised in order to study Al binding to more specific amino acid residues. Both the peptides and the corresponding complexes with aluminium were comparatively investigated by mass spectrometry (MS), circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Al–peptide molecular ions and Al-fragment ions were unambiguously identified in the MS and MS/MS spectra. AFM images showed dramatic changes in the film morphology of peptides upon Al binding. Our findings from the investigation of N-terminal 1-16 and even 9-16 normal and modified sequences of Aβ peptides suggest that they have the capability to be involved in aluminium ion binding associated with AD.
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18
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Holubová M, Štěpánek P, Hrubý M. Polymer materials as promoters/inhibitors of amyloid fibril formation. Colloid Polym Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00396-020-04710-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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19
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Wallin C, Jarvet J, Biverstål H, Wärmländer S, Danielsson J, Gräslund A, Abelein A. Metal ion coordination delays amyloid-β peptide self-assembly by forming an aggregation-inert complex. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:7224-7234. [PMID: 32241918 PMCID: PMC7247290 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A detailed understanding of the molecular pathways for amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregation from monomers into amyloid fibrils, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, is crucial for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. We investigate the molecular details of peptide fibrillization in vitro by perturbing this process through addition of differently charged metal ions. Here, we used a monovalent probe, the silver ion, that, similarly to divalent metal ions, binds to monomeric Aβ peptide and efficiently modulates Aβ fibrillization. On the basis of our findings, combined with our previous results on divalent zinc ions, we propose a model that links the microscopic metal-ion binding to Aβ monomers to its macroscopic impact on the peptide self-assembly observed in bulk experiments. We found that substoichiometric concentrations of the investigated metal ions bind specifically to the N-terminal region of Aβ, forming a dynamic, partially compact complex. The metal-ion bound state appears to be incapable of aggregation, effectively reducing the available monomeric Aβ pool for incorporation into fibrils. This is especially reflected in a decreased fibril-end elongation rate. However, because the bound state is significantly less stable than the amyloid state, Aβ peptides are only transiently redirected from fibril formation, and eventually almost all Aβ monomers are integrated into fibrils. Taken together, these findings unravel the mechanistic consequences of delaying Aβ aggregation via weak metal-ion binding, quantitatively linking the contributions of specific interactions of metal ions with monomeric Aβ to their effects on bulk aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Wallin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jüri Jarvet
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Sebastian Wärmländer
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jens Danielsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Astrid Gräslund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Abelein
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden.
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20
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Bjørklund G, Peana M, Dadar M, Chirumbolo S, Aaseth J, Martins N. Mercury-induced autoimmunity: Drifting from micro to macro concerns on autoimmune disorders. Clin Immunol 2020; 213:108352. [PMID: 32032765 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is widely recognized as a neurotoxic metal, besides it can also act as a proinflammatory agent and immunostimulant, depending on individual exposure and susceptibility. Mercury exposure may arise from internal body pathways, such as via dental amalgams, preservatives in drugs and vaccines, and seafood consumption, or even from external pathways, i.e., occupational exposure, environmental pollution, and handling of metallic items and cosmetics containing Hg. In susceptible individuals, chronic low Hg exposure may trigger local and systemic inflammation, even exacerbating the already existing autoimmune response in patients with autoimmunity. Mercury exposure can trigger dysfunction of the autoimmune responses and aggravate immunotoxic effects associated with elevated serum autoantibodies titers. The purpose of the present review is to provide a critical overview of the many issues associated with Hg exposure and autoimmunity. In addition, the paper focuses on individual susceptibility and other health effects of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Massimiliano Peana
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; CONEM Scientific Secretary, Verona, Italy
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Natália Martins
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (I3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Montecinos-Oliva C, Arrázola MS, Jara C, Tapia-Rojas C, Inestrosa NC. Hormetic-Like Effects of L-Homocysteine on Synaptic Structure, Function, and Aβ Aggregation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13020024. [PMID: 32024240 PMCID: PMC7168909 DOI: 10.3390/ph13020024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the primary cause of dementia among the elderly population. Elevated plasma levels of homocysteine (HCy), an amino acid derived from methionine metabolism, are considered a risk factor and biomarker of AD and other types of dementia. An increase in HCy is mostly a consequence of high methionine and/or low vitamin B intake in the diet. Here, we studied the effects of physiological and pathophysiological HCy concentrations on oxidative stress, synaptic protein levels, and synaptic activity in mice hippocampal slices. We also studied the in vitro effects of HCy on the aggregation kinetics of Aβ40. We found that physiological cerebrospinal concentrations of HCy (0.5 µM) induce an increase in synaptic proteins, whereas higher doses of HCy (30–100 µM) decrease their levels, thereby increasing oxidative stress and causing excitatory transmission hyperactivity, which are all considered to be neurotoxic effects. We also observed that normal cerebrospinal concentrations of HCy slow the aggregation kinetic of Aβ40, whereas high concentrations accelerate its aggregation. Finally, we studied the effects of HCy and HCy + Aβ42 over long-term potentiation. Altogether, by studying an ample range of effects under different HCy concentrations, we report, for the first time, that HCy can exert beneficial or toxic effects over neurons, evidencing a hormetic-like effect. Therefore, we further encourage the use of HCy as a biomarker and modifiable risk factor with therapeutic use against AD and other types of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Montecinos-Oliva
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE); Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular; Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Macarena S Arrázola
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE); Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular; Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Center for Integrative Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor de Chile, Santiago 8580745, Chile
| | - Claudia Jara
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Aging, Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 7510156, Chile
| | - Cheril Tapia-Rojas
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Aging, Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 7510156, Chile
| | - Nibaldo C Inestrosa
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE); Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular; Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
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